Abstract : This is a preliminary study of psychiatric illness prevalence among Khartoum University students who attended the Students' Health Service during the academic year 1972/73. Out of 5, 856 students at risk, 220 (3.7 per cent) attended for psychiatric causes. Of these 220 only 10 (4.5 per cent) were females. The patients were also classified by diagnosis and academic year and attempts to explain the results were made. " The majority of the psychiatric patients were suffering from anxiety neurosis. The stress of examination seems to be the most important cause in provoking anxiety. " Such information helps to indicate the magnitude of the problem and to determine some causative factors of mental ill health among students. This has relevance to the design of a sound students' health service for prevention or reduction of mental breakdown and for promotion of mental, physical and social wellbeing of students.".