Student Support and Facilities
The Combined Studies Society opening event each academic year is its justifiably famous curry evening
The Combined Studies Centre forms the hub of the administration of the widespread networks of Combined Studies courses. The Centre is staffed by: a full-time Director, Dr Alyssa Phillips and the Senior Programme Administrator, Anne Thompson.
As Combined Studies students are taught in such a large number of Schools, we feel that it is particularly important that help and advice should be readily available to them. Staff in the Combined Studies Centre will advise you in the planning and operation of your chosen degree programme. The overall responsibility for the academic progress and the general well-being of students is assumed by the Director of Combined Studies, who is available to see students in the Combined Studies Centre. Throughout your course, you will also be encouraged to complete an online Personal Development Plan, aimed to prompt awareness and help you reflect on the skills you develop during your course.
The staff in the Combined Studies Centre have a wealth of experience within the University and will be able to help, advise and support you throughout your course. There are also central sources of student support and advice and you can access these on the Crucial Guide website.
We feel that it is important that Combined Studies students meet socially. There is a Combined Studies student workspace and a Combined Studies Society, run by and for the students. The Combined Studies peer mentoring scheme is run by second and final year students and aims to help you make the most of your time at Manchester, both academically and socially. Mentors are available to help you adapt to university life, to offer support and guidance and to organise informal social activities.
Academic Adviser
You will be appointed an academic adviser, as well as inviting you to scheduled meetings, your academic adviser will have weekly office hours when they are available to meet you without an appointment.
Each area of study also has an academic staff member to oversee the academic interests of Combined Studies students studying in that area. Students often prefer to use the Combined Studies staff as their first point of contact. Where the staff cannot help directly with any problems they will be able to advise you on where to seek further help. Details of the Academic Contacts for each of the disciplines within Combined Studies are published in the Combined Studies Programme Handbook.