Universities offer the opportunity to study for a higher education qualification such as a degree. Thousands of students with disabilities apply through UCAS each year to study at a university in the UK and access a range of support to help them succeed. Research is vital to making your decision.
To help with this you may want to take a look at the university’s website. This is a good starting point for finding information about courses, facilities and support for disabled students. If you cannot find the information you need, you can contact the university’s student support services for further advice and help.
Attending open days is a valuable way to find out more about the university, by visiting the facilities and speaking to their staff and students. If you cannot attend in person, many universities offer virtual experiences. Getting the best out of university Open Days [PDF] has more information to support with this.
Making an application to university
You must make your university application through UCAS. This is where you can select up to 5 choices of universities and disclose your disability if you want to. When applying to a university, you don't have to tell them about your disability but you will need to do so to get additional support or funding. This information is not used to make a decision on your application, and it is only shared with those involved in supporting you or making the arrangements for your support.
UCAS provide some very useful information for students with special educational needs and disabilities on making an application, Disabled student (UCAS)
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For more helpful tips take a look at Applying to university [PDF]
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you still go to university if you do not do A levels?
Yes. Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements for higher education courses, and these vary widely depending on the subject, the specific course, and the course provider. They set the entry requirements for each course to ensure you have the right skills and knowledge to successfully complete the course. For further information on UCAS undergraduate entry requirements go to the Undergraduate entry requirements (UCAS).
What are UCAS points?
UCAS Tariff points translate your qualifications and grades into a numerical value. Many qualifications (but not all) have a UCAS Tariff value, which will vary dependent on the qualification size, and the grade you achieved. Find out further information on the UCAS Tariff Points (UCAS).
For further information you can also read theAccessing Higher Education [PDF]