If you are a parent, or a soon-to-be parent studying at UOW, there is a range of support available to enable your success at university.
Support for parents studying at UOW
Support with your studies
Our Student Support Coordinators can assist you with any disruptions to your university studies, or help you navigate juggling your home and study life. In addition to this, if your child is unwell or if you are experiencing any complications with your pregnancy, you may be eligible for academic consideration.
If you have experienced discrimination or harassment whilst at University, or are experiencing violence, abuse or harassment either at University or in your home life, our Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC) team can support you to navigate this.
UOW also has a Mature Age and Postgraduate Students club. Connecting with students, with similar lived experiences, will increase the support networks available to you at university.
These sessions connect student parents and carers to build their network of support in shared experiences of managing both study and parenting responsibilities. UOW lecturer/researcher Mary McGovern facilitates the sessions with her personal and professional experience.
Where: Online via Zoom
When: Weekly on Wednesdays, 12.30 pm – 1 pm, until 11 December
Facilities for parents
Combined Parents and First Aid Rooms are available across our campuses. The rooms provide a space for parents (both students and staff members) to feed and change your baby, with some spaces featuring a small kitchenette.
First aid recliners have been added to each room to provide respite and a calming space to recharge for your mental health. First aid kits are provided in each room, for low risk and/or minor respite.
You can use the campus map to search for the closest parents room on Wollongong campus.
KidsUni is an Early Education and Care Service available on UOW campuses and in Wollongong CBD. Kids' Uni is operated by UOW Pulse and is a not-for-profit. UOW students receive priority access to the service.
Northfields Psychology Clinic provide a range of programs and services for children and their families including parenting programs, programs for children, and therapy services.
Services are provided by provisional psychologists who are currently undertaking postgraduate study in Professional and Clinical Psychology.
Frequently asked questions
UOW seeks to provide a family friendly workplace and study environment and has a Children in the Workplace and Study Environment Policy.
Below are some frequently asked questions for parents studying at UOW.
- What if I need to breastfeed during class?
- Can I take my child to class?
- What if I need to take a break from my studies?
Breastfeeding is supported. Breaks from class can be discussed with your lecturer.
In circumstances which are unforeseen and/or unavoidable and where you are unable to make alternative arrangements, you may need to take your child into a class.
You will need to contact your lecturer prior to the class commencing to seek their permission. This should not be seen as an alternative to regular childcare arrangements and ensure that the child does not disrupt the normal business of the class.
Please note that some classes held in art studios and laboratories are not safe for children, so these requests will not be approved.
You can always take a leave of absence from your studies. We would recommend speaking to one of our Student Support Coordinators, to ensure that this is the best option for you, and putting in a place to support you to return to your studies.