The Best Universities For Disability & Neurodiversity
- Camila Karalyte
- Mar 15, 2024
- 13 min read
These are the universities that have the best support for disabled and neurodiverse students.
UCAS data from the end of 2023 shows the number of accepted UK applicants who have a disability or mental health condition. 103,000 students reported having a disability, and 36,000 reported having a mental health condition — both seeing an increase from previous years.
It's no surprise then that students are being more particular when choosing what they want from a university. Is the campus accessible? What support is there for mental health? Can I use headphones in lectures? These, and many more, are the questions students are asking when searching for a uni.
Choosing a university is not easy for many of us, but for those who are disabled or neurodivergent, there are a lot more factors to consider when deciding on studies. Our Student Beans survey revealed that nearly 22% of students have been diagnosed with a neurodiversity, and just over 28% of students said they experience symptoms of neurodivergence.
It's normal to expect that most universities will have excellent disability support, an accessible campus and are able to make reasonable adjustments due to the increasing number of students who require such accommodations. However, according to our student survey, nearly 8% of students said their university doesn't provide mental health support, and nearly 25% weren't even sure if their unis offered support or not.
Shannon O'Dowd, Head of Talent at Student Beans gives us her input on the situation:
"It's only in recent years we are seeing an increase in neurodiversity awareness and it's now, more than ever, important that neurodiverse students are given access and enough mental health support during their academic journey. This will ensure universities are cultivating an inclusive and fair environment, which can have a positive influence on all students by fostering understanding, empathy, and a culture of inclusiveness."
So, with the number of students studying with a disability or neurodiversity such as ADHD, we thought we'd help you guys out and do some of the research for you. No need to thank us! We've got the best universities for disabled and neurodivergent students based on student comments on The Student Room forums and university disability policies.
Best universities for disability and neurodiversity
We scoured The Student Room to find comments around which universities were good (or rubbish!) for disabled or neurodivergent students. We also looked at university policies regarding disability to see the extent of their support.
Of course, everyone is different and may need different support so take this as a starting point for your journey rather than a solution.
We've also got the best non-Russell Group universities for you to check out, too.
England
North
Durham University
20% of the student population at Durham University are disabled, so the uni aims to ensure their environments, policies, and practices are as inclusive as possible.
Taken from The Student Room, one comment explains what the university has to offer:
"A study room for students registered with DUSSD (Durham Uni Service for Students with Disabilities) in the library, a quiet study area which can be pre-booked and contains a range of appropriate equipment and computer software. I think we're also allowed to take things like laptops on loan, not just from the library but also the disability service."
According to the university's disability policy, these are some of the different ways they can offer support:
A disability adviser
Individual Disability Support Plan (DSP)
Exam arrangements
Liaison or meeting with relevant staff/tutors
Library support — e.g. extended loans and access to study room or assistive software
Help and advice with funding
Referral for specialist support and advice from qualified Mental Health Advisors and/or Counselling service
Specialist Study Skills Support for student who aren't in receipt of external funding
Screening for dyslexia/SpLD and referral for diagnostic assessments
Early Arrival Programme for autistic students
An internship programme run in partnership with Careers and Enterprise for autistic students.
To find out more about Durham University and its policies, check out the disability support page.
Huddersfield University
Huddersfield had a shoutout on The Student Room for being a great university for students who are hearing impaired — even having a deaf awareness course as part of Deaf Awareness Week.
The university's disability support covers a lot, from free workshops and support groups to appointments with a disability adviser and assistive technology support.
Some of the other support the university offers:
24/7 support with online tools and directories
Autism Lunch Club
Bereavement Support Group
Racism and Trauma workshops
Campus map showing accessibility
Leeds University
Leeds University was also mentioned on The Student Room, shouting out about the uni's disabled student support. Almost 20% of the student body at Leeds have a disability, and the university has created a policy to ensure they get the support they need.
Some of the important stuff they cover in their disability support services:
Support available for disabled international, postgraduate, apprenticeship and remote students
Includes people with a wide range of different disabilities including neurodevelopmental conditions (like ADHD) and neurological conditions (like stammering, Tourettes), mental health conditions, long-term medical conditions (e.g. fatigue, asthma, diabetes), physical or learning disabilities deaf/hearing impaired, blind/visually impaired, and autism
Braille/tactile maps of the city centre available
Accessibility map and buildings
Adapted accommodation
Deaf alerter system and hearing technology
Accessible study rooms and sports centre (gym and pool with wheelchair accessibility)
Head over to their Support and Wellbeing page to find out more about the types of support and services you have available to you.
Manchester University
Manchester University was ranked in the top 50 universities according to the QS World University Rankings 2024 and is considered one of the leading institutions that provide dedicated, tailored support for students with autism.
The university hosts weekly lunchtime social groups for students with autism, as well as specialist mentoring and the option to have a named disability adviser. With 19% of the unis students being disabled, the disability support on offer has a wide range of help to suit everyone.
Support offered includes:
Exam accommodations
Assistive technology and software
Alternative course formats and advance copies of lecture slides/notes
Deadline and attendance support and adjustments
Equipment that helps your disability
Sign Language interpreters
Mental health mentoring
Study assistant
Head over to Manchester University's disability advisory and support centre to find out more.
Sheffield University
Sheffield University had some raving reviews from students on The Student Room. One student with autism explained the support they were offered around exams: "Exams in a room of no more than 10 people, 25% extra time, 20 minutes of rest breaks per hour, headphones allowed in exams".
They also listed the day-to-day support they had available, including:
Learning support plan that is shared with all lectures that provides a summary of how autism manifests for the individual and the academic and social challenges they may face
Clear and unambiguous language when marking etc and extra sessions to go through feedback
Written confirmation of all the work in the different modules at the start of term such as presentations
Having a reading list which shows what is required and what's extra
Course materials available 24-hours before lecture
Can pick group for group work and presentations/present to a smaller group of people
Meetings to regularly check-in
Record lectures
Rest breaks and support worker
Leave lectures if overwhelmed and can arrive late/leave early
Support groups
Orientation tour and support
Events throughout the year like private tours and sessions
The university has support in place for any disability or difficulties to face. To find out more, visit their Disability and Dyslexia Support Service page.
Sheffield Hallam University
Another shout out to Sheffield, this time for Sheffield Hallam Uni. According to a user on The Student Room:
"The support they have given over the past three years has been amazing. There are drop in sessions three/four times a week for disabled students to ask any questions that they might have. They are very accommodating in terms of adjustments, we have a learning contract which is sent to every lecturer you have so that they can see what arrangements are in place for you."
And this isn't a one-off. Sheffield Hallam helps over 4,000 students each year who have a variety of conditions and disabilities. They offer assistive technology to those who require it, and specialist mentors to help you keep on track with your university life.
To find out more, head to their disabled student support page.
Midlands
Birmingham City University
Birmingham City is another uni that made it onto The Student Room reviews, with one student noting down a few of the ways the uni supports disability. They boasted that the university offered "additional support from tutors/lecturers, allowances for presentations, longer library loan periods, excuse absences, and the potential to defer exams to the summer if necessary with few questions asked".
The university's disability policy outlines the kind of support they offer:
Reasonable adjustments to assignments and assessments
Specialist equipment and software
Support workers and mentors
Accessible parking
Accessible accommodation
Tailored library support
Pre-entry disability adviser
Birmingham City university also claims to tailor support depending on individual needs, which can include sign language interpreters, note-takers and dyslexia mentors to help with any practical assistance you might require.
The uni also holds a Welcome Day for disabled students, covering topics surrounding the Disability Support and services they offer, a workshop about the transition to university and general information about apps and software available to them that can help with organisation and studying. There is a Life Skills Summer School, too, that the uni holds during early September for neurodiverse students to try out the university accommodation and will be offered workshops around socialising with new students and how to adapt to your new environment.
For further information, check out Birmingham City's Disability Support page.
Nottingham Trent
For individuals with disabilities that limit their physical side of university life, Nottingham Trent is a great place to consider for your studies. Based on comments on The Student Room, the university has 'really good' disability support. One student mentions their experience at the uni:
"I can have a disabled adapted room in uni accommodation and live there all three years of my course. I chose the accommodation closest to my study areas so that I can basically roll out of bed into class, and the student GP surgery is equally as close. I also have a statement of access which lets everyone who teaches me know that my attendance will not be as good as others', and also gives me extensions without needing additional evidence each time automatically with no trouble so long as I ask for it before the original deadline."
Nottingham Trent tailors the support offered according to the student's needs. They value inclusivity and have support for a range of different disabilities, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, mental health and any physical, sensory, or long-term medical conditions, too.
Find out more about Nottingham Trent's disability and inclusion services.
London
Imperial College London
London is a bustling city and can be daunting for anyone, especially students moving to the city for their studies. According to a comment on Mumsnet however, Imperial College London recognises this and offers support for those who need it. They believed the uni to be 'autism friendly' and described some of the support available…
"It has a Disability Advisory service, can help with assessments of study needs and adjustments. They have ASD peer groups, study skills and mental health mentors, as well as a counselling service."
Imperial College London has a Student Support Zone that covers areas including:
Careers
Chaplaincy
Counselling and mental health
Sexual violence support
Fees and funding
Accommodation
It also includes the Disability Advisory Service which offers support for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties and autism.
Support offered includes:
Reasonable adjustments
Accommodation — room requirements and adaptations, halls of residence after first year
Additional exam arrangements
Specialist study skills tutorials
Study mentors
Inclusive technology training
Equipment
Peer support groups
Non-medical help (NMH) support
Library support
Mental health advice
University College London
University College London had a few mentions on The Student Room for their support and wellbeing services. Their support covers a lot of areas from sexual misconduct and violence to identity and personal safety.
They have support across mental health and wellbeing, including counselling services and workshops. The uni also offers support for disabled students, which is tailored to the student but can include assistive technology, exam adjustments, and higher spec accommodation.
Head to the support and wellbeing page for more information and resources.
South
Bournemouth University
If you have autism, Bournemouth University might be a good option to consider. Mentioned on The Student Room as offering great support for students with autism, one commented on how excellent the university was, before they were even formally diagnosed.
"I was not diagnosed with autism when I studied at Bournemouth but everyone suspected I had it. The university paid the difference for me to see an autism specialist mentor rather than just a standard mentor — they went above and beyond."
Looking at the uni's disability support, they offer a lot of different support depending on your needs, including:
Arranging screenings and assessments for dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADD
Helping students with employability skills
Independent learning through one-to-ones and workshops
Exam arrangements
Reasonable adjustments like alternative exam/assignment formats, digital recorder for lectures, mentors, printed materials, specialist software
Academic skills support
Essex University
If you deal with a mental health condition or have a physical disability, Essex University might be a great choice for you. One student raved about the support they were offered as a student:
"I had a disability support worker the entire time at university and she arranged things like making sure I had on-site accommodation which was on the ground floor with disabled access, exam arrangements, etc. I also had a specialist Mental Health mentor in my final year, she was invaluable (she would keep in contact with me during the week and if I wasn't responding she would ask for a welfare check to be performed)".
Many other students commented similar reviews, boasting about the support:
"I had a lot of different support (e.g. disability support worker, specialist MH mentor) for various reasons and am grateful for it. I wouldn't have graduated without it!"
"Essex uni has the best support, unlike other unis. Paid for my CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), which was utterly surprising."
If you're not convinced by their reviews, head over to Essex uni's disability support.
Sussex University
If you struggle with your mental health, Sussex University has excellent support available. Students on The Student Room say the uni is "really understanding and helpful for mental health difficulties. As long as you tell them about it, they can help you.
It's quite a liberal place in general, and people are smart and clued in about such things and genuinely want to help."
Sussex University's student hub outlines some of the support they offer.
Reasonable adjustments
Accessible accommodation
AccessAble website showing the buildings
Quiet hours for shopping (onsite Co-op supermarket)
Disabled students rom for rest and study
Assistive PCs and equipment
Winchester University
Winchester University also appeared on The Student Room for universities with good disability support. Their services cover a lot of different aspects, from mental wellbeing to physical and learning disabilities.
The university offers:
On the day bookable appointments for mental wellbeing
One-off and on-going counselling/mental health advice (face to face and remotely)
Topical workshops
Assistive technology training and support
Exam adjustments
Arranging assessments for dyslexia, etc
Wales
Aberystwyth University
If you fancy heading to Wales for your studies, Aberystwyth University might tickle your fancy.
The university has fully accessible rooms and adapted flats, as well as being able to provide adjustments like flashing fire alarms, vibrating pillows and medical fridges. They can also tailor the rooms according to individual needs, like installing handrails or lowering shelves. If you need a personal carer, the uni may also be able to provide them with a room on campus.
Other support the university offers includes:
Acclimatisation Events for new students with autism or similar difficulties to help them transition to uni life
Personal Emergency Evacuation plan
Accessibility Advisers
Support for transgender and gender diverse students
Swansea University
Swansea University have a lot outlined in their disability and student support pages — inclusive of a wide range of disabilities and conditions.
Examples of some of the support the university claims to offer:
Accessible venue for exams/smaller rooms
Extra time for exams and assignments
Feedback in a format that suits you
Assistive technology
Accessible accommodation
On-campus GP centre
Inclusive library services
Transcription centre
Scotland
Aberdeen University
Up to Scotland now, where Aberdeen University nails their disability support.
Their support covers students with sensory or physical impairments, mental health conditions, long-term health conditions ADHD, dyslexia and other specific learning differences, stammering, autism and neurodiversity. The support is available for all students whether undergraduate, postgraduate, full-time, part-time, and online distance learners.
Types of support offered:
Exam adjustments (extra time, smaller room, etc)
Assistive software and technology
Deadline extensions
Note-takers
Personal Emergency Evacuation plan
Counselling services
Strathclyde University Glasgow
Strathclyde University Glasgow has an extensive disability and wellbeing service. They provide support for areas like general health, disability, mental health, and rape crisis.
Support the university offers includes, but is not limited to:
Mentoring
Note taking/human support
Assistive technology provision
Adjustments to learning, teaching and assessment
Mental health and wellbeing assessment
Counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Group therapies
Northern Ireland
Queen's University Belfast
If you're looking for an inclusive university with good disability support in Northern Ireland, Queen's University Belfast is a strong contender.
The university has support in place to help students with a variety of conditions and disabilities including, but not limited to, neurodiversity, specific learning difficulties, mental health, and physical difficulties.
As well as Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) as most unis offer, Queen's tailors support to meet your individual needs. The types of support you can expect cover in-course and university life, so every aspect of your journey is supported one way or another.
Support includes:
Lecture notes and slides available in advance
Permission to record lectures
Flexibility with coursework deadlines
Exam support and adjustments (extra time, smaller room, breaks, etc.)
Counselling
Assistive technology
Personal care funding for daily living
Careers support
Erasmus+ Funds support for mentoring, flights, equipment etc.
Ulster University
Ulster University offers a broad range of support for disabled students, including neurodiversity, mental health conditions, and specific learning difficulties.
The university has an ASD social group, facilitated by Student Wellbeing and available for students who are neurodiverse. The group runs sessions to catch up and socialise with people similar to you going through similar experiences.
The university's disability support also includes:
Exam and assignment adjustments
Assistive technology
Library support
Physical/accommodation adaptations
DSA and financial support
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is financial support that helps with the essential costs you have as a result of your disability, mental health condition, long-term health condition, or specific learning difficulty.
You can receive DSA on its own or in addition to student finance. How much DSA you're entitled to will depend on your individual circumstances and needs, rather than household income. Plus, you won't need to pay back any of the DSA.
How much might you be entitled to? For the 2024 to 2025 academic year, full-time and part-time undergraduate or postgraduate students can get up to £26,948 a year. For the 2023 to 2024 academic year, full-time and part-time undergraduate or postgraduate students can get up to £26,291 a year.
DSA can help with the costs of:
Day-to-day studying related to your disability (e.g. printing costs)
Specialist equipment such as assistive software or a specific computer
Non-medical helpers, i.e. British Sign Language interpreter or note-taker
Extra travel costs associated with your disability
To get DSA, you'll have to submit evidence to Student Finance England. Below is a table outlining the types of evidence you can supply.
Condition | Evidence required |
|---|---|
Mental health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant — or a copy of a |
Specific learning difficulty | A copy of a 'diagnostic assessment' from a practitioner, psychologist, or suitably qualified specialist teacher. |
Long-term health condition or disability | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant — or a copy of a |
Table showing health conditions and evidence required for Disabled Students' Allowance.
To find out more about DSA and going to university with a disability, check out the gov.uk site or head to UCAS.
