Student support, health and welfare

Student Support – we’re here for you

Students can contact Student Support from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm by:

• Email to support@nua.ac.uk
• Phone 01603 977977

Please note that Student Support is not available on weekends or bank holidays.  

For many students, university offers a first taste of independence. Whatever your background, it can be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming experience. NUA Student Support offers information, advice and guidance to any student who needs it while studying at the University.

Staff are available to speak to through confidential appointments or during regular drop-in times including some evenings, for advice on a range of issues including welfare/wellbeing, student finance and funding, accommodation and dyslexia and disability/medical disclosures.

• General support: support@nua.ac.uk
• Accommodation support: accommodation@nua.ac.uk
• Student Finance and Funding: student.finance@nua.ac.uk
• Disability support: disability@nua.ac.uk
• Dyslexia support: spld.support@nua.ac.uk

Read the latest COVID-19 update

Organisations you can contact for support out of hours:

• Samaritans are available 24 hours a day on 116 123.
• SANE have a helpline which is open 4.30pm–10.30pm. Call 07984 967708, leave a message with your first name and contact number and they will call you back.
• Shout are available 24 hours a day on 85258, contact them and a volunteer will text you back to chat. This service is free to use on all major UK mobile networks.
• Check out kooth.com. Kooth magazine offers creative pieces and personal experiences. Kooth discussion boards enable you to chat to others about subjects surrounding mental health and wellbeing. Kooth goals enable you to set personal goals and track your progress and the journal helps you to track your moods. Kooth chat and messenger enable you to talk to the Kooth team during the evenings and weekends. Kooth is only available to students under 25.
• The First Response service are available on 0808 196 3494.  First Response is a 24/7 helpline offering immediate advice, support and signposting for people with mental health difficulties.  If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed or worried about your mental health you can call the helpline.
• In an emergency dial 999. If it is not an emergency but you would like help and advice, call 111.

Doctors and health services

The National Health Service (NHS) provides health services in the UK and all students are entitled to treatment from the NHS, including Tier 4 visa holders who will have paid IHS fees as part of the immigration process

We recommend that you register with a doctor as soon as possible after your arrival in Norwich. Please don’t wait until you become unwell.

Treatment is generally free of charge, but there are fees for dental treatment and prescription drugs. You may be entitled to help with prescription costs. If you’re joining NUA from overseas, the NHS provides a useful guide to health services in the UK.

The University does not have a Student Health centre, however you can search for NHS surgeries to register with a doctor close to your home in Norwich.

Immunisations and vaccinations

It is good practice for students to be fully immunised in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. We advise that new students check their vaccination status via their GP practice before arrival at NUA.

Providing medical/disability information to the University

As part of the online enrolment process you’ll be asked to complete a medical/disability section. This confidential information is held within the Academic Registry and disclosed only with your permission to support your needs while studying at the University.

If you’re diagnosed with a medical condition or disability during your studies we ask that you contact us to update your medical/disability status and discuss any additional support you may require. Please email disability@nua.ac.uk

Counselling

NUA offers a free, confidential, counselling service for all students, provided by professional counsellors at The Norwich Centre. 

Students can contact the Norwich Centre directly by calling 01603 613515 or emailing admin@norwichcentre.org. An initial exploratory session can determine if regular counselling is appropriate.

Please note that Norwich Centre is not a crisis centre and students will be seen by appointment only.

Accommodation

NUA’s Accommodation Office is part of Student Support. Accommodation information is made available online to all students who have accepted an offer during the summer term.

This includes details of the accommodation on offer, how to apply, private accommodation, details of the University’s student share list (a list of students looking for accommodation to share with other NUA students), and information on living in the community.

International students

Students arriving from outside the UK sometimes need extra support to settle into their new community. The University provides a dedicated support service for international students, including advice on visas, working in the UK and registering with doctors and banks, as well as support with cultural differences.

Additionally, every international student at NUA is eligible to receive up to four hours of English language support each term week free of charge.

International students with a disability should note that non-UK resident students are ineligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). We advise you to check whether alternative sources of funding are available in your home country. Please contact disability@nua.ac.uk for more information.

Students’ Union

The Students’ Union supports and represents students, with the aim of making the university experience as exciting and rewarding as possible. The Union is responsible for all student involvement, which ranges from coordinating Student Representatives and liaising with NUA management to planning events and running clubs and societies.

Careers Service

The Careers Service provides support for all registered students and graduates for up to three years after graduation, or for life for alumni members. The service includes personal advice sessions, workshops and in-course training throughout your time at NUA.