Student Gateway

Discussing & assessing your needs

The number of students formally declaring a disability at the University is steadily increasing and over 1,600 students are currently registered with the Disability Advisory Service.

The University makes anticipatory adjustments where possible (e.g. improving physical access to buildings and in course curriculum design), but we understand that individuals are different and need you to let us know if further changes or support arrangements need to be considered to enable you to participate fully in student life.

Why disclose a disability?

The University strongly encourages students to disclose their disabilities and to discuss their needs with the Disability Advisory Service so that individually-tailored support can be arranged.

We want to provide an inclusive and supportive environment, and to make reasonable adjustments to enable disabled students to fulfil their academic potential and get the most out of the Oxford student experience.

You can discuss your needs before starting your course at Oxford, or at any time during your studies with us. We can usually arrange support quite quickly, but the earlier you contact us the more you are likely to benefit from the full range of support that is available.

What about confidentiality?

A written record of your contact with us is held securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998) and information provided to the Disability Advisory Service is regarded as ‘sensitive personal data’ . The information may also be used for statistical and monitoring purposes without your identity being revealed.

In order to arrange certain types of support we may need to share details with college and department staff so that the key people involved in supporting you have the information they need. This is done on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with the University’s Confidentiality Policy.

However, we only share information with your explicit permission and respect any requests for confidentiality, unless there are serious imminent concerns about your own health and safety, or the health and safety of a third party.

Will other students need to know?

It is up to you what you tell other students about your disability and information will never be passed on without your explicit permission.

However, some students want their peer group to be informed about specific issues by an appropriate member of staff. Information will be provided sensitively and discretely if you feel that this will help you, and it is also possible to arrange disability-awareness training.

Registering with the Disability Advisory Service

The first step is to get in touch with us to find out what support arrangements are possible in relation to teaching, assessment, or any other aspect of University life.

Please complete a ‘registration and study support’ form and return it to the Disability Advisory Service. An Adviser will contact you to discuss things in more detail and agree the next steps.

Alternatively, we are happy to discuss things more informally over the telephone or in person if you would like to find out more before deciding whether you want to register and pursue any support arrangements.

Provide evidence of your disability

You will need to provide evidence of your disability in order for the University to arrange support.

See section below for details about the requirements for diagnostic assessment reports for students with a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia or dyspraxia.

A medical letter from a GP or Consultant will be sufficient for most other types of conditions or impairments and must specify:

What your condition or impairment is (including any diagnosis) and how long you have had it or when you were diagnosed;
Any treatment or support you are currently in receipt of (or that is recommended);
If you are likely to require any alternative examination arrangements, the medical letter must state what they should be (e.g. extra time, alternative seating, etc) and why it would be of benefit to you.

Arranging a study needs assessment

If you are applying for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) you will be required to have a study needs assessment (SNA). A list of accredited assessment centres is available from the DSA-QAG website but an appointment can also be arranged for you in the Oxford University Assessment Centre by contacting the Assessment Centre Administrator.

The SNA is an opportunity to explore study aids and strategies in detail and to determine whether you would benefit from technological support (including IT equipment, assistive software, audio recorders) and/or human support (note taker, dyslexia support tuition, personal reader, specialist mentoring, library support, etc). The assessor will write a report making recommendations for study support for your funding body to approve.

See the Oxford University Assessment Centre section for more details about what a study needs assessment entails.

Students with a specific learning difficulty (SpLD)

A diagnostic assessment report carried out by an educational psychologist or specialist teacher with a valid practising certificate is required before you can apply for or the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA).

Your assessment must also meet Oxford’s Guidance on SpLD Diagnostic Assessments before alternative examination arrangements can be agreed by the University Proctors.

Your assessment must have been:

conducted after your sixteenth birthday;
conducted within three years (for undergraduates) or five years (for postgraduates) of the start date of your course at Oxford*;
conducted on an individual basis;
have used tests designed for use with adults.

*Students continuing directly from undergraduate to postgraduate study will not normally require a new diagnostic assessment and should contact the Disability Advisory Service for guidance on how to proceed.

Please contact the Disability Advisory Service if you have any questions or if you would like to find out to arrange a new assessment.

Arranging a new SpLD assessment:

If you think that you might have dyslexia, dyspraxia, or another SpLD but you have not been formally diagnosed or your report does not meet the Proctors’ criteria, you first need to arrange to speak to a Disability Adviser who will be able to establish whether further assessment is necessary or appropriate. We can then help you to arrange a diagnostic assessment. The University’s SpLD Fund can be used to support the costs of the assessment.