Support for disabled students

If you are a disabled student and you are unhappy about the support you’re receiving from your university or college, you should follow this process.

Step 1: Contact your university or college

In many cases, issues can be resolved through a discussion with staff in your university or college. You should raise your concerns with an appropriate contact in the first instance. Your university or college should make clear to you how you can do this.

They should respond with understanding and a proactive approach to resolving issues. It is in the interests of everyone that issues are prevented before they occur or are dealt with as quickly as possible. Raising concerns early gives your university or college an opportunity to put things right.

Your students’ union or other representative body may also be able to give you advice on how to resolve issues with your university or college directly. You could look at their website for more information, or contact their advice service or course representatives if you have them.

Step 2: Formal complaint to your university or college

If problems are not effectively resolved through discussion with your university or college, you have the right to make a formal complaint. All universities and colleges must have robust complaints processes which are easy to access and understand, and are fair to students.

Your university or college should provide clear information on how to make a complaint. You will usually find this information on their website. Students’ unions and other student groups are often able to support you or offer advice through official complaints processes.

Step 3: Contact the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA)

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) is the independent body set up to review student complaints about universities and colleges in England and Wales. If you have made a formal complaint to your university or college but you're not satisfied with the outcome or you think it has been poorly handled, you can take your complaint to the OIA for free.