Miscellaneous Questions
Below are a selection of questions we often get asked which don't fit neatly into any of our other categories! This list is far from exhaustive, so if there is something that you need to know that we haven't covered, don't hesitate to give us a call on 0117 32 82676!
1) Do I have to pay for prescriptions?
Students are not automatically exempt from prescription costs but if you have a low income you may qualify for reduced or non-payment. You need to complete form HC1 and return before you will be entitled to any free prescriptions. These forms are obtainable from the SU Advice Centre and SU campus offices.
2) What childcare facilities does the University provide?
The Students’ Union have two Halley nurseries; one is on the Frenchay campus, and the other is at St. Matt’s. The Frenchay nursery is open all year round and places are given as a priority to UWE students and staff. For further details on the nursery see: www.uwesu.org/nursery
3) When do I get my UWE bursary?
An e-mail will be sent to both your UWE and personal (if the University has one for you) e-mail accounts telling you that your bursary cheque is ready for collection. You will need to collect it from the campus you are based at and must produce your white University ID card at this time. If you would like specific dates or further information then you can contact Student Advice and Welfare Service (SAWS) who issue the bursary payments on 0117 32 82822.
4) I want to make a complaint about something at UWE, how do I do this?
UWE has recently introduced a new complaints procedure which is a clear, three stage process. Essentially the first step is about discussion and raising awareness of the issue, either by e-mail or verbally with the relevant staff in the faculty or service department. This is stage 1 of the UWE complaints procedure. If you feel that your complaint has not been acted upon then raise it, in writing, with the Complaints Manager who covers your faculty or for non-academic complaints, the area that you wish to complain about. Each faculty and department is covered by a specific Complaints Manager and the Advice Centre can give you the name and contact details of the right person for your complaint. Taking your complaint to a Complaints Manager is stage 2 of the complaints procedure.
The Advice Centre will be able to assist you with submitting a formal complaint by supporting you when you are writing the letter and making sure that you have addressed it to the correct person. We can also attend any meetings that arise as a result of your stage 2 letter.
If after making a formal complaint to the Complaints Manager you are still unhappy and can demonstrate significant grounds for dissatisfaction i.e. there is new evidence for consideration or there has been a material irregularity in the investigation of the complaint then you can take it to the final stage of the internal complaints procedure. This involves writing a further letter to the Service Enhancement Manager and is the third and final stage of the internal process. If you do wish to take your complaint to the stage 3 level then we recommend that you do come into the Advice Centre so that we can assist you further with this. If you have exhausted the full UWE complaints procedure but are still unhappy, you may be able to take your complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA). You will however, ONLY be able to do this if you have followed all of the internal procedures first and your complaint falls into a ground covered by the OIA. You will also need a ‘completion of procedures’ letter from UWE before you can go to the OIA so please come to see us in the Advice Centre so that we can assist you in ensuring you follow the complaints route properly.
Website Feedback: Is this page helpful? Good? Bad? Tell us!
