Going to University
Young people who have special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND), should not feel that this stops them from having the aspiration to attend university. The local authority work with young people to prepare for adulthood, this includes if they would like to attend university.
It’s important that young people start to think about their aspirations as early as possible. From year 9 the local authority, Future Focus or your schools careers advisor will help young people and their families to start planning for a successful transition to adulthood. This Includes setting ambitious outcomes and consideration of any further education or training that will enable young people to achieve secure paid work and opportunities for a positive adult life.
How universities can meet the needs of a young person?
It is a legal requirement that universities must try their best to support students who have SEND. Some examples of what a university can do to help support young people in their studies can include:
- Having class materials available in a format they can use and understand
- Providing extra time so that they can complete coursework or exams
- Providing extra support for study skills, such as: how to use computers software, the library etc.
- Assigning a support worker who can help them to organise their studies
- Arranging for specialist equipment
All these changes are called “reasonable adjustments”. This makes sure that young people with SEND are given access to a university education. More information about reasonable adjustments is available on the websites below:
Disability Rights UK: Factsheet on adjustments for disabled students
The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS): Guidance for disabled students
Each University should provide information on their student support page on their website to explain their processes and how they support young people. It is advisable that young people look at this information and contact any Universities they are interested in attending to receive advice.
If a young person currently has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) this will no longer apply when they attend university. Young people are welcome to share their plan with the university to help them understand their needs and how they would like to be supported, this will assist the university to put in place the reasonable adjustments for the young person.
University Costs
When all young people apply to university they have the opportunity to apply for student finance. This is a loan that covers the cost of your chosen course and helps with living expenses. After a young person graduates and starts work the loan will be paid back over time.
If a student has a disability they may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). This is extra money to buy specialist equipment of support that may be needed to meet their needs while they study. The criteria for DSA is available on gov.uk, young people who have not had an Education Health and Care plan may be eligible. Please take a look at the criteria for more information, DSA is not provided by the Local Authority, it has to be applied for directly by the Young Person (and/or their family).
If the University requests new assessments (such as an assessment by an Education Psychologist) this would need to be discussed directly with the University.
Universities may have money available for students that have difficulties paying for their studies. These are called hardship funds. Different rules about who can apply depend on the chosen university and what funding may be available. It would be best to speak directly to the university for more information. Further advice can be found on the GOV.UK website.
GOV.UK: Extra money to pay for university
More Advice
Disabled Rights UK
Disabled Rights UK offer a helpline for students who would like to study in England. They can provide advice for disabled people who are studying or wish to study at any level full time or part time if the course in in England and if the young person is over 16.
Disability Rights UK – Disabled Students Helpline
Phone: 0330 995 0414
Email: students@disabilityrightsuk.org
Disabled Rights UK - Education Fact Sheets and Guidance
Contact
Contact support families with disabled children and provide information for Education beyond 16.
UCAS University and Colleges Admissions Service
Visit the website
Support for Disabled Students
Local Universities
University of Wolverhampton
Visit the website
Student Support and Wellbeing
University of Birmingham
Visit the Website
Students with Disabilities