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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

  • Council for International Students
    Council for International Students (CISUK) is a national organisation set up and run by student representatives to promote the interests of international students studying in the UK
  • Council for International Education
    Includes useful general advice for international students studying in the UK
  • British Council
    Includes guidance on student funding
  • Prepare for Success
    Learning materials for international students to prepare yourself for academic life and improve your English language skills.

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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