If you have a disability, impairment, long-term health condition, neurodivergent condition or specific learning difficulty, support and reasonable adjustments are available to help you access your studies.
To access adjustments, visit accessing adjustments as a disabled student, where you can find out how to complete our Disability Access Plan (DAP) self-service form and find information about booking a Disability Advice appointment if further support is required.
If you are not yet a student but have shared details of a disability in your course application, we will contact you before you arrive to discuss your support needs.
What we can help with
The Disability Service can support you in several ways including:
- support with creating and updating a Disability Access Plan (DAP), including to include individual adjustments where required
- exam assessment arrangements
- referrals to other specialist teams (e.g. other Student Support teams and other professional services e.g. Accommodation, Skills or Careers)
- access to specialist or assistive software or equipment
- one-to-one support including specialist mentoring and specialist study skills support. This support can take place virtually or in-person where possible.
Disability advice appointments and reasonable adjustments
Most students can begin to access reasonable adjustments through the Disability Access Plan (DAP) self-service process.
Appointments can take place in-person, online via Microsoft Teams or via telephone.
You are also able to book appointments in-person at the Student Support Helpdesk in The Roper Centre 4 West.
Disability Advice appointments and reasonable adjustments
Most students can begin to access reasonable adjustments through the Disability Access Plan (DAP) self-service process.
If you require additional advice or support, including discussing individual adjustments, please book a Disability Advice appointment using MySkills or contact the Student Support Helpdesk on 01225 383838. A Disability Adviser will discuss your circumstances and support needs with you and help identify the support and adjustments that may be available.
This may include:
- advice and guidance on your support options
- consideration of recommendations for individual adjustments
- examination and/or assessment arrangements
- departmental support, such as adjustments to help you access teaching and learning
- referrals to specialist teams and services where appropriate
- information to help your academic department understand the impact of your disability
Appointments can take place in-person, online via Microsoft Teams or via telephone.
Where appropriate, a Disability Adviser may update or recommend changes to your Disability Access Plan (DAP).
With your consent, relevant information from your DAP will be shared with your academic department, including your Director of Studies and Academic Advisor, to support the implementation of your adjustments.
Welfare Benefits: Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
If you have experienced a physical or mental health condition for at least 3 months and you expect the difficulties to last a further 9 months, then you may be entitled to receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
PIP is not means-tested and can assist with the additional costs of having a disability or health condition. So if you are experiencing difficulties with everyday activities or getting around due to your condition such as: cooking, washing, dressing, managing medication, budgeting, being with or communicating with people, getting around or planning journeys then you should consider making a PIP application.
For more information on the eligibility criteria, what you may receive, and how to claim please visit the government’s Personal Independence Payment webpage.
Access on campus
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is funding that helps cover extra study-related costs you may incur at university because of a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, neurodivergent condition, or specific learning difficulty (SpLD).
DSA can provide valuable support by ensuring you have the practical assistance you need to succeed at university. The type and level of support available will depend on your individual needs.
DSA is not means-tested, so it is not affected by your household income. It is also non-repayable, meaning you do not have to pay it back. DSA funding is usually paid directly to suppliers or service providers delivering your support, rather than to you.
Find out more about applying for Disabled Students Allowance.
Diagnostic fee support
During a Disability Advice appointment, and following completion of one of our screening checklists, we may recommend that you undertake a formal diagnostic assessment with an Educational Psychologist. This assessment helps identify Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.
Depending on the assessment type, it may also identify traits associated with ADHD. These assessments do not provide a medical diagnosis. However, they can identify learning differences and, where appropriate, evidence traits associated with ADHD. The assessment report can be used as supporting evidence when applying for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
Visit our Educational Psychologist Diagnostic Assessments page to find out more, including financial support for funding your assessment.
Additional support if you have a disability
If you have experienced a physical or mental health condition for at least 3 months and you expect the difficulties to last a further 9 months, then you may be entitled to receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
PIP is not means-tested and can assist with the additional costs of having a disability or health condition. So if you are experiencing difficulties with everyday activities or getting around due to your condition such as: cooking, washing, dressing, managing medication, budgeting, being with or communicating with people, getting around or planning journeys then you should consider making a PIP application.
For more information on the eligibility criteria, what you may receive, and how to claim please visit the government’s Personal Independence Payment webpage.
Additional and immediate support
Find out about additional support for disabled students, which includes academic, digital, wellbeing and mental health support.
If you are struggling and need advice, support, or just somebody to talk to, professional help is also available 24/7 from our free, confidential support line Be Well- Talk Now.