Support available
Need help while you study at Kingston University due to a Disability or Mental Health Condition? Everything you need to know about the support we offer is right here.
Supporting disabled students
Whether you’re an undergraduate, postgraduate, UK, EU or international student, we offer individual support to help you thrive while you study.
In this section, you can find out more about the support that we offer at Kingston University and how to apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
Medical evidence
Medical documentation required and registering with the Disability and Mental Health Service
In order to register with the Disability and Mental Health Service, we will initially require some Medical Documentation. This should be one or more of the following:
- A full diagnostic report for a specific learning difference (SpLD), e.g. dyslexia, which is written in line with the SASC guidelines.
- A letter from your GP or a suitably-qualified healthcare practitioner confirming your diagnosis, its impact and that your condition has lasted, or is expected to last, for 12 months or longer.
- A completed DSA Medical Evidence Form.
Once you have this documentation, please submit this to us by emailing [email protected]. We will then let you know the next steps as appropriate. This will likely be meeting with an adviser in the team to discuss and agree the support that you need.
Please note: we are unable to accept JCQ Form 8 / JCQ Form 9 as evidence. If you do not have one of the above as your evidence then please contact us for advice on how to register with the Disability and Mental Health Service. Should you not have a full diagnostic report for Dyslexia or a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) then you can request this on enrolment by emailing [email protected].
Request a Specific Learning Difference screening and assessment
Do you think you might have an undiagnosed Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) e.g. Dyslexia? We offer free screenings and can support you with obtaining a full diagnostic assessment following a screening if the results indicate that you would benefit from this. Please note that you may be required to contribute towards the cost of this assessment.
We cannot fund assessments or screenings if:
- You already hold acceptable evidence for an SpLD
- You are in the last three months of your studies
- You are on an interruption of study or not yet enrolled on your course
- You are seeking a diagnosis for ADHD or Autism only
You can request a screening for an SpLD by emailing [email protected].
Help with deadlines and exams
If you have a disability or mental health condition, we can help to identify and set up support for you in examinations and with assessments. This support might include:
- extra time
- rest breaks
- the use of a computer
- a smaller room with fewer students
- coursework extensions.
Support will differ for each student and will be shaped by your disability, its impact and your course of study.
It is important to make sure you have a Summary of Support Needs (SoSN) in place before the deadline for each exam period to ensure that you are able to access support. These deadlines are available on the StudentHub for enrolled students. Please contact us ([email protected]) as soon as possible to make sure all your support is in place.
Important note: support will not automatically carry over from school, college or a previous university, so you will need to ensure that this is set up at Kingston University.
Parking at Kingston University
Due to our location, parking at Kingston University is extremely limited and is not standardly available to students.
If you have a Government Blue Badge and require a parking space then please contact us at [email protected] for information on applying for a Blue Badge Parking Permit. This will allow you to park in any of our accessible bays on a first-come, first-served basis. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee or reserve any parking spaces. Parking may also be available near to the University with a Blue Badge.
If you do not have a Blue Badge, but require parking due to your disability, please contact us at [email protected] so that we can identify the best way to support you with getting to and from University. If parking is not available, other options may include:
- applying for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) for travel support
- parking nearby or at another campus and using our free and accessible inter-campus bus to get to where you study.
Should parking be available for you, this will be on a first-come, first-served basis as we are unable to reserve bays.
Support for personal care
We don’t provide funding for personal care, medical treatment or assistance with any practical tasks that aren’t directly related to your studies.
Here’s what to do if you’re a UK or international student in need of personal care support while you study.
- Get in touch with your hometown’s local authority as early as you can. They are responsible for assessing and paying for social or personal care support while you are at university.
- Complete financial support applications through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or for Personal Independence Payments (PIP). You can get more information about state benefits and assistance from Disability Rights UK.
- Make sure you base your assessment on living independently in a university hall of residence or rented accommodation without parental support. After the assessment, social services will create a report recommending the type of support or care package you need, how much it will cost and who will fund it.
- Let the Disability and Mental Health Service and the Accommodation Team know if you need an additional room in halls of residence for a carer.
- If you’re worried that support won’t be in place for when you start your studies, contact the Disability and Mental Health Service as soon as possible. If you do not make arrangements for an independent living/personal care package in place before you start at Kingston, we will not be able to do it for you.
Please note, it may not be possible for you to move into or stay in halls of residence or start your programme if:
- The right social care is not in place.
- You don’t provide our Disability and Mental Health Service with the relevant information needed to fully support you.
- It is not possible or reasonable for the University to provide the assistance you need.
- Make sure you have enough funding for your whole course before you come to the UK. You won’t usually be eligible for financial assistance for care from the British government or Kingston University.
- Organise an individual assessment of your care needs in the UK before you get a full quote, as costs can vary depending on the kind of support you require.
- If you want to bring your own personal assistant with you, check our visa information pages for relevant immigration advice.
- Make sure your prescription medication is licensed for use in the UK and plan how you will access it.
- If you want to bring a guide or assistance dog with you, take a look at this advice on travelling to the UK with your assistance dog.
Support at the library
At Kingston University, we can offer a range of support with using the library, including:
- extended book loans
- book fetching
- accessible textbooks e.g. e-books or audiobooks through RNIB Bookshare.
- access to assistive technology PCs
- the making of physical materials accessible - see our Accessible Copies of Resources Procedure.
If you need to arrange extra support from our library service, please email [email protected] to register for support or update your support.
Disabled Students’ Allowance
Students with a Disability, Long-Term Health Condition, Mental Health Condition or Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) e.g. Dyslexia might also be able to claim Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) to support with study-related costs as a result of a diagnosed condition.
Visit our dedicated DSA page to find out more.
Counselling and wellbeing
Our Student Wellbeing team offers a range of services to support you during your time at Kingston University. Services include:
- Self-help guides
- Counselling
- Drop-in sessions
- Listening sessions
- Stress management
Support for all students
Aside from the Disability and Mental Health Service, Kingston University offers a wide range of support and services to all students to assist them with their studies. This includes the following.
Get in touch
Can’t find the information you’re looking for?
You can contact us by telephone on +44 (0)20 8417 6000 (via the Information Centre) or +44 (0)20 8417 9000 (via the switchboard). Alternatively you can contact the disability team via email.
SignVideo Access is also available for BSL Users to communicate with us by phone.
Our Disability and Mental Health Advisers offer free appointments to discuss the support available at Kingston University. Current students can book through the Student Hub, offer holders and applicants can book via email.
