We need to talk more about mental health to deliver the best study experience

04 April 2025

Andrew Crisp draws on new data from the forthcoming Tomorrow’s Masters report to examine how schools can support student wellbeing.

For many in business education, there are a host of issues that need addressing – how to integrate AI into learning and operations, international student recruitment and the impact of government policy, funding issues, geopolitics and so much more.  Yet there is an issue that according to a recent PWC study affects more than one million 18 to 24 years olds in the UK that is rarely talked about – mental health.

At the recent GMAC Master’s Leadership Symposium I was asked to talk about resilience, the wellbeing of students and staff.  It’s not just the PWC research that is highlighting mental health problems.  A 2022 survey from the mental health charity Student Minds found that 57% of their respondents self-reported a mental health issue to their university and 27% said they had a diagnosed mental health condition.

In this year’s Tomorrow’s Masters report, due to be published in May, it might appear that it is the usual reasons that dominate selection of a business school for a Master’s degree.  Most important was total fees and costs, chosen by 26% of respondents, the academic reputation of the school, selected by 24% and connections with business and industry, also highlighted by 24%.  However, for juts under 1 in 5 prospective students (18%) it is mental health support for students that is key in their decision-making.

Many schools already recognise the importance of supporting student wellbeing, offering a range of services to help students can make the most of their study experience.  When prospective students are asked what provision is most important to support their mental health, 41% select a confidential 24/7 helpline, 39% want free workshops to manage stress during their studies and 38% online access to resources to support their mental health.  And there is a long tail of further services all highlighted by more than a third of prospective students, including sport and fitness facilities, formal health services, free access to counsellors and advice on a healthy lifestyle.

Perhaps most interesting is when students want to access mental health support.  Not surprisingly, most students want to access support during their studies (60%), but for many support when moving to business school (46%) and during holiday periods while studying (41%) are also important.  More than 3 in 10, are also seeking support from a business school in the year immediately after completing their studies and during the application process.

As schools increasingly seek to grow the quality and strength of their alumni relations, offering some mental health services for students early in their careers, may help alumni see greater value in the relationship with their former school.

Whether it’s simply moving away from home, academic and financial pressures, the absence of familiar social and emotional support networks, or the impact of the pandemic, student mental health is an increasingly important issue for business schools to address.  Delphine Manceau, Dean NEOMA Business School in France commented recently “Business schools or universities need to help students manage this key moment of change in their lives—it’s part of our role.”