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Gulf and wider region - support for staff and students

Last updated: 2 March 2026

Our overwhelming priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students – in Dubai, elsewhere in the region and everyone in Birmingham with personal, family, or professional ties to the region.

Teams in both Dubai and Edgbaston have been monitoring developments closely and have been working continuously since Saturday to coordinate our response.

Dubai campus

For staff currently in the UAE, the key advice is to follow guidance issued by your Embassy, including instructions to remain in place where advised.

In line with the UAE Government direction, the Dubai campus is closed to the public and teaching has moved online until at least Wednesday 4 March, but this is likely to be extended.

We have been in direct contact with all staff and students at our Dubai campus and are continuing to listen carefully to questions and concerns. 

Staff and students travelling in the region or on exchange 

We are in contact with all exchange students currently in the region and are providing tailored advice and support. We have also identified and contacted staff who are travelling in the region but are not permanently based there. A number of staff and students returned safely to the UK this morning.

British nationals in the region are strongly encouraged to notify the UK Government via the FCDO registration service.

Travel advice

All but essential travel to the region is not advised at the moment. Please check the latest official guidance, including:

Support and wellbeing

Armed conflict is distressing. If you are affected, please speak to your line manager and remember that the Employee Assistance Programme is available 24 hours a day and you can talk to them about anything, work-related or not.

Student support

  • Wellbeing Officers

    We understand that conflict can affect your general well-being and studies, and therefore encourage you to contact our officers should you need support with Extenuating Circumstances or extensions.

  • UBHeard

    A free and confidential support service offering emotional and mental health support. Students can access the service by calling 0800 917 9379 (UK) or via the Wisdom App (UoB unique code: MHA323213).

  • Pause @ UoB

    A campus-based team offering a wellbeing drop-in service to ALL registered students, regardless of age. If you feel upset or anxious about international issues, Pause is here for you.

  • Multi-faith Chaplaincy

    An inclusive space for prayer, meditation, relaxation and worship, whether you follow a faith tradition or none. Our chaplaincy team represents a range of faith traditions and offers pastoral support, spiritual guidance, and confidential conversation. The Chaplaincy forms part of the University’s wider support network, offering a practical and inclusive environment for care, community, and belonging.

    Find out more about the Chaplaincy

Financial Support 

Student Support Fund

All students (including international students) can access support from the Student Support Fund if, for example, your personal financial situation is affected by the conflict. You do not have to struggle on your own. 

The Student Support Fund (SSF) offers non-repayable support to help with essential living and course-related costs.  You should apply to the SSF if you are struggling to meet your basic living costs. All current, normally registered University of Birmingham students are eligible to apply, regardless of level of study or whether you study part-time or full-time. This includes Doctoral Researchers who are in Thesis Awaited (writing up), so long as you have not exceeded the maximum period of registration for your programme. 

Student Support Fund Q&A

Postgraduate Researchers

All of the University Wellbeing and Support Services are open to postgraduate researchers as well as taught students. There is also advice and supportive information available from the University Doctoral School.

Our self-help guides

We publish a series of self-help guides that offer practical tips, advice and guidance, as well as links to further support that is available. Our guides include topics such as: anxiety, bereavement, stress and sleeping problems - and are also available as audio guides to listen to.

We care about our students wellbeing and you do not have to struggle on your own.  Further information about all of our wellbeing services is available here: Your Wellbeing Please reach out to us if you need and help or support -  and I hope that your friends and family are safe and well, wherever they are in the world.