student support insight reports.

2025 Student Support Insight Report, titled Beyond Support: Shaping the Future of Student Success, is based on a robust poll of 1,233 disabled students. The findings reveal how targeted, specialist support strengthens the entire higher education ecosystem by driving academic progress, boosting confidence, and improving overall wellbeing. We found that support services are not merely a safety net but a vital component for student retention, with a striking 89% of respondents saying the help they received enabled them to continue with their studies.

We also explore how student support contributes to a more equitable and inclusive experience, helping disabled students participate more fully in university life, become more independent, and feel a sense of belonging. The report highlights the growing role of AI in academic work, with over two-thirds of students using it to overcome learning barriers. Ultimately, our research demonstrates that strategic investment in student support is a critical part of building a resilient and responsive system where every student can truly thrive.

Our 2024 Student Support Insight Report, titled Under Pressure: Disability & Mental Health Support Amid the University Funding Crisis, is based on a survey of 1,429 students with a disability or mental health condition. This research provides a unique insight into the student experience amidst a turbulent financial landscape. The findings underscore that student support services are more essential than ever and highlight four critical issues: the provision of support is failing trans and non-binary students; there is a crisis of confidence in employability; support effectiveness is strongly linked to its regularity; and mental health issues continue to be a major concern on campus.

Our 2023 Student Support Insight Report, titled A Changing Landscape: Mental Health and Well-being in Higher Education, explores how students are navigating the pressures of academic life, financial struggles, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. 

Based on a survey of over 1,190 disabled students, we found that nearly two-thirds of students are experiencing or believe they have a mental health condition. Our data highlights a growing need for more flexible and accessible support, revealing that a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective due to key differences in experiences across various demographics, including between cisgendered and non-binary students, and between different years of study. 

Our 2022 Student Support Insight Report, titled Spotlight on Students: Mental Health and Well-being in Higher Education, is based on a survey of over 1,600 students in the 2021/22 academic year. We found that despite an increase in university applications, half of all students surveyed considered leaving their course. The report reveals that academic stress is the most significant factor affecting student well-being , followed by financial pressures and health conditions. We highlight that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective, as student experiences and needs vary significantly based on gender identity, age, and year of study.

Our data shows that a significant number of students are considering dropping out due to mental health concerns. However, we also found that support received through the Disabled Students' Allowance helped to prevent 61% of these students from leaving their course. The report concludes that a comprehensive approach involving internal teams and external providers is necessary to manage student well-being, while also emphasizing the importance of providing flexible support options and better communication to help students access the support they need.

Our 2021 Student Support Insight Report, titled The COVID-19 Pandemic and Student Mental Health in Higher Education, explores the profound effects of the pandemic on student well-being. Based on a survey of over 1,300 students, we found that nearly half have considered leaving their course due to mental health concerns. This research reveals that three-quarters of students believe the pandemic and associated lockdowns had a negative effect on their mental health. It also highlights a troubling trend of increased isolation, with more than four in five students reporting feeling more isolated as a result of the pandemic.

The report delves into how the shift to remote learning has impacted student mental health, noting that two in every five students who considered dropping out cited "the quality of teaching/learning" as a reason. We also explore the effectiveness of remote support, finding that while it presents challenges, the majority of students find it as beneficial as in-person support. Ultimately, the report concludes that a holistic approach involving both internal university teams and external providers is essential to address the evolving challenges in student mental health and well-being.

Our 2020 Student Support Insight Report, (surveyed in 2019, but released in January 2020) titled A Degree of Uncertainty: Student Wellbeing in Higher Education, is based on a survey of over 1,800 students. We found that nearly half of all students surveyed considered leaving their course due to poor mental health or academic stress. This report shows a concerning trend, with the number of students considering leaving their course rising to 55% in 2019, up from 46% in 2017. Our research highlights that academic stress, not financial pressures, is the top factor impacting student mental health.

We also found that despite the positive impact of DSA support, with 71% of students saying it helped them continue their studies, a significant disconnect exists. A majority of students who have DSA support available to them don't know how to access it. We conclude that a clear area for improvement lies in increasing awareness and simplifying the DSA application process. This report underscores the importance of a joint effort from universities, the government, and employers to address the growing pressures on students and ensure they have the support they need to succeed.