University can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be challenging in different ways. When Becca Tenney began her occupational therapy degree at the University of Salford in 2024, she wasn’t sure she’d make it through the year. A history of hospital admissions for an eating disorder and depression had left her apprehensive.
“Things had got really bad,” she says. “But I approached Salford, and they were amazing from the get-go. They put me in touch with my head of year, I’ve got extra time and extensions in place if I need them and if I’m having a bad day my lecturers check in on me.”
Now, at the end of her first year at Salford, she is feeling optimistic. She loves her course and has made lots of friends in her cohort. “It’s like I’ve got a whole team behind me. They’re holding me up and helping me get through.”
Looking after the wellbeing of students has never been more important. Today, student welfare is no longer treated as an add-on, it is baked into the university experience. From managing mental health to coping with disability, flatmate fallouts or financial pressures, dedicated support is increasingly accessible and visible.
“Universities take the welfare of students very seriously,” says Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute. There is growing demand for these services among young people and the sector is adapting. “It is no longer a taboo subject,” he says.
Manuel Souto-Otero, a professor at the University of Bristol’s school of education, says: “This is not an easy time to be a student.” Pressures are stacking up – part-time jobs, the cost-of-living crisis, long commutes and caring responsibilities. “There are a lot of demands on young people in higher education.”
Support often starts before freshers even set foot on campus. Prospective students can flag existing needs on their Ucas application or disclose them ahead of enrolment. Once on campus, personal tutors are often the first port of call. University websites typically offer plenty of guidance, and campuses are dotted with posters and social media campaigns signposting students towards help.
At Northumbria University, a 24/7 team is in place to triage and respond to wellbeing queries. “We’ve got a physical help desk, students can raise concerns via the portal or just pick up the phone,” says Vashti Hutton, director of student life and wellbeing.
The University of Derby has a similar setup. “Whether students are after a quick chat or in-depth support, we direct students to the help they need,” says Sarah Richardson, head of student services. These include drop-ins, workshops, apps, digital tools and one-to-one appointments. At Falmouth University, all staff are trained and expected to help students spot when they might be in need of support and to guide them to the right place.
Group workshops are common on campuses and cover everything from study skills and time-management to dealing with low moods or digital burnout. Many of the workshops are recorded, so students can access them online. One-to-one counselling is widely available, as are group therapy sessions. “Students are not alone. We want everyone to have a good time, and we’re here to support that,” says Northumbria’s Hutton.
At Sheffield Hallam University, sessions are themed around common challenges such as managing emotions, low self-esteem and feeling overwhelmed. They’re run in six groups of about 10 students, led by a psychotherapist or counsellor. It helps normalise experiences and enables students to realise they are not alone. Supportive WhatsApp groups often form out of these sessions, offering informal peer support that lasts beyond the final meeting. For those less inclined to talk, there are other options – art therapy, yoga for wellbeing, and more.
Student-led initiatives are playing a growing role, too. Cameron Swann, a final-year building surveying student and member of the students’ union at Sheffield Hallam, says one-to-one peer support can be a powerful first step. “A lot of students feel their problems aren’t serious enough for formal help. This gives you a chance to talk with someone who is on the same wavelength and it gets you out of the house. It can be a stepping stone to talking to a professional at a later stage.”
At Northumbria, peer-to-peer services are backed by university infrastructure but run by students. “We’ve got bookable rooms and drop-ins,” says Hutton. “Peer advisers are trained to help refer you on if they have concerns.”
The message from professionals is clear: don’t wait for a crisis. Support services can get busy, and reaching out early can make all the difference.
John Rimington Wilson, 18, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and was anxious about starting his graphic design degree at Sheffield Hallam last year. But early conversations with staff were reassuring. “Before I started, I met with my lecturer, and they talked me through everything,” he says. “They made me feel really comfortable. The university is clued-up and I feel like I’m in good hands.”
You can contact the mental health charity Mind by calling 0300 123 3393 or visiting mind.org.uk
For more guidance on the right course for you, check out the Guardian university league tables for 2025. The Guardian league tables for 2026 will be out on 13 September in print and online
