Setting up Support

An introduction to the Disability & Inclusion service for prospective students.

Starting university can be a daunting time for anyone, and this can be especially true if you have a disability. 

We know that sometimes people can be reluctant to disclose a disability because they fear that it might negatively affect their application or result in them being treated differently by the University. Please be assured that this is not the case; it would be unlawful for a university to discriminate against any student based on their disability.

If you have an offer to study at the University of Chester, we encourage you to contact us as early as possible so we can work with you to identify the support and adjustments you need.

The following checklist may be helpful in preparation for a disabled student starting university: 

  • Register with Disability & Inclusion.
  • Provide suitable evidence of a disability.
  • Consider an application for funded support. (You can apply for funding even before you’ve decided which university you’ll attend).
  • Attend an Open Day to find out more about Disability &  Inclusion and the University of Chester.
  • Consider accommodation options, and contact Disability & Inclusion if you have any specific accommodation needs.

We encourage you to register with our service as soon as you have your offer from the University of Chester. That way, we can start the process of setting up your support, to try to ensure everything is in place for when you commence your studies

There are two steps to registering with Disability & Inclusion:

  • Complete our Disability Questionnaire (please email us for a copy of the latest version).
  • Submit appropriate evidence of your disability (further information on suitable evidence can be found under Acceptable Evidence of Disability)

Once you have completed the Disability Questionnaire or compiled your evidence, please email a copy to disability@chester.ac.uk. Please try to send in either Word or PDF format, and please note that we are unable to open email links. We will then review your details and advise you of any next steps you may need to take.

We can still provide you with support even if you don’t have any suitable evidence by creating a Standardised Inclusion Plan (SIP), although this will only result in limited arrangements such as 25% extra exam time.

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA)

While you’re waiting for your registration to be processed, you can start to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance. We encourage all students to do this as soon as they are able, as the process can take some time.

If you’re a UK student, it’s likely that you’re eligible for additional funded support. DSA is a non-means tested grant that can help to pay for additional support that you may need during your studies as a direct result of your disability, such as one-to-one support or assistive equipment.

Funding comes from the same organisation that provides your student loan, such as Student Finance England. The amount you will receive depends on the type of support you need.

You can apply for DSA before you’ve decided which university you will attend. It can take up to 14 weeks for DSA to be awarded so we recommend you do so as soon as you can. 

Further information about DSA can be found on our Funding for Disabled Students webpage.

Disability Link Tutors

A Disability Link Tutor (DLT) is a member of staff within your academic department with specific responsibility for disabled students. Disability Link Tutors work with our Service to make sure that reasonable adjustments are put in place for disabled students. This includes sharing information with relevant members of staff involved in disable students' teaching, learning and supervision to ensure that they have access to all reasonable adjustments and support for their studies. DLTs also signpost students to our service who may benefit from disability support.

Assistive Technology

The University of Chester offer a wide variety of assistive technology - this includes screen readers, speech-to-text, productivity and organisational apps, and much more. Whether you're already familiar with assistive tech or brand new to the concept, our Assistive Technology Officer is here to help.

We encourage parents or guardians to support their student to access services independently. 

Disability & Inclusion understands that coming to university is a big life change, and can be a daunting experience for anybody. This is especially true for students with a disability transitioning into Higher Education. 

We know that parents and guardians may want to be involved in setting up support for their student. However, students at university are classed as independent adults.

Due to this, and our obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, we cannot legally discuss students’ personal information with outside parties without their express written permission.

Instead, we encourage parents or guardians to support their student to access services independently. 

Our Disability & Inclusion team will work with the student to arrange reasonable adjustments for their university studies and will assist in setting up their support. 

Consent to Share 

Students can sign a consent to share form agreeing for us to discuss their support with nominated parties. A copy of the form can be found on our Policies page, under "Privacy & Consent".

Consent allows nominated parties to be involved in discussion with Disability & Inclusion about the student’s support. However, the student will be our primary contact, and will remain responsible for any decision making regarding their own support. 

How can I help my Young Person with their transition into University?

Setting up support can take time. You can help by encouraging the student you are supporting to register with Disability & Inclusion as early as possible, and to contact us if they have any questions. 

The following checklist may be helpful in preparation for a disabled student starting university: 

  • Register with Disability & Inclusion
  • Provide suitable evidence of a disability 
  • Consider an application for funded support. (You can apply for funding even before you’ve decided which university you’ll attend.)
  • Attend an Open Day to find out more about Disability &  Inclusion and the University of Chester 
  • Consider accommodation options, and contact Disability & Inclusion if you have any specific accommodation needs. 

Disability and Inclusion only provides support related to academic learning. Students who need other types of assistance, such as personal care and help with attending social activities, should involve other agencies.

It is expected that students request funding for personal care-related equipment and services via their local Social Services. Local Authorities are responsible for supporting the needs of their vulnerable residents.

A health and social care assessment is carried out by social services to find out what help and support you need - like healthcare, equipment, help in your home or residential care.

How to get a health and social care assessment

Contact social services at your local council and ask for a needs assessment. You can call them or do it online.

Apply for an External Health & Social Care Needs Assessment

The NHS has a useful website with helpful information about getting a care needs assessment.

Please note: if you fail to ensure external support is in place then it may impact your ability to reside within University owned accommodation and to access your studies.

Guidance on personal care in England for International students

What is personal care support?

Personal care support refers to any practical help or assistance you require for daily life, regardless of student status – in other words, non-study related activities or tasks such as:

  • getting up, going to bed, or adjusting position overnight (and during the day)
  • washing/bathing and getting dressed
  • help with eating or medication
  • using the toilet
  • domestic activities –cleaning your living area, shopping, preparing meals
  • leisure or extra-curricular activities
  • driving or helping you to get around outside study hours

International students are not eligible for financial assistance with care costs from the British government, and the University is unable to fund personal care support.

Therefore, it is essential that you have included these additional costs in your budget, and that you have sufficient funding in place for the duration of your course before you come to the UK.

You will need to organise an individual assessment of your care needs prior to arriving in the UK getting a full quote as costs can vary considerably, ranging from £40,000 to more than £100,000 over a 10 month period, depending on what type and level of support you require. This quote should include the supply of any specialist equipment that you require such as a hoist or shower chair.

You should also check that appropriate provision within your budget is available locally in Chester as costs will vary depending on need and location.

UK care costs and regulations might be different from what you are used to at home and can mean that more than one carer is needed for manual lifting or the operation of a hoist.

Some students might want to bring their own carer with them from their home country.

The Home Office have information on their website for domestic workers which includes carers.

The University of Chester has a limited amount of accessible accommodation for students, such as ground floor accommodation and accessible bathrooms.

University provided accessible accommodation is over subscribed and the University cannot guarantee that accessible accommodation can be provided for student

Therefore it is essential that you contact the Disability & Inclusion team at the University of Chester as soon as possible so we can find out more about what you might need, and so we can help you think about what arrangements you will need to make.

Ideally you need to contact the Disability & Inclusion team at least 1 year before you intend to study at the University of Chester.

If you wish to bring an assistance dog with you it will need to meet the criteria for formal assistance dogs in the UK. Dogs will only be allowed on campus if they meet this criteria. Please contact disability@chester.ac.uk for more information regarding criteria for Assistance Dogs.

The University of Chester does not accept Emotional Support Animals on its premises.

Please contact the Disability & Inclusion team if you have any questions.

Acceptable disability evidence

For the majority of disabilities a letter, diagnostic assessment or health care plan from your doctor, consultant or other medical practitioner is usually acceptable.

We are unable to accept evidence written by therapists or counsellors. Whilst their work is important, and they are able to treat the symptoms of a diagnosis, they are not suitably qualified to make a formal diagnosis.

Ideally, this evidence should:

  • Be on official headed paper,
  • Provide standard contact and organisational information,
  • Be as up to date as possible,
  • Provide a clear diagnosis of a disability in line with the Equality Act 2010,
  • Clearly state that your diagnosis has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

Substantial is more than minor or trivial, e.g. it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed.

Long-term means have lasted, or is expected to last, more than 12 months.

Clear diagnosis is a definitive confirmation of the health condition or impairment.

All evidence is required in English. It is the responsibility of the student to have their evidence translated into English with a reputable translation service; they are responsible for bearing any costs associated with this too.

If you are unsure if your evidence is suitable, please send a copy to us at disability@chester.ac.uk. We would be happy to review it, and may be able to provide interim support whilst further suitable evidence is obtained.

As mentioned above, we can still support you even if you don’t have any suitable evidence, although this will only result in limited arrangements such as 25% extra exam time or presentation adjustments.

Disability Evidence Form

To help students obtain suitable medical evidence, Disability & Inclusion has created a disability evidence pro-forma, along with some guidance notes, which can be found on our Policies page. Please ask your GP or other suitable practitioner to complete this on your behalf. This pro-forma would be sufficient documentation for a Bespoke Inclusion Plan, a DSA application, a working diagnosis of neurodiversity, or to support an accommodation application.

Please note that students are directly responsible for obtaining and paying for any tests to establish eligibility for support.​ Students who are unable to afford these costs can apply to the University’s Student Support Fund. This is a means-tested process which will require you to provide evidence of financial hardship.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - commonly known as ADHD - is a neurological developmental disability which causes behavioural symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Individuals with ADHD process and filter information differently.

3 main behavioural differences:

  • Inattentiveness: People with ADHD usually have a reduced ability to maintain their attention without becoming distracted.

  • Hyperactivity: People with ADHD can become restless and may appear to be fidgeting.

  • Impulsivity: People with ADHD tend to act first without thinking of the consequences. They may find it difficult to control their actions in response to certain situations or stimuli.

Diagnosis

If you think that you might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you should speak to your GP in the first instance. Your GP can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you for a specialist assessment. Your GP will assess your symptoms and may refer you for an assessment if:

  • You weren't diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but your symptoms began during childhood and have been ongoing since then.

  • Your symptoms can't be explained by a mental health condition.

  • Your symptoms have a significant impact on your day-to-day life – for example, if you're underachieving at school or find intimate relationships difficult.

Working Diagnosis

If your GP is prepared to provide you with a "working diagnosis" before a formal assessment has taken place, this could be used as supporting evidence for a Bespoke Inclusion Plan (BIP) or for a DSA application. You can use a copy of our Disability Evidence Form (pro-forma) in order to obtain a working diagnosis from your GP. This also applies to autism as well as ADHD. A working diagnosis will not affect your current wait for formal assessment but will enable you to access additional university support in the meantime.

Right to Choose

If you are based in England, under the NHS, you have a legal right to choose your mental healthcare provider and your choice of mental healthcare team. This means that should you decide the waiting time for your ADHD assessment is too long, then you can choose alternative providers.

ADHD UK have provided further information about the various routes to an assessment on their webpages - Diagnosis pathways for Adult ADHD. Option 3 (Step 2) specifically covers “Right to Choose”.

Neurodiversity Assessment at the University

If your GP will not refer you for formal assessment of either autism or ADHD, and/or you are not eligible for the Right to Choose scheme, as a last resort, we could refer you for informal assessment through the University’s providers.

Please note this route can only formally diagnose dyslexia, but the assessors may be able to identify the traits associated with other conditions such as dyspraxia, ADHD or autism. Additionally, students are expected to contribute £100 toward the cost of the assessment. Please contact us if you wish to discuss being referred to the University’s assessors.

Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs)

If you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia or dyspraxia, please provide us with your diagnostic report. Ideally, this would be a full Educational Psychologist assessment completed ​in line with SpLD working group 2005 / DfES guidelines.

You may have accessed support in High School and Further Education, and have been provided with a document detailing the support you are entitled to. These documents are often known as JCQ "Access Arrangements" or a "Form 8." 

Please note: at the University of Chester, we cannot consider this appropriate evidence of a disability, and these forms do not guarantee that you will automatically receive the same support in Higher Education, but they may be suitable for a Standardised Inclusion Plan (SIP).

If you do not have a full Educational Psychologist assessment, or you have not previously been assessed, you may be eligible for a university-based assessment. More details on this are available below. Please note this route can only formally diagnose dyslexia, but the assessors may be able to identify the traits associated with other conditions such as dyspraxia, ADHD or autism.

For any current students (i.e. you have been studying at the University for more than 2 weeks), you may be eligible for assessment of Specific Learning Differences via our Educational Psychologist.

If you are interested in assessment, you would be expected to complete our Self-Referral Pack and then pay a £100 contribution (apprentice students will have their costs covered by the University, and therefore are only required to complete the Self-Referral Pack). Please see below for further information on how to proceed with the assessment.

Students who are either in their final year or studying a single-year course must have completed these steps before the end of Term One; otherwise, they will need to pay the full cost of assessment (currently, this is estimated as £282).

As mentioned above,  you can also choose this route to be informally assessed for traits of neurodiversity, but please note our providers cannot formally diagnose any condition other than dyslexia. Additionally, students are expected to contribute £100 toward the cost of the assessment. Please contact the Disability & Inclusion team if you wish to discuss being referred to the University’s assessors.

Proceeding with an Assessment

Complete our Self-Referral Pack

These documents can be accessed from our Policies page, under "SpLD Self-Referral Documents". Regardless of your scores in your self-referral pack, you can choose to proceed with a formal diagnostic assessment. 

The scoring is not a formal diagnosis. It is intended to help you to make an informed decision about whether or not you wish to proceed with a formal diagnostic assessment. It is in no way a substitute for a full assessment by a suitably qualified practitioner.

Additional Testing (Optional)

If you feel you would benefit from testing for Autistic Traits and/or Attentional Difficulties, you will need to complete the appropriate additional forms.

For attentional difficulties (ADHD) - please complete the ASRS form.

For autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Conditions) - please complete the AQ10 form.

Please then send your completed documents to us at disability@chester.ac.uk. Once the team has reviewed your Self-Referral Pack, they will be in touch about the next steps.

If you are unsure about whether to proceed with an assessment, please let us know and we can discuss whether to offer you an appointment with our in-house Academic Skills Tutor, who can help you make an informed decision about whether assessment is suitable at this time.

Prospective students (applicants) can be assessed before enrolling, but must pay the full £282 upfront. This will then be reimbursed once you’ve enrolled and attended for at least 2 weeks, minus the standard £100 contribution.

Unless these conditions are met, we cannot reimburse you.  Please note that apprenticeship students are currently not eligible to access assessments before enrolling, due to the way in which assessments are funded.

If you are an applicant and would like to proceed with arranging an assessment, please complete both our Self-Referral Pack and Assessment Application Form. Both of these documents can be accessed from our Policies page, under "SpLD Self-Referral Documents". Once you have submitted these documents to disability@chester.ac.uk, we will advise you of the next steps.

Reimbursement of Assessment Costs

To confirm, once students are enrolled and have attended for a minimum of 2 weeks, the University will arrange reimbursement for the cost of the assessment, minus the standard £100 contribution. We will request proof of payment for the assessment and a completed Bank Details form to allow us to process the reimbursement.

If you do not enrol at the University of Chester for any reason (including failure to meet the course entry or progression requirements), we will not be able to provide reimbursement of any kind towards the cost of the assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

All Students are invited to discuss the results of their Self-Referral pack with one of our specialist Academic Skills Tutor (AST).

The AST will be able  to help you make an informed decision about proceeding on for a full diagnostic assessment.

To arrange an appointment please contact disability@chester.ac.uk or telephone Student Services' Info Point on 01244 511550.

The cost of a private Educational Psychologist assessment is currently around £510-£655, dependent on your location.

Students who opt to undertake an assessment through the University, and who meet eligibility criteria, will only be expected to pay a contribution of £100 towards the cost of their assessment. The University would then look to fund the additional costs through its designated providers.

For Apprenticeship students, the cost of the contribution is currently automatically funded via the Apprenticeships Service.

Not all students are eligible for funded support towards the cost of their assessment, you must fulfil the following criteria:

  • Be a current student who has fully enrolled on their course and has attended for at least 2 weeks.
  • Be studying a minimum of 25% intensity of a full time equivalent course.

On receipt of your self-referral pack, Disability & Inclusion will check your eligibility for funded support and will contact you to advise of the payment process.

If you are in the final year of your course, or studying a single year course, a cut off date applies for funded support towards the cost of an assessment. This cut off is the end of Term One, or 3 months from your final year starting, whichever is later.

Students currently on an Interruption of Studies will not be eligible for funded support towards the cost of their assessment until they have returned to their studies, are fully enrolled on their course and have attended for at least 2 weeks. They must still meet all other eligibility criteria.

Students who are Deferring Assessment without Attendance will not be eligible for funded support.

Students who wish to proceed, but who are not eligible for funding, will need to self-fund the full cost of a their diagnostic assessment. University of Chester student’s are able to access assessment at the University’s agreed tender rate which is currently £299 (2023).

Please be sure to state that you are a University of Chester student when contacting our provider.

Disability & Inclusion currently use the following Educational Psychologists:

Home Students

Home students who are unable to afford the cost of their contribution can apply to the University’s ​​​​​Student Support Fund. This is a means tested process which, if successful, will cover the full cost of the standard student contribution of £100. Evidence of financial hardship will need to be provided.

International Students

International students who are unable to afford the cost of their contribution can apply to the University’s International Financial Emergency Fund (IFEF). This is a means tested process which, if successful, will cover the full cost of the standard student contribution of £100. Evidence of financial hardship will need to be provided.

International Students are reminded to clearly indicate that they are applying for IFEF funding towards the cost of an Educational Psychologist assessment.

If you decide you do not wish to proceed with a diagnostic assessment, and would rather monitor the situation, the University provide more general study skills support through the Academic Skills For Students (ASk).

If, after this, you feel that you would benefit from a diagnostic assessment, you can still proceed following the process outline at the top of this webpage 

Examination Arrangements

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty, you may require special exam arrangements to ensure you have access to a fair and equal assessment.

An “examination arrangement” is the name given to any alteration to a standard examination.   

Examination arrangements might include things like: 

  • extra time 
  • rest breaks 
  • use of a smaller room, away from the main examination venue
  • use of a computer 
  • a support worker to assist you, such as a reader, scribe or prompter. 

Examination arrangements are provided based on suitable evidence and are made on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that arrangements you have had at school, or in the past, may not be appropriate within a Higher Education environment, and will not automatically transfer to your studies at the University of Chester. You should reapply for them once at university. 

Applying for Examination Arrangements

To request arrangements for your exams: 

  1. Contact disability@chester.ac.uk to register with Disability & Inclusion.
  2. Provide suitable evidence of your disability (if you have this).

Examination Deadlines

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty and require arrangements for your examinations, these need to have been discussed with Disability & Inclusion in advance of the published examination deadlines. Depending on the arrangements you feel you need, you may be required to provide evidence to support your request.

  • Level 5 Students - Friday 7th Feb 2025.
  • Level 4, 6 & Foundation Students - Friday 7th March 2025.

Support after the Published Deadlines​

If examination support documents are drawn up after the published examination deadlines above, then only 25% extra time will be put in place for the current assessment period; any other adjustments will be implemented for all future assessments.

If support documents are drawn up less than 2 weeks prior to the assessment period, then adjustments will not be implemented until the next assessment period.