Wellington's Scots college is supporting students, staff and alumni following the death of a former pupil at a university halls of residence

University of Canterbury has launched an investigation into how a student living at one of its halls lay dead in their room for up to eight weeks, without anyone noticing.

Scots headmaster Graeme Yule says it's a challenging time for the wider college community.

He says they've contacted ex-students who they know will be directly affected by the death.

He says it's a tragedy.