Student Services

Electronic communication

The UFT office communicates with students during semester via UFT E-news, a weekly bulletin with information about events and reminders about forthcoming deadlines. This is delivered to the email address provided at the time of enrolment, so please ensure that your email address is up to date. It is compulsory for all MCD students to have an email address, and you will need email and internet access to access reading and course materials for most units. Students are welcome to submit suitable items for inclusion, such as news of public events or visiting speakers, or student groups and meetings that may be of interest. If you do not receive e-news please contact the UFT office.

Special needs

Every effort is made to assist students with disabilities. Students are asked to make any special needs known to the UFT office at the time of enrolment and should make an appointment with the UFT Dean to discuss support services.

Pastoral care

Academic study is challenging for all students. Theological study can be a particularly intense experience at spiritual and personal levels as well as intellectual. Students are welcome to speak to their lecturers if they find they are having difficulties of any kind related to their study. The UFT office staff can provide references to appropriately qualified persons for counselling or spiritual direction. Students have informal access to a range of opportunities for welfare support or pastoral care. These may include lecturers, the UFT Dean, their own ministers, and colleagues, but also fellow students, and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their spiritual and personal development as part of their studies.

Kitchen facilities

Both Trinity and the CTM have student kitchen facilities with a microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher, and tea, instant coffee and biscuits are provided. It is the responsibility of all those using the kitchens to clean up after themselves. These are self-catering facilities without dedicated staff. Please do not take food and drink into classrooms. The ‘Last Cuppa café’ at the CTM is generally open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm in semester time.

Student and staff consultation

Student meetings are held at least once each semester and advertised through classes, e-news and noticeboards. These lunchtime events are a chance for students to meet informally with the UFT Dean and other staff members and to raise any issues of concern. These forums also provide a mechanism for student representatives on the UFT Senatus and the UFT Academic Board to consult with other students. If you wish to be involved in one of these, or to organise such an event, please contact the UFT Office.

Academic Skills Program

The UFT offers a series of workshops free of charge to enrolled students each semester. These provide new and returning students with the chance to develop their skills in areas such as:

• taking lecture notes
• making the most of reading
• locating library resources
• planning and writing essays
• footnotes and bibliography

Details and programs are posted each semester on the website, in e-news and on the UFT noticeboards. Students should register their attendance in advance with CTM reception and are expected to attend the full program to get the most benefit out of individual sessions.