Information for applicants with physical or mobility difficulties
This information is also available as Factsheet 32 in PDF format (148 kb) .
There are important access issues to consider about the place you choose to study and live. The following information give you some idea of what to consider, but you are the best judge of whether this University is accessible to you. Therefore you are strongly advised to visit the ‘campus’ area and undertake your own access audit of the University, the student residences and your chosen department, before you make your decision.
Your department
Some of the things to consider about your prospective department:
- Is it physically accessible to you? If you need level access, how many stairs are there? Are there ramps or lifts available? Will you have access to the departmental office, the student pigeonholes, the notice boards and the communal areas where other students congregate for coffee?
- Where are seminars and lectures held? What are the walking distances between locations for lectures, seminars, libraries and computing facilities? Again, if you require it, is there level access to these?
- If you are bringing a car, can you reserve a parking space close to your department?
- If your course includes any fieldwork, laboratory work, practical workshops or placements - how can these be made accessible to you?
- Would you have full access to your departmental subject Library as well as to any IT resources?
If any of these issues concern you, you should discuss them with your department and also with Disability Services. This is best done before you apply for a course, as the department may need some time to adapt their course delivery or locations to make them more accessible to you. And, as changes may not always be feasible, it is best for you to know before you apply, what aspects cannot be changed.
You can also look at the course details in the University on-line prospectus for useful information and find departmental contacts on the Prospectus Faculty page.
Your accommodation
If you intend to stay in University accommodation, you are advised to contact the Accommodation Office directly to arrange to visit suitable Halls of Residence. If you discuss your detailed requirements with them, they can provide up-to-date advice on availability of adapted rooms and general Hall accessibility.
Some areas to consider might be:
- The distance between Halls and your academic department, location of the Students’ Union, Refectory, and other social activity areas.
- What en-suite facilities are available and are the bathrooms accessible to you?
- Are the social areas of the Hall fully accessible to you (TV room, Bar, Library / IT resources, Launderette)?
- If you require personal care support overnight – could an adjacent room be made available?
- Would any adaptations need to be made to communal kitchen areas?
Support at University
Disabled Students have to pay for the personal support and equipment required to help them gain access to their course. Most UK Home students fund the additional cost of any disability-related support required at university by applying to their Local Authority (LA) for funds called Disabled Students Allowances (DSA).
Support required is usually a combination of the actions the University can take to remove barriers to learning and the provision of equipment or human support funded by the DSA to provide you with access to teaching and materials. As part of your claim for DSA your LA will ask you to attend a Study Needs Assessment appointment at a DSA Assessment Centre. There are several near to the University and there may be one near to your home.
General information
In March or April every year Disability Services holds Information Days for disabled applicants to discuss all aspects of support, DSA and funding issues. Invitations are sent to those applicants who have received an offer of a place for the next academic year. If you are interested in the Welcome Day and do not receive an invitation please contact us.
You are also welcome to visit Disability Services at other times, to discuss your anticipated study support needs. You could usefully combine this with a visit to your proposed Department, or a tour of the University halls of residence.
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