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Useful resources

Home > Useful resources
General Study Skills sites


Dictionaries

There are many dictionaries online, and most of them are free!

  • Cambridge Dictionaries Online
  • Macmillan English Dictionary
    The Macmillan English Dictionary has been written for learners of English who are at good intermediate to advanced level. It gives the most up-to-date information about the English language as it is being used at the present time. Macmillan has but together a few important questions that you must ask before deciding what dictionary to buy.
  • Dictionary.com
    This is a multi-source dictionary search service produced by Lexico Publishing Group.
  • Babylon
    Download different dictionaries, such as English-English or English-Japanese. Then, when you are using your word processor or even when you are reading any other text on your computer (such as a website), you can click on the word and get a translation.
  • Chinese Languages
    If your first language is Chinese, Japanese or Korean and you know pinyin, use this online dictionary to find the translation in English.
  • Wordsmyth
    This is a dictionary of American English. It also includes a thesaurus.
  • dictionary.net
    Returns word, and phrase definitions from a variety of English dictionary resources
Specialist dictionaries

Below you will find a number of very specific dictionaries and glossaries. These contain words and definitions from various academic and professional fields. There are many more. You can find them by using a search engine like Google or Yahoo.


General student websites
  • Braintrack
    Lists all UK universities and colleges.
  • Student UK
    General information for students
  • InterStudent
    General information for students
  • Miss Your Mum
    Contains lots of student advice including meal on a budget, finance, accommodation and health and safety.
  • Lazy Student
    If you can cope with the flash intro, this site with its bright, funky layout and super tips will not disappoint you.
  • Student Free Stuff
    Freebies for students.
  • NUS
    National Union of Students (NUS); gives general advice for students as well as information about the work of the NUS and current campaigns.
  • NIStudents
    The student movement in Northern Ireland.
  • Opendays
    University and college open day directory.
  • Universityoptions
    Contains advice and information on making the move into higher education.
  • Education Guardian
    For news and information on higher education courses.
  • UK Active Map
    Active map of universities and HE institutions.

International students

For more advice, see the international students section.

Sites for dyslexic students

  • The British Dyslexia Association
    Discussion forum for dyslexic people.
  • Dyslexia Institute
  • Dyslexia - The Gift
    Links to a range of information related to dyslexia, including: “Dyslexia, The Gift”, which itself links to: articles and reports; forum for networking and sharing information; free downloads of Help Read (screen reader) and We Media (talking browser).

Sites for students with disabilities

  • Skill (National Bureau for Students with disabilities)
    Promotes opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK.
  • DFES
    Department for Education and Skills. Information about extra help available if you have a disability and wish to go into, or continue studying in, higher education.
  • FERL: Focus On Students With Disabilities
     Addresses the new obligations placed upon further education colleges through the new Special Educational Needs and Disability Rights in Education Act 2001.
  • NISS - Special Needs / Disabilities
     Details sites specifically for those with, or working in the area of, special needs or disabilities, particularly in Further and Higher Education.
  • Disability Rights Commission
  • HEFCE
    Higher Education Funding Council for England; includes a resource directory for disabilities

Accommodation

  • Student-Accom
    Rented accommodation and houses for students
  • ARLA
    The Association of Residential Letting Agents
  • ANUK
    For students considering taking up a place in a private hall
  • Office of Fair Trading
    Government agency publishing guidance on tenancy agreements
    Tel: 08457 22 44 99
  • Shelter
    Shelter; advice and help on accommodation issues
    Tel: 0808 800444
  • Citizen’s Advice Bureau
    Free advice on accommodation matters
  • Endsleigh
    Insurance for students living in shared accommodation
    Tel: 0800 028 3571
Finance
  • Moneynet
    Financial advice for students on budgeting, saving, taxes, national insurance etc.
  • Aim Higher
    Includes information on student finance
  • The Student Loans Company
    Information on applying for loans and repayments
  • DFES
    The Higher Education Student Support website
  • Learning Wales
    The Welsh Assembly Government’s Training and Education website
  • SAAS
    The Student Awards Agency for Scotland
  • DFEL
    The Department for Employment and Leaning Northern Ireland
  • National Debtline
    Provides free confidential advice on how to deal with debt problems
    Tel: 0808 808 4000
Health, safety and security
  • Student Health
    Good health advice for students, written by doctors
  • NHS Direct
    Tel: 0845 46 47
  • Travel Health
    Health advice for travelling abroad
  • Talk to Frank
    Offers confidential advice on drug-related issues
    Tel: 0800 776 600
    Textphone: 0800 917 8765
  • Brook
    Provides free and confidential sexual health advice and contraception for young people up to the age of 25
  • Family Planning Association
    Offers advice on a range of sexual health issues
    Tel: 0845 310 1334 (UK)
    0141 576 5088 (Scotland)
    028 90 325 488 (Belfast) or 028 71 260 016 (Derry)
  • British Pregnancy Advisory Service
  • Tel: 0845 730 4030 (UK)
    +44 121 450 7700 (from Ireland)
  • Playing Safely
    Sexual health advice
    Tel: 0800 567 123 (UK)
    Tel: 0845 604 8484 (Wales)
  • Rape Crisis
    For information and details of rape crisis centres across the UK
  • The Samaritans
    The Samaritans is a confidential 24-hour helpline for anyone in crisis
    Tel: 0845 790 9090 (UK)
    1850 60 90 90 (Republic of Ireland)
  • National Nightline
    A confidential helpline run by students for students
  • Stonewall
    Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals
  • The Suzy Lamplugh Trust
    A leading authority on personal safety
  • Victim Support
     Helps people cope with the effects of crime
    Tel: 0845 303 0900
Career guidance
 Employment companies
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