Disabilities & Special Educational Needs

Students 

We aim to create an environment that enables people with disabilities to participate fully in the mainstream of University life. We welcome students with disabilities and/or those with specific learning needs and work to make our courses accessible. Our teaching staff work to create a vibrant and robust curriculum that is accessible to all.

Learning adjustments

If you are a student with a disability, neurodiverse, mental or long-term health condition, or a specific learning difference that may impact your studies, the Disability & Learning Support Service (DLSS) is here to discuss your support needs. They can help put in place a Schedule of Adjustments.

A Schedule of Adjustments lists modifications to your studies that support your full participation in teaching and learning. It's part of your student record, allowing teaching and supporting staff to take your needs into account without seeing the details of your circumstances.

If you have/had learning adjustments in school, they do not automatically get transferred to the University when you join us. To put a Schedule of Adjustments in place, you should make an appointment with the Disability and Learning Support Service (DLSS). You can also ask the Service for any advice or guidance before you join the University. 

In-person teaching and exams

You are expected to attend your lectures in-person as much as possible. We use in-person examinations for all undergraduate courses for our examination diets, including resits. If you have concerns about examinations in relation to your disability or needs, the Disability and Learning Support Service will be able to advise on your options. 
 

Staff

The University is committed to promoting an environment where staff feel confident and safe to disclose information about their disability. We positively welcome job applications from people with disabilities and we provide services to support the needs of staff with disabilities. Staff are encouraged to make any disabilities known to their manager so that they can be supported fully to perform in their role.

Under the Equality Act 2010, we have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to any elements of the job which place a person with disabilities at a substantial disadvantage. Adjustments may include changes to working hours or location, changes to the working environment or procedures, paid time off for assessments or treatments, or the reallocation of tasks.

Our team has diverse needs and have found themselves welcomed into our community and respected for their skills

Our support for staff encompasses all kinds of disabilities, including neurodiversity, mental health, and sensory impairments. To find out more about what we can do for you as a staff member, please visit the website below.
 

Physical accessibility

Our 30 Buccleuch Place and 31 Buccleuch Place locations, where academic offers are situated, are unfortunately not fully accessible. There are steps to the entrances and stairs (no lift) between floors.

30 Buccleuch Place on AccessAble

31 Buccleuch Place on Accessable

If you would like to meet with any of our academic staff, we can certainly arrange this in more accessible locations or online. Please inform us of any accessibility requests, and we will do our very best to accommodate your needs.

Our 13-15 South College Street location is fully accessible. There is a lift and there are accessible toilets on every floor except Floor 3. 

13-15 South College Street on AccessAble