We help students who have a disability to access the support that they need.

Whether you’re an undergraduate, postgraduate, EU or international student, or are studying part-time, our advice is tailored on an individual basis to help you get the most effective support for you.

Many of the students we work with have an unseen medical or mental health condition, and often the students we support do not refer to themselves as disabled.

You’ll find it useful to read the information below, but if you’re unsure whether or not we can support you, please get in touch.

What do you mean by disability?

We use the term ‘disability’ as it’s used in Equality Law, where a disability is defined as any condition which has a significant, adverse and long-term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We support students with a range of difficulties, for example:

  • autism spectrum disorders or Asperger’s syndrome
  • dyslexia, dyspraxia and other specific learning difficulties
  • mental health difficulties
  • mobility impairments
  • sensory impairments
  • unseen disabilities like epilepsy, HIV, AIDS and chronic fatigue.

Areas of support we offer:

  • Inclusive curriculum

    Manchester Met designs programmes of study to deliver an inclusive curriculum that reduces the need to make individual adjustments for many students. There are a number of core expectations that ensure disabled students are able to access the curriculum:

     Learning environment

    • Learning materials and resources will be provided, in electronic format, at least 48 hours in advance of sessions.
    • You will be provided with session outlines from guest speakers prior to delivery where possible.
    • You will be given time to read and assimilate instructions before being asked to respond.
    • You will be provided with information in advance, about how the course/unit will be delivered.
    • Your classes will be delivered in a structured way to allow you to follow topic changes easily.
    • Important references and sources will be displayed visually.
    • Reading lists will be provided that identify both essential and further reading.
    • Additional explanations will be provided in classes, on request, to facilitate better understanding.
    • Questions and comments made by other students will be clarified.
    • Subject-specific terminology will be clarified on request.
    • You will be given sufficient time to respond to questions.
    • You will be given advance notice of room changes.

     Assessment of your work

    • Information about assessment deadlines will be provided via Moodle.

     Laboratory, studio, practical, field-based, professional skills and placement activities

    • Risk assessments will be presented and explained both verbally and in writing.
    • You will have an opportunity to discuss fieldwork and placement needs, if required.
    • If you are expected to undertake precisely defined tasks and experiments, you will be provided with detailed instructions ahead of time in order that you can familiarise yourself with what is required.
    • You will be given sufficient time to take notes during explanations and demonstrations of activities, and for you to formulate or respond to questions.
    • You will be encouraged to work in groups, as this will facilitate peer support.

    Some students may require additional disability related reasonable adjustments. Your Disability Adviser will identify these through a Personal Learning Plan.  

    If you have any concerns that these recommendations are not being implemented, please contact your Departmental Disability Coordinator in the first instance.

  • Study support

    There is a wide range of support for all students, including:

    Additional study support for disabled students can include:

    • Specialist support for students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) for academic study skills.
    • Access to specialist equipment, assistance to locate research material, access to alternative formats and an accessible study room in the Library 
    • Help with taking notes (for example, digital voice recorder loans and note-takers).
    • Long-term laptop loans.
    • Additional support from tutors (for example, assistance to catch up on missed work or to check your understanding).
  • Wellbeing and mental health support

    Our Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing team are experienced in helping students with a range of problems to do with their mental health and wellbeing. Support is offered in confidential one-to-one appointments, online resources and through practical courses and workshops covering topics such as managing anxiety, overcoming low mood and handling stress.

    If you have a disability or a long-term health condition, coronavirus may have made life more complicated. Student Space have a range of resources available that provide advice on how you can approach these new challenges.

  • Support for specific learning difficulties

    Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) is an umbrella term used to cover a range of frequently co-occurring difficulties, such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and ADD / ADHD. You can find more information on the British Dyslexia Association website.

    Our dedicated SpLD tutors provide specialist support, including technology to support your learning. If you think you may have dyslexia and would like to be assessed, please contact us to book a dyslexia screening appointment.

  • Exams and assessment

    Disability Advisers can recommend a variety of exam and assessment support. This might be additional time to complete an exam, or an extension to your coursework deadline, the use of assistive technology or support from a reader or scribe.

    Get support in your exams

  • Peer support

    We offer all first year students who have a disability, health condition or dyslexia the opportunity to meet with current disabled students to access peer support at group meetings and social events. This can help you to settle into university life, through receiving additional practical advice and support, based on the experiences of other disabled students. 

  • Personal care support

    Personal care is the practical help and support you may need in your daily life due to your disability, for example help with cooking, shopping or personal hygiene. You may already have a personal care package in place, but you may need a reassessment before starting university. Your local Social Services Department is responsible for this aspect of your support. Disabled Students’ Allowances only cover educational support, not disability related living costs. As personal care support can take a long time to arrange you should contact your local Social Services to discuss your requirements well in advance of starting university. If you are an International student or EU student you will not normally be eligible for personal care support through Social Services and this type of support is not provided by the University. Therefore, you will need to budget and arrange this type of support before arriving in the United Kingdom or coming to university.

  • University accommodation

    Manchester Met has a variety of accommodation available to students. Wheelchair accessible study bedrooms with en-suite facilities are available in some halls of residence. There are vibrating or flashing light alert systems also available in some study bedrooms for D/deaf students. If you have a specific need relating to accommodation it is important to contact Residential Services well in advance of coming to university. We advise visiting Manchester Met to see the accommodation and facilities on offer so you can discuss any problems before you take up residence.

  • Car parking

    There are designated disabled parking spaces on campus and locally. Students should apply for a university mobility-parking permit, providing supporting medical information and/or a photocopy of your European Blue Badge as appropriate. Contact the Manchester Met Travel Team for information about how to apply.

  • Careers support

    If you’re a disabled student looking to find work alongside your studies, or are applying for jobs after graduation, find out how the Careers and Employability Service can support you.

  • University support services

    Take a look at the variety of other services and opportunities available to support your Student Life.

  • Building access maps

    View building entrance and interior floor maps for Manchester Met buildings.

  • Personal Evacuation Plan

    A Personal Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is advised if you might struggle to hear an alarm or get out of the building safely in an emergency. You can arrange a Personal Evacution Plan (PEEP) by contacting the Student Hub directly.

Get in touch

if you have any questions about the support we offer.