Applying to College and University

1. Understanding Your Options

You can study in different ways in the UK:

Further Education (college)

  • This is often a more flexible and more supportive environment

  • It includes skills-focused courses to move directly into work/trades, like mechanics, beauty, barbering, or hairdressing

  • It includes National Qualifications (NQs), National Certificates (NCs), Higher National Certificates (HNCs), and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).

  • It can be a pathway into university

  • Includes Access courses for those who have been out of formal education for 3-5 years (the time depends on the college)

Foundation Year

  • These are pre-university courses designed to prepare students for degree-level study

  • Ideal if you don’t meet the entry requirements

  • Not available at every university or for every course

  • Apply to Foundation Years through UCAS

  • Continue on to the degree course upon successful completion of the foundation year

  • Can also apply to a different university based on foundation year results

Undergraduate degrees (university)

  • Apply through UCAS

  • Typically take 3-4 years to complete

  • May include a sandwich year (work experience year), depending on the course

  • Leads to a BA, BSc, or equivalent qualification (some universities offer undergraduate Master’s degrees)

Apprenticeships (work and study)

Foundation Apprenticeships - for while you are at school (S3-S6), they enable you to get a qualification equivalent to National 4, National 5, or Higher

Modern Apprenticeships - You must be over the legal school-leaving age in Scotland to join this type of apprenticeship. You will gain a college level qualification as part of this apprenticeship.

Graduate Apprenticeships - You must be over the legal school-leaving age in Scotland to join this type of apprenticeship. You will gain a degree level qualification as part of this apprenticeship.

Specific Modern and Graduate Apprenticeship programmes may prioritise young people aged 16-24, or up to age 29 for applicants with disabilities or care experience.

Postgraduate diplomas and degrees (university)

  • Some Postgraduate Diplomas are applied to via UCAS

  • Master’s and PhD applications are made directly to the university

  • You must have completed an undergraduate degree

Study styles:

Full-time – This is a more intense method of study. It generally presumes that studying will be your main focus. Many students need to work part-time while they study, though it does increase stress and pressure in and around the study environment.

Part-time – This is a more flexible method of study and is great for students with other commitments or for whom full time study might be an unnecessary burden.

Online or hybrid learning – This is the most flexible method of study as it reduces travel issues and can increase accessibility. Not every university or course has online or hybrid study options. The Open University is an excellent place to look for online study options.

Accessibility questions to consider:

  • Can I study remotely if needed?

  • Is this course accessible for my needs?

  • Does the subject rely heavily on visual or audio content?

Universities and courses do their best to provide accessible learning environments and accessibility to courses. Unfortunately, meeting the needs of specific students is not always successful, so it is useful to think ahead and ask questions about your specific needs and how the university/course can meet them.

2. Choosing the Right Course and Institution

When choosing where to study, consider:

Course content – Does the content of the course interest you? Will it help you reach your future goals? Is the entire course fixed modules or are there optional modules? Can you specialise in a topic later in the course?

Course structure – Different universities may teach different ways. Think about whether you learn better by listening, discussing, or doing and which format works best with your accessibility needs.

  • Lectures – large group, heavy on listening and often with visual presentation

  • Seminars – small group, mostly discussion-based

  • Tutorials – very small group or may even be 1:1 support

  • Practical sessions – labs, workshops, or fieldwork

Work Placement Opportunities – Are there opportunities for internships, work placements, or live projects as part of the course? Is this something you are interested in? How might your accessibility needs need to be considered?

Assessment methods

Different universities may have different assessment methods, which can impact your experience as a student. Some assessment methods might be more accessible for you than others.

  • Exams – usually timed and can be high pressure

  • Coursework – essays or reports which are lower pressure, but take more time to complete

  • Presentations – often these are given live in class, but sometimes may be pre-recorded and submitted for marking

  • Group projects – requires working and coordinating with other students and may be linked with a required presentation

  • Practical assessments – these may be in-lab assessments or other types of practical work

It is worth asking whether there are flexible or alternative assessment options available which may be more accessible for you.

Accessibility considerations:

  • Experience supporting blind, deaf, and deafblind students

  • Availability of interpreters, note-takers, or intervenors

  • Accessible campus navigation

  • Availability of materials in accessible formats

Tip: Contact the disability support team before applying.

3. Applying (UCAS and College Applications)

College applications are made directly to the college.

Steps include:

  • Researching and choosing courses

  • Completing the college application

  • Writing your personal statement

  • Submitting your application

Undergraduate university applications are made through UCAS.

Steps include:

  • Researching and choosing courses

  • Registering with UCAS

  • Writing your personal statement

  • Adding a reference (this might be a school/college buzzword or may be from a teacher directly)

  • Submitting your application

Postgraduate university applications are typically made directly to the university, though postgraduate diplomas may be made through UCAS.

  • Steps include:

  • Researching and choosing courses

  • Completing each university application

  • Writing a personal statement for each university application

  • Submitting your applications

For each of these applications, you can choose whether to disclose your disability. Early disclosure can help ensure appropriate support is in place early. You can disclose to the university at any time and request support. You can also request adjustments for interviews or assessments, and you can also request accessible formats for materials.

4. Financial Support

Studying at university has additional costs besides tuition, so planning ahead can be really helpful

  • Tuition fees (if studying outside Scotland)

  • Study materials – do you need to purchase books, notebooks, pens, or other specific materials for your course (such as a lab coat)?

  • Accommodation – if you are not living at home, you will need to pay for your accommodation and any items you need to kit out where you stay.

  • Food – even if you live at home, you may need to consider feeding yourself on or near campus. If you live in student accommodation, you may need to pay for access to catering or food to make for yourself in self-catered accommodation.

  • Travel – whether living at home or in student accommodation, you will need to consider travel costs, whether by bus, train, or perhaps by an accessible taxi or car.

  • Technology and equipment – if there is special technology that you need that is not provided for you

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

DSA is a key source of support. It can fund:

  • Specialist equipment (e.g. software, braille displays)

  • Non-medical support workers (e.g. interpreters, note-takers)

  • Travel support

  • Other disability-related costs

DSA is based on your needs, not your income.

Other funding sources

Additional funding for your studies is available through SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland), bursaries and scholarships, or even charitable grants.

Tip: Apply for funding as early as possible as it can take time to arrange or receive a decision.

5. Disability Support Services

Every college and university has a disability support team. They can:

  • Assess your needs

  • Arrange support

  • Create a learning support plan

Examples of support:

  • Screen readers and braille materials (blind students)

  • BSL interpreters, captioning, or note takers (deaf students)

  • Intervenors and specialist communication support (deafblind students)

Remember

You are entitled to support, but you may need to clearly explain your needs and follow up regularly.

6. Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

Learning may include lectures, seminars, and tutorials.

Accessibility support may include:

  • Recorded lectures with captions or transcripts

  • Accessible reading materials

  • Alternative assessment formats

  • Extra time in exams

You may need to advocate for your needs. This may include:

  • Reminding staff that you have adjustments or accommodations

  • Following-up if support is not in place

  • Asking questions if something is unclear

Teaching staff do receive information on accommodations each semester, but this sometimes takes multiple weeks for the teacher or tutor to receive. You may want to consider whether disclosing early to your teaching team will ensure you receive needed accommodations from the start of the semester, or if the nature of your accommodations (e.g. more time on exams) may mean it is okay to wait until staff receive official notice. Even if you have not disclosed to the university, you can speak with your teaching team to ask for small accommodations (e.g. if you need to sit in the front of the room or near the door). If you have not disclosed to the university and you need exam accommodations, teaching staff are likely to recommend you speak with the disability support team to ensure you receive the accommodations you need.

7. Technology and Study Tools

Technology is often a key part of making study accessible. Common tools include:

  • Screen readers

  • Speech-to-text software

  • Braille displays

  • Note-taking tools or people who take notes for you

Training and IT support are often available and specialist equipment may be funded through DSA.

Tip:

Take time if you can to learn how to use any new tools effectively before your course becomes busy.

8. Accommodation and Campus Life

Housing

Accommodation options include living at home, university halls and private housing.

Your accessibility considerations for accommodation may be different from what other students need. Different accessibility needs may include:

  • Step-free access

  • Adapted rooms

  • Accessible bathrooms and kitchens

  • Support for independent living

  • Safe and easy navigation of the building or from the building to your classes

Independent Living Support

You may need assistance with daily living tasks, or may need to engage with local support services if you aren’t living at home or have new accessibility needs than you had before.

Social Inclusion

Inclusion is about more than just being able to physically get somewhere or receive course materials and information. Social inclusion is important for mental health and wellbeing, building a new peer group, and having fun. You may want to check if college or university social events are accessible, if there are inclusive student groups you can join, and whether you can fully participate in student life at the university you are considering.

9. Health and Wellbeing

Your health and wellbeing are essential for success both on and off campus.

Support includes:

  • Registering with a GP

  • Mental health services

  • Disability advisors and campus wellbeing teams

Check whether campus emergency procedures are accessible and ensure you know who to contact in case of an emergency or crisis.

10. Your Rights

You are protected by UK law and entitled to reasonable adjustments according to the Equality Act 2010.

You are entitled to:

  • Reasonable adjustments

  • Equal access to education

  • Support for your disability

If something goes wrong:

  • Contact your disability support team first.

  • Follow the formal complaints process if needed.

  • Seek advocacy support if needed.

You do not need to manage issues on your own. You can and should reach out for additional support making a complaint if it will make the process easier or less stressful for you. Just because you ‘can’ do something on your own doesn’t mean you have to.

11. Starting University

Before you arrive:

  • Arrange support early (DSA, disability services)

  • Visit campus if possible

  • Familiarise yourself with the environment

In your first weeks:

  • Attend induction events

  • Meet your support staff

  • Confirm that all your support is in place

12. After You Graduate

Your qualifications can lead to many opportunities, including employment, internships, or further study. Colleges and universities have careers services to help you with the next steps.

Careers services can help with

  • CV and application advice

  • Interview preparation

  • Job search support

Tip:

Start engaging with Careers service in your first or second year to get the most out of the supports they offer. The later you wait to speak with them, the more opportunities you miss out on.

Key Questions to Ask

  • What support is available for someone with my needs?

  • How reliable and consistent is this support?

  • Who do I contact if something goes wrong?

  • Can I access this information in an accessible format?

  • Can I speak to another student with similar experiences?

Final Advice

Start early, ask questions, keep records, follow up when needed, and advocate for your needs. You have the right to access education, receive support, and succeed in your chosen path.