How to Stay Safe at University: Student Safety Tips

Going to university can mean more independence, new places and new routines.

Whether you're moving away from home for the first time or returning for another year, you may find yourself travelling alone, walking home after dark or spending time in areas you don't know particularly well.

University should be about enjoying that independence, not constantly worrying about your safety. But taking a few simple precautions can help you feel more confident and prepared when you're out and about.

From planning your journey home to knowing what to do if something doesn't feel right, here are some practical student safety tips for staying safe at university.

Staying Safe at University

Personal safety isn't about avoiding going out or changing everything you do. Often, it's about making small decisions that reduce risk and give you options if you ever feel uncomfortable or need help.

Getting to know your surroundings, planning ahead and having a way to contact someone are all good places to start.

Here are ten practical ways to help you stay safe at university.

Get to Know Your University and Local Area

When you first arrive at university, take some time to familiarise yourself with the campus and surrounding area.

Find out where your accommodation, university buildings, shops, transport links and other places you're likely to visit regularly are located. It can also help to identify well-lit main routes between them.

If your university offers campus security services, a security app, emergency contact numbers or designated safe spaces, save the details to your phone so they're easy to find if you ever need them.

Plan How You're Getting Home

It's easy to focus on getting somewhere without thinking about the journey back.
Before going out, consider how you're planning to get home, particularly if it will be late.

Check public transport times, make sure you have enough battery on your phone and have a backup option in case your original plans change.

If you're travelling with friends, it can also be worth agreeing how everyone is getting home rather than leaving someone to make the journey unexpectedly by themselves.

Stay Connected When You're Out

If you're heading somewhere alone, letting someone you trust know where you're going and roughly when you expect to arrive can provide additional reassurance.

Location-sharing features on your phone can also be useful, particularly when travelling somewhere unfamiliar.

On a night out, keep an eye on the people you're with and avoid assuming someone else knows where a friend has gone. If you're leaving separately, let each other know that you've made it home safely.

Take Extra Care When Walking Alone

There will inevitably be times at university when you need to walk somewhere by yourself.

Where possible, use well-lit, populated routes and stay aware of what's happening around you. Avoid shortcuts through isolated areas simply because they're quicker, particularly late at night.

Using headphones can make it harder to hear what's happening around you, so consider keeping the volume low or removing them when walking through quieter areas.

If you regularly walk by yourself, our guide to how to stay safe when walking alone at night contains more practical advice.

Trust Your Instincts if Something Doesn't Feel Right

You don't need to wait until you're certain something is wrong before taking action.

If a person, place or situation makes you uncomfortable, move towards somewhere busier or better lit if you can. You might go into a shop, café, university building or another public place and contact someone you trust.

If you believe someone may be following you, avoid going directly to your accommodation if possible. Head somewhere public and seek help.

We've put together more detailed advice on what to do if someone is following you.

Think About Safety in Student Accommodation

Personal safety doesn't stop when you get home.

Keep external doors and windows secure, and avoid letting people you don't know into your building. In shared accommodation or halls, don't assume somebody else will lock the door behind you.

Be careful about sharing details about where you live publicly online, particularly information that could identify your exact accommodation or routine.

If something around your accommodation doesn't feel right, report it to your accommodation provider, landlord or university rather than ignoring it.

Use Taxis and Public Transport Safely

Public transport and taxis are often part of university life, particularly if you live away from campus.

When using a taxi or private-hire service, check that the vehicle and driver match the booking details before getting in. Where the service allows it, you can also share your journey details with someone you trust.

When travelling by bus or train late at night, consider waiting and sitting in populated or well-lit areas rather than isolated parts of a station or vehicle.

And if your planned transport doesn't arrive or you miss the last service, avoid making an unsafe journey simply because you want to get home quickly. Look for an alternative from somewhere safe.

Keep Your Phone Charged

Your phone can be one of your most useful personal safety tools.

As well as making calls, it can provide maps and directions, transport information, location sharing and access to emergency or personal safety features.

Try to avoid starting a long journey with very little battery remaining. If you're regularly away from home for long periods, carrying a small portable charger can be useful.

It's also worth learning how your phone's built-in emergency features work before you need them.

Consider Personal Safety Technology

Your phone already provides several useful ways to manage your personal safety, from location sharing to built-in emergency features. There are also dedicated personal safety apps designed to provide additional protection.

The important thing is to understand what happens when you ask for help.

Some apps send an alert or your location to a friend or family member. Others provide access to professional monitoring, where trained operators can respond to an alert and take action if necessary.

SoloProtect's personal safety app for students provides 24/7 access to trained monitoring professionals, giving students another way to get help when they're alone or feel unsafe.

Whatever technology you choose, set it up in advance and make sure you know how to activate it quickly.

Know Where to Get Help

It's worth finding out what support is available before you need it.

Your university may provide campus security, accommodation support, wellbeing services or emergency contacts. Save useful numbers in your phone and find out how to contact campus security outside normal university hours.

If you're in immediate danger or there's an emergency, call 999.

Having this information readily available means you don't have to search for it while dealing with a stressful situation.

Personal Safety at University: Preparation Without Worry

Staying safe at university doesn't mean expecting something bad to happen. It's about having simple precautions in place so that you're better prepared if plans change or a situation makes you uncomfortable.

Get to know your surroundings, think ahead about how you'll get home, stay connected with people you trust and familiarise yourself with the safety features available on your phone.

Most importantly, give yourself permission to act if something doesn't feel right. Changing your route, leaving a situation or asking for help is always an option.

Personal Safety Support for Students

For students who want additional reassurance when travelling, walking alone or spending time away from friends and family, a personal safety app can provide another route to support.

SoloProtect's personal safety app connects users to trained monitoring professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you raise an alert, you're not simply relying on a notification being seen by a friend or family member — there's someone available to respond.

Find out how the SoloProtect Personal Safety App for Students works

Student Safety FAQs

 

How can students stay safe at university?

Simple precautions can make a difference. Get to know your university and surrounding area, plan journeys in advance, stay connected with people you trust and know where to get help. It's also useful to familiarise yourself with your phone's emergency features and any safety services provided by your university.

Is it safe to walk alone at university?

There may be times when you need to walk alone at university. Where possible, choose well-lit and populated routes, stay aware of your surroundings and let someone know where you're going if you're travelling somewhere unfamiliar or late at night. If something doesn't feel right, move towards a busier public place.

How can I stay safe on a night out at university?

Plan how you're getting home before going out, keep your phone charged and stay in contact with the people you're with. Keep an eye on your belongings and drinks, and avoid leaving a friend behind without knowing how they're getting home. If your plans change, make sure someone knows where you're going.

What should I do if I feel unsafe at university?

Move towards a safe, populated place and contact someone you trust. Depending on the situation, you may also be able to contact university security or another campus support service. If you're in immediate danger or there's an emergency, call 999.

What should I do if I think someone is following me?

If you think you're being followed, avoid going directly home. Move towards a busy, well-lit public place and contact someone you trust or seek help. If you believe you're in immediate danger, call 999.