Starting University with an additional need or disability.
17 September 2026 · 5 min read
Your Guide to Settling In and Getting the Support You Need
Starting university is a big change. New surroundings, new people, a different way of learning and, for many students, their first experience of living independently.
If you have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), that transition can come with some extra things to think about. Whether you have dyslexia, ADHD, autism, a sensory or physical disability, a long-term health condition or a mental health condition, knowing what support is available can make a huge difference.
And one thing is worth knowing from the start: you are far from alone.
How many university students have a disability?
The number of students declaring a disability in UK higher education has been rising.
According to the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) figures for 2024/25, the number of university students with a known disability increased by 32,210 in just one year. Among students studying full-time, 19% had a known disability, rising to 21% among part-time students.
That means roughly one in five students is studying alongside a known disability.
Of course, these statistics only cover students whose disability is known or declared, so they do not necessarily capture everyone who may need additional support.
Before you arrive: speak to your university
One of the best things you can do is contact your university's disability, accessibility or student support team as early as possible.
You don't have to wait until you're struggling.
Universities and colleges have responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments so students with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, and learning differences aren't put at a disadvantage. Depending on your individual circumstances, support could include extra time in exams, alternative assessment arrangements, specialist equipment, adjustments to teaching, or support with accommodation and travel.
If you're returning to university rather than starting for the first time, it's still worth checking in. Your needs may have changed since last year, and so might the support available.
Check whether you can get Disabled Students' Allowance
If you haven't already, look into Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
DSA can help with additional study-related costs resulting from a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. Unlike a student loan, DSA doesn't have to be repaid, and the support you receive is based on your individual needs rather than your household income.
Depending on your assessment, it can contribute towards things such as specialist equipment and software, non-medical helpers, specialist note-taking, assistive technology training and certain travel costs.
For students funded through Student Finance England, support can currently be worth up to £27,783 per year, depending on individual needs.
Don't leave your application until you desperately need the support, though. The process can take time: government guidance says it can take up to 14 weeks for DSA support to be put in place.
7 tips for getting settled at university
1. Get familiar with campus before things get busy.
If possible, visit before teaching starts. Find your main lecture rooms, library, student services, accessible entrances, toilets and somewhere quiet you can go when you need a break. Removing some of those unknowns can make the first week feel much more manageable.
2. Find your support contacts and save their details.
Work out who you should contact if you need help. That might include your disability adviser, personal tutor, wellbeing service, accommodation team or Students' Union. Save their details in your phone so you don't have to hunt for them when you're already overwhelmed.
3. Get your adjustments agreed early.
Don't assume that lecturers will automatically know what you need. Ask your disability or accessibility team how your reasonable adjustments are communicated and whether there's anything you need to do before lectures, placements or assessments begin.
4. Build a routine that works for you.
University timetables can have strange gaps and change from day to day. A simple weekly plan covering lectures, independent study, meals, medication where relevant, exercise, downtime and sleep can give your week some structure. The goal isn't to schedule every minute — it's to make university feel predictable enough to manage.
5. Explore assistive technology.
Text-to-speech, speech-to-text, mind-mapping software, digital planners, focus tools and lecture-recording or note-taking technology can all reduce barriers to studying. If you're applying for DSA, speak to your assessor before buying expensive equipment yourself, as recommended equipment may be provided through your support package.
6. Give yourself permission to do Freshers' Week differently.
Freshers doesn't have to mean going out every night or attending every event. Look for daytime activities, society meet-ups, quieter events and smaller gatherings if those suit you better. Leaving an event early, taking breaks or choosing not to attend something is completely fine.
7. Ask for help before you reach crisis point.
If lectures, deadlines, accommodation or everyday life are becoming difficult, contact someone early. Problems are generally easier to resolve when your university knows about them before a deadline or assessment has passed.
What if you haven't disclosed your SEND?
Some students arrive at university having chosen not to disclose a disability or additional need. Others may receive a diagnosis or realise they need support after starting their course.
It isn't necessarily too late to ask for help.
Contact your university's disability or accessibility service and explain what's happening. They can tell you what evidence may be needed and what support or reasonable adjustments could be available.
For DSA in England, eligible conditions can include specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia or ADHD, mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, physical and sensory disabilities, autism and long-term health conditions. The evidence required varies depending on the condition.
Your first few weeks don't have to be perfect
Starting or returning to university can be exciting, exhausting and overwhelming — sometimes all in the same day.
Try not to judge your entire university experience by your first week.
Give yourself time to work out where you study best, which routines help, who your people are and what support makes university more accessible for you. Using reasonable adjustments or additional support isn't about getting an advantage; it's about removing barriers so you have a fair opportunity to participate in university life.
With around one in five UK higher education students reporting a known disability, there are thousands of other students navigating many of the same challenges.
So, as the new academic year begins, remember three things: find out what support you're entitled to, ask for it early, and give yourself time to settle in.
University is a big adjustment. You don't have to figure it all out in week one.
