Student support

Throughout their time at the IIS, students are provided with support for their academic, personal and professional development and to help them get the best out of their experience.

IIS Student Services

The Student Services team is responsible for overseeing non-academic matters spanning the entire student journey; from the point of recruitment, right through to completion of the programme. The areas covered by Student Services include admissions, immigration, accommodation, student welfare, travel, and graduation. Student Services also organise arrival, orientation activities, field trips, and run a programme of exciting social events throughout the year.

The dedicated Student Services team operate an open-door policy and are on-hand to offer advice, guidance, and support to help students get the most out of their student life in London.

Students with disabilities will be supported to achieve equality of opportunity to engage with their studies. We can provide advice and guidance for all students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to discuss their needs with Student Services and the Academic Skills Support Team prior to arrival in order to ensure needs are recognised and accounted for; all discussions are in complete confidence.

As UCL students based at the IOE, STEP students also have access to a number of different resources and support from UCL, as well as support offered by the IOE Student Helpdesk team and the Academic Programme Office.

As STEP students study as part of the IOE, they are able to access UCL’s Student Support and Wellbeing Service (SSW). UCL’s SSW service offers a range of support, including counselling, international student support, an interfaith service, support for disabled students and students with specific learning differences and neurodivergence.

In addition to the counselling services provided by UCL and the IOE [for STEP students only], IIS students have access to professional and experienced counsellors via a private counselling service, Only Connect 2, specialising in student mental health and wellbeing. Their counsellors are used to working with people from a range of different backgrounds and cultures, and work to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics and Practice. Students may use the service to discuss, in confidence, any issues that are bothering them – from homesickness, anxiety or depression, to relationship problems or bereavement. Anonymity and confidentiality is maintained, as sessions are arranged directly with the counselling service. The IIS also now offers the opportunity for counselling with a therapist in your native language. The IIS will reimburse up to the equivalent cost of an Only Connect 2 counselling session with a selection of accredited counsellors, the list of which will be provided by Student Services at the start of your programme. 