All UK universities offer students a wide range of services and support to ensure they are well looked after – both practically and emotionally – as they embark on their academic careers.
In Part 1 of this series, we looked at the more practical areas of Student Services and the roles available to those looking to work in non-academic university departments. In Part 2, we take a detailed look at university services offering wellbeing, academic, spiritual and health support to the thousands of students who start university courses each year.
The structure of Student Services varies between universities. However, you will always find the following areas of services and support:
Here we explore what types of jobs are on offer in these areas of Student Services and the qualifications and experience required for a rewarding career in pastoral support.
Chaplaincy
The university Chaplaincy offers multi-faith spiritual guidance, services and events to all students and staff. The team aim to represent most world religions and work together to serve those of all faiths and of none. They also work closely with Student Faith Societies and provide space and time for worship.
Roles:
- Chaplain (all major faiths and no-faith humanism)
- Assistant Chaplain (all major faiths)
- Chaplaincy Coordinator
- Chaplaincy Administrator
- Faith and Wellbeing officer
Your background:
-
- Religious/Theology studies
- Faith-based pastoral care
- Humanistic pastoral care
- Faith-based charity sector
- Administration
Disability Support
All universities offer a comprehensive network of support to students with disabilities, long-term medical conditions and those with caring responsibilities. The service also provides in-class, one-to-one and exam support to those with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ASD and Asperger’s.
Roles:
- Disability Officer/Adviser
- Learning Support Assistant/SEN Support
- Study Skills Tutor (learning differences)
- Disability Access Coordinator
- Interpreter (sign language)
Your background:
- Disability Advice and Legislation
- Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- Teaching/Tutoring/Mentoring
- Charity sector (disability, learning differences, etc.)
- Counselling and pastoral care
Health Centre
Larger universities may have an NHS-run health centre on campus, where qualified medical staff provide a range of services specifically for students and their families. Smaller universities generally have links with GP surgeries off-campus within the local community.
Roles:
- General Practitioner
- Nurse Practitioner
- Practice Nurse
- Practice Manager
- Counsellor (mental and sexual health)
- Midwife
Your background:
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Administration
- Counselling
Language Centre
Universities play a key role in encouraging language learning among students, regardless of their course of study. Most universities offer a wide range of language courses to all students, including English and Academic English language courses, designed specifically for international students.
Roles:
- Language Lecturer/Tutor
- English for Academic Purposes Tutor/TEFL Tutor
- Interpreter
- Administrator/Events Organiser
Your background:
- Foreign languages
- Teaching
- English language/TEFL/ESOL
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
- Administration
- Interpreting
- Events
Student Wellbeing, Counselling and Study Support
HE Wellbeing support services provide specialist counselling, mentoring, group therapy, emotional/practical support and academic/study support to students in need. The team plays a vital role in ensuring students receive the support they need to complete their studies.
Roles:
- Counsellor (specialist and general)
- Learning Mentor/Academic Skills Mentor
- Student Wellbeing adviser/officer
- Mental Health Counsellor
- Student Engagement Officer
- Sexual Health Adviser
- Head of Student Wellbeing
Your background:
- Counselling
- Mental/Sexual health advice
- Academic skills and writing
- Teaching/tutoring/mentoring
- Educational psychology
- Charity and advice sector
Sports Centre
Most universities offer state-of-the-art fitness and leisure facilities and a full programme of competitive sports teams and activities.
Roles:
- Health and Fitness Instructor
- Gym Instructor
- Coach (all sports)
- Sports and Wellbeing Officer
- Sports Centre Manager
- Administrator/Receptionist
- Event Organiser (sports)
Your background:
- Health, fitness and gym instructing
- Coaching
- Sports events management
- Customer services/reception/administration
Students’ Union
The Students’ Union is primarily staffed by elected representatives from the student body. However, most students’ unions employ a small, salaried ‘staff team’ who support the elected representatives with the administration of the union, as well as providing advice and guidance.
Roles:
- Chief Executive Officer – Students’ Union
- Community Manager/Officer
- Student Events Coordinator/Officer
- Student Support Manager/Officer/Assistant
- Finance Officer
- Academic Adviser
- International Student Adviser
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Administrator
Your background:
- Unions, advice and advocacy
- Finance and budgeting
- Customer services
- Marketing, communications and events
- Administration
- Pastoral and wellbeing
- Catering and hospitality
What’s it like to work in HE Student Services?
Higher education pastoral support services can be a challenging, yet highly rewarding working environment. You would encounter a diverse range of people and issues on a daily basis, so an empathetic manner and excellent problem-solving skills are a must for these types of posts.
Universities look for multi-skilled staff who come from a vast range of professional backgrounds for these roles – from teaching to the charity sector – to ensure students receive the help and support they need while studying. As with all Professional Services jobs, candidates for HE Support roles can expect competitive salaries, excellent training opportunities and flexible working conditions.
Here we take a closer look at three typical HE Student Services roles, from entry to senior level, and what qualifications, experience and essential skills are required.
HE Student Services: Entry-level jobs
Job title: Learning Support Assistant/Mentor
Job description
Learning support assistants and specialist mentors work with students experiencing a range of challenges and needs to support their academic progress and achievement.
Main Duties
- Works closely with students to assess their needs and provide appropriate support.
- Assists students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabilities.
- Provides in-class, one-to-one and exam support and signposts students to further information and support sources.
- Develops the academic and study skills of students.
- Collaborates closely with the disability team and academic staff to provide holistic support.
Qualifications and experience
Most universities will expect candidates to be educated to degree level, as first-hand knowledge of studying at university is essential for this role.
Experience of working with young people and adults with specific learning needs (such as through teaching or counselling), in a similar role would be highly desirable.
Salary
Higher education learning support assistants and mentors can expect to earn between £22,356 and £26,560 p.a., depending on knowledge and experience.
Essential skills and knowledge
- Knowledge of policies and legislation surrounding disabilities, SEN and equality and inclusion.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to deal with confidential information in a professional manner.
- Good listening skills and a calm and empathetic approach to students’ needs.
- Excellent IT skills and the ability to prioritise workloads according to student need.
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff to ensure students’ requirements are met.
Career path
As a learning support assistant or mentor, you will be helping students with additional needs to achieve their academic and personal goals. On gaining experience, you could progress to a management role within Student Services or move into another pastoral role across the service.
Most universities offer student support staff excellent training and ongoing CPD to enable them to adapt to changing policy and legislation.
Search for Learning Support Assistant/Mentoring roles at: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/search/student-services
HE Student Services: Mid-level jobs
Job title: Disability Adviser
Job description
A HE Disability Adviser assesses the needs of current and prospective students with disabilities and those with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), ensuring these students receive comprehensive support during their studies.
Main duties
- Conducts assessments and interviews with disabled students and those with Specific Learning Difficulties.
- Makes recommendations for reasonable adjustments which support students during their course.
- Manages a caseload of students and monitors the effectiveness of support provided.
- Produces reports according to assessment conclusions and ongoing support required.
- Liaises with academic and professional services staff to ensure students receive the correct support.
- Raises awareness of and advises on disability support and issues with senior management teams, staff and students.
Qualifications and experience
A degree, preferably in a relevant area, is essential for HE Disability Adviser posts.
Experience of working with young people and adults with disabilities and in-depth knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 and other legislation surrounding disability would also be essential for this role.
Salary
HE Disability Advisers can expect to earn between £32,845 to £41,322 p.a., depending on qualifications and experience.
Essential skills and knowledge
- Practical knowledge of external support networks and legislation relating to students with disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties.
- Commitment to promoting equality and inclusion for people with disabilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work sensitively with disabled students to assess their support needs.
- Ability to advocate on behalf of students with disabilities across the organisation.
- Excellent IT and report-writing skills.
- Able to implement University policies with regards to supporting students.
Career path
Helping students with disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties to integrate into university life would enable you to gain invaluable experience in the challenges these students face during higher education. This could lead to a more senior advisory position within the disability team or could help you to progress to a management role in another area, such as within the Equality and Inclusion team.
As a Disability Advisor, you would be expected to update your knowledge on a weekly basis. All universities offer continuing CPD tailored to improving your skills and approach to student support.
Search for Disability Advisor roles at: : https://www.jobs.ac.uk/search/student-services
HE Student Services: Senior-level jobs
Job title: Director/Head of Student Wellbeing/Support
Job description
The Director of Student Wellbeing/Support would lead a diverse team of support staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality wellbeing services to the student population.
Main duties
- Develops and implements the university’s strategy and approach surrounding student wellbeing.
- Advises the senior management team on current policies, legislation, strategy and projects with regards to the service.
- Leads a team of support staff within the central student wellbeing service.
- Develops effective strategies for responding to a diverse range of student support requirements.
- Engages in strategic planning to ensure wellbeing services are delivered within budget.
- Manages the development and delivery of campaigns and events relating to student wellbeing and pastoral care.
Qualifications and experience
A degree and further relevant qualifications are essential for Director of Student Wellbeing/Support roles.
Significant leadership and management experience, as well as experience of working in a relevant professional area of wellbeing in a similar role would also be essential for this position.
Salary
A Director of Student Wellbeing/Support could expect to earn between £58,759 and £62,483 p.a., depending on qualifications, knowledge and experience.
Essential skills and knowledge
- Exceptional leadership and management skills within a complex service delivery area.
- Extensive project management, influencing and negotiating skills.
- Ability to forge strong relationships with external partners and policymakers.
- Well-developed understanding of equality and diversity in higher education.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective relationships with students and staff at all levels.
- Strong IT and organisational skills and the ability to develop innovative projects and initiatives in line with university strategy.
Career path
As the Director of Student Wellbeing, you would provide invaluable insight into the wellbeing and support needs of students to the senior management team and external stakeholders of the university.
Experience in managing this highly sensitive and complex area of Student Services could lead to a more senior role within the institution’s Executive Team.
Search for Director of Student Wellbeing jobs at: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/search/student-services