Declaring a disability

The University provides support for students who have a qualifying disability that the University is aware of, both at entry to their course and for students who acquire a disability during their studies. A “qualifying disability” is a disability which meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010.

If you are an entrant, then we can start the process of putting arrangements in place before you start your studies, and we recommend that you contact the disability team as soon as you have made an application to study here. The University has a range of reasonable adjustments that it can put in place for you to help you achieve your academic potential and to make the transition to University as smooth as possible.

The disability team has specialist advisers who advise students with physical disabilities, sensory impairment, unseen medical conditions, long standing health or medical conditions, mental health difficulties, Autistic Spectrum disorders and Specific Learning Difficulties. Find out more about the disability team.

The disability team offers a wide range of support and can assist in the following areas:

  • assessing appropriate support for you to access your course of study
  • informing Schools and the exam office of teaching and exam arrangements
  • arranging SpLD assessments and referrals to educational psychologists
  • advice on Disabled Students' Allowance (UK students only)
  • liaising with Student Accommodation so that you can be allocated a room in halls of residence that meets your needs, where possible
  • assisting you to contact external agencies where appropriate to arrange support; for example, personal care and independent living support.

How to declare a disability

If you have a disability or a long term medical condition that impacts on your academic or residential experience at University, you may wish to declare this to the University.

To do this you need to:

  1. Update your personal details on the student record system, MySaint, where it asks if you have a disability.
  2. Provide evidence of your disability from a GP, consultant, health care professional, educational psychologist, psychiatrist, etc. A Disability Adviser can provide guidance on the need for information and the required format. If you are unsure about what evidence you can provide, please get in contact.

Once you have advised us of your qualifying disability and provided the details requested above, A Disability Adviser can explore teaching and exam arrangements with you. You will have an opportunity for these to be reviewed every academic session.

For further advice email disability@st-andrews.ac.uk.

If the University has not been made fully aware of the requirements of a student with a qualifying disability as soon as possible during initial communications with the University, we cannot guarantee that suitable resources will be available on the student's arrival in St Andrews.