Services and support

At Surrey we believe learning and teaching should be as inclusive as possible, accommodating learning styles to suit and empower every student. 

For those with SpLD, including dyslexia, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, and Irlen Syndrome, it may be necessary to adjust aspects of the learning environment, make exam adjustments and ensure your individual learning preferences are supported.

Evidence required

We need a full report that diagnoses your SpLD. However, if you had exam arrangements in the past, and have a JCQ Form 8 (available from your school or college) email it to us so we can advise you on your best course of action.

If you have previously had a full diagnostic assessment report from either a registered psychologist, or a qualified specialist teacher holding a SpLD Assessment Practicing Certificate, or you have an Evaluation of Needs report – please email it to us.

Lectures, labs and tutorials

There are various adjustments that may be implemented on a case-by-case basis, subject to individual requirements. These could include reading lists and handouts in advance of coursework and lectures, permission to record lectures or seminars, lecture capture (where available) and extended library loans. Lighting may need to be dimmed and presentation backgrounds may need to be muted to avoid glare. We will consider with you what the most beneficial conditions will be to enable your learning.

Exams

Typical exam adjustments could include:

• Extra time for written exams
• Rest breaks
• The use of a computer
• A separate room
• Sensory (low) lighting
• Coloured question and answer papers
• Reader and/or a scribe.

Further support

We recommend reading our page on the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This is a non-means tested allowance and may provide a range of assistive equipment such as note-taking and speech-to-text software and associated training. In addition, you may qualify for a printing allowance.

Students with SpLD usually qualify for one-to-one specialist study skills sessions. These are an opportunity to develop strategies that support your learning. For example, strategies for note-taking in lectures and for reading to increase your confidence in structuring assignments. You might also explore techniques for revision and exams. The sessions are arranged at a time to suit you and may be with our in-house tutors or by external providers. If you are not eligible for DSA please contact us as soon as possible as much of the support, including access to assistive software, may be arranged through alternative means.

We understand the diversity of autistic students and that some may have, for example, extreme social anxiety, difficulties in adapting to change, or have hypo or hyper sensitivities. We also recognise that everyone is individual and we, therefore, provide a range of ways in settling in and engaging in all aspects of university life. We strongly encourage autistic students and students with undiagnosed autistic traits to contact us before enrolment, so we can answer any questions before you arrive and signpost you to other services where appropriate.

Evidence required

We need a letter from your GP or other relevant qualified specialist confirming your diagnosis and outlining the impact it has upon your day-to-day activities and studies. Alternatively, we can accept a Statement of Special Educational Needs issued by a Local Authority. If you do not currently have evidence of a diagnosis, please see the section on undiagnosed disability for further guidance.

Lectures, labs and tutorials

Some of our lecture theatres are very large and can feel overwhelming. Ways we might be able to alleviate this include a request that you always can sit in your preferred area, to ask for lecture slides to be available in advance, or to arrange permission for you to record the lecture. Group work and presentations are features of most of our degree courses, and can be difficult when someone has social anxiety or finds it uncomfortable to interact with others. We can liaise with your department to find ways to support you to engage in these activities. With laboratory sessions we again can work with faculty staff to find ways to accommodate sensory difficulties or challenges working with laboratory partners. Many degree courses also have tutorials, some of which are discussions that students are expected to join in. We are able to engage with the departments to enable you to attend such sessions but without speaking until you are comfortable.

Exams

Typical adjustments may include some of the following:

• Extra time for written exams
• Rest breaks
• Computers
• Separate rooms
• Sensory (low lighting)
• Readers or scribes.

Further support

We offer specialist mentoring and sometimes specialist study skills tuition to autistic students. This is usually funded via the Disabled Students’ Allowance. Although it can be daunting to meet with a tutor or mentor for the first time, we find students often choose to meet their mentor weekly at the same day and time during term time. The sessions are unique to you and your needs, but areas that might be addressed include:

• Communication skills
• Time management and organisation
• Engaging in lectures and other academic classes
• Preparing for and undertaking exams and other assessments
• Accessing university facilities and the management of living skills
• Management of anxiety levels.

The support is not subject specific and we do not proofread work.

Accommodation and parking

If you choose to live on campus in your first year, you may have specific accommodation requirements. There are a number of adjustments we can arrange for you including: supporting requests for ensuite rooms, to be allocated to a flat sharing with fewer students or to be located on a specific campus. We understand that moving into accommodation off-campus in your 2nd year can be very challenging and we can support students to remain on campus throughout the course where required.

If you need the use of a car while at University, you will need to apply for a parking permit. This gives you permission to park on campus every day, but it is not a guarantee of a parking space.

Induction

We understand that beginning university, moving into campus accommodation and Freshers’ Week can be a daunting experience. We have designed an early induction programme for autistic students to help you settle in.

Students on the induction programme are invited to move into their campus accommodation two days early for a structured series of events that includes:

• Orientation around campus
• Registering and obtaining your University ID card
• Meeting a member of your department
• Meeting key services including security and the Centre for Wellbeing
• Meeting Disability and Neurodiversity staff including our tutors and mentors
• Social activities including going out for a meal and visiting the Surrey Sports Park.

We can also provide guest accommodation for those students who wish to attend but are living off-campus. For further information, and to register your interest, please contact disability@surrey.ac.uk and we can arrange for a Disability Adviser to call you to answer your questions.

Disability and Neurodiversity support students with a variety of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia and many more. We want you to have a positive experience at university and we offer a number of services to help you manage your mental health and your studies. We also work closely with academic staff and the Centre for Wellbeing and can liaise with them on your behalf as required.

Evidence required

Please contact us to arrange an appointment with a Disability Adviser to discuss your needs and the support you may be entitled to. You will need to bring some medical evidence, such as a letter from your GP, care coordinator or other mental health or medical professional. This should explain your diagnosis and the impact your mental health has on your daily life and engaging with your studies.

Lectures, labs, tutorials and exams

During your appointment with a Disability Adviser we can discuss your condition and how it impacts on your studies. Adjustments can be put in place to help you to manage your work more effectively. These can include exam arrangements such as extra time, rest breaks and/or use of a smaller room. Your Adviser will also discuss adjustments your faculty can make such as tailoring how assessments are taken and having an awareness of the fact that you may miss classes on health grounds or to attend appointments.

Further support

Disability Advisers can support you with applying for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). 

This could fund equipment and software to help you with your studies. It could also provide funding for specialist one-to-one mentoring support.  This would be tailored to your needs but would usually take place on a weekly basis and could include help with managing your mental health condition, building confidence, organising your time and meeting deadlines.

If you are an EU or international student, you will not be eligible for DSA but we may be able to arrange equivalent support. Please speak to us for more information.

Accommodation

We understand that as a result of your mental health condition you may have specific accommodation needs. This may include a need for an en-suite room or being located on a specific campus. You will need to complete an application form explaining what your requirements are and why you need them. You will also need to attach medical evidence to support your request.

For further details about the accommodation support we can offer, or to obtain an application for preferential accommodation on medical grounds, please contact us at disability@surrey.ac.uk.

For more general enquiries about the accommodation we have available at the University please contact the Accommodation team at accommodation@surrey.ac.uk.

The University of Surrey is built on a hill and we strongly recommend that all students with mobility difficulties visit the campus prior to attending. AccessAble provides information on access routes across both campuses and throughout buildings and services.

Evidence required

If your disability is visible, we won’t require evidence. However, a letter from your GP or other qualified specialist can be very useful in ensuring we provide the relevant support.

Lectures, labs and tutorials

The adjustments you need will be determined by your course. If it involves lab-based or practical elements we recommend you contact us at the earliest opportunity, ideally before starting.

Adjustments could include provision of an ergonomic chair for lectures and classes, or rest breaks while in lab sessions. We can arrange for classes to be on the ground-floor or accessible via a lift. In addition, the Library operates a fetch and collect service. You can contact them in advance with the list of books you require, then collect them the next day from the front desk.

Exams

Provision of an ergonomic chair and rest breaks are the most common exam adjustments for students with mobility difficulties. If your condition has an impact upon your writing, you may require extra time, use of a computer or a scribe. We also have height adjustable tables available for wheelchair users.

Further support

If you require a scribe, note taker, practical support assistant or workshop/laboratory assistant, please contact us prior to your arrival at Surrey. We can discuss your needs and ensure your support is in place prior to your course starting.

We also have mobility scooters available for student use. These can be loaned to you for any period from a day at a time to a whole semester.

Accommodation and parking 

Provision of suitable accommodation can be particularly important and we strongly recommend you contact us at the application stage. We can arrange for you to be located on a specific campus, on a ground floor, and for your room to be an ensuite, have hoists or be modified to suit your specific needs. We can also provide rooms for carers.

We understand that as a result of your condition, the use of public transport may not be possible and you will need the use of a car. Parking at the University is at a premium and spaces cannot be guaranteed. You can apply for a parking permit on medical grounds. If you are a blue badge holder, please send us a scan of your badge. You will be provided with a medical parking permit, allowing you to park in disabled bays across our campuses.

If you have a sensory impairment, where one or more of your senses has been impacted and requires aid to function, you may require a variety of adjustments and support while at University. The severity and impact of sensory impairments vary greatly from person to person and therefore it is important to make us aware of your specific needs as soon as you can so that we are able to make appropriate and tailored adjustments.

Evidence required

Generally a letter from your GP outlining your condition is sufficient. We can also accept letters from relevant qualified specialists. The more information your GP or specialist is able to provide, particularly if there is specific support you require, the better able we will be to meet this need.  Please note, that we are unlikely to accept appointment letters as suitable evidence.

Lectures, labs and tutorials

Visual impairment

There are a number of learning adjustments we may recommend dependent on your visual impairment. We have alternative texts available for library resources and assistive technology that reads text from the screen. Course materials may be provided to you prior to your start date to ensure you have the materials in the form you require them to be in. The use of a braille printer may be offered on request as well. We will work closely with your faculty to implement reasonable adjustments in lab sessions and practical experiments to ensure the safety of you and others around you.

Hearing impairment

Support for a hearing impaired student may include making academic staff aware of any specific preference with verbal correspondence you may have and to ensure that you are aware of the induction loops available in the lecture halls. Specialist support including provision of a Roger Pen, notetaking, and interpreting may be available through different funding sources. A Disability Adviser can advise what you may be eligible for and how to obtain specialist support.

Remote learning

Remote learning and assessment can create additional barriers, particularly for students with visual and hearing impairments. If you have any concerns about accessing learning remotely, please do contact us to arrange a telephone call or virtual appointment with a Disability Adviser to discuss the support we can implement.

Exams

Visual impairment

The most common exam adjustments provided for those with visual impairments are the use of a reader and a scribe or having exam papers printed in specific fonts and sizes. A height-adjustable table and adjustable chair can be offered in exams to allow you to determine the distance of reading and a table lamp to support this adjustment.

Hearing impairment

Dependent on your normal way of working, we may be able to place you in a smaller room to ensure that the environment of your exam is quieter and has less background noise. We work with the Exams team to ensure that invigilators are aware of the communication techniques they may be required to use.

Further support

The Disabled Students’ Allowance may fund you for a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, language support tutor for deaf students or sighted guide depending on your needs. We strongly recommend applying for DSA in advance of attending University to ensure support can be set up for when you arrive.

If you are not eligible for DSA, or the DSA fund doesn’t fully cover your support needs, they will still be met and no costs will be passed on to you.

Accommodation

If you choose to live on campus in your first year, you may require an adapted room or have specific needs such as being located on the ground floor, or needing en-suite facilities. You may also have specific accommodation needs if you have a registered assistance animal. Please contact us as soon as possible to ensure there is plenty of time for us to address your accommodation requirements.

There are a variety of medical conditions that have an impact on living and studying at university, including diabetes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, epilepsy and many more. Each person experiences these conditions in different ways and so the support we provide will be individually tailored. We understand that you may feel uncomfortable telling us about your medical condition, but there may be a large amount of support we are able to provide that can enable you to attend and engage in university life more fully.

Evidence required

Generally a letter from your GP outlining your condition is sufficient. We can also accept letters from relevant qualified specialists. The more information your GP or specialist is able to provide, particularly if there is specific support you require, the better able we will be to provide that support. Please note, that we are unlikely to accept appointment letters as suitable evidence.

Lectures, labs and tutorials

Reasonable adjustments for medical conditions in lectures, labs and tutorials are hugely varied and would be tailored to your individual needs. They could include provision of an ergonomic chair, a note taker, a practical support assistant and regular rest breaks. A Disability Adviser will be able to recommend an array of adjustments dependent on your individual needs. 

Exams

As with reasonable adjustments for lectures, labs and tutorials, exam adjustments for medical conditions may be equally varied. They could include extra time, rest breaks, use of a computer and permission to bring in food and drink. A Disability Adviser can discuss with you the exam adjustments available to you.

Further support

We recommended reading our page on the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) as there is a host of specialist equipment available that can be very beneficial. Some students may additionally qualify for a travel allowance through the DSA.

Accommodation and parking

If you choose to live on campus in your first year, you may have specific accommodation requirements. There are a number of adjustments we can arrange for you, including supporting requests for ensuite rooms, permission to have a mini-fridge in your room or to be located on a specific campus.

We understand that as a result of your condition, the use of public transport may not be possible and you will need the use of a car. Parking at the University is at a premium and spaces cannot be guaranteed. You can apply for a parking permit on medical grounds.

If you are a blue badge holder, please send us a scan of your badge. You will be provided with a medical parking permit, allowing you to park in disabled bays across both campuses.

If you have never been diagnosed with a disability (including specific learning differences, mental health or medical conditions, sensory and mobility impairments and autism) but feel you may have an undiagnosed condition we can offer a meeting with a Disability Adviser. They will signpost you to potential diagnosis and subsequent support, as well as to sources of support you can access without a diagnosis.

Medical conditions

We advise you to see your GP as a first point of contact for medical conditions. We can write a referral letter for your GP to begin the process of accessing support and getting a diagnosis. We encourage all new students to register with a GP in Guildford as soon as possible if they live on campus or are living in Guildford during term time.

Mental health conditions

If you have concerns about your mental health we encourage you to make an appointment with your GP. We understand this can be difficult and can provide further advice as well as information on local external services that provide support.  We also encourage you to contact the Centre for Wellbeing. They provide emotional and wellbeing support for all students at the University. If you have a long-term mental health condition you may be eligible for specialist equipment and one to one support via the Disabled Students' Allowance.

Specific Learning Differences e.g., dyslexia

If you suspect you have a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D, please book a screening appointment with one of our advisers. In that appointment the adviser will explore with you why you feel you might have a SpLD and may use screening tools or short tasks to help determine if you should be referred for a full diagnostic assessment. Currently it is not possible to have a full diagnostic assessment as these have to be conducted in a face to face setting. Your adviser will be able to discuss with you the interim arrangements.

Autism

Although we are unable to refer you for an assessment for autism, we can refer you to your GP, asking them to investigate. Unfortunately the waiting list for a diagnosis can be lengthy. If you are referred on for a formal diagnosis, we can discuss what support we can offer you in the interim.