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Gulf and wider region - support for staff and students

Last updated: 2 April 2026
Looking for Dubai campus support?

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:

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.

Advice for prospective students from the Gulf region for September 2026 entry

We understand that many curricula and schools across the UAE, the Gulf region, and internationally have cancelled examinations or shifted to alternative assessment methods this year. We recognise that this situation may feel unsettling and want to reassure you that your hard work and achievements will continue to be fully recognised.

The University of Birmingham will consider grades awarded through any recognised and approved alternative assessment method. These grades will be evaluated in the same way as grades awarded following standard examinations.

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

If you’d like to speak to someone, you can contact a chaplain. Our chaplains represent a range of faiths and are here for staff and students, whether you follow a faith tradition or none. They’re available to listen, offer guidance, pray with you, or simply be someone to talk to, and can support with many different matters, including faith or spirituality, personal wellbeing, identity and belonging, or life events such as change, stress, or loss.

Three students outside St Francis Hall University Chaplaincy

The Multifaith Chaplaincy at the Edgbaston campus is currently closed while the building undergoes improvement works. However, the team remains fully available during this time. The Chaplaincy forms part of the University’s wider support network, offering an inclusive environment for care, community, and belonging.

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.  

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.