You have been offered a place to study at Cambridge. What next?
All students who disclose a disability on application will be emailed by the ADRC between March and July, asking for more information. Engaging with the ADRC before you get your results will make for an easier transition into student life. If you have an offer but haven’t disclosed on application, you can disclose at any time.
We need up to three things from you now
1) Please complete our Student Information Form as soon as possible.
*If you have already submitted a form to us, please ignore this request*
The form provides you with an opportunity to outline your access requirements ahead of Michaelmas Term 2023. Please let us know if you require the form in an alternative format.
The earlier we receive your form, the sooner we can consider your access requirements.
Your form will be held on our secure electronic records system and is considered sensitive personal data under legislation. For information on how the ADRC manages an offer holder or student’s data please see our Confidentiality Notice.
If you do not meet or accept your admission offer the form will be archived and subsequently deleted. It will not be shared outside of the ADRC.
2) If you require a non-medical helper (for example, for note-taking, specialist mentoring, specialist study skills tuition) please make an application to fund this as soon as possible.
For students with ‘Home fees’ status, please apply to the Reasonable Adjustments Fund
For international students, please apply to the International Disabled Students’ Fund
Links to the application forms can be found in the menu on the right-hand side.
*Please note that applications will not be considered until late summer, so you should not expect a response until then*
3) If you will need to record lectures, seminars and supervisions, please read, complete and return a Recording Lectures Agreement
What medical evidence or diagnostic evidence is required?
You will need to send acceptable medical or diagnostic evidence, written in English, to the ADRC.
If you would like to know if your diagnostic evidence for a specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia, ADHD) is acceptable, please send it to spld@admin.cam.ac.uk and you will be advised about the criteria.
Do I need to complete the form?
There is no requirement to complete the Student Information Form. However, it is useful for us to have your information on our system in case you contact us at a later date with an enquiry regarding your access requirements.
If you do not submit the form, you may receive occasional correspondence throughout the 2023/24 academic year and can book an appointment to meet with a Disability Adviser should you require information or advice at this time.
If you a current student at the University who has previously submitted the form and will be moving to a different course for the 2023/24 academic year, you will need to complete a new form if you have any changes to your access requirements or want to change the level of disclosure you provide to the ADRC.
Do I need to apply for any funding?
Eligible ‘Home’ students can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances to cover academic-related costs you may incur because of a disability. Disabled Students’ Allowance does not have to be repaid and is not means tested or based on household income. What you receive depends on your individual requirements. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure the support is in place for when you start your course.
International disabled students are eligible for the ADRC’s International Disabled Students’ Fund.
I have a question or concern regarding accommodation and/or accessibility at a College. Who should I contact?
Please contact the College directly. You should find contact details for the College’s undergraduate or postgraduate admissions office on their website. Alternatively, contact the Porter’s Lodge and ask for the contact details.
What happens next?
The ADRC will be in contact over the summer to invite you to our 2023 Transition Event where you can meet Disability Advisers and other staff members.
Before the start of term we will contact you – either regarding your Student Support Document or with information on how you can make an appointment to meet with a Disability Adviser.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns you have, but please expect a delay in a response during the current academic year.