When families sit down with us to shortlist universities, the conversation usually starts with rankings, entry requirements and fees. These matter. But the question that often decides whether a student thrives is a quieter one: who will be there for them if things get hard? For a young person leaving home to live on their own for the first time, perhaps thousands of kilometres from home, the support a university offers can matter as much as the course itself. Here is how our team helps families look beyond the prospectus and judge how well a university really looks after its students.
Why wellbeing belongs on your shortlist
Moving abroad at 18 brings a lot of change at once: a new country, a new climate, managing money, cooking, making friends and a very different style of learning. Many students settle in quickly. Others find the first term harder than they expected and that is completely normal. What helps most is knowing, before arrival, where to turn.
This is also why we encourage families not to treat wellbeing as something to sort out “once they get there”. A university that is a strong academic fit but offers little pastoral support may not be the right choice for every student. We would always rather see a student at a university where they will be happy and well supported than at one that simply looks impressive on paper. There is rarely a single “right” university; there are usually several good fits.
What good support looks like
When you research a university, look for clear, easy-to-find information on:
- Counselling and mental health services: how to access them, whether there are drop-in options and how the university supports students while they wait for appointments.
- Disability and learning support: help for students with conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety or long-term health needs, including exam adjustments.
- A personal tutor or academic adviser: a named member of staff who checks in regularly.
- International student support: help with visas, banking, healthcare registration and settling in.
- Residential life: trained staff or student mentors in halls of residence, especially in first year.
- Out-of-hours help: what happens at 2am on a Sunday if a student needs someone.
In the UK, one useful signal is the University Mental Health Charter Award, run by the charity Student Minds. Universities apply voluntarily and are assessed by a panel against principles for a whole-university approach to mental health. Not holding the award does not mean a university offers poor support, but holding it shows a university has had its approach independently reviewed. In other countries, look for similar commitments in a university’s wellbeing strategy or student services pages.
Questions to ask at open days and info sessions
Many universities visit schools each autumn and virtual open days make it easy to speak to staff directly. We suggest students (not just parents) ask:
- How do first-year international students usually find out about support services?
- How long does it typically take to see a counsellor during busy periods?
- Is there a personal tutor system and how often do students meet their tutor?
- What support is available for students with learning differences or health conditions and what evidence do you need?
- What do current students say about settling in? Can I speak to one?
Listen to how confidently and specifically staff answer. Vague replies are worth noting. Student-led reviews, student union websites and conversations with current students often give the most honest picture.
Should you mention a condition in your application?
This is a question we are asked often and it is a personal decision. For UK applications, UCAS explains that sharing a disability or mental health condition is optional and that the information is never used to make a decision on an application. Admissions staff may see it, but it is kept confidential and passed on to those arranging support. Students can also choose to tell the university later and they do not need a formal diagnosis to ask for help.
For international students, UCAS notes that support may be delivered differently from that for UK students and that universities usually ask for supporting evidence, such as a doctor’s letter or assessment translated into English. Sharing early gives the university time to put arrangements in place before the first lecture. If you are unsure, our team can talk through the options with you in confidence and a university’s disability adviser can explain exactly what they offer.
A wellbeing checklist before departure
- Research the support services at each university on your shortlist, not just your firm choice.
- Gather any medical or learning-support reports and arrange translations early.
- Register with a doctor or health service as soon as possible after arrival.
- Save key numbers: campus security, student support and a trusted contact at home.
- Agree with your family how often you will check in, without making it feel like monitoring.
- Plan a few simple routines for the first weeks: sleep, food, movement and one club or society.
The bottom line
Academic ambition and wellbeing go hand in hand. Students who feel settled and supported are far more likely to make the most of their course, their friendships and the opportunities around them. A little research now can make the move abroad much smoother.
If you would like help building a university shortlist that fits your child’s goals and their wellbeing, book a consultation with UniFutures Dubai. Our team will help you weigh up every option, in the UAE and abroad, so your child can start university feeling confident and supported.