Coming to university with a disability

It’s only natural that coming to university can be a daunting experience and now more than ever, with the coronavirus outbreak, we understand that university may seem even more of a challenge. However, if you have a disability there can be additional factors that may be worrying you – so it’s worth you giving yourself a little extra time to prepare before you arrive. Here we discuss those we can help, the support on offer to you, and why you should tell us about your disability.

Who we support

The Student Support and Wellbeing team are here to support you before you arrive and during your time here at UCL. As a team, our staff help provide disabled students with support to ensure that your time here at UCL is the best it can possibly be. We support students with a range of disabilities including mental health conditions, visual impairments, hearing impairments, those with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autistic spectrum conditions, individuals with mobility difficulties, long-term health conditions, and students with ADD and ADHD.

Find out more about the support on offer to disabled students

Tell us about your disability

It is highly recommended that you tell the university about your disability at the earliest possible opportunity. You are entitled to a range of support services here at UCL but we can only help you if you make us aware of your needs.

This can be done on your UCAS or other application form, you’ll be confidentially entered on the UCL central record system. You can also contact Student Support and Wellbeing directly via email.

Once you tell us about your disability on your UCAS or other application form, this information is confidentially entered onto the UCL central student record system called Portico. Student Support and Wellbeing will then ask you to complete your Applicant Support Questionnaire which is sent out to all offer holders.

This lets us know what your needs are and (with your permission), we can communicate this to your department so that they are aware of and can best accommodate your needs. You do not have to wait to be sent the ASQ, you can find this on Portico in the Student Disability Service tab.

Types of support available

There are a whole host of support options and reasonable adjustments available to you here at UCL depending on your disability and specific needs. We can offer funded support in the form of Disabled Students Allowance for UK students and other funded support is available for disabled EU and international students.

We can also provide exam arrangements, such as extra time, if you feel that your disability or medical condition might impact your ability to perform in exams.

Find out more about funded support on offer to you

Find out more about exam arrangements

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we are now offering all our usual support services remotely ensuring students continue to have access to a wide range of support during this time. 

If you have an invisible disability, you can pick up a Sunflower lanyard to discreetly indicate that you have an invisible disability and may require additional support or assistance.

Find out more information about the Sunflower Lanyard scheme.

Our comprehensive support pages outline what is available. If you have more general concerns or questions about the virus, please read our advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).

To find out more about our full range of support services for students with a disability or mental health condition please visit our student support and wellbeing webpage or email us.

Last revised: 8 September 2021

UCL Student Support and Wellbeing