University Welfare Services

Below is a list of some of the most useful welfare services offered by the University. These are free and available to students from all colleges.

Oxford University Student Union (OUSU)

The Oxford University Student Union provides a number of welfare services. You can email OUSU Advice at advice@ousu.org if you don't know whom you need to contact with the question you have or the issue you want to discuss.

Welfare publications


OUSU's Living Out Guide.The Student Union produces a number of welfare publications for students, which should be readily available from your college.

These publications include:

  • The Survival Guide, which is a general guide to welfare;
  • The Living Out Guide, which includes information on and about accommodation;
  • The Guide for Students with Disabilities;
  • The Eating Disorders Handbook;
  • and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (LGTBQ) Handbook.

If you cannot find one of these welfare publications, contact your college welfare officer or OUSU directly at advice@ousu.org.

Student Advice Service (SAS)

The Student Advice Service is a confidential and impartial service run by OUSU. It provides information and straightforward advice on a wide range of issues from academic discipline to sexual health matters. There are four officers who work in office hours, and they each specialise in areas loosely connected with their roles as officers of OUSU. Information about the officers' positions and contact details are provided below.

The SAS officers are familiar with the services and help available across the University. If you have any questions about where to look for help outside of college, the Student Advice Service is always able to help.

The service also helps people who are having difficulty understanding University procedures and can explain some of the terms and processes in the University of Oxford's very complex structure. The SAS officers may also be able to represent you at hearings or appeals.

You can contact the Student Advice Service by phone, e-mail or by visiting their offices in OUSU (though email is preferred). The OUSU offices are often very busy, so it is always a good idea to e-mail or phone to arrange a time before you visit.

  • If you are an undergraduate student with an academic issue, then you should talk to:
    Vice- President (Access and Academic Affairs)
    academic@ousu.org
    Telephone: 01865 288464
  • If you are a graduate with an academic issue, then you should talk to:
    Vice-President (Graduates)
    graduates@ousu.org
    Telephone: 01865 288463
  • If you are concerned about issues that primarily affect women, issues that primarily affect student families, or something you'd just prefer to discuss with a woman, you should talk to:
    Vice-President (Women)
    women@ousu.org
    Telephone: 01865 288462
  • For all other welfare issues, you should contact:
    Vice President (Welfare and Equal Opportunities)
    welfare@ousu.org
    Telephone: 01865 288461
International Students' Campaign (ISC)

The International Student' Campaign exists to represent and improve the welfare of international students from all colleges at the University. If you would like more information or advice about a welfare service, or simply would like to know who is the best person to approach with your concern, email the ISC at internationalstudents@ousu.org.

University Counselling Service

The University Counselling Service is independent of all the colleges and the rest of the University. The service is impartial and confidential, and staffed by professional, trained general counsellors. They can help you deal with a wide range of emotional and psychological issues that you may be facing and that may be affecting your quality of life and work as a student. There are both one-on-one sessions and group sessions available.

A lot of people may feel uneasy about the idea of going to see a counsellor, but many people use the service. You can also approach the Counselling Service with any problem, regardless of how trivial you think it may be. The service offers an opportunity to talk things over away from your college or home environment, so you can really open up and talk about things that you might not feel comfortable discussing with anyone else.

There is usually a waiting list for the service and the waiting time varies with the time of the year, but most students can get an appointment within a week of contacting the service. You will be given a short form to fill out explaining why you are seeking counselling. The more information you can give, the more the service can help you. Don't worry if you have difficulty writing your reasons down—few people find this part easy. A counsellor will then contact you to answer any questions you may have, ask you for further information about your situation, and arrange an appointment. You can ask to see a male or female counsellor. After the first session, which usually lasts around an hour, you and the counsellor will discuss what the best approach for you would be and, if necessary, arrange further counselling.

The service is available all year around, generally with shorter waiting lists in the vacations. There are usually a few spaces available for emergencies, so if you think that you need help quickly then phone up and ask. The telephone number of the Counselling Service is 01865 270300. You can also email them at reception@counserv.ox.ac.uk or visit them at 11 Wellington Square.

Nightline

Nightline is a helpline run by students for students. It operates at night from 8pm to 8am during term time. You can phone them at 01865 270270 or visit them at 16 Wellington Square. They can phone you back if you are calling from Oxford or a mobile phone.

The service is confidential, impartial and non-judgemental, and there is no religious, political or social bias. You can ask to talk to a male or female volunteer, whoever makes you feel comfortable, and you can talk for as long as you want.

Oxford University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans (LGBT) Society


OUSU's LGBTQ Handbook.LGBTSoc offers a wide range of welfare services for members, including regular social events, listening services for people who are exploring their sexuality and sexual health resources. The two Welfare Officers and the President can help you through issues and provide information. In your college, your common room LGBT Officer is a good contact person for sexual health resources.

International societies

Oxford has numerous societies representing different countries or regions of the world. If you believe that your welfare issue is related to your status as an international student, it may be a good idea to approach the President of the society that represents your country of origin for advice. You can find a list of various national and cultural interest-related student societies at Oxford on the website of the OUSU International Students' Campaign. You can also contact the International Students' Campaign directly by email at internationalstudents@ousu.org.

International Student Advisory Service

The International Student Advisory Service, as the name suggests, offers advice and information on many issues affecting international students, including in particular funding, visas and immigration-related issues. It runs the Meet and Greet Service and the International Orientation Programme for new international students at the start of Michaelmas term, as well as a Departure Programme for final year international students in Trinity term. Staff members are knowledgeable and friendly, and you can call in to the Service, which is located at the University Offices in Wellington Square, between 9am and 5pm (except 1pm to 2pm) from Monday to Friday. You can also call them on 01865 270105 or 01865 280650, or email them at international.office@admin.ox.ac.uk.