A definitive guide to student support resources in Edinburgh

Coming to university for the first time? A returning student who wants to know more about support at the university and around the city? You’ve come to the right place. Here’s a run-down of (almost) all of the support services at the university and across Edinburgh.

Edinburgh University support

The Advice Place

Starting off with a go-to for many students, The Advice Place operates in Potterow and can support students in finding accommodation, financial support, with their mental and sexual well-being, and other issues such as harassment and crime. You can talk to trained support workers one-on-one to discuss issues and get support. 

Student Counselling service

Although the Student Counselling service can have a long waitlist, the university offers free one-to-one counselling to students, as well as mental health workshops throughout the academic year. In a crisis? The same-day service can be a life-saving resource for some, aiming to book 20-minute appointments for students within 24 hours.

Disability and Learning Support Service 

The Student Disability service aims to support students with long-term health conditions, disabilities or neurodiverse conditions that may affect their studies throughout their time at uni, as well as offer temporary support to students with injuries that affect their academic work. The service can help students requesting Disability Student Allowance, apply for special circumstances, and overall, put in place support to ensure that students have a fair and enjoyable time at university. 

Global Buddies

Global Buddies is a Peer Support scheme to help all incoming international students adjust to life/living and studying in Edinburgh.  The scheme supports thousands of students each semester, helping them meet people and welcome them to the city. They host events and mixers throughout the semester to try to allow students new to the city to get to know fellow students.

IT Support

Struggling to log in to MyEd? Can’t connect to Eduroam? Can’t print off that reading that you swore you did? The IT Support website is the place to go to answer all of your technical needs. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the website, you can also get in touch with the IT help desk, which can help you with any tech questions you have.

Health and Wellbeing

The Chalmers Centre

Also known as the Lothian Sexual Health Centre, this Edinburgh-wide service can help you with all kinds of sexual health tests and needs, as well as offer free resources to all. The centre also has a special clinic for young people, and LGBTQIA+ people, offering an inclusive and confidential service.

Crew 2000 

Located on Cockburn Street, Crew Edinburgh aim to reduce drug and sexual health-related harms and stigma, improving mental and physical health without judgement. They offer counselling, drop-in sessions, training and harm reduction teams at clubs and events to ensure that people are safe and are provided with up-to-date information.

Support Groups

Edinburgh is a big city with lots of support groups depending on your needs. We’ve listed a few here, however, there are more available via the iThrive website.

SupportED

A Scotland-based Eating Disorder charity that offers weekly online groups, as well as a once-a-month in-person group for individuals struggling with an Eating Disorder.

AA Meetings

Edinburgh-based meetings for people who want to stop drinking

Women in Self-Help and Emotional Support 

A group for Women dealing with emotional and/or mental health difficulties who would benefit from meeting other women like themselves in a relaxed and informal setting.

TalkTime Scotland

A Scottish Charity that offers people aged between 12 to 25 years old free professional counselling if a disability and/or long-term condition is impacting their life on a day-to-day basis.

Still I Am Project (Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre)

Open to women, all members of the trans community and non-binary people, from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities aged 16 and over, who have had any form of unwanted sexual experience. The project offers confidential emotional and counselling support with up to 25 sessions.

Night time help

Strut Safe

Originally starting in Edinburgh, Strut Safe is now a UK-wide charity that offers free phone calls to individuals who feel unsafe on their way home. Aiming to “provide kindness and reassurance to anyone who needs it during their travels”, it can be a lifesaver after nights out. The phoneline is volunteer-based and operates Fridays and Saturdays 19:00 – 03:00, and Sundays 19:00 – 01:00.

Nightline

Edinburgh Nightline is a confidential and non-judgemental support and information service, run by students, for students. They are open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. every night of term, offering students an opportunity to talk about their feelings in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Street Assist

Street Assist is an Edinburgh-based service that offers welfare and first aid services to people who are vulnerable between the hours of 22:00 and 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. The group aims to reduce the number of people going to A&E due to intoxication or minor injuries, by offering help in moments of crisis on a night out, such as spiking, overconsumption, sexual assault or missing persons. The group also do collaborative events with the likes of Subway, so keep an eye out to see how you can support them support you.

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