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Support and Information for Students

There are a variety of sources of support, information and advice in Cambridge for undergraduates and graduates and you will find more information below so you can decide what is best for you. If you have questions, or would like to discuss the options for support, information and advice please contact the CUSU Welfare & Rights Officer.

The Student Advice Service
In your college
The University Counselling Service (UCS)
Disability Resource Centre (DRC)
Phonelines
Health Information

The CUSU-GU Student Advice Service

For full information visit the website: www.studentadvice.cam.ac.uk/

The Student Advice Service offers free, confidential and independent support to all students. If you feel you have beendiscriminated against, treated unfairly or would like to discuss something that is bothering you, contact us, whether it's the first time you have a question or as a last resort.

You can come to the service with any issues or problems that you might experience as a student - from questions or concerns about your education or University procedures to a health enquiry or a mental health issue. The Student Advice Service employs a full time professional Student Advisor whose primary role is providing confidential support to students. The Welfare and Rights Officer, the Education Officer, and the Women's Officer will also be able to provide support and representation.

The Student Advice Service can support you in a number of ways. We can discuss your concerns with you, explore what options are available to you, and represent you at a college or University level if necessary. We also act as a signposting service – if we can't assist you, we can help you work out what other sources of support are available that might better suit your needs.

This service is confidential – whilst we may share information within the service, no information about you or your situation will be given to anyone outside the service, except in very rare circumstances (our confidentiality policy can be found in theconfidentiality section of the website).

This website has information about who we are and what we do (including our Code of Practice), support that is available to students in Cambridge and a range of information about specific issues that may affect some students.

The Student Advice Service is based in two locations - at CUSU and at the Graduate Union. We have advice areas at boththese places, so feel free to drop in and chat to a member of the service at any time, Monday to Friday, 9am -5pm. You can also make an appointment by emailing advice@studentadvice.ac.uk or by phoning 01223 746999.

Cambridge University Students' Union
Old Examination Hall
New Museums Site
Free School Lane
Cambridge
CB2 3RF

The Graduate Union
17 Mill Lane
Cambridge
CB3 1RX

In your College

Whether you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate student you will be assigned a tutor who is primarily there for non-academic and pastoral support (e.g. finance, accommodation, personal issues). Most tutors are very supportive and have drop-in sessions on a regular basis. If for any reason you do not get on with your Tutor you can always approach another Tutor within college, including the Senior Tutor. Guidance and good practice guidelines for tutorial offices are available online.

You can also approach your College Nurse or your Chaplain.

Every college also has a student Welfare Officer on the JCR, MCR or SU committee who you can contact for information, a chat, or if you are unsure of who to go to in College. Most committees also have Women's Officers, LBGT Reps, Academic Affairs Officers and international officers.

If you are unsure of who to go to in College contact the CUSU Welfare & Graduates Officer.

The University Counselling Service (UCS)

The University Counselling Service provides free, confidential and professional counselling to all students. You can make an appointment online by filling in a pre-counselling form, or you can download a form; feel free to give as much or as little information as you are comfortable with. Any information you give will remain confidential within the Counselling Service and once you have submitted a form the Counselling Service will contact you to arrange for you to see an appropriate counsellor at a time that you can manage. Never put off contacting them because you think they're too busy: most students can be seen within a week. Counselling sessions take place in a very comfortable and private setting and usually last around 50 minutes.

The UCS also runs a range of group sessions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Groups, a Can't Work group, a Disordered Eating group, an Exam Preparation group and a Writing up your PhD group.

Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

The DRC is the University of Cambridge's disability service, providing advice, information and support to all disabled students. The DRC supports individuals with any disability, medical matter or injury, including those with:

  • specific learning difficulties (including dyslexia)
  • physical impairments and injuries (including broken limbs and Work Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD)
  • sensory impairments
  • mental health issues
  • eating disorders
  • chronic illnesses
  • Asperger syndrome and autism

The DRC can provide confidential information and support, study skills tuition and mentoring, assessment for dyslexia, the loan of specialist equipment and assistance with funding applications. The DRC can also support you to ensure you are receving adequete support from your college and department.

Phonelines

If you prefer to talk to someone over the phone there are plenty of places you can find support.


Linkline - 01223 744 444 OR 01223 367 575 (7pm - 7am in term time)

Linkline is a listening support and information service, run by students for students, every night of Cambridge University full term.

Cambridge Rape Crisis - 01223245888 (Wednesdays 7.30-9.30pm)

Free and confidential support and information for female survivors of rape and sexual abuse.

Health Information

Cambridge Student Health has up to date information about GP services in Cambridge, out of hours healthcare, sports injury.