DEMOS Project - Module: Admissions

Postgraduate/ part-time/ international students

If you are involved in the admissions process for any of these groups of students we have provided very brief comments here. We recommend that you work through other parts of this module in order to gain a deeper understanding of the issues involved. Also, you should always liaise with your disability support office if you require information about disability from these groups of students The rules for claiming the Disabled Students' Allowances are complicated so it is worth referring to the guide to claiming the DSAs 'Bridging the Gap'.

Postgraduate

We suggest you use a classification system such as that used by UCAS on the application form. If you are involved in interviewing applicants the standard support form that we have included in the module will be useful. It may be necessary to liaise with the student early on and the Disability Office in your university to check that support is available, as the student may have expectations from their previous university.

Postgraduate students are eligible for DSAs ^[?] so they can get money to continue to pay for support. Courses must be for at least one year. If research students are funded by a body that offers the equivalent of the DSAs they must apply direct to their research body.

Part-time students

Part-time study might be an attractive option for some disabled students who are unable to study full-time. Part-time students are eligible for DSAs ^[?] as long as they are studying for the equivalent of 50% of a full-time course. The advice to admissions staff is the same for postgraduate entry i.e. use a classification system on entry and find out as much information as possible as early as possible.

Erasmus/ international students

The situation regarding international students is becoming increasingly complicated with the introduction of new legislation (SENDA ^[?]). Funding may not be available for these students and the facilities they have been accustomed to in their university/ country might not be matched by the UK university. They are not eligible for the DSAs ^[?] but some universities may have a central fund for dealing with these students. However, all disabled applicants/ students are covered by SENDA and the university may be responsible for offering 'reasonable adjustments' ^[?]. It might not be reasonable to simply reject the student because you feel the university cannot offer the support they are asking for. In any event, you should attempt to find out information regarding disability from these students as early as possible as suggested above for postgraduate and part-time students. Refer to your disability support office if you are in any doubt.

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