How can your university support you?
Every student should feel supported at university, especially when experiencing the loss of a parent. Below is a list of suggestions for accessing important support, guidance, and advice from your university.
Your university may have a Wellbeing or Welfare team who can offer emotional and mental health advice, support, and guidance. Some of this advice may be directed specifically at coping with bereavement while at university.
They may offer a range of services, such as drop-in sessions and access to a university counselling service, where students can usually register to have several free sessions with a trained professional.
Your university will normally signpost external community services for extra support.
Most universities offer immediate and urgent support over the phone or in person.
Student Wellbeing/ Welfare Services
Extenuating circumstances, such as the loss of a parent, are personal difficulties that impact your ability to complete academic assessments at university. This will allow you to access mitigation (short-term extensions) or deferrals (long-term extensions) on your work.
You may have to fill out an extenuating circumstances form to gain access to this, which you should find on your university’s website.
Losing a parent may impact your studies beyond a couple of assessment deadlines. Therefore, it may be helpful to get in touch directly with your university to arrange a long-term plan to support your studies, like an ILP (as detailed below).
Extenuating Circumstances
Most universities have a student guild or union there to support you during your time at university. The guild supports student leaders, societies, and student groups.
The guild also represents student voices. If you feel like support is lacking at your university, you should be able to get in touch, raise your issues, and make important changes.
Your guild may have an advice service to provide crucial support on a range of topics such as employability, housing, changes to your course, and more. Some guilds also run a student mentoring scheme.
Student Guild or Union
ILP (Individual Learning Plan)/ Personal Learning Plan
Your university may be able to equip you with a tailored learning plan or something similar, to support your academic studies while you are experiencing overwhelming grief or mental health struggles. You may have to meet certain criteria to qualify for an ILP.
Some examples of support offered:
Adjustments for examinations e.g. extra time and laptop usage
Support with reading and research
Absences excused, extensions supported, tutors made aware of circumstances in brief terms
1:1 mentoring
Access to specialist equipment
You may have to book an appointment with your university’s wellbeing service to get access to an ILP.
Peer-to-Peer Support and Mentor Programmes
Your university may run a peer support scheme that offers peer learning (academic) support, peer mentoring (pastoral) support, or both. This encourages important support networks within the student body.
Moreover, some universities have peer-led bereavement support groups where students meet to share their experiences.
Here are some links to specific university groups:
Swansea University: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/campuslife/faithcampuslife/bereavement-support/
University of Bath: https://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/bereavement-social-group/
University of Huddersfield: https://students.hud.ac.uk/help/wellbeing/support/workshops-and-groups/bereavementsupportgroup/
University of Bristol: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/wellbeing/request-support/services/counselling/therapeutic-groups/#bereavement
In 2014 Student Minds compiled a report aiming to provide more universities and students' unions with information on how peer support for mental health works.
Click here to access this report:
Most universities have an Academic Personal Tutor system, where a member of staff oversees several tutees within their discipline. Their purpose is to provide academic, personal, and professional support and guidance for students.
If your personal circumstances are impacting your studies in any way, your personal tutor or another trusted member of staff can be your first point of contact.
Though they can’t provide professional counselling, they can direct you to other support internally or externally to the university for specific concerns.
Personal Tutors
Dealing with immense grief while at university can be incredibly overwhelming. You may find during this time that university isn’t the right place for you. It is so important to prioritise your wellbeing and allow space and time to process your grief.
Try not to panic if you feel like you need to take some time away from university, as most university courses can accommodate for taking time out. It is worth contacting your university to assess your options. They may offer flexibility with attendance, remote study, or allow you to take a term or even a year away from your studies.
Taking a Break
Losing a parent can sometimes provoke unforeseen financial difficulties when studying at university. Your university may be able to provide extra funding to support your studies in times of hardship if you meet certain criteria. Additional funding may be awarded in the form of bursaries, scholarships, or grants.
Moreover, many universities have a cost-of-living support fund that awards grants to struggling students.
Find information about additional funding on your university’s website or contact them directly for specific queries.