Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

Student and Library Services

Student and Library Services focuses on providing excellent quality services which enable students to succeed. We enhance students' teaching, learning, research, wellbeing, and graduate outcomes through numerous support mechanisms which are vital in the student journey. 

A number of individual teams make up Student and Library Services. These teams are responsible for providing:

  • support and advice for disabled students and students with specific learning difficulties
  • study skills workshops and resources to help students develop academic skills, develop confidence and boost grades
  • advice on all aspects of student finance, funding, benefits and money management
  • help to explore career options, prepare job/placement applications and develop employability skills
  • a counselling and wellbeing service to promote mental health and wellbeing
  • a student advice service, supporting students with academic issues including modules, deadlines and extensions
  • a library service, providing print and online resources, help with information skills, research support, and a variety of study spaces
  • a range of platforms and communications tools such as our student intranet and App, and delivering campaigns to promote a wide range of services and activities
  • a great student experience through activities such as our welcome buddy scheme and support for student communities such as care leavers
  • support for diversity and cultural change by working in collaborative partnership with other teams across the university to develop and implement diversity, inclusion and cultural change initiatives that aim to tackle structural disadvantage and improve the student experience.

Job roles in Student and Library Services

There’s a wide range of roles in the Student and Library Services team, and we’ll tell you about just a few of them here. Keep an eye on the ARU jobs site for details of current vacancies.

Most Student and Library Services staff are in student-facing roles, so there is a requirement to work on campus regularly to deliver services to students in person. Many of us follow a hybrid working model, meaning we work from home (or remotely) for part of the week, and come onto campus on other days.

We are based at different ARU campuses but work collaboratively to provide high quality services to students regardless of where they are located.

  • Disability and Dyslexia Advisers provide specialist advice and guidance to our students and applicants with disabilities, including those with specific learning differences. Colleagues organise adjustments and support for disabled students in collaboration with faculty staff and other professional services.
  • Employability and Careers Advisers provide careers and employability advice to our students, potential students, alumni and the faculties, and support students to develop their employability skills, secure meaningful work experience and graduate jobs.
  • Student Money Advisers provide a professional financial advice and guidance service to students on a range of complex financial and welfare matters, including funding options, budgeting and money management skills.
  • Library Services Advisers work as part of a team to provide advice and guidance to library customers via face-to-face helpdesks, the telephone and online. Colleagues also contribute to a range of other activities such as checking reading lists and library stock purchasing.
  • Subject Librarians deliver high quality academic library services to our University’s teaching, learning and research community and are responsible for the library services, support and resource collections within specific subject areas.
  • Study Coaches plan, prepare and deliver study skills sessions and individual support that enables students to develop their academic skills and facilitates their progression, achievement and success.
  • iCentre Administrators work as part of the Information and Advice team to provide a frontline service to students on campus, online and by phone, referring or signposting to specialist services as needed. Staff also deliver complex administrative tasks, often relating to the registration of our new students. Colleagues are often the first port of call for students who need assistance or are in distress and team members are passionate about offering an empathetic and professional service to our students.
  • Diversity and Cultural Change Coordinators support institutional cultural change initiatives that seek to positively impact students from disadvantaged and/or protected groups eg Black, Asian or minority ethnic, LGBTQ+, or those from lower participation areas. Colleagues interact with teams across the university to provide administrative and technical support for the work of the Diversity and Cultural Change team including project coordination for the Race Equality Advocates programme.