Overview

The University provides support for students who declare a disability both at entry to their course and whilst on course.  If you are an entrant then we can start the process of putting arrangements in place before you start your studies and we would 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 Differences: 

John Petrie, Disability Adviser

Kate Leavy, Disability Adviser

Sarah Scott, Disability Adviser

Michelle Petrie, Disability and Specific Learning Difficulties Adviser

Kim Cartwright, Trainee Disability Adviser

Ros Walker, Digital Accessibility Adviser

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 Academic Schools and 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 e.g. 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:

  • Update your personal details on the student record system, e-Vision, where it asks if you have a disability.
  • Make an appointment with one of our disability advisers. Audio or video calls via Microsoft Teams are available at this time, or alternatively via email if preferred
  • Provide evidence of your disability from a GP, consultant, educational psychologist etc. If you have queries on your ability to provide supporting evidence we would encourage you to get in touch to discuss with a disability advisor
  • Once you have advised us of your qualifying disability and provided the details requested above, teaching and exam arrangements can be put in place. 
  • You will have an opportunity for these to be reviewed every academic session if needed, otherwise support plans automatically roll over each academic year.

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

Please note: If the University has not been made fully aware of the requirements of a student with a disability as soon as possible during initial communications with the University, it cannot guarantee that suitable resources will be available on the student's arrival in St Andrews - although of course, every reasonable attempt shall be made.

For more information about confidentiality, please read the confidentiality statement.

Entrant Essentials

Entrant Essentials is a webinar series run by the Disability team designed to support students with the transition to university life. You can view the recordings of these webinars and access the PowerPoint slides below.

Entrant Essentials Day 1 - Arriving in St Andrews

Entrant Essentials 1 (PowerPoint, 3,169 KB)

Entrant Essentials Day 2 - What you need to know about teaching and learning

Entrant Essentials 2 (PowerPoint, 733 KB)