International Student Office

Asking for help

Asking for help in the UK might be different to how you might ask in your home country. It is seen as normal in the UK that students will need to ask for help with a variety of different personal and academic issues during their studies.

Remember, if you have a question or a problem, you will need to ask for help as soon as you need it. In most cases, it is unusual in the UK for someone to offer assistance unless you have asked for it. It is not considered to be a sign of weakness or inability if you need help.

It can be hard to know where to get help when you are in a new place. But don’t worry, there is a lot of help available at the University. There are staff in your department or university accommodation and in the on-campus support services whose job it is to help you with questions or problems.

Your school / department / personal tutor

As soon as possible after arriving in Leeds, find out the key members of staff in your department and how they can help you. Your personal tutor is there to give you a range of academic and non-academic support. As well as talking to them about your studies, you must also talk to them if you are ill or have personal difficulties which might affect your studies. There are a range of specialist support services which your tutor will know about and who they might refer you to if you have a problem that they are unable to assist with.

Student Support Network

The Student Support services offer a range of specialist support. For more information visit our Essential Services page.

University Chaplaincy

Chaplains listen to and help students with questions and problems at difficult times in their lives. They provide support to students of all faiths and to those who have no religious beliefs. They have an emergency phone number on their website for students who are in distress.

Your school student representative

Many schools have elected student representatives. If you have a problem related to your course or school, you can speak to your school rep who can offer you guidance or raise your issue with staff. You can find out who your school rep is on the Students’ Union website.

Your friends

It is natural to ask your friends for help and they will give you very valuable support. But it is important that you also ask University staff. Your friends may not always be able to offer you the specialist information that University staff can. University staff in specialist services are trained to give you reliable information and advice.

International Student Office

The International Student Office is here to provide support and specialist advice to international students. You will find the pages on our website will answer most of your questions, but you can also come and see us if you have any other worries or concerns.

Student Advice Centre

This is a professional, friendly service which provides help with any problems concerning life as a student. All help is free and confidential and the service is independent of the University. Specialist advice is available in these areas:

• Academic procedures - help with University regulations; advice and representation on academic progression issues; plagiarism; appeals or disciplinary cases; help to explain problems to your tutors.
• Money - Advice on budgeting and financial problems; negotiating with services and with creditors if you have debts; help to find alternative sources of funding; and in extreme cases emergency funding if you have a family crisis or similar problem.
• Housing - Advice on house-hunting; help with disrepair and poor housing conditions, including compensation; help to resolve difficulties with landlords and flatmates; disciplinary cases in University accommodation.
• Victim support - Help to report a crime; support to help victims deal with the consequences of crime.
• Employment rights - Information and advice on tax, national insurance and your rights as an employee.
• Health - Information and advice regarding your health and well-being including sexual and mental health.

Nightline

Nightline offers information about student life and services in the University and around Leeds. It also offers a listening support service provided by trained volunteers for students who are worried, confused, distressed, in trouble or even if they just need to talk. The service is free and confidential. For more information visit our Essential Services page or the Nightline website.

Help in an emergency

The UK emergency services (fire, ambulance and police) can be contacted by calling 999. Ask for the service you require and give your name and location. Calling 999 is free of charge but only use this number in an emergency, for example if a life is at risk or if a crime is being committed.

If an emergency happens on campus, you can call the University Security Services on 0113 3432222.

If there is an emergency in your University accommodation, contact your warden or sub-warden or the Residence Manager.