As an international university with a diverse community of students and staff from over 190 countries, we understand that humanitarian crises, conflicts and world events can affect our community in many ways.
Here, you’ll find information on the support available to you, how you can get involved and how the University responds during times of crisis. We’re here for you.
Support for students
- Our chaplains are available to listen confidentially and without judgment to all students, those of all faiths and none. Contact them at chaplaincy@kcl.ac.uk.
- Our team of faculty wellbeing advisors are here to listen and have an initial supportive conversation with you.
- King’s Counselling Online is our free and confidential wellbeing support service for students. King’s Counselling Online, in partnership with Spectrum.Life, provides out of hours support, as well as online counselling Monday - Saturday 08.00 - 22.00.
- Your peers can be a real source of support, connect with them through KCLSU.
- If you need financial assistance, our specialist advisers in the Money & Housing Advice Team are here to help. Students who experience unexpected financial hardship can also apply to the King’s hardship funds.
Studying and assessment support
If a humanitarian crisis, conflict or world event is affecting you and making it hard to focus on your studies, your personal tutor or module leader is here to help.
If you believe your ability to complete an assessment of any type might be, or has been, adversely affected by mitigating circumstances, you may want to submit a mitigating circumstances request.
For more information, please see the following articles:
Support for staff
- King’s staff can access our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) 24/7 which can provide expert advice and counselling.
- Our chaplains are available to listen confidentially and without judgment to all staff, those of all faiths and none. Contact them at chaplaincy@kcl.ac.uk.
Staying safe on campus
Our campuses and residences have 24/7 security. You can contact our Security team directly via the SafeZone app - download it and register with your King’s credentials.
For help, visit a security reception or call +44 (0)207 848 2222, extension 2222 from a King’s landline. There's also a help point by Shepherd’s House on Guy’s campus.
In an emergency, call 999 and request the appropriate service (police, fire, ambulance).
Reporting inappropriate behaviour
Racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, abuse, incitement and harassment have no place at King’s. Any incidents targeted at you or that you witness, should be reported online through Report + Support and can be made anonymously if you feel more comfortable doing so.
All reports made through Report + Support are taken seriously and handled through our well-established protocols. Please contact security if you need immediate assistance.
How the University responds
As set out in the King's Community Charter, our main priority is to create a safe, welcoming and supportive space for all our students and staff, including those affected by humanitarian crises and conflicts.
We are dedicated to upholding academic freedom and freedom of expression, in line with the law.
To support these values, we focus on fostering an inclusive and respectful environment, which means we may not comment on individual crises or events.
Read our Approach to Complex Social and Geopolitical Emergencies.
Freedom of expression and academic freedom
At King’s, we value freedom of expression and academic freedom. We believe that open discussion and debate are important for learning and research. We support all members of the King's community to engage with complex issues and share their views, as long as the conversation remains respectful and lawful.
More information can be found in King’s and KCLSU Joint Statement on Freedom of Expression.
Working with partners
We are proud of our diverse international community, where students and staff from all backgrounds, countries and beliefs come together. As a global university, we build connections with over 300 institutions around the world, reflecting the broad and inclusive nature of our work.
We believe that access to education and research, as well as the freedom to explore ideas, should never be limited by where people or institutions are located. This is something we are committed to supporting in all our academic collaborations.
Aid organisations
Students and staff can support any charity they choose. If you're unsure, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) unites 15 top aid charities to raise funds quickly during overseas crises.
Travel guidance
Students and staff planning to travel overseas or back to the UK should check and follow the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance for the country you are travelling to and from. Please make sure you follow the university guidance about business or study travel.
Sanctuary Scholarships
We are proud to offer support to students and academics displaced by conflict through our Sanctuary Programme.
In 2024, we committed to provide up to an additional £500,000 per year for at least three years to support fee waivers and stipends for students at Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels, and for Postgraduate researchers and academics seeking support through the Council for At Risk Academics (CARA).