Gulf and wider region - support for staff and students
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.
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.
Travel advice
All but essential travel to the region is not advised at the moment. Please check the latest official guidance, including:
- Students travelling for personal purposes should refer to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) web pages for information.
- If you wish to contact your Embassy, see Diplomatic Posts (your embassy) in the UK, or Diplomatic & Consular Corps in UAE.
- British nationals in the region are strongly encouraged to notify the UK Government via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office registration service.
Staff support
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
Our Edgbaston campus team offers 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
Based at the Edgbaston campus, the Chaplaincy is 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.
Students studying at our Dubai campus should apply to the Dubai Emergency Assistance Fund.
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.
Access all of our wellbeing services
Please reach out if you need help or support. You do not have to struggle on your own.