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Student Support & Wellbeing
Two female students sit in a reception area. It is brightly lit, with a vivid blue wall, orange and blue furniture, green plants and looks inviting.

Applicants with Disabilities

Durham is committed to considering all applications equally, and if you consider yourself to have a disability you are encouraged to declare this during the application process.

A decision on your undergraduate or postgraduate application is made solely on academic grounds, in line with our Admissions Policies and completely independently of any discussions you may have with Disability Support.

We want to make sure you get the most from university life. By telling us about a disability or medical condition as early as possible, we can identify any additional support you might need.

Contact Us

If you would like to get in touch with us, please call us on 0191 334 8115, or email us at disability.support@durham.ac.uk.

Staff member assisting a student 

What happens when you apply?

Undergraduate applicants

If you declare a disability on your UCAS application then you will receive an email from us about our Disability Support Service which also invites you to get in touch to discuss what support is available, including any financial support you might be entitled to. Doing this early in the application process means that if you become a student with us then everything should be in place when you join.

Anything you disclose to us will be in confidence, but it may be necessary to divulge information with relevant staff or other agencies inside or outside the university to help with your support package. If we need to do this we will ask your permission to do so.

Don’t worry if you don’t declare a disability on your UCAS application, or you find out you need to talk to us after you’ve submitted your application. You can contact Disability Support at any time during the application process. 

Postgraduate applicants

If you are made an offer on a postgraduate course at Durham then we’ll send you an action request through your Applicant Portal asking you about your medical conditions. You will need to submit information through your Applicant Portal by clicking on the arrow next to your course and choosing the ‘Submit Medical Conditions’ option. It’s important you do this as soon as possible so that we can discuss any support needs you might have with you before you arrive.

Calman Building 

Interviews and open days

If you want to visit Durham as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate Open Day then you will be asked about any support arrangements you might need as part of the booking process.

If you are invited to attend an interview either virtually or on-campus then you will be asked about any support needs you might have in the letter inviting you to interview.  It’s important that you advise us of these as soon as possible so we can make appropriate arrangements before your interview day.