What to do

Evidence of disability or impairment

The Student Disability Service is keen to ensure that all students are supported appropriately on their chosen course. In order to do so, students are required to provide relevant evidence.

View a summary of evidence in table format

Getting evidence to the Student Disability Service

Students are requested to send or bring evidence to the Student Disability Service as soon as possible. In some cases, it is helpful to do so prior to accepting the offer of a place, to ensure appropriate support can be organised. When the Student Disability Service receives evidence, it is checked to ensure that it meets the criteria below.

Evidence of Specific Learning Difficulty

Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorders (ADD/ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

We require a letter or diagnostic report completed by a medical professional, e.g. doctor, consultant, clinical psychologist. This should confirm the nature and implications of your condition. e.g. effects on day to day activities, studies, social interactions.

Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia

We require a diagnostic assessment report which meets the following criteria:

The assessment report must be completed and signed by a Chartered Educational Psychologist. Please note that the University of Edinburgh does not accept reports by specialist teachers.
Tests used should include the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) III, and a combination of other reading and spelling tests such as the Adult Reading Test (ART), Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE), Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT3). Please refer to the PDF document for further details.
The assessment should be current - e.g. usually completed within the last 2/3 years. Please contact Advisors for further guidance if reports are older than this.

Further information on assessment of Specific Learning Difficulties

Assessment of Specific Learning Difficulties guidelines

If you have insufficient evidence

If your report does not meet these criteria, please contact the Student Disability Service as soon as possible and we will advise on the action you should take.

If you do not have evidence, or suspect you may have Specific Learning Difficulties but have never been assessed, please contact the Student Disability Service. We will ask you to carry out some screening tasks and, depending on the results, we may refer you to an independent Chartered Educational Psychologist for a diagnostic assessment. This is currently offered free of charge to matriculated students.

We may be able to arrange a referral to an independent Chartered Educational Psychologist for a diagnostic assessment once you have accepted a place to study with us but before you come to university. In this case you will be required to pay a fee, but this will be reimbursed after you have begun your course at the University of Edinburgh.

Other Impairments e.g health or medical conditions, visual or hearing loss, mental health difficulties

We need a recent letter (within the previous six months) or documentation from a medical professional, e.g. your GP or consultant. The evidence must outline:

Details of your disability or medical condition and symptoms - does it cause fatigue, loss of concentration, anxiety etc.
When the diagnosis was made.
Whether it is on-going or long-term
How this affects your day to day life.

Temporary injuries or illness e.g. broken bones, surgical procedures

Students who have injuries or short term illnesses that impact upon their ability to study are also required to provide appropriate evidence prior to support being offered. The evidence should be a letter from a GP or medical professional, stating the nature of the condition, the likely duration, and implications for study and day to day activities.

This article was published on Aug 20, 2012