What are Basic Needs in higher education?
The concept of “basic needs” in higher education originated in the United States, where it emerged as a comprehensive framework to address non-academic barriers to higher education. Initially shaped by advocacy from community colleges and organizations driven by equity, the term gained national prominence in the 2010s amid rising concern over food insecurity, housing instability, and the broader impact of poverty on educational outcomes.
The concept draws on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, emphasising that access to food, housing, healthcare, and financial stability is fundamental for students to fully participate in their education. Various US institutions have since developed integrated basic needs support, conducted large-scale research, and introduced legislative responses to support underserved student populations.
Fig. 1. Diagram illustrates the foundational two levels of the hierarchy as "basic needs".
While the UK has not traditionally adopted the same terminology, the underlying conditions of rising tuition fees, high living costs, mental health pressures, and structural inequity are no less of an issue. These factors have become more of a contributor to student success.
At the University of the Arts London (UAL), these challenges are intensified by the high costs of studying and living in London, particularly for students from marginalised or underprivileged backgrounds. When these needs go unmet, students face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in academia and the wider university community.
UAL Staff Basic Needs Training
As part of our work to improve signposting and reduce stigma around student basic needs support in higher education, we aim to make training for all UAL staff accessible and widely available. We are currently working with the Arts SU Sabbatical Officers to lobby UAL to embed relevant Basic Needs training for staff through a series of workshops and professional development sessions.
These trainings will include the following concepts:
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Understanding what Student Basic Needs are in the higher education context, and how financial, housing, food, and material insecurity can impact students’ academic performance and wellbeing.
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Becoming familiar with the support available at UAL, Arts SU, and through external services, and how to confidently signpost students to the proper resources.
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Developing awareness of early indicators that a student may be experiencing basic needs challenges.
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Learning how to have supportive, non-judgmental conversations with students about sensitive issues.
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Understanding staff roles and boundaries, including when and how to refer students to specialist support.
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Contributing to a more inclusive, stigma-free learning environment where seeking support is normalised.
With the university’s support, we hope to begin gradually introducing these trainings in 2026, and we will update this page with further information as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you would like more information about student basic needs or have any questions, please contact the Student Basic Needs Coordinator at m.ronquillo@su.arts.ac.uk.
Basic Needs Course Handbook Resources
As part of the Student Basic Needs Project, one of our key goals is to destigmatise accessing basic needs support. We want to foster a culture of dignity, care, and empathy across the UAL community, between students, their peers, and university staff. We invite all UAL staff to copy and paste one of the following Student Basic Needs Statements into their course handbooks or Moodle pages to help signpost students to support and contribute to normalising seeking support across UAL. While not mandatory, this is a simple and effective way to highlight available resources to students from the first day of teaching and to demonstrate, as staff, that you recognise the challenges students may face and that support is available if they need it.
Format #1:
If you find yourself experiencing challenges, such as difficulty finding stable housing, skipping meals, or struggling to afford nutritious food, or feeling concerned about managing expenses, please visit the Student Basic Needs Hub created by Arts SU’s Student Basic Needs Project. The Student Basic Needs Hub offers on-demand information and guidance on accessing food, housing, art supplies and materials, and transportation resources available through Arts SU, UAL, and in the London area.
Many students face these challenges during their time at university, and it is okay to seek support. Learn more about the resources available to you and access the support you deserve.
*If you are comfortable with adding this part*: If you feel comfortable, please reach out to me to discuss your situation, and I can help signpost you to available support services. There is no shame in sharing your worries or experiences, and I am here to support you as best I can.
Format #2:
Your well-being and stability are essential to your academic success. If you are facing difficulties, such as finding stable housing, skipping meals, struggling to eat well, or feeling pressure about your finances, please visit the Student Basic Needs Hub created by Arts SU’s Student Basic Needs Project. This online hub provides comprehensive guidance on accessing food, housing, art supplies and materials, and transportation support through UAL, Arts SU, and external resources.
*If you are comfortable with adding this part*: These challenges are common among many students in university, and you are not alone. You can explore the resources at the Student Basic Needs Hub, and if you feel comfortable, please do not hesitate to talk with me so we can find the right support together. There is no shame in sharing your worries or experiences, and I am here to support you as best I can.
If you have a student who...
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Needs information on accessing basic needs resources, please refer them to the Student Basic Needs Hub, for available basic needs support regarding food, housing, art supplies and materials, and transportation. For immediate support, please direct inquiries to Arts SU's Student Basic Needs Coordinator by emailing m.ronquillo@su.arts.ac.uk.
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Needs emergency financial support, please direct them to UAL's Dean of Students, Mark Crawley, at m.crawley@arts.ac.uk.
Request a Presentation
To request a Student Basic Needs presentation in one of your classes, please contact the Student Basic Needs Coordinator for more information and scheduling at m.ronquillo@su.arts.ac.uk. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 5 working days.