Information for disabled applicants

Hello from Disability Services. We know that starting university may be daunting, especially if you have a disability. 

Over 19% of the student body at Leeds is disabled – you are not alone. Welcome to our community.

Do you need help with:

• Registering with Disability Services?

• Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance?

• Providing evidence of your disability?

• Anything else?

Please arrange a remote appointment (telephone or Teams) or an in person 1:1 with us. Call us on 0113 343 3927 or email us on disability@leeds.ac.uk to arrange a chat with a friendly advisor.

Step 1: Browse our helpful handbook

The Disability Services handbook (PDF) is your go-to document for disability support at Leeds. 

Step 2: Register with us

Don’t wait for your studies to start! Setting up support can take some time, and you can register to receive support as soon as you have your offer from Leeds.

How to register:

• Complete our short sign-up form.
• Submit suitable evidence of your disability.

Step 3: Consider your support needs

Once your registration has been processed, we’ll be in touch to talk more about the kinds of support you could access. In the meantime, visit our support webpage to learn more about what might be available. 

Step 4: Apply for disability funding

Did you know that disabled students are usually eligible for extra funding? Disabled Students’ Allowances pay for any additional support you may need as a result of your disability, such as one to one help or specialist equipment. 

• You can apply for DSA even before you’ve decided which university you’ll attend.
• It can take up to fifteen weeks for DSA to be awarded so we recommend you do so early.
• Don’t miss out on this extra funding – it’s a grant, and does not need to be paid back.
• Find out more about DSA and other funding and check whether you’re eligible.  
• Download our DSA flowchart (PDF) to find out how the process works.

Check your progress!

Our handy Disability Services applicant checker tool is a guide to help you with the process of applying for university-based support from Disability Services. It also guides you through what you need to do to apply for additional funding, such as Disabled Students' Allowances. Take a look to make sure you’ve completed the necessary steps. 

Learn more about being a disabled student at university

Being a disabled student at university can differ from your experiences of being disabled at secondary school - there's changes in terminology, processes and support available.

Check out our guidance explaining the differences between school and university (PDF) and ensure that you feel supported in the transition from school to higher education.

The University of Leeds has created an online course called Skills to Succeed at University to help prepare you with the skills you may need to succeed at university. The course is free if completed within two weeks.

Disability Contacts

As a registered disabled student, you’ll get support from Disability Services. But you also have a point of contact within your academic school. Disability Contacts are members of staff (both academic and support) whose job it is to ensure that you get the support you’re entitled to. 

You can find out more about our Disability Contacts, including where to find yours.

Assistive Technology

We offer a wide variety of advice and training in assistive technology. Whether you're already a whizz with assistive tech or are brand new to the concept, our Assistive Technology advisor is here to help.

We provide both 1:1 sessions and group workshops throughout the year to introduce the technology available to you. This includes screen readers, speech-to-text, productivity and organisational apps, and much more.

Accommodation

If you’re planning to stay in University accommodation, book your place on a virtual viewing day in March and April and hear first hand from the students that live there.

Do you have additional requirements? Visit our information on getting support in accommodation to find out more about finding the right arrangements for you.

Got a question of your own?