Balancing Study, Work and Life · Lesson 6 of 8 · 11 min

Using university support services

Universities offer far more help than most students use, often free and confidential. The students who do best are not the ones who never struggle, but the ones who know where to go early. This lesson is a map of who does what and how to ask.

A map of who does what

Personal or academic tutor: your first contact for questions about your course, progress and options.
Academic skills or study development team: the University of Edinburgh's Institute for Academic Development, for example, offers study skills workshops, self-study resources and advice.
Disability and learning support: Edinburgh's Disability and Learning Support Service supports students with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions and physical or mental health conditions.
Careers service: Edinburgh's Careers Service offers appointments to discuss career issues and lists part-time jobs, internships and careers fairs.
Wellbeing, counselling and chaplaincy: Edinburgh lists its Student Counselling Service, Chaplaincy and Advice Place under wellbeing services.
Students' union advice centre: independent advice on things like appeals and housing (for example, the University of Exeter points students to its Students' Guild Advice Unit).

Academic skills support

Use it before you are in trouble: workshops on essay writing, referencing, exam technique and time management are for every student, not only those who are struggling.
Bring a specific piece of work or feedback to a one-to-one appointment, for example 'My essays keep losing marks for structure. Here is my last one with the feedback.'
Look for maths, writing and language support centres if your course is taught in a language that is not your first.

Disability, health conditions and adjustments

If you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, register with disability services as early as possible, ideally before term starts.
Edinburgh, for example, assesses needs and agrees a 'Schedule of Adjustments' that is shared with course organisers. Birmingham uses a Reasonable Adjustment Plan.
Adjustments can include extra time in exams, extended deadlines or specialist software, depending on your needs.
In England, GOV.UK says Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) helps with study-related costs from a disability or condition, and it does not need to be paid back.
DSA eligibility (GOV.UK) includes living in England and being eligible for Student Finance England loans, so most international students will not qualify; ask your university what support it offers instead.
You will need evidence. GOV.UK lists examples such as a report from a doctor or medical professional, or a diagnostic assessment for specific learning difficulties.

Wellbeing and counselling

Many universities offer free counselling. In the UAE, for example, UAE University's Student Counseling Center offers individual and group counselling for social, emotional, educational or vocational issues.
UAE University lists issues such as adjusting to university life, time management, anxiety, depression and grief, and names confidentiality as a core value.
You do not need to be in crisis to book. Feeling overwhelmed, homesick or stuck is reason enough.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, use emergency services first. For more on mental health support, see the Mental Health module.

How to ask for help: a simple script

Find the service on your university website or student portal and check how to book (online form, email or drop-in).
Email script: 'Dear Student Support team, I'm a first-year Economics student (ID 1234567). I'm finding it hard to keep up with my workload and would like to book an appointment to talk about support. I'm available Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Kind regards, [name].'
Before the appointment, write down three things: what is happening, how long it has been happening, and what you would like help with.
Afterwards, note any actions agreed and follow up by email if you do not hear back within the timeframe you were given.

Practise in real life

Tick each one off when you have done it.

Find the web pages for academic skills, disability support, careers and counselling at a university you are interested in, and save the links.
If you have a condition that affects your learning, list the evidence you already have and what you might need to request.
Write your own version of the email script, ready to send when you need it.

Remember

Support services are usually free and confidential, and are for everyone, not only students in crisis.
Register with disability services early; adjustments take time to set up.
In England, DSA is not repaid but has residency and student finance conditions.
Ask early, be specific, and follow up in writing.

Note: Service names and structures differ between universities; the examples are from Edinburgh, Birmingham, Exeter and UAE University. DSA rules described are for England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements. The DSA amounts and conditions can change each year, so check GOV.UK.

Check yourself

1. Which university service usually helps with essay structure, referencing and study techniques?

2. According to GOV.UK, does Disabled Students' Allowance need to be paid back?

3. Which is one of GOV.UK's eligibility conditions for DSA in England?

4. When should a student with dyslexia contact disability services?

5. Which statement about UAE University's Student Counseling Center is supported by its overview page?