As a postgraduate studying in London, you might be balancing your study with work and family commitments, and may be living away from university halls. We know that your support needs will vary. But when you need it, the right help is at hand.
Most postgraduates find their closest contact is with their departmental advisors and supervisors, and there are a range of other academic services on offer to help with your study. Royal Holloway is renowned for its friendly and caring community and we’ll help you to access personal support and wellbeing services to help you get the most out of your time with us.
As well as your departmental advisors and academic staff we have a dedicated member of staff based at our central London campus, who will be able to help you with any enquiries whilst studying there.
Support for international students
Our central London campus is perfectly located for exploring the employment opportunities and cultural highlights the city has to offer, and we welcome students from all over the world.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact our friendly and knowledgeable International Student Recruitment Team who will be happy to offer advice and help with any questions you may have.
Our International Student Support Office is also available to help incoming students with a range of administrative and wellbeing issues, from visa and immigration advice to adapting to life in the UK.
Study support
Whatever your academic needs, the Centre for the Development of Academic Skills is there to ensure you can perform to the best of your ability. We offer a range of academic skills support, with every student having access to an interactive e-learning module for self-directed study. Each academic department runs its own subject-specific training sessions to complement your studies as well as discipline-specific training. Free lectures, workshops, drop-ins and 1:1 tutorials on a range of key academic skills are also available. Please note some of these services are only available at our Egham campus.
English Language support ahead of your study
If English isn’t your first language, we offer our Pre-sessional English Language Programme to help you adjust to studying in an unfamiliar academic setting. The Programme runs for twelve, ten or eight weeks, and is ideal if your IELTS score falls just below the level of English required. Please note this programme operates from our Egham campus.
Study facilities
There are plenty of spaces available for you to study and meet with fellow students. In our central London locations, you'll have access to senior common rooms complete with comfortable seating and kitchen equipment - great if you need somewhere to relax between teaching sessions. You can also take advantage of the fantastic study spaces available in Senate House library.
Travelling to our Egham campus
It may be necessary for you to come to our Egham campus for certain events during your studies. These may include your examinations and, in some cases, enrolment. We will let you know if this is the case. Graduation is also held at our Egham campus.
However, there’s really no need to worry too much about the distance; Egham is an easy 40-minute train journey from London Waterloo and easily accessible from the M3, M4, M25 and Heathrow Airport.
You're welcome to visit Egham at any time and make use of all the main campus facilities open to you as a valued member of our community. It's well worth a visit as a historic site in its own right.
Personal support and well-being
You’ll be able to make the most of the wealth of public support services offered near the London campus, including many local NHS services, religious centres and opportunities for faith support. For advice about places of worship, and links to other faith communities and support networks please contact chaplaincy@london.ac.uk.
Our Disability and Dyslexia Service is based at the Egham campus and the team's available in person, on the phone or over email to support you with queries. Some specialist support activities may only be able to take place in Egham, as there is limited in-person support available in our London premises, so we advise you to discuss your academic and accessibility requirements with us at the earliest opportunity.
Student counselling is available from our professionally-accredited service, and offers personal, emotional and psychological support in a confidential, nonjudgmental and friendly setting. Coaching sessions can also be arranged. All face-to-face counselling and coaching services take place in Egham but the team can offer counselling over email or by Skype. All students can also access support from London Nightline with whom we are affiliated.
Student Well-being provide all students with advice and guidance about maintaining good well-being whilst studying and are a triage point for other services. The team can offer students in London support by telephone and email and will also support you in locating local services. All our well-being services have a range of online and self-help resources available.
University of London membership
Royal Holloway is one of seventeen independent higher education institutions that makes up the University of London. That means as well as having membership of Royal Holloway, you’ll also have membership of the University of London, both as a student and an alumnus.
University of London membership offers several benefits. Our students are entitled to free membership of Senate House Library, with access to over 2 million volumes and 50 special collections. You’ll also be able to access University of London Clubs and Societies, University of London student housing, and BLOOM@SenateHouse, a brand-new social and study space for University of London students.
Finally, you’ll have access to University of London alumni benefits. You'll receive invitations to University of London alumni events - both in London and across the globe - receive alumni membership of Senate House Library, and have access to MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) and other Continuing Professional Development opportunities offered by the University of London.
