What can you do right now to get answers to your questions?
Moving to a new country or place to start university can be daunting, so we’ve compiled this helpful guide to help you get answers to your questions.
Let’s look at some practical ways of finding out what to do, who to contact and where the information is to help you feel in control.
We’ve split the info into six sections — tap on a word to jump to the info
- Accommodation
- How to meet people and avoid feeling lonely
- Academic
- Mental health
- Finance and money
- Physical health
Remember you can get answers to any questions or get help by:
Emailing the Student Information Helpline on studentinfo@leeds.ac.uk
Calling +44 (0)113 343 7000 (from outside of the UK)
Calling 0800 915 0402 (from inside the UK. This is free phone number, and you won’t be charged for calling this from your mobile or landline).
You can also get face-to-face support by visiting one of our Student Information Points on campus.
Accommodation
If you’re a resident in accommodation run by the University then you can find out lots of information about this on the Accommodation website, with sections on payment, health and safety, plus more.
For more community information regarding University residences, join the Residence Life Facebook group.
If your question isn’t answered on their webpages, here’s the University accommodation contact details.
You can contact Unite and Unipol if they are your housing provider.
Leeds University Union (LUU) may be able to answer your questions, you can speak to them about all sorts of housing related questions — from contracts, landlords and other issues.
If you’re struggling with money, see the Hardship section of the For Students website — for University and private accommodation support.
Loneliness — how to meet new people
Being surrounded by people gives us a perspective on things, can help us see life through different lenses and can enable to us to grow, to empathise, to learn and to understand.
Try joining a student Facebook group — the Current Student Facebook group is fairly easy going, as is the LUU Student Community Group and the Global Community group, also on Facebook.
The Global Community is perfect for meeting new people, and runs events most days of the week, including during holidays. If you’re in Halls of Residence, don’t forget there is the Residence Life Facebook group too.
Joining a club or society is one of the best ways to meet new people — and they’re likely to have similar interests! There’s over 300 to choose from, or start your own! Many of them do Give it a Go (GIAG) sessions, where you can see whether it’s for you.
LUU is always looking for new ways to help students stay connected right now, so if you have any ideas for an event or initiative, they would love to support you to run it.
Leeds Sport have opportunities for all, whether taking part or watching! If you fancy exploring the local area, then Get Out, Get Active offers all sorts of ideas and opportunities.
Volunteering is another great way of meeting people who have similar interests.
Don’t forget, Leeds University Union (LUU) have lots of activities to meet others in their What’s On section and their Events section.
If you’re finding things hard and want to find out more about getting some help, someone to listen to you and some advice- LUU’s Help and Support section has lots of articles, and health and wellbeing resources including outreach and student ambassador information, plus people to speak to.
Academic
You’re going to have questions about your studies. Knowing where the information is, and who to get in touch with to get you back on track is important.
Minerva — home of all things to do with your learning. In the TEACH tab, you’ll find all things to do with your course, from reading lists to modules, past exam papers and more.
If you’re new to University, and have only recently arrived, each school has a school induction. Find your school induction, and also some tips to get you off to a flying start with your learning.
Here’s how to contact your school — email addresses, phone numbers and the physical location on a map.
Your personal tutor is the first point of contact for academic concerns and questions. You should also speak to them if you are experiencing difficulties accessing the online or digital aspects of your learning so they can establish the nature of the difficulty and explore solutions, like the possibility of a loan laptop.
School Representatives are student leaders appointed by LUU to make positive, student-led change within their School. They represent (and re-present) the views of students in your School and work alongside Course Reps and staff to make your School better.
The library has a lot of support for your studies (and your research). Skills@library offer sessions on academic skills and referencing, dissertations to workshops and webinars.
As a student, you’ve got free access to Linked In Learning too — it’s worth looking at the huge range of additional courses you might be interested in.
If you need any further help and guidance with academic issues — Leeds University Union’s academic help and support section have lots of guides and online resources, plus people you can speak to. You can also speak to your academic personal tutor about any difficulties you may be having accessing the online or digital aspects of your learning.
Mental Health
Maintaining good mental health is one of the most important things to do as a student — and taking simple steps to look after your wellbeing are proven to keep you feeling good. However, it’s good to know where to go and what to do if you need additional help, or are worried about a friend.
The Support and Wellbeing section on the For Students website lists lots of great resources, from self help, through free online services like Togetherall to dedicated support with your mental health.
Sign up to a wellbeing webinar — they’re free, very popular and cover a huge range of topics from procrastination to managing anxiety. Lots of students attend online — sometimes over 150 to some events!
Leeds University Union (LUU) have lots of help here — from their Health and Wellbeing resources — amazing work with ambassadors and reps, to their Help and Support website, where you’ll find online answers, and be able to contact people via email, phone and face to face.
The NHS in Leeds runs Feel Better Leeds, with the advice you need to make sure you are getting the right help at the right time. Have you seen the online resources yet from Student Space? Additionally in the city, there is lots of charities and other organisations — including Mindwell, Live Well Leeds and the evening service Nightline.
If you’re worried about keeping yourself safe and need help right now, or are worried about a friend visit Leeds Mind.
Physical health
Leeds Sport is home of all things fitness and sport at Uni, and offer a huge range of opportunities to take part and also enjoy sport. On campus, there’s The Edge — the gym, with swimming pool, climbing wall and classes, and Get Out, Get Active, which is all about opportunities to explore the local area.
The Health and Wellbeing section includes excellent information on physio, nutrition, health assessments and more. Many of the clubs and societies in LUU give you the chance to meet others and keep active at the same time.
Mindwell in Leeds has great online resources and links to looking after your physical health, and the links with maintaining good mental health too.
Leeds City Council has helpful links to organisations who can help you if you’re worried about your physical or sexual health, as does the NHS’s Healthy Living Service.
If you’re worried about your health, or haven’t yet registered with a doctor, then here’s some further links to help.
Finance/Money
At University, most money related topics are split into two:
- Fees — money you pay
- Funding and Scholarships — money you can receive, including scholarships, bursaries, and from other funds.
You may want to find out about Hardship — this is money available to you if you’re having money problems. This is split into three —
- Leeds Hardship Fund — may offer help towards the payment of essential living costs when you are facing genuine or unexpected financial hardship. You must be a registered student to apply.
- International Leeds Hardship Fund — may offer help towards the payment of essential living costs when you are facing financial hardship due to an unexpected change to your financial circumstances. You must be a registered student to apply.
- LUU Emergency Hardship fund — short term support if you’re in immediate financial difficulty. You must be a current registered student at the University and be able to show that you are unable to meet essential costs such as rent, bills, food over the next 4 weeks or so.
The Help & Support Team in Leeds University Union provides support relating to student finances including loans, fees and funding, and advice on budgeting and managing debt.
If you have accommodation money concerns — find out about the rent rebate in University accommodation and hardship funds, for both University and private accommodation.
The Student Funding Team is here to help with any current funding enquiries, including hardship, external funding and student loans.
You can also find information on Council tax exemption, plus guidance on
Across Leeds, there’s lots of places to contact for money issues, from citizen’s advice to independent groups and charities.
Final thoughts
If you know or recognise that a friend, flat mate or acquaintance is struggling, reach out if you can. We all benefit from a message, a friendly face and a listening ear. By working together and being there for each other, we can make a big difference.
Has this helped?
What are we missing out that would really help you and your friends?
Get in touch with us at studentcommunications@leeds.ac.uk if you’d like to tell us what you’re thinking, or if you have suggestions, ideas or content you’d like us to produce.
