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If you’re disabled or have a learning difficulty, you can get help with your university course.  It is important to remember that everyone can ask for help with their learning. These are called 'reasonable adjustments'.

Some extra support may require funding. You will need a diagnostic assessment of a specific learning difficulty when applying for Disabled Student Allowance in higher education.

What help can I ask for?

Support can include many different things, for example, you may need:-

  • Additional written resources such as getting notes and lectures in advance
  • Tape or digital recorder for lectures and notes
  • accessible rooms and venues, such as having quiet space
  • speech to text for video conferencing
  • equipment or aids, such as BSL interpreters, scribes or specialist computer equipment
  • accessible rooms and venues, such as having quiet spaces
  • Allowing you extra time to complete essays or exams
  • Providing handouts on different colour paper, or in a larger fonts
How do I ask for help?

Every college or university should have a Learning Support Team.  The Learning Support Team are responsible for supporting any students with learning difficulties. 

If you think you may need help at college or university, you should speak with the Learning Support Team  at the start of the academic year.   If you know what you need you can ask for help before you start your course and this will give the university time to consider how they can help you.

You should arrange a confidential chat with the team:-

  • tell them about your disability and any difficulties you may have
  • explain what you need help with and the reasonable adjustments you think with help
  • you may not know what reasonable adjustments will help so ask them what they can offer you

The college or university will consider your request and if it meets your needs and if it is 'reasonable'.  You may be asking for something that meets your needs but affects other student's health & safety needs and in this case it may be refused.  Reasonable adjustments are defined under the Equality Act.  

 For example, some raised floor markings that help people with visual impairments could be a trip hazard for others.

Can I ask for help in exams?

Yes, you should talk to the Learning Support Team about any adjustments that might help you with exams, such as having a gap of a couple of days between exams or having morning exams only.  You may need extra time, a notetaker or use of a computer or you may need to do the exam in a smaller room without other students. 

If you are asking for a reasonable adjustment, it is important to ask yourself if it is 'reasonable' and if your request gives you an unfair advantage to other students taking the exam. 

Further information

University of Essex

How Essex Universities support students with learning and mental health needs

Student Space

Expert information and advice to help you through the challenges of student life.

Scope - Reasonable Adjustments

Colleges and universities have a legal duty to try to remove the barriers you face in education because of disability. This is called ‘making reasonable adjustments’.

Also in this section:

Applying for University

Applying to study in the UK is a straightforward process and we will guide you through it step by step.

Moving to University

Transitioning to high education and getting the move to university right

What is Disabled Student Allowance?

If you are a student with a learning difficulty, Disabled Student's Allowance can provide extra support to help with your studies