Disability support and adjustments
You can disclose a disability or request support at any point. Early discussion helps put suitable arrangements in place, but support is not restricted to students who disclosed before starting.
Agree support
Contact Disability Inclusion through Making learning more accessible or ask your supervisors to help make contact. The team works with you to identify adjustments and agree a learning profile, shared with supervisors for implementation. You can request a review as needs change.
The framework states that statutory reasonable adjustments will be provided and funded regardless of UKRI funding/authorisation. It also recognises that part-time study may be an adjustment. Where route or visa constraints apply, involve the relevant teams rather than assuming permission: Changing full-time or part-time study.
Supervision and reviews
- Agree agendas and timings and opportunities to pause and review discussion.
- You may request recorded supervision meetings; where recording is not possible, consider alternative note-making support.
- Discuss workload and document approaches in your Supervision agreement.
- Discuss RD4 adjustments early. Agree RD5 expectations and adjustments at the RD4 meeting.
- RD6 reflective review can use an accessible alternative report format.
Examination
Request examination-process adjustments with RD12. If the need emerges later, send it to the Research Degrees Examination Board for consideration. A learning profile alone does not authorise specific examination adjustments.
Discuss arrangements with your Director of Studies and Exam Panel Chair. The general prohibition on recording a viva must not be confused with the separate guidance about recording supervision.
Sources: Framework §§3.8, 7.1, pp. 30–32, 74. Read the source.