Going to university

This advice applies in Scotland only.

Explore university options for disabled students. Find out about entry requirements, support services and living away from home.

In this article

Studying at university level

Most people going to university in Scotland apply for a four-year Honours degree. Each course has entry requirements, with most needing a minimum of four Highers or three A Levels. The grades required vary.

Some young people may not be ready to go straight to university and could do an access course at college instead, or an HND first before progressing to a degree.

Deciding the best option can be difficult. It’s a good idea for your young person to think about their interests and the areas they have shown talent in, and to seek advice from teachers and careers guidance staff.

To find out more about course options, use Skills Development Scotland’s course search tool or visit the UCAS website, which has a wealth of information on how to choose a course and apply.

This may help you and your young person to see if they are on track to achieve the qualifications they need, or if going to college first or instead of university might be better.

When to apply

Most universities have a deadline of 15 January to start in September the same year. Applications for UK based university degrees should be submitted through the UCAS website. Applicants choose up to five different courses. There are also articles on how to complete personal statements, as many young people struggle with this. Students should speak to their teachers, guidance teacher or careers adviser for advice in completing the form.

What universities look for

Universities consider academic qualifications, but can take other factors into account – for example, circumstances that might have impacted on the ability to get the required entry qualifications.

Universities in the UK are expected to encourage a diverse range of applications (‘widening access’), and consider factors that may have put a young person at a disadvantage, such as being disabled, neurodiversity, or having a long term health condition. Speak to school or Google ‘widening access’ and the name of a university, to see their statement of commitment and policies. Some are better than others at offering places to students who have experienced disadvantage.

It’s advisable to disclose any disabilities or health conditions when completing the UCAS form so proper adjustments can be made and support needs met as early in the course as possible.

Read Lead Scotland’s blog about why disabled students should always disclose by ‘ticking the box’.

Offers

Universities should make contact by the start of May with a ‘conditional’ offer (which means the student needs to achieve the exam results stated on their offer), or an ‘unconditional’ offer (which means the student will be offered a place regardless of results), or a letter informing the student they’ve been unsuccessful.

Applying at a later date

Young people can apply for unfilled places on courses throughout the UK, through a process known as ‘clearing’, from the start of July to around mid-October.

Visit the UCAS website for information about clearing.

If a young person changes their mind about their course offer, they can withdraw their place and begin again the following year with new choices. Just be aware that an academic reference is still needed at this stage which may involve asking a former school or college.

If a person has been out of education for several years when they decide to apply for university, they should contact UCAS directly to find out how to proceed.

Support at university and how to find it

It’s in the interest of the university to make sure students have the best chance of success. Support could include:

University websites often have a website section on student life or student services where you can find out more. You can also phone the main university office and ask to speak to someone about disabled student services or welfare.

Every university has a department that supports disabled students. It’s a good idea to let people know as soon as possible what the difficulties may be, so the right support is in place before a course begins. It helps to have a very clear idea of what is likely to be useful as services may not know every condition in depth. As a parent carer, you can arrange an appointment with student services yourself to discuss this.

The university may assess your young person’s needs, then create a support plan detailing the adjustments agreed. This should be shared with the relevant tutors, with your young person’s permission.

Who provides what

In general, universities are responsible for support that helps someone access their course. That might include:

More general needs might include:

These needs are usually the responsibility of the social services department within your local council. It’s a good idea to have your young person’s needs assessed as early as possible, so they can decide if they will fund a support worker for them. See our social services pages for more information on assessing needs.

Lead Scotland’s guide, ‘Supporting you at College’, has more details about support and who funds it.

If you have questions about support at college or are in dispute with the college or the local authority, call Lead’s Disabled Students’ Helpline on 0800 999 2568.

Living away from home

Young people can apply to study anywhere, home or abroad. However, it’s important to research housing and support options if your young person needs them.

It’s also important to be sure they can manage as many everyday tasks for themselves as possible, including shopping, cooking, washing clothes, managing their own medication and organising their work.

For many disabled students, problems arise less with academic issues and more with independent living skills. It may be that delaying entry to university by a year or more until these skills are established could be the difference between succeeding or failing in a course.

Students living away from home may be able to get extra funding towards accommodation costs and in some circumstances they may be able to claim universal credit to contribute towards the cost of their rent.

Students who need personal assistants, adapted accommodation or specialist equipment when living away from home should contact the social services department where they currently live, to have an assessment of their needs carried out.

Case studies


More about support after 16

Staying on in school

Going to college

Vocational training

Community learning

< Education in Scotland

< Learning & job opportunities