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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 Welfare & Graduates Officer.

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

CUSU Student Support

CUSU provides independent, non-judgemental and confidential support and information for all students. We employ a full time, professional Student Adviser and you can also contact the Student Support Officer, Education Officer and Women's Officer at any time, whether it's a first point of call or a last resort - that's what we're here for! All of us are trained student support officers and CUSU Student Support is student-centred and free: we are independent from your college and the University so no one will know that you've contacted us unless you tell them.

Students get in touch with CUSU for information, for support or to talk things through. More specifically, we are often contacted about all sorts of issues such as academic difficulties, discrimination, financial hardship, childcare, accommodation, pregnancy, disabilities equality and support, mental health issues and more. We can also support you in dealing with interrupting your studies, University and college complaints and working out which source of support or information is best for you. If you are worried about a friend, or would just like some information feel free to get in touch. We can correspond with you via email, talk on the phone or meet up; let us know what works best for you.

For more information on CUSU Student Support, take a look at our Summary of the Service and our Confidentiality Policy. Please contact the Welfare Officer for further information.

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.

CUSU Student Support phone - 07999859940 (9am - 7pm every day, all year)

Contact the CUSU Welfare & Graduates Officer for confidential support and information.

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.