Supporting you every step of the way 

Starting your international study journey is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to support your health, wellbeing and academic progress from the moment you accept your offer until the day you complete your programme. Whether you need help settling in, looking after your mental health, or planning your next steps, you’ll have access to personalised support whenever you need it. 

Pre-arrival 

We make sure you feel prepared and confident before you even arrive. Our Welcome Hub provides essential information on topics like visas, accommodation, budgeting, packing and local life – helping you settle in with ease.  

You’ll also be asked to complete the Learning Differences, Health, and Disabilities (LDHD) form before your arrival. This helps us create a personalised support plan tailored to your individual needs, should you require additional support. 

To help build a sense of belonging early on: 

• Pre-arrival materials promote our full range of student support services 
• Our arrivals phone line is available 24/7 during induction periods to assist with questions or concerns 
• Information about how to access support is included in online webinars 

Accommodation and local life 

Finding the right place to live is a big part of your student experience. Our teams will support you with accommodation advice, whether you're applying for university-managed housing or private options. Once you arrive, you’ll receive guidance on local amenities, staying safe and joining events in your community. 

Living on or close to campus is recommended to maximise your student experience, helping you make friends easily, join social activities and feel fully connected to campus life. 

We also promote: 

• Social and enrichment activities led by the ISC to help you build friendships and confidence 
• Buddy schemes and other networking opportunities at the university 
• Community events in the local area 

Welcome week and induction 

Our welcome weeks are designed to help you feel part of a supportive community. In addition to course registration and enrolment, and academic preparation, you'll also take part in induction activities, meet key staff members, and attend sessions that cover: 

• Self-care and building resilience 
• Culture shock and homesickness 
• Awareness of online safety and scams 
• Social activities so you can make friends and start to build your social network 
• Where to turn when you need help - for anything, big or small 

Wellbeing support, available within our International Study Centres, your chosen university and external organisations, is actively promoted during these sessions and throughout your studies. During Welcome Week, you’ll be guided through registering with a GP and introduced to key support services such as the university’s Students’ Union and wellbeing services. 

Wellbeing and support services 

Your health and wellbeing are at the centre of everything we do. Each student is assigned a personal tutor or Progress Coach who will be your key contact for academic and pastoral support. All our International Study Centres also have a student wellbeing Team offering: 

• Regular wellbeing drop-in sessions 
• Personalised support with your mental wellbeing 
• Advice on adjusting to life in a new destination as an international student and managing stress 
• Support with the implementation of reasonable adjustments 

We are here to listen non-judgmentally about any problems you may face and ensure the right support is given to you.   

Any issues of discrimination, bullying, or harassment are addressed swiftly and appropriately in line with Study Group policies. 

To access Study Group’s ‘single comprehensive source of information’ in relation to the Office for Students’ E6 condition on harassment and sexual misconduct, effective from 1 August 2025, please click here.   

24/7 Student Assistance Programme 

At Study Group, we’re dedicated to supporting you from the moment you accept your offer until you successfully progress to your university degree. Whether you’re studying in the UK or Ireland, our comprehensive support services are designed to help you succeed academically, settle into student life, and take care of your wellbeing. 

Our Student Assistance Programme, delivered by Health Assured in partnership with Howden Insurance, offers 24/7 professional support to all Study Group students in the UK and Ireland. From pre-arrival to the end of your academic year, you can access expert guidance on a range of issues including mental health, sleep, financial concerns, relationships, and more. 

What’s included: 

• 24/7 helpline and live chat: Immediate support whenever you need it 
• Video calls, callbacks and one-to-one counselling: Talk to professionals in a way that suits you 
• Wisdom app access: Explore topics like sleep, mental wellbeing, and managing physical health, anytime from your phone 

Whether you need more serious support or just someone to talk to, the Student Assistance Programme is here to help, with full confidentiality. Their support includes an interpretation and translation service in over 240 languages and dialects. 

What our students use the Student Assistance Programme for: 

• Mental health support 
• Academic stress management 
• Healthy sleep  
• Financial and legal advice 
• Help with family or relationship challenges 

The service is easy to access via your Centre Welcome Hub, Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), or directly through the Wisdom App. 

The Student Assistance Programme is available to all our students at no extra cost, providing valuable out-of-hours support and safeguarding. This helps Centres respond quickly to student wellbeing concerns – even outside of normal university hours. 

Student voice and community 

We’re strengthening our sense of community across our Centres by introducing Student Voice Subject Matter Experts from September 2025. They will work with elected Student Representatives to help shape your learning experience. 

More ways we support you 

• Academic and English language support from your first week 
• Careers guidance and employability events 
• Safe and supportive learning environments designed for international students 
• Inclusive spaces and accessible classrooms 

Personalised safeguarding and risk support 

We take your safety seriously. Each International Study Centre follows Study Group’s safeguarding policies and has trained staff to respond appropriately to concerns. We provide: 

• Daily attendance monitoring  
• An enhanced duty of care for the whereabouts of students under 18 years of age 
• Personalised support plans for students with identified additional needs 
• Clear guidance on how to escalate concerns or raise issues 

Students can easily access our safeguarding procedures and emergency contact information via the Centre’s virtual learning environment, student handbook and Centre noticeboards. 

Academic and progression support 

We want you to succeed, not just in your pathway programme, but at university and beyond. That’s why we offer dedicated progression support to help you meet your academic goals and move confidently onto your chosen degree. You’ll benefit from: 

• One-to-one academic meetings 
• Progress reviews and personalised feedback 
• Advice tailored to your university destination and subject area 

Careers and employability 

We’ll help you build your future from day one. All programmes at our International Study Centres have employability and career skills interwoven in the curriculum, setting you up for a successful graduate career. Alongside academic development, you’ll receive tailored career support, including: 

• Interview preparation
• Career development tools designed for international students
• Help finding part-time jobs and internships* 
• CV and cover letter writing workshops*

_{* Available at select International Study Centres}