As a student at Cambridge, you should expect to feel included in the Cambridge community and to be treated equally and fairly by fellow students and staff members alike. This should be the case regardless of your age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. In addition to this, your background (for example your socio-economic background, culture or whether you are a care leaver or estranged student) should have no bearing on how welcomed and included you are made to feel in Cambridge.
Some University and external services, information and resources exist for specific groups of students. These include:
DISABLED STUDENTS
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre is the University of Cambridge's accessibility and disability service, providing advice, information and support to all disabled students. The ADRC supports individuals with any disability, medical matter or injury.
Disabled students can access information on Reasonable Adjustments to study, Exam Access Arrangements and Adjusted Modes of Assessment on this page.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Cambridge has a community of several thousand international students.
Cambridge University International Student Office provides specialist support to students who come to study at Cambridge from outside the UK. They help promote and support student mobility opportunities and administer some specific international funding awards. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) also provides a wealth of information relating to all aspects of study and student life for international students.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
• EU Undergraduate students from low-income families may be eligible for the Cambridge Bursary Scheme
• The International Disabled Students' Fund (IDS Fund)
• Some Colleges may have their funds available to international students. You can access here a link to a list of all Cambridge Colleges.
• UKCISA provides lots of useful information and advice on International student finance
HEALTH AND WELFARE
The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK's state healthcare system providing a wide range of healthcare services including appointments with a doctor, hospital treatment and dental care.
For advice on the provision and cost of health services such as doctors and dentists see the advice by UKCISA. As a Cambridge University student, you are entitled to free access and full use of the University Counselling Service, the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre, the Postgraduates Wellbeing Service and your College Nurse.
IMMIGRATION, VISAS AND SUPPORT
Making sure you take time to sort out your student visa is incredibly important whether you are applying from outside the UK to begin a course at Cambridge, or whether you are applying in Cambridge for an extension. The Home Office will give you information on applying for a visa, extending a visa and answering all your immigration-related questions as well as send you the relevant documents from Cambridge University. The International Students Office provides visa advice on a range of UK student-related immigration matters. The service is available to those with an offer to study at Cambridge, current students and their family members.
The International Students' Campaign represents international students and organises events and campaigns about international life.
BME STUDENTS
Our page on Anti-Racism provides information on accessing support from a BME staff member, external sources of support and information on reporting options.
STUDENT-PARENTS
The Childcare Office assists with childcare questions and issues. This Service provides free newsletters to subscribing parents and detailed staff and student-parent guides.
CARE LEAVERS AND ESTRANGED STUDENTS
Support for Care Leavers and Estranged Students - The University has a section of its website dedicated to care leavers and estranged students where students can find information about accommodation and financial support. Estranged students may also find useful information from Stand Alone which is an advice centre for students who have no contact with their family.
You can access a list of other support services available on the UCAS website.
Carers or students with caring responsibilities can access information and advice from the Carers’ Trust, including financial support, arranging respite care, support groups, getting a break and caring for a specific condition. Student carers based in Cambridge may also wish to access support from Carer Together, which is a network of the Carers Trust based in Cambridgeshire.
Concrete Rose is a Community Interest Company delivering and equipping others to provide, first-class care and support for the most vulnerable young people across the UK. Check out their website to explore their initiatives, training and resources.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Information on financial assistance for care leavers and estranged students can be accessed in our Finance section.
There is a strong community of LGBT+ students at Cambridge. Your College Common Room is likely to have LGBT+ and/or Trans officers who can be approached for informal advice and signposting. Your College may also have a gender affirmation fund to purchase binders, packers and other gender-affirming products. There is also an LGBT+ society that can be found here: https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/organisation/26212/
All of the University's services can be accessed by students of all genders and sexual orientations, including the Harassment and Violence Support Service: https://www.studentsupport.cam.ac.uk/harassment-and-violence-support
There are also several local and national organisations that offer support to LGBT individuals:
The Kite Trust
The Kite Trust offers support for LBGTQ+ young people in Cambridgeshire under the age of 25, as well as free social groups. One to one support is available both face to face and over Skype and is a confidential service, which is tailored to your needs. The Kite Trust is a great way of accessing emotional and social support.
Dhiverse
Dhiverse are a sexual health charity based in Cambridge. They offer a wide range of support around sexual health, including counselling and testing services. Anyone can self-refer for counselling for issues around sexual health, sexuality, sexual identity, sexual relationships, sexual trauma or HIV an impacting your mental health and wellbeing. Sessions are free but donations are welcome. Up to 12 sessions are offered.
Encompass Network
Encompass Network promotes a better quality of life for LGBTQ+ people in Cambridgeshire by enabling networking and capacity building for the LGBTQ+ voluntary and community sector. They host events for LGBTQ+ people in Cambridge such as meet ups for Trans and Non-Binary people and coordinate events for LGBTQ+ history month across Cambridge.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm)
Switchboard is an LGBT+ Helpline, a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being. They are focused on supporting people to explore the right options for themselves.
Galop
help@galop.org.uk
0800 999 5428 (Mon–Thurs 10am–8.30pm; Fri10am–4.30pm)
Galop is the leading LGBT+ anti-violence and abuse charity. Galop provides advice, support and advocacy to people who have experienced a hate crime, domestic abuse and sexual violence. All of its services are confidential and free. Via the website you can also access the webchat, and access information via the chatbot.
LGBT Foundation
Information, Support and Advice Line: 0345 3 30 30 30
The LGBT Foundation provide a wide range of support services to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. In particular they have a wealth of online resources.
Stonewall
Stonewall are a UK-based organisation advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and support. They also have an Information Service, which you could contact at info@stonewall.org.uk.
Support for Equality Diversity & Inclusion issues
If at any point you experience inclusion issues, being treated unequally or you have experienced any form of discrimination or harassment, you may wish to discuss this with someone. The Student Advice Service can listen, help you explore your options, and support you should you wish to raise your concerns. We can help you raise your concerns informally or formally via the University’s reporting options. Your Tutor should also be able to support you on such matters. Students who have experienced sexual harassment or assault may also wish to access support from the University’s Harassment and Violence Support Service.
If these issues are troubling or confusing you or are impacting your mental health, you can also access support from your College nurse, the University Counselling Service, the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre and, of course, your GP. More information and resources regarding these matters can be found on the University’s Student Support pages.