Applying to university for students with additional needs
Applying to university for students with additional needs
We understand that applying to university as a student with additional needs, disability and/or mental health conditions may come with unique challenges and questions.
This guide is designed to provide you with all the information you need to navigate the application process and to take full advantage of the support available to you.
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Universities do not use the term SEND. Instead, universities use the term ‘disability’, in keeping with the Equality Act 2010. The term ‘disability’ includes conditions such as:
• Deaf or hearing impaired
• Blind or visually impaired
• Physically disabled/mobility issues
• Long term medical condition (e.g. chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, diabetes, cancer)
• Neurological condition (e.g. epilepsy, Tourette’s, stammer)
• Specific Learning Difficulty (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia)
• Autism
• ADHD
• Mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression
Support at university
Under the Equality Act, all universities have a duty to make sure that disabled students are not disadvantaged. This might mean that the university will make reasonable adjustments such as support with the transition to university, providing accessible accommodation or by allowing extra time or rest breaks in exams.
Disabled students can also apply for extra support from the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), through Student Finance. Each university will have a Disability team, whose job is to advise and support students through this process.
EHCP
If you have an EHCP, this will cease when you attend university. This is because there is another route to getting support for additional needs at university - the Disabled Students Allowance.
Student responsibility
Although parents/carers can support their child through this process, universities will expect to communicate directly with the student. Consent to talk to the parent can be given through the written permission of the student.
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
If you have a disability, medical or mental DSA is a government grant that helps cover the extra costs you might incur due to your disability. DSA could provide funding for e.g.:
• Specialist equipment: For example, laptop and specialist computer software.
• Non-medical helpers: For example, note-takers, specialist mentors or study skills tutors.
• General allowance: For additional costs, such as printing and photocopying.
• Travel allowance: If you incur additional travel costs due to your disability.
Eligibility
DSA is available to UK students with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty. It does not need repaying and is not means tested.
Evidence requirements
Universities and DSA require evidence of your disability to ensure that the support provided is tailored to your specific needs.
The types of evidence include:
• Medical evidence: A letter or report from a qualified professional, such as a GP or specialist, detailing your diagnosis and how it affects you.
• Working diagnosis: This means that you have been referred for diagnosis and are on a waiting list. If you have a working diagnosis, provide the most recent report or letter from your GP/healthcare provider.
• Educational Psychologist report: If you have a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia, you will need a diagnostic assessment report from an educational psychologist or specialist assessor.
• Form 8: This is a document completed in schools, which provides details of adjustments such as extra time in exams. For students without a formal diagnosis, a Form 8 can be used by universities to provide some adjustments while awaiting a formal diagnosis.
It is important that the evidence you provide not only includes the diagnosis but the impacts on your study and/or daily life.
The application process
1
Research and selection
• Course and University Choice: Begin by researching universities and courses.
• Open days and visits: Attend open days and campus visits. Many universities offer specific tours for students with disabilities. Talk to the Disability Team and discuss your disability with faculty staff.
2
Application
• UCAS application: Apply through the UCAS system. It is important to indicate your disability on your UCAS application form. This will make sure the university knows about your needs and is able to make contact with you. This will help to ensure you receive the appropriate support, ready for when you start at university.
• Personal statement: Highlight your strengths, achievements, and how you have managed your disability effectively.
3
Disability disclosure
• Voluntary disclosure: Disclosing your disability is voluntary but recommended to ensure you receive necessary support and adjustments.
• Confidentiality: Your information will be handled confidentially and used only to provide support.
• Although recommended, disclosure does not have to take place at the point of application, you can disclose at any time and support will be available.
4
Apply for DSA
• When you apply for your student loan, you can apply for DSA at the same time. In England you apply to Student Finance England, which generally opens in March.
• If you are not applying for Student Finance, you can apply directly for DSA using the DSA1 form here: www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms
• DSA will then contact you to organise a Needs Assessment.
• Please note: you do not need to have made your firm choice of university to apply.
5
Register with the Disability Service at your university
• When you have made your firm choice, contact the university Disability Team to discuss your needs.
• Reasonable adjustments: Inform the university about any adjustments you may need.
• Be proactive: The student is encouraged to maintain communication with the university’s disability service.
Joe’ s story
Joe is a sixth form student with a diagnosis of anxiety. He suspects he may also have ADHD, so has been to see his GP. The GP has referred Joe for an ADHD assessment, so Joe has a working diagnosis of ADHD.
Joe completes his UCAS application and uses the section to disclose that he has a disability. The university Disability Team get in touch with Joe, and he registers on their portal.
Joe applies for his student loan through Student Finance England, and at the same time he applies for DSA. Joe submits his diagnostic letter from his GP about his anxiety and lets them know he is on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment, which they accept as a working diagnosis.
Joe is contacted by DSA, who organise a Needs Assessment for him.
The Needs Assessment happens via a Zoom call, where Joe talks about his challenges, and his needs assessor suggests what
support would be helpful to Joe. They agree that he should get extra time for exams, and that he would benefit from software and equipment to record lectures so he can listen back to parts he may have missed due to his ADHD. He is also given assistive technology to help him plan and edit his work, as well as software to aid with research. Because of his anxiety, Joe can meet with a specialist mentor at university to provide 1-1 support throughout his university journey and due to his ADHD, he can access a specialist study skills tutor.
This information is shared with the Disability Team at the university, who help Joe through this process. He is invited to attend a series of events, to help him settle in.
Disabled Students | Advice And Financial Support | UCAS: www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/disabled-students
DSA: Find Your Way | How to apply for DSA support | D&A: www.diversityandability.com/dsa-find-your-way
Help if you’re a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability: Disabled Students’ Allowance - GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa
If you are applying to Bournemouth University, you can contact the Additional Learning Support Team for more information about the support available here:
Email: als@bournemouth.ac.uk
Tel: 01202 965663