Exam and coursework support for disabled students

Arrangements for exams and assessment

If you have a disability, temporary medical condition or injury that will affect your performance in examinations, you can apply for individual exam arrangements.

Arrangements vary depending on your requirements and supporting evidence but can include things like extra time for writing or rest breaks, advising the marker of your specific learning difficulties or autistic spectrum condition, using a computer, having someone to write/read for you and having exam papers in suitable format (eg braille, large print).

Applying for arrangements

Apply now by completing our online application form (.pdf).

There are two deadlines each academic year for exam arrangements:

• 31 October for December/January examinations
• 31 January for May/June examinations

After these deadlines, there is no guarantee that we can put arrangements in place until the next examination period.

There are some circumstances where you may have to apply after a deadline such as if you receive a new diagnosis or sustain a temporary injury which will impact your ability to sit exams. Please contact us to discuss exam arrangements.

There is no need to reapply each year if you are on an existing course. If you have started a new course eg. a postgraduate course or have transferred to a different scheme, please contact us.

Alternative assessment

Methods of assessment vary, although most courses are assessed on written course work such as essays as well as examinations. Some subjects also require practical, fieldwork or study abroad. If you wish to discuss access to assessment, please contact us.

Coversheets for assignments

If you have a diagnosis of Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia or an autistic spectrum disorder, you may wish to use coversheets for your assignments to alert the marker to difficulties you encounter when writing.

You will not receive extra marks as a result of using this; however, it should prompt the marker to respect your difficulties and, if learning outcomes are not compromised, it may be that you are less likely to be penalised on simple issues with style.

If you have registered your disability and provided evidence of your condition to student support you will automatically be able to access your coversheet online via FASer and just by ticking the box your coversheet will upload.

How to add a coversheet

1. Log on to FASER with your username and password
2. Upload your essay
3. Tick the cover sheet box and your coversheet automatically uploads

If you're required to print and hand in a physical copy only:

1. Log into FASER
2. Click the 'Help and Support' tab on the left-hand panel
3. Click on 'Student Support' on the drop down menu, upload and print.

If you have any problems with the system or any queries about support for your studies, please contact us.