Before you arrive at University
Are you wondering what course to study?
You can find full details of all the University of Ulster courses in the online
Prospectus:
http://study.ulster.ac.uk/prospectus/courselist/201415/undergraduate
What next?
1. Disclose your disability
Tick the relevant disclosure box on your UCAS application form.
It is important that you disclose your disability. If the University does not know
about you then we cannot arrange the support you may require.
Then:
2. Apply for DSA
Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA)
This allowance can help to cover the extra study-related costs that students
have because of their impairment. DSAs are not loans and the amount you
receive does not depend on income. Your eligibility is established on medical
evidence or (for dyslexia) through an Educational Psychology assessment
which took place after your 16th birthday.
This link gives you more information about DSA.
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-introduction
PLEASE TALK TO THE DSA OFFICER WHO IS PRESENT AT
THE EVENT THIS EVENING.
3. Complete and return the Additional Study Needs (ASN
form).
When you disclose a disability on your UCAS form you will be sent an
Additional Study Needs form by the University of Ulster. Please complete it
and send it back to us promptly. We will add your name to our list of
prospective students and we will be able to decide which students should be
contacted first. We aim to contact prospective students who have autism,
multiple or complex disabilities, after Easter 2014.
Here is a link to the ASN form:
http://en.calameo.com/read/001424877de217614d1ea
4. Prepare for your Needs Assessment
After you have applied for DSA, the DSA Officer will write to you about the
next step - a Needs Assessment. She will tell you who you can contact to
organise an assessment.
The purpose of the Needs Assessment is to make sure that you have the best
possible opportunity in higher education to show your abilities, make good
progress and achieve your goals. The assessor will talk to you about your
course and identify areas where up you might benefit from using, for example,
computer technology or someone to assist you in the library. There are many
possible arrangements that might be right for you.
To prepare for this please think about study needs, such as:
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reading course material
producing written work (e.g. assignments, essays, reports,
examination scripts)
making notes (e.g. in lectures)
using a computer
taking part in tutorials/giving presentations.
using a library
laboratory work and/or field work
managing time and organising yourself
taking part in group work and doing presentations
access to social activities
Do you already have strategies regarding study skills? Do you use any
equipment and / or software?
Once the DSA Officer for your area has established that you are eligible for
DSA then the Needs Assessment can take place, even before you have a
confirmed place. The University of Ulster can see you for a Needs
Assessment. You only need one assessment even if you go to a different
place to study in the end. You can give your assessment to the new college or
University and they can review it for a different course.
Other things you may need to do:
Accommodation
If you plan to live in student accommodation in Jordanstown, Coleraine or
Magee campuses:
1. Look at www.accommodation.ulster.ac.uk for full information about the
University’s residential services
2. Your accommodation may need to be adapted for your individual
requirements. Please contact your Social Services Occupational
Therapy service as soon as possible to arrange a visit to the
accommodation so that a full assessment can be made and alterations
made in good time before you begin your studies. Please let the
Disability Adviser at your campus know when you are planning to come
so that we can also attend the meeting at the University
accommodation.
Housing benefit is an option and is available to a student who receives
Disability Living Allowance. It is means tested on the student's income and
savings. If you want to investigate housing benefit, please look at
www.nihe.gov.uk and search for Housing Benefit Advice. This will link to
further information and an application form. If you want to ask more about it,
contact NIHE Housing Benefit Enquiries on 08448 920 902
For more information:
Please look at Disability Service Frequently Asked Questions booklet.
Please take a copy home with you. You can get one at this evening’s event.
Alternatively you can find it on our website:
http://www.studentsupport.ulster.ac.uk/disability/disability.html
A useful guide: Into Higher Education 2014 The higher education guide
for disabled people. Disability Rights UK
You can download a copy from this link:
http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/sites/default/files/pdf/IntoHE2014.pdf
Disability Services Campus contact details:
Belfast:
Supportinfo-b@ulster.ac.uk
Coleraine:
Supportinfo-c@ulster.ac.uk
Jordanstown: Supportinfo-j@ulster.ac.uk
Magee:
Supportinfo-m@ulster.ac.uk
028 953 67000
028 701 24105
028 903 66336
028 716 75218
We hope to welcome you at the University of Ulster in the future.