Considering university?

If you are considering the University of Southampton and you have a disability, a specific learning difference (such as dyslexia), are neurodivergent or have a physical, long-term or mental health condition, the University offers a variety of specialist support. 

The dedicated Student Disability and Inclusion team has years of experience supporting disabled and neurodivergent students throughout their academic journey. 

Please note that when we are using the word 'disability', we are referring to a broad scope of conditions that have a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to do normal day-to-day activities.

Areas of support

• Disabilities, including physical disability, sensory impairment, and long-term health and mental health conditions.
• Specific learning differences, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism.
• Mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and psychiatric disorders.

Support may include:

• Learning support.
• Specialist study skills support.
• Exam arrangements (known as Additional Exam Recommendations at the University). 
• Sharing your support recommendations with your faculty and other relevant departments. 
• Access to quiet areas on campus, such as our Clarkson Rest and Study Room. 
• Short-term mentoring.
• Accommodation adaptations.
• Assistive technology software.
• Support with accessing funding from the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).

Access our support before you start your studies

The easiest way to disclose a need for support is to enter a code in the disability box on your UCAS application form. We will know you have applied and will send you a questionnaire asking about your support needs so that we can arrange for support to be in place when you start university. 

However, if you have not ticked the disability box on the UCAS application form, you can contact us at any time to explore your options and get advice.
 

Disclosure and confidentiality: What is shared and with whom?

We understand that reporting a disability to the University is a personal matter and is an individual's choice if and when they choose to do so. 

Some students may worry that we will inform their parents if a disability is disclosed. The University takes sensitive and personal information very seriously - if you disclose a disability, third parties (such as parents, guardians or carers) will NOT be notified without your explicit consent. 

Some students find it helpful for us to work alongside a third party and students can provide their consent should they wish for us to do so. 

We'd like to reassure you that: 

• Disclosing a disability at application stage does NOT affect your offer to study at the University of Southampton.
•  If you disclose a disability, we do NOT inform family, guardians, carers or any third party unless you ask for us to share this and you provide your formal consent for us to do so. 
• If you meet with our team and reasonable adjustments are put in place, you will most likely have a Student Support Recommendations (SSR) document created. This document sets out details of a student's disability and its impact on their studies and daily life, outlining recommended reasonable adjustments in relation to their studies. This SSR is shared with relevant University stakeholders (such as Personal Academic Tutors, module leads and assessment teams) on a need-to-know basis, to ensure that relevant departments can implement their responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010).
• If you disclose a disability, this information is NOT included on your University transcript or certificates. 
• If you disclose a disability, this information is NOT shared with future employers and will NOT affect any future career opportunities. 

A guide to accessing early disability support