Where to Get Help
By Alex Sheridan · Updated 3 October 2026
Where to get help with university academic work
Falling behind on lectures or struggling with assignments requires immediate action. Most universities provide dedicated academic support. 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. Send the form in before the assignment deadline if you can, because a late request needs a good reason. You may need evidence, such as a doctor’s note or a police incident number. Missing a deadline without an approved extension means a late penalty, which at some universities is a 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. Contact student services to start an application. Expect to be asked for recent bank statements and proof of your student finance entitlement. The money is usually a non-repayable grant, and the amount is decided by your university.
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 whether it offers an emergency short-term loan. The amount tends to be small and the terms vary. You normally repay it once your student finance arrives. 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 (2026), 18.9% of UK undergraduates reported a mental health difficulty in 2025, more than 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.
Registering with a GP near your university means you can get seen quickly while you’re away from home.
Many uni wellbeing services offer short-term counselling. Most ask you to fill in an online self-referral form for an initial assessment. There can be a wait. Your uni may well have a Nightline too: a confidential listening line run by students, mostly overnight in term. Hours differ from place to place, so look yours up and save the number while you're thinking of it.
External charities offer specialised support outside the university system. Student Minds has guides written for students, though it doesn't run a helpline. For free 24/7 support, ring Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258. Our emergency help page has the lines for each UK nation.
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.
Many student unions offer 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 / NHS 111 |
| 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.
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. In England, you can also self-refer to NHS talking therapies online without a GP appointment. Student Minds publishes advice and guides, and Shout offers free text support on 85258.
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 apply to your local county court.
Jamie writes to people already at uni
When your loan comes in, and what's due before it does. House deposits are the usual one.
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