Student Services

Hi and welcome to the Student Services Induction. At the University of Derby, we understand that your well-being is closely linked to your academic success. When you feel supported, safe, and confident, you're more likely to thrive both personally and academically. That's why the Student Services team is here, to offer confidential support, advice, and guidance to all students and applicants. Whether you're dealing with stress, need support around a disability, or just need someone to talk to, we're here to help you make the most of your university experience.

So, let's get started. Who are Student Services? Student Services are a team of advisers and specialists who provide information and guidance on a range of topics. We're here to help you maximise your potential and support you with the challenges that you might face while studying at university.

The first team we're going to introduce is the Student Life team. At Student Services, we really value your feedback. Testimonials such as this one help to show the difference, we've made to a student's journey and how we can improve our service moving forward.

The Student Welfare team offer advice and guidance around how to get support at uni.  We also run in-person and online appointments and workshops. These are designed to help you get the most out of your time at university. You can learn new skills and techniques to support you on your journey. The sessions will cover topics such as exam and presentation anxiety and mood, move, and motivate. You can book your place by scanning the QR code on screen.

If you're living away from home, it's really important that you get registered with a local GP. We have an on-site NHS surgery at the Kedleston Road campus, and you can register online or in person as a patient.

The Multi-Faith Centre at the Kedleston Road campus welcomes everyone regardless of faith, belief or worldwide view. A team of chaplains and faith consultants is available to support all students and staff. They can help with things like pastoral support, advice on matters of faith and belief, an inclusive safe space for prayer, worship and meditation, regular events and activities, and a place to relax and socialise. Faith spaces are also available in the Cavendish Building and at the Markeaton Street campus and Britannia Mill. 

Within Student Life, we have a team of Student Money Advisers. There are specialist advisers who can offer appointments and workshops giving you information, advice, and guidance around money, budgeting, and student funding. They can offer you support with general or specific funding queries such as issues with your student funding. You can find out more information about the team by following the QR code on screen or emailing them on smart@derby.ac.uk.

On the next slides, we'll tell you about the mental health support available at the University of Derby.

New for 2026 is our support space located in S205 at Kedleston Road. This calm and inclusive room has been created to provide students with an area to take a moment, explore self-help resources, and engage in mindfulness activities. This is an independent space for students to explore in their own time with Student Services staff on hand for any advice and guidance needed. In the room, you'll find welfare, disability, and mental health support information, leaflets, and self-help resources, games, books, mindfulness activities, and a peaceful free flow low pressure environment. For more information, please click the QR code below.

We offer a wide variety of mental health support at the University of Derby. Our support can include personalised resources and self-help guides, workshops, and peer support groups on a range of topics, or signposting to external agencies. You may also be able to access up to 10 face-to-face counselling sessions. These are delivered by trainee counsellors on placement at the university. These sessions are confidential and responsive to your needs.

Student Services work closely with other organisations to provide comprehensive and complimentary advice and support. You can get free anonymous support 247 by downloading the TalkCampus app for free peer-to-peer support. You can also download the Safe Zone app, a free safety app where you can request first aid support, help, or emergency contact. The Link is a free service for students to help with questions and concerns you may have about drugs, alcohol, or spiking. They'll be holding drop-in sessions at the Kedleston Road campus and at university accommodation. Or if you have any questions, you can email the address on screen.

The third team we'll introduce you to is the Disability Support team.

We have a dedicated team of Disability Advisers who aim to support you to fulfil your academic potential by removing any barriers you may have to your learning. The support the team offers is individualised. The adjustments vary depending on your specific requirements and circumstances. There's no one-size fits-all approach. The team can set up a support plan for you which outlines recommended adjustments to support your academic journey. They can help you communicate your needs clearly to your academic teams. The Disability Team also works with the academic teams to ensure adjustments are implemented effectively within your program, and they promote an inclusive by design approach for all students.

Do you think you may have dyslexia but haven't been assessed? The University of Derby offers the opportunity to be assessed via the Quickscreen process. Following a positive outcome to the Quickscreen test, the university can support you in obtaining a formal diagnosis. For more information, visit our website on the QR code below or contact student services and get yourself booked in for an assessment.

In this section, we will talk about DSA, Disabled Student's Allowance, what it can help you with, and how important it is to apply for it as soon as you can.

Disabled Students Allowance - or DSA - is a non-repayable allowance which can cover the cost of things to support your studies such as specialist equipment, support workers or travel costs. It is designed to support students who have a long-term diagnosis of disability, mental health condition, specific learning difference such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autistic spectrum disorder. DSA is available through your funding body such as Student Finance England. We have an internal non-medical helper team named the Student Support team which may be able to provide your DSA funded support.

What support can I get through the DSA? This could include specialist equipment like ergonomic equipment, assistive technology or possibly a laptop, non-medical helpers such as assistive technology trainers, sighted guides, specialist note takers and British Sign Language interpreters, specialist mentors and study skills tutors, study costs such as photocopying, printing, ink cartridges and paper, and a travel allowance which can include taxi fares and mileage costs to and from your home and the university.

How to access DSA? DSA can be applied for alone or in conjunction with a student finance application. It's based on your individual needs and not your household income, and there's no repayment required. The following links are useful and explain who can get DSA, what is offered, and how you can apply.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of our staff, students, and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody’s concern. If you have a safeguarding concern, it’s really important to report this using our Cause for Concern reporting form on the safeguarding page of our website. If you follow the QR code to this page, you'll find lots more information. 

Make sure to complete your online Consent Matters training. The University does not tolerate instances of harassment or sexual misconduct. We provide specific training to support staff and students around this important subject to keep each other and our campuses safe. You need to complete this training as part of your new student induction as soon as possible. You can access this on Blackboard through the UDo portal.

There is support available through Student Services for sexual violence, harassment and misconduct. Our Sexual Violence and Misconduct Liaison officers or SVLOs are trained to support students who have been directly or indirectly affected by recent or historical incidents of sexual misconduct. Our SVLOs provide confidential and non-judgmental support to students affected by harassment or misconduct, helping them explore their options without any pressure. We have a team within Student Services and there is also a team of SVLOs within the Union of Students as well.  

As a student at the University of Derby, you'll be part of a community that is committed to fairness, respect, and academic success. To help everyone have a positive experience, the university has a range of regulations, policies, and procedures that explain your rights, responsibilities, and the support available to you. When you complete your enrolment, you’ll be asked to confirm that you sign up to the terms and conditions. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the following documents, which can all be found on our university website. If you need help or you're unsure how a regulation or policy applies to you, support is available from your Personal Academic Tutor, the Student Hub, or the Union of Students advice service. But don't worry if it all feels like a lot of information at first. These resources are here to help you understand how the university works and to support you throughout your studies.

There are lots of different ways you can get in touch with Student Services depending on how you would prefer to contact us. You can come and speak to someone in person at the Student Hub in South Tower at Kedleston Road or at one of the Student Hub Express sites. Alternatively, you can email us on studentservices@derby.ac.uk or call us on 01332 593000.

You can complete our online form as well, which can be found on our web pages at the QR code on screen. We're open Monday to Thursday, 9 till 5 and until 4:30 on Fridays.

So, let's go through some of the queries that we get asked most often. 

What support is available for international students? The vast majority of our support is offered to both home and international students. However, the bursary scheme and DSA are only available to home students. If you're not sure, just get in touch.

How do I apply for DSA? Please follow the link on screen which will take you to our web page for more information on the application process   or alternatively just search for DSA on the university website.

Does a student have to disclose their disability? We encourage students to disclose their disability or mental health condition which may affect their study, so we can advise on any academic adjustments that may be required.

Is it too late to tell you about my support need? Don't worry if you haven't told us about your support need yet. You can still contact us through the Student Hub, email us at studentservice@derby.ac.uk or call us on 01332 593000.

How do I access my support plan? You can access your support plan via the Udo portal. Go to the quick action section on the home screen and click “view my student documents”. Your most current support plan will show here.

Thanks so much for joining today's session. We hope you're walking away with some useful tools, fresh perspectives, and a reminder that you’re never alone in this. And remember, the Student Services team is always just an email, message, or drop-in away. Let's keep the conversation going.