Student Support | University Help, Advice & Essential Services
University students can need support for many different reasons, from academic difficulties and financial problems to accommodation issues, mental health concerns, disability support or adjusting to life away from home. Knowing where to get student support can help you deal with problems early and find the right university, NHS, government or independent service for your situation.
This Student Support guide covers the main support services for university and college students in the UK, including university Student Services, academic support, health and wellbeing, Student Finance help, accommodation advice, disability support, international student services, careers and essential emergency contacts. You don’t need to wait until a problem becomes serious before asking for help.
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- 🌍 International Student Guide
Important Student Support & Emergency Contacts
Every student should know where to turn when they need urgent help or university support. Emergency and healthcare arrangements vary slightly across the UK, while university security, accommodation and Student Services numbers are specific to your institution.
| Service | When to Use It |
|---|---|
| 🚨 999 | Serious emergencies requiring police, ambulance or fire services, including immediate danger to life. |
| 👮 101 | Non-emergency police assistance, crime reporting and police enquiries. |
| 🩺 NHS 111 | Urgent medical help in England, Scotland and Wales when the situation isn’t life-threatening. |
| 🩺 Northern Ireland GP Out-of-Hours | Urgent medical care that cannot wait until your GP practice reopens. |
| 👨⚕️ Local GP | Routine healthcare, ongoing health concerns, prescriptions and referrals. |
| 🎓 University Student Services | General university, academic, wellbeing and student support. |
| 🛡️ University Security | Campus safety, security incidents and emergencies on university premises. |
| 🏠 Accommodation Team | University halls, accommodation problems, maintenance and housing support. |
999 is for emergencies and 101 is the police non-emergency number. NHS 111 provides urgent healthcare assistance in England and Wales, while Scotland also uses 111 through NHS 24. Northern Ireland instead operates regional GP out-of-hours services for urgent medical care when GP surgeries are closed.
Student Tip: Save your GP, university security, Student Services, accommodation office and emergency accommodation number in your phone during your first few weeks at university.
University Student Services & General Support
Your university’s Student Services team is usually one of the best places to start when you need help but aren’t sure which department to contact. Depending on the university, Student Services may provide or direct you towards academic support, wellbeing services, financial advice, disability support, accommodation assistance, international student services and other specialist teams. Department names vary between universities, so check your university website or student portal and save the main Student Services contact details.
Academic Support, Coursework & Exams
If you’re struggling with coursework, deadlines, exams, attendance or understanding part of your course, speak to your personal tutor, module leader or academic support team rather than allowing the problem to continue. Universities may provide academic writing support, study-skills sessions, library assistance, maths or language support, revision guidance and help with time management. If illness or difficult personal circumstances are affecting your studies, ask about the university’s procedures for extensions, mitigating circumstances, assessment adjustments or other available support.
Student Health, Mental Health & Wellbeing
University life can sometimes bring stress, anxiety, loneliness, homesickness, relationship difficulties or other challenges affecting your physical or mental wellbeing. University wellbeing services may provide counselling, mental health advisers, wellbeing appointments or referrals to additional services, while GPs and NHS services can provide professional healthcare. Asking for help early can be particularly important when difficulties are beginning to affect your studies, sleep, relationships or everyday life.
For urgent medical problems that aren’t life-threatening, students should use the appropriate urgent healthcare service where they’re studying. For a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, call 999.
Student Finance & Money Support
Financial difficulties can affect students at any stage of university, particularly when dealing with tuition fees, rent, living costs, Student Finance payments or unexpected expenses. University money advisers or student funding teams may be able to explain Student Finance, scholarships, bursaries, hardship funds and emergency financial support, while other services can help with budgeting and debt concerns. If you’re struggling financially, seek advice early rather than waiting until rent, bills or other important payments have been missed.
Student Accommodation & Housing Support
Student accommodation problems can involve rent, tenancy agreements, deposits, repairs, poor housing conditions, disputes with landlords or difficulties with housemates. Students living in university halls should normally contact their accommodation team, while private renters may be able to get help from their university housing service, students’ union or an appropriate independent housing adviser. Keep copies of your tenancy agreement, inventory, deposit information, rent payments and important correspondence in case you need help resolving a problem.
Disability & Accessibility Support
Students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health difficulties, sensory impairments, specific learning differences or other additional needs may be eligible for university support and reasonable adjustments. Depending on your individual circumstances, this can include accessible teaching materials, assessment arrangements, specialist equipment, mentoring, note-taking support or accommodation adjustments. Contact your university’s disability or accessibility service as early as possible because some arrangements may take time to assess and organise.
International Student Support
International students may need additional support with Student visas, university registration, healthcare, accommodation, banking, employment rules and settling into life in the UK. Most universities have an international student team that can provide information about university procedures and direct students towards appropriate specialist services. Immigration advice is regulated in the UK, so individual immigration questions should be handled by an appropriately authorised adviser or official government service rather than relying solely on information shared by other students.
Students' Unions & Independent Advice
Your students’ union can be another valuable source of help and may provide advice independently from the university on certain matters. Services vary between institutions but can include support with academic appeals, complaints, housing, money problems, university procedures and student rights. Students’ unions also organise clubs, societies, events and student representation, making them useful for meeting people and becoming involved in university life as well as getting practical support.
For problems that require independent specialist advice, students can also use appropriate organisations dealing with areas such as housing, consumer rights, debt or employment rather than relying entirely on informal advice online.
Careers, Part-Time Jobs & Employment Support
University careers services aren’t only for students approaching graduation. They can help with part-time jobs, internships, work placements, CVs, applications, interviews, career planning and graduate jobs, and many universities operate dedicated vacancy portals for students and graduates. Using careers support earlier in your degree can give you more time to gain experience, explore different industries and prepare for employment after university.
Campus Safety & Accommodation Emergencies
Most universities provide campus security services to deal with safety concerns, suspicious behaviour, incidents on university property and other security problems. University halls and purpose-built student accommodation may also provide an out-of-hours or emergency number for urgent maintenance, access or security problems. Save these numbers when you move in rather than trying to find them during an emergency.
For crimes that are not emergencies, 101 can be used to contact the police; if a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
When Should You Ask for Student Support?
Starting university is a major change, and it’s normal to need advice or support along the way. If you’re struggling with your studies, mental health or wellbeing, finances, accommodation, disability, university life or personal circumstances, asking for help early can make the situation easier to manage and give you more options.
Support isn’t only for emergencies. Universities regularly help students with academic problems, financial difficulties, accommodation issues, careers, disability support, health and wellbeing and many other challenges. If you’re unsure who to contact, start with your university’s Student Services team, students’ union or student portal, and they can direct you to the appropriate service.
💙 Remember: You don’t have to deal with problems alone. Whether you need academic guidance, financial advice or personal support, there are dedicated services available throughout your time at university.
Student Support Checklist
| ✓ | Student Support to Find |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Save your university Student Services details. |
| ☐ | Find your personal tutor or academic support contact. |
| ☐ | Register with a local GP where appropriate. |
| ☐ | Save your university wellbeing service details. |
| ☐ | Find your university money advice or student funding team. |
| ☐ | Save your accommodation office and emergency number. |
| ☐ | Find your disability/accessibility service if needed. |
| ☐ | International students should locate their international support team. |
| ☐ | Find your university careers service and jobs portal. |
| ☐ | Save your university campus security number. |
Join the StudentUK Community
Join the StudentUK community to connect with prospective students, college students, university students, graduates and international students from across the UK. Ask questions, share experiences and make new friends while discussing university life, accommodation, Student Finance, courses, Freshers’ Week, part-time jobs and student support with other students.
Students can share experiences and practical advice, but StudentUK chat is not a replacement for university, medical, emergency, financial, legal or other professional support. If you need specialist or urgent assistance, contact the appropriate service directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most universities have careers services offering support with CV writing, interview preparation, graduate employment, internships and part-time jobs.
Ideally during your first week at university. Registering early makes it much easier to access healthcare whenever you need it.
Your university accommodation office should usually be your first point of contact. Organisations such as Shelter and Citizens Advice can also provide independent housing guidance.
Yes. Most universities offer financial wellbeing services, hardship funds and budgeting advice for students experiencing financial difficulties.
Yes. Universities provide dedicated support for international students, including advice on visas, settling into the UK, academic life and wellbeing.
Read the agreement carefully, understand what is included in your rent, check the deposit arrangements and make sure you’re aware of your responsibilities as a tenant.
Yes. Universities provide disability support services that can arrange reasonable adjustments, specialist equipment and additional academic assistance where appropriate.
StudentUK provides practical guides covering universities, accommodation, finance, banking, budgeting, jobs, travel, health, international students and many other aspects of studying in the UK.
Speak to your university’s wellbeing or counselling service. Support is available for stress, anxiety, homesickness, mental health concerns and many other personal challenges.
Register with a local GP after arriving at university. For urgent medical advice, contact NHS 111. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.