What is available?
We understand that students are all individuals and have curated our services so that we avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. We have a ‘menu’ of support to meet different needs to make getting support accessible. We offer:
Support meetings with a Student Advice and Wellbeing Advisor
Mental Health Advisor support
Counselling
Art Therapy
Workshops which are devised specifically to support creative students studying in a creative environment.
Chaplaincy support for students of all faith and none
Mental health and wellbeing support
Leeds Arts University is a close-knit community. Support is woven throughout the University, and all staff are equipped to be part of your supportive, holistic journey. We are proud to be able to say that we know our students well.
We advocate a ‘Nothing about us, without us’ philosophy, students help us shape services and we work very closely with our Students’ Union. Students are encouraged to support each other and build a strong ethical understanding of how to help each other in times of need.
Our workshops focus on self-care and promote healthy wellbeing habits so students can thrive throughout their journey.
Financial guidance
We know that financial pressures can be a concern for many students, we can support you with a range of issues relating to awards, grants, and health – in fact, anything which may affect your wellbeing or prevent you from making the most of your time at the University. Speaking with someone in Student Advice and Wellbeing may make your difficulties easier to resolve.
After many years of working with students, we are able to help with a wide range of concerns. If we can’t help directly, we will find out who can.
Counselling and Mental Health Advisor service
Counselling and therapy can help when you are feeling anxious, angry, overwhelmed, confused, sad, or just ‘not yourself’. The process can help with how you feel about yourself and how you relate to others.
We offer up to six sessions weekly or fortnightly.
Our counsellors and Mental Health Advisor are professionally trained, have extensive experience at working with students, and belong to relevant counselling/therapy professional bodies.
Student Assistance Programme
Designed to complement and support our in-person support services, the Student Assistance Programme provides:
24/7 telephone helpline to ensure you always have someone to talk to
My Healthy Advantage app including self-help resources and live chat
Unlimited access to BACP-accredited 24/7 mental health and counselling confidential helpline, every day of the year
An interpretation service in over 240 languages and dialects for students with English as a second language
Financial, legal, and medical information and advice
University Chaplaincy
Chaplains are people appointed by religious communities to look after you where you are, we work with other universities in Leeds to support its student population. You can talk with a chaplain not just about matters of faith and spirituality, but about anything that bothers you. We are here for you no matter what your faith is, but if you want to speak to someone of your own faith, we’ll try and arrange that. We observe the same confidentiality counsellors do and we are independent of the universities we serve.
University staff and students are welcome to drop in to relax with a cup of tea or coffee in our Common Room or to visit the Chapel for prayer or quiet time.
To find out more, check out the University Chaplaincy website.
Care Experience
Leeds Arts University organise taster days and after school classes so that those with care experience have an opportunity to experience some of the specialist facilities at the University. You can find out more by browsing Our Outreach Activity.
Click here to read the definition of care experience.
Support for care experienced students at Leeds Arts University
On the UCAS and Student Finance England applications, students are asked about their care experience. We encourage care-experienced applicants to tick this box to access the full support we have available. Applicants who have ticked these boxes when applying will be contacted by Elizabeth Crickmore to find out if any additional support is needed before the start of term.
There is a wide range of support to help students get the most out of their time at Leeds Arts University. Go Higher West Yorkshire, the regional partnership of higher education providers across West Yorkshire, all use the same definition of care experience and have a collaborative Care Leaver Covenant which offers guidance and support.
Estranged Students
Leeds Arts University organise taster days and after school classes so that care leavers have an opportunity to experience some of the specialist facilities at the University. You can find out more by browsing Our Outreach Activity.
What is the definition of an estranged/independent student?
Student Finance England define an estranged student as someone who meets any of the following criteria:
You have not communicated with either of your biological or adoptive parents for 12 months (this is flexible) before your course begins and the situation is irreconcilable.
You can show you have been financially independent for three or more years through employment or benefits (consecutively or non-consecutively) before your course begins.
Your parents cannot be traced or it is not possible, practical, or safe to make contact with them.
Your parents have significant mental or physical health problems which prevent you from contacting them.
Both of your biological or adoptive parents are deceased.
If you are unsure if you meet the criteria, please get in touch with Elizabeth Crickmore at elizabeth.crickmore@leeds-art.ac.uk.
Support for estranged/independent students at Leeds Arts University
We have a dedicated estranged student contact, Elizabeth Crickmore, who can answer questions regarding our courses and the support we offer. To talk to Elizabeth email elizabeth.crickmore@leeds-art.ac.uk.
On the UCAS and Student Finance England applications, students are asked if they are estranged or independent. We encourage estranged/independent students to tick these boxes to access the full support we have available. Applicants who have ticked these boxes when applying will be contacted by Elizabeth Crickmore to find out if any additional support is needed before the start of term.
There is a wide range of support to help students get the most out of their time at Leeds Arts University. The University is a signatory of the Stand Alone Pledge, along with Go Higher West Yorkshire, the regional partnership of higher education providers across West Yorkshire; the pledge details guidance and support for estranged students in higher education.