Undergraduate support

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 Student Disability Service supports students with a wide range of impairments and specific learning difficulties. These include dyslexia, autism, sensory and mobility impairments, mental health problems and some medical conditions such as diabetes and asthma.

If you wish to discuss your support options please talk to a member of the advisory staff who will work with you to assess your individual support requirement and will help you to apply for financial assistance, if required.

The Student Disability Service

I have health problems?

The University offers a variety of support services to maintain the health and wellbeing of students. It is advisable for you to register with a GP as soon as possible on your arrival in Edinburgh. If a student feels that his/her academic performance has been affected by health problems, he/she can apply for special circumstances to be considered by the examinations board. The special circumstances form should be completed by you and either your personal tutor or a member of the student support team.

I am absent through illness?

You should contact the student support team as soon as possible to record non-attendance of classes. For absences of 3 days or more you may be required to submit a medical certificate. Absences of up to three weeks duration are permitted if you can provide medical certificates. It is your responsibility to ensure that you catch-up with your coursework.

If 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 can 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 academic performance has been affected by your personal issues and you can provide supporting evidence, you should approach your Personal Tutor or Student Support Team 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 Centre 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 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 assist you access as much help as possible.

I have had a bereavement/family crisis?

Let the Student Support Team know and we will ensure that course organisers and all relevant staff are aware of the situation and are able to offer support during this time. This may include giving extensions on coursework deadlines.

The Chaplaincy Centre may be able to offer emotional support. The Student Counselling Service provides an opportunity to talk about any emotional or psychological problems you may be having.

I would like a third party to speak to the University on my behalf?

Under the Data Protection Act, we are not permitted to discuss students with any other party, which includes parents, unless we have specific written permission from the student. This policy applies to all students, even those younger than 18 years of age and where fees are being paid by parents.

If you are prevented from dealing personally with academic affairs due to illness or similar you may wish to nominate a third party to speak to the University on your behalf (e.g. a parent). We must receive confirmation of this in writing from you before we can communicate with a third party.

Please contact the Student Support Team if you require any clarification.

I have financial problems?

You MUST contact the finance department at the earliest opportunity if you are having problems paying your fees 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 am a year abroad student and need to know who to contact?

You can still contact your Personal Tutor, year abroad co-ordinator, teaching office and Student Support Team while abroad.

I need childcare?

Please see the Website below for details of our nursery facilities and available support.

Childcare

I wish to take an Authorised Interruption of Study?

Students who require a leave of absence exceeding three weeks in duration need to apply 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.

If you wish to apply for an AIS you should contact the Student Support Team as soon as possible. The application will then be sent to the Associate Dean (Academic Progress), who will contact you directly to confirm the outcome. Interruptions cannot be granted retrospectively. If you are struggling with personal and/or academic issues, it is vital that you contact the student support team as soon as possible.

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 your University email account regularly for communications from the University.

If your question has not been answered, please check our other sections:

Contact details

Contact the Student Support Team 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:

LLC Student Support

This article was published on Dec 4, 2012