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Health and personal matters
If a personal problem should arise during your time at the University, we will do our utmost to provide you with assistance and to limit any repercussions that it may have on your studies.
What should I do if…
I have a disability?
The University welcomes students with disabilities and we strive to maintain equal opportunities for all.
We create reasonable adjustments to any curricular requirements to ensure that you are not disadvantaged academically.
The Student Disability Service can offer a wealth of advice and support to students with both existing conditions and those which have developed during the course of their studies.
I have health problems?
The University provides a variety of support services to maintain the health and wellbeing of all its students.
It is advisable for you to register with a GP as soon as possible on your arrival in Edinburgh.
I am absent through illness?
It is important that you contact the Student Support Office as soon as possible to record your non-attendance of classes. It may be necessary to submit a medical certificate. Absences of up to three weeks duration are permitted and it is your responsibility to ensure that you can catch-up with your coursework. If your period of absence exceeds 3 weeks, you will be required to apply for a temporary Interruption of Study.
If you feel that your illness has significantly affected your progress, you can apply for consideration of Special Circumstances.
If your illness prevents you from dealing personally with your academic affairs, you may nominate someone (e.g. a parent) to act on your behalf however we must receive confirmation from you in writing before we will communicate with a third party.
I have personal problems?
It is inevitable that many of us will be faced with difficult situations at some point in our lives and we understand that your studies may be affected by these. There is a network of support available to students, and you may find it useful to speak to the Student Counselling Service, the Chaplaincy or Nightline.
Where you feel that your performance in assessment has been affected by your personal issues and that you can provide supporting evidence, you should approach your DoS about applying for Special Circumstances.
The Advice Place has a drop-in advice centre which can offer advice and information on health, disability issues, finance, accommodation, academic and legal matters, plus specific information for international and mature students.
The chaplaincy also offers a support service to all students.
In some cases you may wish to take time off from your studies and the Student Support Office team can guide you through this process. As with many issues noted here, if you do find yourself in a difficult personal situation, it is important that you inform the University as early as possible in order that we can help you access as much help as possible.
I have had a bereavement/family crisis?
If you let the Student Support Office know about your circumstances, we will ensure that your course organiser and all relevant staff are aware of the situation and are able to offer support during this time.
This may include giving you an extension on coursework deadlines.
The Student Counselling Service and the Chaplaincy may also be able to provide you with emotional support.
I have financial problems?
If you are unable to pay your fees, you MUST contact the Finance department at the earliest opportunity in order to find a solution. Further support is also available from the EUSA Advice Place. The Advice Place will also be able to offer guidance on applying for Hardship Funds.
I need childcare?
Please see the Website below for details of our nursery facilities and available support.
I wish to take an Authorised Interruption of Study?
Students who require a leave of absence exceeding three weeks in duration should apply to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for an Authorised Interruption of Study (AIS). An AIS will not normally exceed one academic year and supporting evidence (such as medical certificates) must be provided.
Students wishing to apply for AIS should contact the Student Support Office to complete a request form and provide relevant documentation. This will then be sent to the Dean’s office who will contact you directly to confirm the outcome.
During the period of absence it is your responsibility to provide a current postal contact address and to ensure that any legal requirements imposed by your funding or grant authority are met. You must also check their University email account regularly for communications from the University. AIS is not permitted unless there is satisfactory evidence of illness or other circumstances beyond your control which justify such a measure.
If your question has not been answered, please check our other sections:
Contact details
Contact Janet or Jackie in the Student Support Office who will be happy to help:
The Student Support Office is situated in
Room 5.05, David Hume Tower
Tel: 0131 650 3647/ 0131 650 3673
Email:
This article was published on Jul 20, 2011