Support to study

At the university, we are committed to supporting every student's wellbeing. We recognise that a positive and enabling approach to the management of physical and mental health issues is key to your academic achievement and wider experience as a student with us.

We recognise that there are times when a student’s conduct, behaviour or wellbeing may disrupt their studies or pose risk to themselves or others.

The Support to Study (STS) policy is intended for times when such behaviour is a result of disability, underlying health condition or challenges with mental health.

The university defines STS as a student’s ability to participate fully and successfully as a student, relating to their academic studies, life generally at the university and how they interact with others across our community.

The full policy and procedures are available here and students asked to attend a Support to Study meeting are advised to read this. The information below provides some general information about the process.

What is the purpose of the Support to Study Policy and Procedures?

The Support to Study process has been designed to:

  • Help students to participate fully and satisfactorily in student life when they experience difficulties or have conditions that may require extra support.
  • Provide a positive and supportive approach to the management of students physical and /or mental health and wellbeing.
  • Be supportive to students and ensure they are safe and confident to proceed in their studies.
  • Ensure that the University has explored appropriate, proportionate and reasonable support to enable the student to complete their studies. This will include input from the relevant specialists in Student and Academic Services and where possible collaborative working with statutory and other services will be initiated.
  • Ensure disability-related reasonable adjustments have been considered, and where appropriate put in place and available funding accessed.
  • Provide a clear set of procedures which can be used by staff when a student’s health, wellbeing and/or behaviours are affecting their ability to progress academically and/or engage in their student experience at university.
  • Encourage early intervention and active collaboration between staff in managing situations where there are concerns raised regarding a student. These concerns may include a student’s:
    • academic progress
    • health and/or wellbeing
    • ability to live safely and independently at university
    • interaction with other students.
  • Provide a consistent, co-ordinated and sensitive approach to managing situations or behaviours which have become problematic and where it is not considered appropriate to apply other internal procedures such as the Student Disciplinary or Fitness to Practise procedure.

Clarify expectations for both staff and students in managing such situations so we can:

  • Enable the student to progress, meet the required learning outcomes and complete their course.
  • Agree an action plan to support student progression with clear responsibilities and expectations.
  • Consider whether the student could be fit to study at this time with appropriate support

When will the university use the Support to Study Procedures?

The support to study policy and procedures can be initiated in instances where a student’s health, wellbeing or behaviour causes the University concern, for example when it is considered that a student/their behaviour:

  • May impact on their ability to progress at university and or engage in university life.
  • Poses a risk to their own health, safety and/or well-being and/or that of others.
  • Is already or at risk of disrupting or negatively affecting the teaching, learning and/or experience of other students.
  • Are currently or are at risk of negatively affecting the day-to-day activities of the university.
  • Result in unreasonable and or unmanageable responsibilities being placed on staff or other students.
  • For apprentices, concerns may arise in the workplace or university setting. Concerns from employers that affect academic engagement may also be considered under this procedure.

What is the structure of the procedure?

The Support to Study process has three stages. Full details are available in the Support to Study Policy and Procedures available here and the following only provides a basic overview.

The stages represent the degree of concern and/or the perceived seriousness of the situation. The procedure can be entered and resolved at any stage. In most cases Levels 0 and 1 will be used before escalation to Level 2.

If the concerns are not remedied by the recommended and agreed actions, then this can be escalated to the next stage.

Stages of the procedure  

Stage 0

This stage is intended to be relatively informal. Students may be accompanied by a friend or supporter of their choice or an adviser from the Students’ Union.

  • Stage 0 is normally used when there are emerging concerns about a student’s health, wellbeing and/or behaviours and the impact this has on their ability to progress at university and/or engage in university life.
  • Meetings are usually held in person with a member of the student's faculty and/or a member of Student Wellbeing Services.
  • Meetings will usually look to see what support a student may have in place, provide the student with an opportunity to give their views on what is happening and advise the student on what support or processes and procedures may be helpful to them at this time.
  • Consider next steps and if a review period will be required.
  • Consider escalation to another stage of the STS procedure.

Stage 1: Review Panel

Stage 1 of the procedure is used where there is continued and ongoing concern following Stage 0.

A student may also be referred straight to stage 1, where the student refuses to access support, engage with a stage 0 meeting or when there is significant concern about a student’s health, wellbeing, behaviours, safety and/or ability to study, and/or engage in University life and a more formal response from the University is required than provided for at stage 0.

Students may be accompanied by a friend or supporter of their choice or an adviser from the Students’ Union.

  • The Panel will include staff from the student's Faculty, Student Wellbeing Services and a note taker.
  • Meetings can take place in person and online.
  • The review panel will explain the concerns that have been raised, see what support a student may have in place, give students an opportunity to give their perspective and advise the student on what support or processes and procedures may be helpful to them at this time.
  • Consider what the next steps are, including escalation to Stage 2 of the procedure.

Stage 2: Support to Study Panel

Stage 2 of the procedure is used where there is serious or persistent concern about a student’s health, wellbeing and/or behaviours, and/or ability to study and cope at University, or evidence of risk to the health and safety of the student or others at the University.

The objective of a Stage 2 Support to Study Panel is to ensure that the University considers all possible options to enable the student to continue with their studies.

Students may be accompanied by a friend or supporter of their choice or an adviser from the Students’ Union.

  • The Panel will include staff from the student's Faculty, Student Wellbeing Services and a note taker.
  • Meetings can take place in person and online.
  • The review panel will explain the concerns that have been raised, look to see what support a student may have in place, provide the student with an opportunity to give their perspective and advise the student on what further support or processes and procedures may be helpful to them at this time.
  • Consider what the next steps are.

Further advice and support

Information and support is available from a number of university services:

Independent advice and support is available from the Students Union:

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