How universities support you through university

Universities work hard to ensure that support for students is as accessible as possible, particularly to those most in need. This article will provide examples of the support which is likely to be available, to ensure you’re aware of it, should need arise.

A range of free, confidential and professional support services are typically available to you if you start university. These include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Mental health and wellbeing services – These are wide ranging and are usually designed to be as flexible and accessible as possible. This can include the provision of a 1:1 appointment, both in-person and on the phone; online support and resources; and round-the- clock crisis support.

• Academic support – At Queen Mary, as at other universities, you would be assigned an academic adviser who you can seek academic support from on an individual basis, in addition to other forms of academic support that is available.

• Financial support – As well as your tuition fee and maintenance loan funding, you may be eligible for additional financial support in the form of grants, bursaries and scholarships. Alongside being automatically assessed for some of this support when you apply, you can check university webpages and websites like The Scholarship Hub to see what else you can apply for.

• Disability and dyslexia services – These services can help you obtain needs assessments, apply for funding and facilitate the provision of course materials in alternative formats.

• Careers services – You can get help to find part-time work, internships and work placements, and can receive support with associated application processes.

• Specialised services – These can include tailored support services for care experienced and estranged students, refugees and asylum seekers, residential services and ‘Report and Support’ Services.

• The students’ union – Run for students, by students, a students’ union provides you with support and opportunities to develop in a range of different ways.

Support services at universities differ from each other in precisely what they offer and how they are structured. As such, it is particularly important that if you expect to access support services at university more frequently, you do your research to understand what support is available, and how to obtain it.

As well as specific university resources, it is also helpful for you to be aware of more generalised support that is available through organisations and initiatives such as Student Minds, Togetherall and Jumpstart University.

You can often get access to many support services before arriving at university, as well as during vacation periods and after you graduate. These can include:

• Transition support programmes.

• Access to mental health and wellbeing services prior to enrolling at your chosen university.

• Student engagement platforms like UniBuddy, which provide a useful tool for you to connect with current university students studying your subject of interest.