Catalyst Induction
Learn all about who and what Catalyst is, how Catalyst specialist support can help you thrive on your student journey and how to access everything you need in your brand-new Introduction to Catalyst Specialist Support Toolkit. This toolkit will give you a condensed overview of all the support available to you and is available 365 days a year for you to revisit whenever you need.
You can learn more about the benefits of engaging with your Catalyst Induction Toolkit in the short video below, or launch the toolkit to explore all your specialist support.
Catalyst specialist support is the collective name for the collaborative support provided by Library and Learning Services, Student Services and Careers. We are known as Catalyst due to our physical location in the Catalyst building on the Ormskirk campus. Catalyst specialist support is available for all students, on any programme, level or location of study with both in-person and virtual options available at Ormskirk and Manchester St James’.
Catalyst Building
Catalyst is your central home for study and support needs located at the heart of the Ormskirk campus and, in addition to the building housing all your specialist support teams, it is also your main University Library.
Catalyst Tours
You can take part in a student led Catalyst tour at key times of year, we’ll add the latest dates and times to the table below when in person tours are available, or you can explore one of the virtual tour options below anytime you want.
| Date | Time | Duration | Meeting Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn/winter tour dates will be announced soon | TBC | Tours last roughly 20-30 minutes | Catalyst Foyer |
During term time Catalyst is open 24/7 and Catalyst Helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm.
Catalyst current opening hours
Catalyst Study Spaces
Catalyst is also your University Library providing access to a range of study spaces, printing hubs and resources across five floors.
The ground floor is the heart of the building and where you’ll find the Catalyst Helpdesk, group pods, Reading for Pleasure collection and Edge Hill Archive. There are also a range of computers, specialist software, loanable laptops, a stationery vending machine and the 53.3°café.
The first and second floors have computers, books and journals, reading sofas and bookable study rooms. And at the very top of the building you’ll find your silent study area on the third floor, surrounded by the beautiful roof terrace and garden.
Explore Catalyst AccessAble accessibility guide to learn more about the building featuresYou can book individual and group study rooms over three floors in Catalyst, in addition to bookable study spaces on the silent floor.
Book a room in Catalyst
Catalyst Helpdesk
Catalyst Helpdesk are your frontline support team in Catalyst and have a wealth of knowledge about the specialist support provided by Library and Learning Services, Student Services and Careers. Catalyst Helpdesk team are here to help and if they are ever unable to answer your question directly you can rest assure they will be able to put you in contact with someone who can.
Whether you’re struggling to log in to your EHU account, unsure how to submit an assignment, want help locating a book, experiencing money worries, thinking of leaving or need any wellbeing support – get in touch and they will get you the help you need.
Catalyst Communications
How you can contact us:
How we will communicate with you:
Catalyst Communications aims to keep you informed on all your essential news, events and support from Catalyst specialist support teams such as Money Advice, Mental Health and Wellbeing, UniSkills, Careers, Student Support and more via CatComms monthly emails.
We asked for your feedback on what you loved (or loathed) about how we communicated with you. Over 1,000 of you shared your thoughts and one of the most common requests was for us to communicate with you via email. We checked in with you again in October 2024 and you re-confirmed email was still your communications channel of choice.
| You Said | We Listened |
|---|---|
| You want targeted, timely, identifiable and impactful communications via email. | From January 2025 we will be keeping you informed on all the essential news, events and support from Catalyst specialist support teams direct to your student inbox via a monthly targeted email. We will email you every second to last Wednesday of the month with your Catalyst Catch Up – an overview of all the great support you can access in a convenient, streamlined format for you to explore and revisit as you need. |
Pinpoint Catalyst on the map
From our aerial view you can see our stunning roof terrace, which is perfect to sit out in the summer months and for getting a birds eye view of the University.
Find your way around
Catalyst is open 24/7 during term-time. Covering five floors it is your one-stop shop for study and support needs, with each floor offering a variety of study spaces and printing hubs. We offer a wide range of study spaces to support your learning and research. This includes collaborative spaces and bookable group rooms as well as quiet individual spaces. It is also the physical home to Library and Learning Services, Student Services and Careers teams.
Access to the Catalyst is 24/7 during term time. You will need your University ID cards to enter and exit the building from 5pm.
The Catalyst Helpdesk opening hours are normally 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Visit the Catalyst opening hours page for up to date opening hours.
Catalyst Lift
The online lift status is updated on a daily basis Monday – Friday.
Normal lift service in operation.
For the latest information, including at evenings and weekend, you can contact the Catalyst Helpdesk on 01695 650800.
We have a standard lift for public use, it has Braille and tactile markings. The lighting level in the lift is bright.
Discover Catalyst
Visitors and members of the public are welcome to use Catalyst for research and study during Helpdesk opening hours. A member of the team will be happy to help you find the items you need if you wish to use the print collections. You can find more information about visiting Catalyst on our Using Our services Page
Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times unless visiting as part of an organised school visit, event or open day.
