Expert and tailored support

Counselling

We understand that sometimes you might need some support during your time at university.

Where needed, our team can provide time-limited counselling to help you overcome difficulties, and hopefully enjoy better mental health and wellbeing throughout your studies.

A counsellor won't tell you what do. Instead, they will offer support and understanding, and listen and respond in a non-judgemental, non-critical way. This can empower you to find your balance so you can achieve the most from your university experience.

All University of Brighton counsellors abide by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's (BACP's) Ethical Framework for Good Practice.

There are also local resources available within Brighton and Hove, such as the Mental Health Rapid Response Service, and MindOut (a local mental health service run by and for the LGBTQ+ community).

LGBTQ+ support

Brighton is considered by many to be the "LGBTQ+ capital" of the UK, and rightfully so. Here at the University of Brighton, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary and queer students, and all other students whose identities fall under the plus.

We understand that LGBTQ+ students may face additional challenges during their time at university, and we have services to support you, including:

• LGBTQ+ Students' Unions representation
• LGBTQ+ Student Society
• LGBT Uni-Amex mentoring programme
• Trans and Non-Binary Staff and Student Support Network
• Practical information and support for trans and non-binary students
• Pronoun awareness
• Gender neutral toilets
• Support for estranged students.

Residential wellbeing

The Residential Wellbeing team helps students living in halls with wellbeing support, community building and social opportunities to enrich your student experience.

They’re here to make you feel welcome and help with the transition to university life. They aim to create a safe, supportive and inclusive living environment for you, giving you the best chance to succeed at university.

The team is made up of both Staff and Student Residential Advisers - senior students who live and work in the halls.

Self-help resources

There are a range of self-help resources available on My Brighton, including guides on topics like managing anxiety, coping with bereavement, and dealing with homesickness.

You can also access free online support with Togetherall, an anonymous online community with professional support from trained counsellors. To get access, sign up under ‘organisation’ with your university email address.

Faith and spirituality

Our Faith and Spirituality team offers pastoral support to all students and staff. The team aims to have representatives from as many faiths as possible, and their services are open to all.

Throughout the week there are lots of opportunities for worship, both on and off-campus, for a range of faith traditions.

Our faith advisers can help and advise on social, academic or spiritual matters, whatever your faith and wherever you are.

You may also be interested in joining one of Students' Union's faith-based societies. If there isn't one that's suitable, why not consider setting one up?

Care leavers and estranged students

If you're a care leaver, or you don't have the same support from your family network as other students, we have additional support available to help you through your time at university, including:

• Help with money – our care leaver’s bursary and estranged student's bursary, financial advice, and additional financial support from the university and government.
• Guaranteed all year round accommodation in your first year.
• Mentoring - we can guarantee a mentor to all care leavers - we have identity and non-identity based programmes and amazing professionals trained ready to support care leavers. Estranged students also get priority access to mentoring.
• Student Ambassadors role – guaranteed interview for our paid ambassador role for care leavers.

Mentoring and enhanced support

Mentoring is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Mentoring is all about facilitating your own development and working together with your mentor to achieve your goals. Our mentoring programmes provide support to all current University of Brighton students, whether you are an undergraduate, postgraduate, part-time or full-time student.

There are five different mentoring programmes available at the University of Brighton.

We also have a range of enhanced support options, including:

• external referrals to local specialist support programmes
• support from the Wellbeing team for students with more complex needs.