Specific learning difficulties
I have a learning difficulty
Q: What academic support is available for me at St Andrews?
A: St Andrews is able to put in place for you special academic arrangements that you may require. Extra time is available in exams and also the use of a computer, a scribe or a scribe/ reader. Support is available on a day to day basis with the availability of notes etc. prior to lectures, a notetaker, the recording of lectures and the use of a laptop to type notes.
Q: Does the university require evidence detailing my learning difficulty?
A: Yes, the university is not able to put any arrangements in place for you without documentary evidence of your learning difficulty, We require this evidence to be no more than 2 years old at your date of entry to the university. We can arrange for an updated report if that is something you need. The Dyslexia Adviser can organise that for you.
Q: How can I make an appointment to see the Dyslexia Adviser?
A: You can make an appointment to see the dyslexia adviser in several ways. You can e-mail, you can telephone 01334 462720. When you receive an appointment you will be asked to come along to their office on the second floor of the Students Union building between 9am and 5pm, Monday-Friday.
Q: My Psychological Assessment is more that 2 years old, how do I arrange for a new one to be done?
A: If you can make an appointment to see the Dyslexia Adviser, that can be organised for you.
Q: I had a scribe for exams at school, will I be able to have a scribe at University?
A: You will be able to use a scribe for your exams at university. We will need some documentation that confirms your learning difficulty and the recommendation for your use of a scribe. The Dyslexia Adviser will be able to put this arrangement in place for you.
Q: What is the Disabled Students Allowance?
A: If you have documented evidence of a Learning Disability (that is up to date), then you are eligible to apply to for the Disabled Students Allowance. (DSA) The Dyslexia Adviser will be able to give you more information and also be able to help you with your claim.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply please go to the DSA section of our website.
Q: Does the university have equipment (e.g. digital voice recorders, hearing helpers) available to borrow?
A: Yes we do. If, for example, you are waiting for equipment from your DSA, then we may be able to loan equipment to you until your own arrives. There are other circumstances under which we loan equipment, too, so to enquire initially, speak to one of the disability advisers (on 2nd floor of Students Union) who can organise this for you.
Q: I need assistance with organisation and meeting assignment deadlines, is there someone who can help me with this?
A: The university has a department known as CAPOD who are able to do this with all students. If you feel you would rather speak to one of the disability advisers, then they are all willing to work with students they see, on a one-to-one basis.
For more information on CAPOD
Q: Is there someone in my academic departments I can talk to about disability issues?
A: Each department in the university has a Disability co-ordinator, who works more closely with the disabilities team in Student Support. They will always be happy to discuss disability issues you may have in the department and can refer you on to the disability team in Student Support if necessary.
For more information please go to the Disability Co-ordinators section of our website.
Q: What student accommodation will suit my needs?
A: As a student with a learning difficulty, it may be that your strategies and work schedules would not work well in a shared room, and you would prefer a single room. If you say this on your accommodation form then the accommodation service will do their best to meet your needs. Accommodation will always try their best to accommodate students with special needs but students do need to specify their needs on their accommodation application forms.
For more information on student accommodation Undergraduate / Postgraduate