Where to Get Help
6 min read Article Updated 2026-03-14
Where to Get Help With University Academic Work
Falling behind on lectures or struggling with assignments requires immediate action. Every university provides a dedicated academic support framework. Your personal tutor is your first point of contact for course-specific problems. Email them to book a 15-minute tutorial if you fail an assignment or miss more than two consecutive seminars.
Keep a written record of emails sent to your personal tutor regarding academic struggles to support any future mitigating circumstances claims.
Your university’s academic skills centre offers free workshops on essay writing, referencing, and time management. Book a one-to-one session if you receive a grade below 50% in your first term. Subject librarians manage specific reading lists and teach you how to use academic databases effectively. Ask them to show you how to find peer-reviewed journals for your specific module.
If a personal crisis affects your ability to submit work, apply for mitigating circumstances. You must submit this form before the assignment deadline. You will need evidence, such as a doctor’s note or a police incident number. Missing the deadline without an approved extension results in an automatic mark of zero.
Where to Get Help for Student Financial Stress
Running out of money before the end of term is a common reality for undergraduates. According to Experian (2024), 78% of UK students admit that money worries cause them significant stress. Address financial shortfalls early rather than ignoring your bank balance.
Your university hardship fund exists to prevent students from dropping out due to financial emergencies. Visit your student union advice centre to start an application. You must provide three months of bank statements and proof of your student finance entitlement. Hardship funds are non-repayable grants, usually ranging from £100 to £2,000, depending on your circumstances.
Check your current budget before applying for emergency cash. Cut unnecessary subscriptions and switch to a cheaper mobile tariff.
If your student loan is delayed, ask your university finance office for an emergency short-term loan. These usually cover rent and food for up to four weeks. You must repay this money once your official maintenance loan arrives from Student Finance England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Read our student money guides for strategies to stretch your maintenance loan further.
Where to Get Help for Mental Health at University
University life presents intense pressure, and professional support is available when you need it. According to TASO (2025), 18% of students reported a mental health issue in 2024, triple the rate recorded in 2017.
Register with a local GP practice as soon as you move into your term-time address. Do not wait until you feel unwell. A GP can prescribe medication, refer you to NHS talking therapies, and provide medical evidence for university extensions.
Relying on your home GP while living at university limits your access to local NHS mental health services and delays urgent referrals.
Your university wellbeing service offers short-term counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mental health mentoring. Fill out their online self-referral form to request an initial assessment. Waiting times vary from two weeks to three months depending on the institution. If you need immediate support, Nightline provides a confidential, student-run listening service operating from 8 PM to 8 AM at most UK universities.
External charities offer specialised support outside the university system. Student Minds runs peer support groups and the Student Space platform, offering text and webchat services. Text ‘STUDENT’ to 85258 for free, 24/7 crisis support.
Where to Get Help With Student Housing Problems
Disputes with landlords, broken boilers, and mould require specific legal and practical interventions. Never withhold your rent to force a repair. This breaches your tenancy agreement and gives your landlord grounds to evict you.
Your student union housing adviser offers free tenancy contract checks before you sign anything. Take your contract to them to identify illegal clauses or unfair deposit conditions. If you already live in a property and face maintenance issues, report them in writing to your letting agent. Keep a log of all correspondence, including dates and photographs of the problem.
If your landlord refuses to fix a hazard, contact the environmental health department at your local council. They have the legal authority to inspect the property and issue an enforcement notice compelling the landlord to complete repairs.
Use our rent affordability calculator before signing a new tenancy to ensure the monthly payments fit within your maintenance loan. For broader advice on dealing with letting agents, visit our student housing section.
Where to Get Help Outside Your University
Sometimes university services cannot resolve complex legal, financial, or consumer issues. Independent organisations provide free, impartial advice to students.
Citizens Advice helps with debt management, employment rights, and consumer disputes. Visit their local branch or call their national helpline if your part-time employer pays you below the minimum wage or refuses your statutory holiday pay.
| Problem Type | Primary University Contact | Best External Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy dispute | Student Union Advice Centre | Citizens Advice / Shelter |
| Severe depression | University Wellbeing Service | Local NHS GP / Student Minds |
| Debt crisis | University Hardship Team | StepChange Debt Charity |
| Unfair dismissal | Student Union | ACAS |
If you face discrimination, harassment, or a serious safety concern, contact the police on 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency. Report hate crimes through the True Vision website.
Find more detailed breakdowns of your rights and support networks on unisorted.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for mitigating circumstances at university?
Download the mitigating circumstances form from your university student portal. Fill in the details of how your situation affects your academic performance and attach official evidence like a doctor’s note. Submit the application before your assignment deadline or exam date.
Can I get free counselling as a university student?
Yes, you can access free short-term counselling through your university wellbeing service by completing their self-referral form. You can also self-refer to free NHS talking therapies online without needing a GP appointment. Charities like Student Minds provide additional free support groups and text services.
What should I do if my student loan is late?
Contact Student Finance immediately to check if they require additional evidence to process your application. Visit your university finance office and apply for an emergency short-term loan to cover your immediate rent and food costs. Provide them with your Student Finance customer reference number to prove your funding is pending.
Where can I report a bad student landlord?
Report unresolved maintenance issues or illegal behaviour to your local council’s environmental health or private renting team. You can also report them to your student union, who may remove the landlord from their approved accommodation list. If your deposit is not protected, you can take legal action through the small claims court.
