What happens if you need help at university?

Life as a university student is a great experience - but it’s not without its challenges.

When you start university, you might be worried about how you’ll fit into this new place. You might have concerns about your finances, or need help with your mental health.

You don’t have to deal with these kinds of challenges on your own. Most universities provide support services to help students with managing different aspects of life. 

Here, we take a look at some of the key areas where universities provide support, along with some examples of how that support is provided at Oxford Brookes University.

Need to talk to someone? You might be grappling with mental health concerns, or perhaps you need help in coping with something in your personal life. 

Don’t assume you have to get through these things alone; counselling services are found at most universities. They are generally free to access and staffed with professionally qualified counsellors.

You may be able to access one-to-one counselling, but you can expect to find other forms of support too. For example, Oxford Brookes provides individual counselling, but also has counselling that can be accessed within workshops and groups. There are self-help resources online and links to recommended external organisations and resources.

Information on the support available at your university is often found on its website. If you are still at the 'choosing a uni stage' it's a good idea to check what your preferred unis offer in this area to find out if they are right for you. Take a look at the Oxford Brookes website as an example of support available for students during their studies.

When you arrive at university from school or college, the level of studying and the workload can feel like a big step up. This is another area where most universities will provide support. After all, universities want their students to succeed in making the transition to degree level - not to spend three years struggling.

The kind of study skills support available will vary by university, but from the outset you can expect to have access to an academic advisor (sometimes known as a personal tutor). This will be someone who can provide help and feedback on your academic progress and your work in general. You may also have access to mentoring, group workshops or tutoring sessions. 

Each university will have its own approach. At Oxford Brookes, some of the available support includes its Centre of Academic Development. This provides confidential study advice services and dedicated student support co-ordinators in every faculty that you can go to for advice with personal or academic issues.

The university also has a system where second and third-year students run drop-in sessions offering help for first-year students. Again, it’s worth exploring your own university’s website for detail on all the services it offers in this area.

Universities work hard to ensure an inclusive environment for those with disabilities. Whichever university you go to, you should find support available to help you get the best from your time there.

If you have a disability - including specific learning difficulties or dyslexia - the process of getting support could be underway before you even begin your course. 

For instance, you can enrol with the Inclusive Support Service at Oxford Brookes ahead of joining the university. Once you’ve shared your details with this service, the university’s advisers can determine the support you might need and start taking steps towards providing it. They can also provide information and advice on disability issues. 

Bear in mind that the government also provides the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). If you’re eligible, you can get funding to cover the study-related costs you might incur because of your disability, including assistive technology and non-medical helpers. You can find out more about the DSA on the government’s website.

As a student joining a UK university from overseas, you’ll have the additional challenge of adapting to life in a new country.

Universities are well equipped to help international students settle in; every year thousands of students travel to the UK to start university.

Your university will help you before you arrive, with advice and information on visas and immigration laws.

Many universities will also run events and activities especially for international students, to help people make friends and settle in. Some may also provide career support and help with understanding the process of finding work in the UK after you graduate.

At Oxford Brookes, the International Student Advice Team (ISAT) provides support to international students, as well as running events and workshops to help you get the most from your time studying in the UK. 

There’s also a scheme called Global Buddies, which pairs up Oxford Brookes students with new international students to help them adjust to living in the UK.

These are some of the main ways in which universities support their students, but there are plenty more. 

You may have questions about finances, housing, health and more while you’re at university - and student welfare teams are set up to help with these. While they may not provide advice on each topic directly, they will be able to point you in the right direction for the support you need. 

Having this kind of support throughout your time at university can make any challenging times more manageable. With that in mind, it’s well worth taking time to look at all the student support offered by your university (or any you might apply to) by visiting its website.

Oxford Brookes is a leading modern British university known for its teaching excellence, innovative approaches to learning, and strong links with business and industry. Our degrees have employability built-in, with work placements and integrated careers guidance.

If you’d like to find out what it’s like to study at Oxford Brookes University, join one of our Open Days. Explore our courses and speak to staff and students to discover what it's like to study at Oxford Brookes University. Alternatively, get in touch and ask us a question.