Prospective students

We help prospective students with a disability get support in place, ready for when they arrive at the University. It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning to be an undergraduate student, a postgraduate, or an EU or International student. Our service is also entirely confidential.

When should I get in touch?

However you get in touch, we would encourage you to do this early in the application process, as this gives you the best chance of getting all support that you need in place before you start your course. It can take several months to put support in place.

We will then ask you to register with us before arranging a University support plan appointment to discuss the support you need.

What should I do when applying?

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree, the easiest way is to tick the disability box when completing your UCAS form.

Postgraduate students can declare their disability on their University application.

If you declare your disability on UCAS or on the University application then DASS will contact you directly. If you’d rather not declare on the form itself, you can contact us directly.

What do you mean by disability?

We know that not everyone uses our services thinks of themselves as disabled. We use the term ‘disability’ as it’s used in Equality Law.

Within this legislation, a disability is defined as any condition which has a significant, adverse and long-term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Can you give me some examples?

We see students with a range of difficulties including but not limited to:

  • autism spectrum condition (ASC);

  • dyslexia, dyspraxia and other specific learning difficulties;

  • mental health difficulties;

  • mobility impairments;

  • sensory impairments;

  • unseen disabilities like epilepsy, HIV, AIDS and chronic fatigue.

Still not sure?

Many of the answers to your questions can be found on this website, but if you are not sure if or how we can help, it’s always worth talking to us.

If you’re planning to visit for an Open Day we always have a stand staffed by Disability Advisers in Whitworth Hall.

If you’re coming for an interview, and would like to make an appointment to see a Disability Adviser, please contact us.

Learn more about how DASS and the University supports disabled students here.