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Lampeter Campus
Campus Life
University Life and Student Services
The Lampeter Campus and Lampeter town offer surprisingly good facilities, with a wide range of leisure and social activities. Many University-based entertainments and services are provided by both the Students' Union and the University.
This page aims to give you a brief summary of what is available.
Where can I go for an evening out?
The first place to head for on campus is the Students' Union, which is Lampeter's student-only bar. The prices are reasonable and you will always meet someone you know there. Adjacent to the bar is the Union-run cafe where you can buy excellent home-cooked meals at low prices.
The Union organizes discos, comedy, fancy dress and cabaret evenings, quiz nights and gigs/concerts. Film fans are advised to join the Film Club, which shows films every week and organises cinema trips.
Balls normally take place three times a year: the Freshers' Ball during the first week of the Michaelmas term, which aims to help new students get to know each other, The Rag Ball in February (see below), and the President's Ball at the start of the Easter term, which is more formal but nonetheless very popular.
An interesting annual phenomenon at British Universities is "Rag Week", which usually takes place in February. Students attend various strange events, such as the "three-legged beer race" and the Rag Ball - and all the money raised goes to charities chosen by the Students' Union.
Of course, when it comes to entertainment, you are not limited to what the University has to offer: the town has a large selection of pubs where you will receive a friendly welcome (see the next section Lampeter - the town) as well as a host of other special-interest and social groups that students are welcome to join.
What kinds of societies and clubs can I join?
Freshers' Fair, which takes place during Freshers' Week, is the best place to find out about (and join) the numerous University-run clubs and societies on the Lampeter campus. Remember that there are only 24 hours in a day before you commit yourself to too many activities though!
There are around thirty sporting clubs, including all the usual ones (Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Hockey, Keep-Fit, Netball, Rugby, Running, Squash, Swimming and Tennis), as well as some less expected ones (Fencing, Pole Fitness, Horse-Riding, Juggling, Karate, Mountaineering, Pool, Sailing, Self-Defence, Water Polo and Weights).
There is also a range of religious societies: from the Student Christian Movement to Anglican, Catholic, Islamic, Methodist and Pagan Societies. Academic societies also feature: many departments have their own societies, which provide debates, guest speakers and social occasions. These societies complement the academic courses, but are open to anyone with an interest in the relevant subject area - not just students taking that subject.
There are various campaigning groups such as Amnesty, Animal Rights and Women's Action Group, along with more directly political clubs such as Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Green and Plaid Cymru /Party of Wales.
There are also various non-sporting social clubs that have been set up by students and, at present, these include Battle Soc, Card Games, Chinese, Circus, Dance, Decoration, Drama, Good Deeds, and Medieval Societies as well as many more.
Do please bear in mind that the list of clubs and society within the Students' Union changes frequently as students' interests change. The most up-to-date list of clubs and societies is provided on the Students' Union web pages.
Where can I turn for help?
Many academic schools operate tutorial systems (whereby each student is allocated a personal tutor) or have a general undergraduate supervisor available. These people may well be able to help and advise you in the first instance, whether or not your problem is an academic one.
We also recommend you seek the advice of the International Student Support Officer who understands the concerns and requirements of international students. The International Student Support Officer can be contacted via the International Office.
In addition, the Students' Union employs a Welfare Officer, who has considerable experience in dealing with student affairs. Although the Welfare Officer is not a trained counsellor, he or she can give basic advice or at least put you in touch with the appropriate person or organisation.
Where can I attend religious worship?
The St David’s Chapel is situated in the St David's Building and is open to Christians of all denominations and traditions. Services follow the Prayer Book of the Church in Wales. Service times are displayed on the Chapel noticeboard. The Chaplain is willing to listen to students' problems or just have a chat at any time.
A prayer-room for Muslim students is situated behind the Sheikh Khalifa building. If you belong to another religion, there may well be an appropriate religious society at Lampeter that you could join.
There are various churches and chapels around the town offering Baptist, Methodist and Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical services.
Is there a nursery for my child?
The Students' Union is responsible for running the creche - "Gwdi Hws" (Little Owls) - which offers a professionally managed, safe environment for the children of staff, students and local people. It is open from 8.45 - 17.00, Monday - Friday, for about 45 weeks in the year. Babies from six months old are cared for.
How does the healthcare system work?
Students from the EU or from a country with a reciprocal health agreement with the UK will automatically be eligible for National Health Service (NHS) medical treatment, which is in most cases free.
Other international students (and their families) are also entitled to such treatment provided they are registered on a course of study lasting at least six months (and provided they did not come to Britain with the express purpose of receiving medical treatment). Their eligibility starts on the date the course commences.
You should be sent a form to complete so that you can register with the local Doctor's surgery - if you do not receive a form, please ask for one.
Students seeking individual advice should go to the medical centre adjoining the campus which is open daily (except Sunday) with qualified nursing staff and doctors in attendance. Minor accidents can be treated on the spot. Students are asked to register with the medical practice when entering the University. There are modern fully equipped hospitals at Carmarthen (Tel. 01267 235151) and Aberystwyth (Tel. 01970 623131). If you urgently require an ambulance, dial 999.
Under NHS regulations, routine consultations and check-ups are free, but a charge may be made for medicines prescribed. Services provided by dentists and opticians are subsidised rather than being completely free of charge - i.e. you have to pay for dental check-ups and sight tests. There are two dentists and two opticians in Lampeter.
As well as attending to accidents and illnesses, the nursing staff at the Student Health Centre welcome any student who seeks advice, assistance or counselling.
Are there shopping facilities on campus?
The Students' Union runs a small shop stocked with snacks, greetings cards, stationery and various souvenirs with the University logo on them. As the University is in the centre of the town, there is no need for any other separate campus shopping facilities.
