Wellbeing advice
We know being at University can sometimes be challenging.
Please remember that it is OK to ask for help, support, and advice – sometimes all you need to do is talk to someone who understands.
That might be enough for you, but if not, it’s good to know there are services both within the University, and in the community, to assist you with what you are going through.
concerns about another student
If you are concerned about another student at the University, you can:
- Call 999 if you feel there is an immediate risk to their safety or the safety of others.
- Speak to your Student Support Guidance Tutor or Student Information Desk Advisor , who can help escalate the concern appropriately.
- If comfortable to do so, advise the student of the Support Network available to them.
external support services
National Health Service (NHS) : The NHS website is a thorough online resource explaining hundreds of medical conditions. It also provides current news and advice on all things related to health and healthy living.
Student Minds : Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity. They empower students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change.
Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service : The Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service is a free NHS service for anyone aged 4 years old and upwards with a postcode beginning BN1, BN2, BN3 or BN41.
Switchboard : Switchboard is a charity for LGBTQ people looking for a sense of community, support or information. We connect people and support them directly through specially developed Switchboard services or link them other specialist organisations.
Mind in Brighton and Hove : Mind in Brighton and Hove works to promote good mental health in Brighton and Hove and across Sussex. It seeks to empower people to lead a full life as part of their local community.
Citizens Advice Bureau : The Citizens Advice Bureau is an impartial, independent, confidential and free service that helps people resolve their problems relating to money, the law and other issues affecting their life.
Counselling Directory : Set up by a team who know how difficult it can be to find support. There are many resources from expert counsellors, including helpful articles and useful organisations.
university welfare and wellbeing support
The University has dedicated staff teams to support you through various circumstances that might arise during your time studying in Brighton.
If you’re not sure who to talk to, check in with your Student Support and Guidance Tutor (SSGT) or with us.
Student Information Desk : The UoB Student Information Desk Advisers should be your first point of contact for information, advice and guidance on university wellbeing services.
Student Support and Guidance Tutors SSGTs can help with all sorts of issues that might be impacting your studies.
Residential Wellbeing Team : The Residential Wellbeing team support students who live in halls, helping you to feel welcome and supporting your transition to university life.
Health Services and issues : The Health Services team are there for you if you are experiencing health issues, or just want to stay healthy.
Faith and spirituality : The University Faith advisors can help and advice on social, academic, or spiritual matters, whatever your faith and wherever you are.
Finances : The Student Advice Service can support you with finance-related issues, like making sure you are getting the correct funding.
International Student Advisors : The International Student Advice Service provides high-quality support and advice for students from outside the UK. Our service is free, confidential, and non-judgmental.
Knowing where to get to the right resources and support will make it easier for you to achieve your goals.
Personal support: Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) , Student Support and Guidance Tutor (SSGT) , Peer Assisted Study Support are here to help, and there is extra support if you have a specific learning difficulty.
Brighton Skills Hub : The Brighton Student Skills Hub enables you to develop skills for confident university study, so you can achieve your full potential in your education, and your career.
Disability and Dyslexia : Staff in the Disability and Dyslexia team can assist you with your enquiries in a sensitive and respectful way.
issues with study
Managing your studies when things become difficult, or your studies are disrupted.
If you’re having issues studying, here is some good news! The University offers several processes to help you if you are experiencing personal problems which are affecting your studies. There are different processes designed for different situations. You should get to know them and think carefully about which one is right for you.
If you have are experiencing difficulties that cover a period longer than 7 days and an extension to your deadline is not going to be enough for you, you need to submit an additional consideration application. It can be used for unavoidable and unforeseen issues which limit your ability to study and affect your performance in any type of assessment.
You will need to request ‘Additional Consideration’ for every assessment you feel has been affected, this means you may need to make multiple applications throughout the year.
If you apply for assessments in semester 1, and your problems continue into semester 2, you will need to submit another claim to cover the next assessment period. Referral (or ‘resit assessment’) during the summer referral period is not covered by any previous request. You must make a new request for each assessment.
Remember that each application must be within 14 days of the assessment deadline for Full Consideration, and 7 days for Self Certification. Whether you use Full or Self-Certification will depend on the type of assessment.
For more information see our FAQs on Additional Consideration.
An extension is useful if you have a short-term problem that will cause you to miss a deadline. If you have an unexpected situation that you think will be resolved relatively quickly, but it is stopping you from completing or handing in your work by the published deadline, you can apply for an extension.
For long term issues such as on-going health problem, caring responsibilities, maternity or a personal situation, you may need to take a Break in Study (known as intermission or intercalating). You may also be considering time away from your studies for other reasons, but regardless of your motive it is a good idea to discuss the matter with the Students’ Union Support team or your School Student Support and Guidance Tutor (SSGT) or your School Operations and Support , where you can access one-to-one advice and support.
To take a break and spend time away from your studies, you must submit a request to your Course Leader, explaining your reasons for the request.
The length of your period of Intermission will vary according to your individual needs, course and stage of study. The start and end date will be decided by your Course Leader and will take into account the requirements of your course.
“Intermission is not a student right and is permitted only at an appropriate stage of the course as determined by the Course Leader, normally at the end of a given semester, term or stage of study i.e., after completion of all assessment(s) in a module(s )” ( GEAR Section A11.2 ).
What happens next?
During Intermission, your studies will be suspended, and you will be de-registered from the course for the determined period. You cannot undertake assessments during this time. When your time away from university is coming to a close, someone from your school should contact you with details of how to re-start your course and details of how to re-activate your Student Central account. You will then need to activate your account and re-enrol with the university via Student Central.
It is important to be aware of the Maximum Period of Registration on your course. This is the maximum length of time a student may take to complete a course. A period of Intermission does not ‘stop the clock’, so a long break can potentially cause you to exceed this period. More information about the maximum period of registration can be found in the University’s General Examination & Assessment Regulations (GEAR), Section D .
You also need to be aware of the possible impact on your student funding. If you need to take a break, you or the University will need to contact Student Finance England. You may be in receipt of overpayments. You should talk to the university’s Student Money Advice team to discuss the effects on your student finance.
If you are an International Student on a Tier 4 visa, a break in study may not be possible, or you may need to apply for a new visa – seek advice from the International Student Support Team . If you are an International Student on a Tier 4 visa, a break in study may not be possible, or you may need to apply for a new visa.
Further information on Intermission can be found the university’s website .
When your time away from University is coming to a close, your school will contact you with details of how to re-start your course, confirmation of your end-of-year results and details of how to access My Studies. You will need to activate your account and enrol with the University via student central.
If yours is a long-term health issue or disability and you can continue with your studies, it is advisable to request a Learning Support Plan. This will help you get the appropriate on-going support you need to succeed at university. You can contact the university’s Disability and Learning Support team for help with this. See also the university’s web pages for more information.
If your course requires you to attend placement, you will need to consider whether you wish to share information about the learning support you require with the placement provider. The University does not normally share this information with third parties; therefore you should discuss your needs with the university’s Disability team and your course leader before undertaking your placement. If you require additional learning support for a condition that you’ve not declared, or because your needs have changed, you should speak to the Disability & Learning Support team to have your needs re-assessed.