We will support you through your student life in lots of different ways. From supporting you if you have a disability, or you become unwell, to advice on student money issues and planning for your future career. We also offer specialist advice and resources for hearing protection and performance anxiety.
Finding and Registering with a GP
We recommend that students register with a GP. The two practices named below are the most convenient for Leeds Conservatoire students.
- Leeds Student Medical Practice
4 Blenheim Court, Blenheim Walk, Leeds LS2 9AE
Tel: 0113 295 4488 Register online - Shakespeare Medical Practice
Burmantofts Health Centre, Cromwell Mount, Leeds LS9 7TA
Tel: 0113 295 1132 Information about registering
A full list of GP surgeries (and NHS dentists) is available on the NHS website. If in doubt as to who you should register with, email the Wellbeing team: healthandwellbeing@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk
A&E and 111 NHS Helplines
It’s important that you know what to do if you or someone around you becomes ill, especially if you are not sure who to speak to. If you are unsure if you need to go to hospital, call 111 or use NHS 111 online and they will direct you to the correct service.
Accident and Emergency (A&E) provides a 24-hour walk-in service for people who have a serious and new injury or illness. The nearest A&E in Leeds city centre is based at the Leeds General Infirmary. There is also another A&E department further afield at St James' Hospital in Harehills, Leeds.
Call 999 for an ambulance in a medical emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Find out more about when to call 999 and what to expect from a 999 call from the NHS website.
(Note: If you are used to calling 112 for emergency services in Europe, this will still work in the UK.)
Image Credit: www.meningitisnow.org
Meningitis and Septicaemia
It is really important that you know and recognise the signs for meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning). These are serious diseases which tend to occur where people live or work closely together such as shared accommodation. It is likely that you had a Meningitis vaccination as a young child, however, if you haven’t had the Meningitis ACWY vaccine you will be eligible to receive it if you are aged between 14 and 24 and have not received the vaccine at school or college. You should get a Meningitis ACWY vaccine, ideally through your GP before starting University, or as soon as possible after arriving in Leeds.
The key symptoms to look out for are, fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet.
A tell-tale sign is fever with a rash that does not fade under pressure. Press the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin. If the rash doesn’t fade it is a medical emergency. On dark skin, the spots/rash can be more difficult to see, check lighter areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth. Find out more.
Hearing Protection
Making music is a joy, but it can also be dangerous for your hearing if you are exposed to high sound pressure levels. We take this very seriously and we ask you to look after your hearing while you study with us. You will be issued with a pair of high-fidelity silicone ‘EarPeace’ earplugs free of charge at registration which you should carry with you and use them when it gets loud.
Disability Support
Leeds Conservatoire is proud of its diverse population. We have many students who have dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, autism, physical and mental health conditions, and physical or sensory impairments.
Our student Disability Advisers will be happy to discuss your support needs to make sure that you receive the right support, adjustments, advice and guidance to help you with your studies. All you need to do is complete the support needs referral form and we will help you through the process.
Wellbeing and Mental Health Support
We hope that you have a happy and healthy time at Leeds Conservatoire. Staying well and looking after yourself can help you get the best out of your course, and allows you to make the best of your time living in Leeds. We understand that sometimes, you might need that extra bit of support. This could be with long-term health conditions, unexpected illness, mental health problems or practical issues that you might be struggling with.
You can contact us via email HealthandWellbeing@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk or find us in room 401.
Sexual Health
If you need advice or support on any aspect of sexual health from contraception to STIs, the Leeds Sexual Health Service provides information and advice as well as testing for HIV and STIs, and emergency contraception.
Fees, Funding and Money
If you are struggling to understand how student finance works, you need to find out what funding you may be eligible for, or you need help to manage your money, the Student Fees and Funding team in Student Services can help.
Email studentfunding@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk for advice
Working while you study
Many of our students choose to work while they study with us. This can be a great way to gain more money, reduce debt and develop new skills and work experience. We recommend part-time work up to 15 hours a week so you can concentrate on your studies. Make sure your job is flexible and can be scheduled around your lecture time.
If you are here on a Tier 4 Visa, please check our website for guidance and links to the latest government advice. Most Tier 4 Visa Students may work a certain number of hours per week, but not all of them and different restrictions might apply. Please check your visa carefully before you take on any work.
Planning for your future in the industry
Alongside the professional training you receive while you are studying with us, the Artistry and Enterprise Team are here to support your journey throughout your course and beyond, aiming to empower, develop and sustain early careers aspirations.
There are many ways to engage with our services; with industry relevant extra-curricular support schemes and programmes available by application, our in-house booking agency and library music catalogue to sign up to, opportunities to take part in festivals, events and conferencing, as well as general advice and signposting via our team members and Musicians’ Survival Guide series.
Much of our application-based support is available across all years of study and includes our online experience fund, subsidised video and photo production, match and proof of concept funding, and our more involved artist and business development programme.
We are also working with the National Careers Service to provide CV, application and job market support.
You can find out more on our dedicated Progression Portal.
Visit Progression Portal
