Self-harm in university students: A comparative analysis of data from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England

•University students presented to hospital for self-harm more often in October, November and February•Reasons given for self-harm reflect the experience of university life, such as academic problems.•Self-harm in university students increased in over time.•Repetition of self-harm and mortality following self-harm were lower in students than in age-equivalent non-students.