Information for Prospective Students

When you completed your UCAS form at application stage, you may have indicated that you have a disability.  If you did this, you will have received an email from Northumbria University which directed you to this page.

Before you make contact with a Disabilities Adviser, please read the information on this page thoroughly.  This page should provide you with all the information required with regard to receiving support at University for your disability.

Medical Evidence

Medical evidence is required in order for support to be put in place at the University.  It is also necessary for your Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) application.  The medical evidence should be from a suitably qualified medical professional, such as a GP or consultant.  It should be typed on letter headed paper, signed and dated.  Ideally, the letter should have been written within the last 6-12 months.  If possible the letter should state the impact that your disability or medical condition will have on your academic studies.

The University is unable to contact a medical professional to request medical evidence on your behalf.  If the medical professional charges for medical evidence to be released, it is up to you to cover this cost.

You will need to bring a copy of your medical evidence to the appointment when you register with the Disability Support Team at Northumbria University.

Evidence for Dyslexia or Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)

You will need to produce a full psychological report which confirms you have dyslexia or a SpLD.

To access support at the University, the psychological report needs to refer to a full assessment carried out by an Educational Psychologist or other suitably qualified practitioner.  The report should include the results of a range of age appropriate tests showing underlying ability and current levels of achievement.  For University purposes, the age at which the assessment was done does not matter.

To access DSA from your funding body the report should meet the above criteria but the assessment must have been carried out after your 16th birthday.  Funding bodies are very strict about this and will not normally accept a report done pre-16 no matter how close to your birthday.  They will also not normally accept any other evidence such as a letter from your school.

You will need to bring a copy of your psychological report to the appointment when you register with the Disability Support Team at Northumbria University.

Accommodation

If you require specialist accommodation such as wheelchair access, close to campus, en-suite, medical storage, carer rooms etc, you must send the Disability Support Team medical evidence (as described above) from your GP, or other medical professional, identifying your accommodation requirements.  Once we have this information we can make recommendations to Accommodation Services who will strive to place you in a suitable residence.  A Disabilities Adviser can also arrange visits to accommodation.  However, you must still apply for accommodation online following the University process, stating your preferred option.

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) - for UK Students Only

DSA is intended to help you pay for extra costs related to your disability if they are directly connected with your studies. Extra costs might include specialist equipment, a non-medical helper, travel and other costs.

DSA is not means-tested, it is not a loan and any equipment purchased for you from DSA remains your property at the end of the course - you do not have to give it back. However, if you leave your course early your funding authority may decide to recover some or all of your DSA.

If you are holding a conditional/unconditional offer you should make an application for DSA to your funding body.  It is recommended that you apply as soon as you can, as the process can take several months.  You can download a DSA form, and guidelines, from your relevant funding body’s website.

• Student Finance England DSA
• Student Finance Northern Ireland DSA
• Student Finance Wales DSA
• Student Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) DSA
• NHS Bursaries DSA

Please note that appropriate medical evidence/psychological report, as described above, must be enclosed with all DSA applications, and sent directly to your funding body.

Complex Support Needs

If you have complex support needs, it is advisable to contact the Disability Support Team to discuss your individual requirements as soon as possible. 
For example, if you have a sensory impairment or mobility difficulties it may be necessary for support to be discussed before you start University.  This may include campus orientation, BSL interpreters, note takers, accessible accommodation etc.

Registration with the Disability Support Team

Once you have enrolled at University, in order to have appropriate disability support put in place you must make an appointment to see a Disabilities Adviser.  Please bring a copy of your medical evidence, or psychological report, to the appointment, described as above.  This evidence will be kept in your Disability Support Team student file.

During the appointment, you will have the opportunity to discuss your individual support requirements with a Disabilities Adviser.  Support recommendations can be made to your tutors and academic school and any individual disability related exam arrangements can be made.  The Disabilities Adviser can also assist with a DSA application if this has not already been completed.  Any non-medical help support that has been recommended in your DSA Needs Assessment can be put in place provided you have received approval from your funding body or pending approval from your funding body.

Student Car Parking

There is very little car parking available at the University and both students and staff are encouraged to use other forms of transport for environmental reasons. However, there is a number of student car parking passes available – for details see the car parking application page.

Contact

If you need to discuss anything with a Disabilities Adviser that has not been covered on this page, please make contact with us.  You can call us on 0191 227 3849 or email sv.disability@northumbria.ac.uk.  We may not be able to deal with your query immediately but will strive to return your call or email within 3-5 working days.