If you identify as disabled and/or neurodivergent we encourage you to let the specialist support/ disability team know, even if you don’t think it will affect your experience at UCW.

UCW supports students through the Reasonable Adjustment process. We proactively put adjustments in place for our students that declare a learning difference, disability or mental health condition.  We can also put them in place if a student is pregnant or has the care of a young baby and for many other grounds. If you are not sure, get in touch to talk it through.

Please click on this link to find out more about UCW’s approach to Reasonable Adjustments.

How Disability Advisors Can Support You

Our Disability Advisors are here to provide personalised advice and coordinate support for all learners — whether you're studying an apprenticeship or a full honours degree. We work collaboratively to ensure your learning experience is inclusive, accessible, and empowering.

We can help with:

• Screening and referrals for dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD through UCW’s internal processes.
• Co-producing individualised support plans, outlining recommended adjustments to your learning, assessment, or environment to share with relevant academic staff.
• Signposting to resources, services, facilities, software, and support, both on campus and online.
• Advice on accessibility, including campus navigation and accommodation requirements for those living in halls.
• Creating a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) to keep you safe during emergencies.
• Supporting DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) applications and/or referring to alternative in-house or external support provisions as needed.
• Facilitating communication with employers, particularly for apprentices who may need workplace adjustments.
• Being a consistent point of contact throughout your time at UCW.

We offer specialist academic and mentoring support and run group study skills sessions and other inclusive events throughout the year.

Connecting to learners with shared experiences — such as neurodivergent students, disabled learners, and those balancing study with work aims to offer supportive spaces to reflect, build confidence and enjoy your time as a student whatever your chosen subject or pathway.

When you meet with us, we will:

• Listen to you
• Help you understand your situation
• Plan and problem-solve together
• Agree actions and next steps

Support is always based on the needs and wishes of the individual student, and topics covered can include organisation and time management; academic reading; academic writing; essay planning; presentations; exam revision; and research.

UCW provides specialist mentoring and study skills support for students receiving DSA for autism and/ or ADHD, either in-person (multiple campuses) or on Teams.

Specialist mentoring and study skills for dyslexia and other SpLDs are available through our partner student support agency F2F support and can be arranged to be in-person on campus (Winter Gardens only) or online.

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are grants for classic route degree students to help pay for any additional essential costs for support a student may need as a direct result of a disability, a long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty (SpLD), such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. This support can include a specialist study skills tutor, specialist mentor, technologies, equipment and software, or specific ergonomic items. Once a student has successfully applied for DSA, Student Finance provides funding for additional support, it is up to the student to arrange the support with the allocated providers. Support to do this or amend this if needed is available at UCW. The funding does not have to be repaid by the student.

You can also find more information on the rates we charge for in-house UCW specialist support under DSA click here for information on DSA rates  

If you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) such as dyslexia, you may be eligible for support through the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This support is available to students across specific pathways — including full honours degrees, foundation degrees, top-up, and HNC courses (where applicable).

During enrolment, all new UCW students complete a short screening called QuickScan, which helps identify learning styles and explores indicators of dyslexia or dyspraxia. If QuickScan suggests a possible SpLD, you’ll be offered a meeting with our team to discuss next steps, including whether you’d like to apply for DSA.

Students can apply for DSA once Student Finance applications open. This video explains the process. For further information please visit the Student Finance DSA page.

To apply, you’ll need to:

• Submit evidence of your condition with your application— this could be a medical letter or a full diagnostic report (for SpLDs, this must be completed after age 16).
• If you don’t have a post-16 diagnostic report, UCW can help arrange an assessment. There is a cost to this.
• Apply online via your student finance provider (e.g. Student Finance England). Part-time, top-up or UK regions (other than England) may need to use a paper form — support is available for this.
• Once your application is accepted, you’ll receive a DSA1 letter, which allows you to book a Needs Assessment. This can be done in person or remotely.
• After your assessment, you’ll receive a Needs Assessment Report (NAR) outlining recommended support.
• When approved, you’ll get a DSA2 entitlement letter, confirming what equipment and support you’re eligible for, along with instructions for arranging delivery and setup.

UCW’s Disability Advisors are here to support you throughout this process, including helping with paperwork, arranging assessments, and liaising with your funding body. Please contact support@ucw.ac.uk if you need help or have questions.