Support to study

During your studies there may be times when concerns are raised about your health and wellbeing, or you may be worried that ongoing issues are having a longer-term effect on you.

These concerns may include:

• a deterioration in physical or mental health​
• pronounced change in presentation and or behaviour​
• unexplained absence and/or engagement with the University​
• ability to engage with studies, for example meet deadlines and complete assessments as a result of one of the reasons above.

Stage 1 of the Support to Study process will take the form of a meeting with an appropriate member of staff from your School, for example, your Academic Mentor, Programme Director, Supervisor, or Year Tutor.

During this meeting you will be given the opportunity to discuss your support needs and agree a suitable action plan to manage the situation effectively.

It is really important that you attend this meeting and show your commitment to the agreed action plan. If it is decided that you require further support, or the concerns become more enhanced, the lead member of staff may need to escalate your case to Stage 2 of the process.

If concerns raised during Stage 1 become more serious, or there are complex issues that can't be addressed through Stage 1, then a staff member may recommend a Support to Study stage 2 meeting. Examples of when this may be required include:

• where there are on-going, more significant or complex concerns/risks in relation to a student’s health, wellbeing, behaviour and/or ability to study.​
• where action taken under stage 1 does not resolve the issue and more support is required, or where a student fails to engage with the process at stage ​1.

A Stage 2 meeting will include a relevant academic member of staff such as your Academic Mentor, your Student Experience and Support Officer, and any other relevant services such as Disability Support and Inclusion and Counselling and Mental Health. 

At the meeting you will have the chance to discuss the issues that you have been experiencing. This may include what steps you have taken to address the situation, and what support might be helpful for you.

The meeting will be friendly and supportive, and everybody will treat you with respect. Staff will ask you questions, make recommendations for support, and discuss what impact these could have.

An action plan will be agreed which should help improve your situation. Actions are normally agreed with you and could include recommendations for support. The actions will be reviewed during follow-up support meetings.

Please note that for professionally accredited programmes, the Stage 2 meeting may be replaced by the Health and Conduct Committee.

Stage 3 of the process will only begin if all other options have been exhausted, and there are concerns about your ability to live and study safely at University.

On rare occasions your health and well-being may cause serious and continual concerns and alternative arrangements may need to be considered.

These may include:

• A Leave of Absence, this would allow you time to recover and access more intensive support
• A temporary suspension may be suggested until you have been assessed by a medical professional.
• We may recommend that you engage with additional support services outside of the University.
• If there is no reasonable prospect you can re-engage with your programme, then it may be recommended that you are excluded from the University.

Please be assured that the above is a last resort and would only be actioned under the following circumstances

• where University staff and/or a health care professional/occupational health advisor considers that your health, wellbeing, and ability to study is significantly affected by your condition.
• when all other options to deal with your situation have been explored.
• where there are serious concerns and risk regarding your own health and safety or where there is a perceived threat and risk to others.
• where an immediate temporary suspension is in the best interests of either you or the University.

If it was agreed during any stage of the Support to Study process that a leave of absence was appropriate, then on your return you will need to attend a meeting with a member of the Student Experience and Support Team.

In addition, you will need to provide medical evidence from a registered healthcare professional, this will need to confirm that you have overcome your original difficulties and state you are well enough to return to your studies.

The precise nature of the evidence required will depend on your individual circumstances and can be discussed with Student Services.