Study Café - support and opportunities for Arts Faculty students
- Intro - about the Café and how it can help you;
- Essentials - common questions answered and problems solved;
- Join us - come to the Study Café talks and drop-in sessions on Wednesdays;
- Technology - get support and guidance with digital technologies, access the latest tech (including VR), get certified in Digital Humanities, events and opportunities (DAHL, the Digital Arts and Humanities Lab);
- Creativity - facilities and opportunities to be creative, including our annual competition;
- Student research - get funding and support to do your own research project (including URSS).
- Work in progress - things we are working on to improve the student experience and opportunities, and ways you can get involved in these projects (including paid opportunities).
Study Café - here to help Arts Faculty students
The Study Cafe includes talks, workshops and longer drop-in sessions for supported study. We meet every Wednesday afternoon during term time in FAB 2.25 - have a look at our quick-look calendar and our 2024-2025 events page for more info.
These web pages support our weekly sessions by providing guidance 24/7 and advertising the many opportunities that are available.
Our sessions cover a wide range of academic skills and advice, including making the most of lectures and seminars, understanding assessments and feedback, conducting research, academic writing, public speaking, and tackling anxiety and imposter syndrome. We also coordinate a network of people in departments across the Faculty who can help with more discipline-specific issues.
The Study Café team:
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| Dr Bing (Bing Lu)Link opens in a new window A Warwick Education Studies graduate. Bing's specialist areas include: academic writing skills, inclusive education, doctoral education and globalisation. Bing likes having a nice piece of pistachio cake after a swim. 
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Dr Sacha Hepburn A Warwick History graduate, Sacha's research and teaching focus on African history. Her work for the Faculty includes projects on study skills, student networks and employability. She enjoys travel and tea. Chat with Sacha. |
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| Dr Rob (Robert O'Toole) A Warwick Philosophy graduate. Specialised areas: critical thinking, being creative, design methods for effective communication and engagement, digital tools and technologies. Dr Rob is powered by Lavazza coffee and the music of Kate Bush. ☕ 💃 Chat with RobLink opens in a new window. |
A Warwick French Studies graduate. I'm a specialist in French cinema and the horror genre, with an interest in study skills and the fusion of culture and academia. Reece has been killed in four horror films (and counting)! Chat with Reece. |
Essentials
The Arts Faculty (which includes humanities subjects) is based in the new Faculty of Arts Building (FAB), with the exception of the School for Cross-faculty Studies (in Ramphal).
All students
There are usually interesting open sessions running in the FAB on Wednesdays, including the DAHL Shorts (30 minute technology intros) and the Study Café drop-in and skills sessions (see below).
The VR ClubLink opens in a new window is an open-to-all opportunity to try VR and AR experiences, learn skills, and to use these tools creatively. Monday 5-6pm term time in the Media Symposium Space on the FAB first floor.
Postgraduate Research Students
CADRELink opens in a new window provides support, development opportunities, and a welcoming community.
Join the DAHL Digital HumanitiesLink opens in a new window programme to get certified in the use of tech for research, teaching, and outreach. 30 minute long DAHL Shorts tech sessions usually run on Wednesday afternoons.
Dedicated PGR study spaces can be booked in the Research Zone Link opens in a new windowon the 2nd floor of the FAB.
Rob and Bing have an office in the Research Zone, and are always happy to help you.
Study Café on Wednesday afternoons
Join us every Wednesday afternoon in FAB2.25 for the Study Café. Our sessions include themed talks and workshops and drop-in study sessions where you can write, read and work on your assessment in a focused and supportive environment. Check out our 2024-2025 events.
At each session, an academic from the Faculty of Arts will be on hand to provide guidance and support, plus snacks and drinks.
What students have said about previous Study Café sessions:
- 'Loved the ability to get feedback on work. Love the location and the ability to discuss with fellow students of similar disciplines about their work. The food and hot drinks and fruit'.
- 'The supportive environment and the access to coffee'
- 'Interactive with students and professors'
- 'the fact that people are there for the same reason that I am, and that if you need help, there is always someone who listens to you'
More about the Study Café.Link opens in a new window
Technology
Guide for new students
These pages from IT Services tell you everything you need to know to get setup.
Something not working?
For prompt assistance with IT problems, use the IT Services Helpdesk (in the Library near the entrance or call 02476 573 737 on weekdays 9-5pm, or use the online formLink opens in a new window).
Need guidance for a project?
It's increasingly common for students to use creative technologies for assessed work and other activities. We have expert help and some facilities you can use. See this pageLink opens in a new window for guides on podcasting, video making, web design, an much more. You are welcome to contact RobLink opens in a new window anytime for a chat.
Interested in a career in creative technologies, design, IT?
Many of our students develop portfolios and skills while with us at Warwick, and go on to develop exciting careers in these fields. Robert is a philosophy graduate who has worked as a software designer/developer, a teacher, and has researched and taught design. Come along to a DAHL Shorts session (30 minutes, Wednesday afternoons), or the VR Club (Monday early evenings) to try things out (we have a good selection of headsets). Chat with RobLink opens in a new window for guidance and to find out about opportunities at Warwick and beyond.
Enter the DAHL ShowcaseLink opens in a new window competition (Summer term) to get your work showcased in the FAB and online.
Modules on design are available for students from any department (with no previous experience needed). See DI229Link opens in a new window/329Link opens in a new window for undergrads, and IL925Link opens in a new window for postgrads. Chat with RobertLink opens in a new window to find out more.
Discounts and free stuff
All University staff and students get Microsoft 365 (Office, Windows, all the tools) for free to install on their own computers, as well as to use online. Go to Office.comLink opens in a new window and sign in using your Warwick/Microsoft account (username@live.warwick.ac.uk). Thenunidays look for the Install Apps link in the top right of the page to download and install. You can also use Office.com for instant access to all of the Microsoft tools and your files.
You can access lots of other software for Windows and Mac for free. See this pageLink opens in a new window.
The UnidaysLink opens in a new window scheme often provides big discounts on equipment, including Apple and Samsung, for University staff and students. Shop around. In late 2023 Amazon and John Lewis prices for MacBooks were cheaper than the student discount. John Lewis includes a 2 year warranty.
You can borrow an iPad (1 day) or laptop (up to 28 days) from the device loan serviceLink opens in a new window.
Creativity
The Digital Arts and Humanities Lab (DAHL)
DAHL supports students to explore the potential of tech in the Arts and Humanities. For example, we have a large range of VR headsets that can be used in student projects. Find out about DAHL activities.
DAHL Showcase
An online showcaseLink opens in a new window of the great work done by our Arts Faculty students using digital tools. Many of these productions have been created as coursework - this is common at Warwick. Some of the productions have been created by the students out of interest, or as part of campaigning. Every year we make an open call for students to enter their work into the showcase, and award prize for productions chosen by a panel of judges. This begins in the Easter vacation, with judging in week 9 of the Summer Term.
The Media Symposium Suite
An open space with a large touch screen on the first floor. Home to the VR Club (Mondays 5-6pm). This space can be booked for creative projects. Chat with RobertLink opens in a new window to find out more.
The Mobile Design Studio
New! A creative studio on wheels, including art materials and a large box of lego. Can be requested for student events. Chat with RobertLink opens in a new window to find out more.
Guidance for creative digital projects
See this pageLink opens in a new window for guides on podcasting, video making, web design, an much more. You are welcome to contact RobLink opens in a new window anytime for a chat.
Undergraduate Research Support Scheme
The Undergraduate Research Support Scheme enables undergraduate students to carry out an interdisciplinary summer research project. The scheme is open to any UG student at Warwick of a full-time or part-time course, in any year including first and final year students.
We will have news of the 2024-2025 opportunities soon.
Work in progress
Inclusive education development projects
Researched, designed, and developed with students to enhance inclusivity across the whole faculty. Find out more.Link opens in a new window
Workshops
New workshops and online guides are being developed for:
- Communicating your achievements and your research series:
- Designing, creating, and presenting posters.
- Videos.
- Podcasting.
- Web design.
- Reflective practice to supercharge your academic, career, and personal development.
- Effective note-taking, the Arts and Humanities way.
What should we do next?
Anything else you think we should do? Contact Rob, Bing, Reece and SachaLink opens in a new window.