Disability and health needs
Your choice of accommodation may be influenced by ill health or disability. As long as you tell us, we will do everything we can to offer you a suitable room. The sort of things that you might tell us about include:
- a mental health problem, such as anxiety, that might mean you need a smaller residence or flat;
- a skin condition such as eczema, which might mean you need an en-suite to apply steroid creams and avoid infection;
- a condition that means you tire easily and so you need to be close enough to come home and rest during the day;
- any mobility difficulties.
So that we can make you a suitable offer of accommodation it is important that you:
- apply as soon as the accommodation applications open or soon after,
- tell us about your ill health or disability on your accommodation application form,
- complete the online accommodation requirements questionnaire, which we will send you within a week of your accommodation application.
Other things to consider
Our residences can be noisy, lively places. If you need an especially quiet room because of a disability or health condition please be sure to let us know when you fill in your accommodation application form.
Similarly if you need to move in early because you might have difficulties familiarising yourself with your new accommodation let us know when you apply. If you have friends or relatives with disabilities who might visit you regularly, please contact us so that we can allocate you a suitable room.
Please note that we may not always be able to offer you a room in one of your preferred residences, and may need to request further medical evidence in support of your application.
Accommodation requirements questionnaire
When you complete the questionnaire please think carefully about how your accommodation can help you manage your illness or disability.
Include all the information you can about how your illness or disability affects you. You could discuss it further with your doctor or your parents. Here are some examples:
- I have severe eczema and require an en-suite so I can apply steroid creams and avoid infection.
- I have anxiety and need to live in a smaller residence as I can easily feel overwhelmed.
- I tire very easily because of my arthritis so I need to be close enough to come home and rest during the day.
- I have problems with my knees so I cannot go up steep hills or more than one flight of stairs.
- I need a small fridge in my room to store my medication safely.
Contact us if you want to discuss what to include on your questionnaire or application.
Anything you tell us will be kept confidential between us, your residence and security services. The Accommodation Office and your residence will use the information to place you in suitable accommodation and offer you tailored support.
We may need to request further medical evidence in support of your application.
Adapted rooms, and rooms for allergy sufferers
We provide adapted rooms for students with impaired sight, hearing or mobility, at a variety of residences. See our list of residences with adapted rooms.
We also have a number of residences that have rooms without carpets for those who suffer from allergies.
If you have an impairment or disability that means you need an adapted room we recommend that you visit to carry out your own access audit. Contact the accommodation office to arrange a visit. Many University-owned residences have a Disabled Go access guide that you can read too.
Visiting a residence
If you have an impairment or disability we recommend that you visit a residence or department to carry out your own access audit. Contact us for an appointment to visit a University residence. Many University-owned residences have a Disabled Go access guide that you can read too.
Help with accommodation costs
The Residences may be able to help towards your costs if they are satisfied that:
- You would not be able to complete a year studying at the University unless you are given specific University-allocated accommodation.
- The room you require is more expensive than other rooms in the same accommodation.
- You are unable to obtain funding from any other sources.
You will be able to tell us that point 1 applies to you when you complete your health questionnaire as part of your online application and we will send you more details.
Advice about other sources of funding for students with ill health or a disability is available from Disability Services.
Students who need assistance to evacuate buildings
If you have a disability or health problem that means you would need assistance in evacuating a building then, unless you have a live in carer, there will be some restrictions on where you can live. These restrictions are:
| Residence | Student needs help with physically evacuating the building | Student requires checking to ensure they were alerted to the fire alarm but does not require physical assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Deans Court | Not available | Available |
| Woodland Court | Not available | Available |
| New Bridewell | Not available | Not available |
| Harbour Court | Not available | Not available |
| The Courtrooms | Not available | Not available |
| Unite House | Not available | Available - limited numbers |
| Orchard Heights | Not available | Available - limited numbers |
| Chantry Court | Not available | Available - limited numbers |
| Riverside | Not available | Available - limited numbers |
Parking permits
Students who need their own transport due to a disability can apply for a residence parking permit.
You will need to apply separately for a campus parking permit if required.
Disability services
The University's Disability Services is a confidential service providing information, advice and guidance to prospective and current disabled students.