How do I contact Disability Support Services?
Please check our FAQs below. If you can't find an answer to your query, please email your enquiry to Disability Support (please include your university ID number or UCAS number if an applicant).
Alternatively, you can call us on 0115 82 32070 - phone lines are open 9am-12pm, Monday-Friday only.
During term time, if you have a quick query relating to how to set up a support plan and would prefer to speak to one of our Operations Team in person, please come to one of our drop-in sessions:
- Monday 10am till 12 noon
- Wednesday 1.30pm till 3.30pm
- Thursday 1.30pm till 3.30pm
We are at Cherry Tree Lodge on University Park Campus (building number 13 on the campus map). In Peak times you may need to wait - support and advice will be provided as quickly as possible and you can join the drop-in at any time during the session. We are unable to meet with anyone in-person, outside of these session times.
If you have your Support Plan but haven’t yet spoken with our team, a meeting offers you the chance to discuss and understand your support.
If your Support Plan is in place for Dyslexia, SpLD, ADHD, Dysgraphia, select an appointment with a Specialist Study Support Tutor.
Appointment with a Specialist Study Support Tutor.
If your Support Plan is in place for another condition, select an appointment with a Disability Adviser.
Appointment with a Disability Adviser.
If you don't yet have a Support Plan.
It may be helpful if you consider what support you may have had at school, college, or a previous university that you may wish to explore at Nottingham.
Support arrangements at school do not automatically transfer to university.
Please contact us as soon as possible.
In general, a good timeframe to follow is October for autumn exams, February for spring exams, June for summer reassessments.
Request reasonable adjustments.
If you are unsure if a Support Plan is for you, join our Moodle groups.
We offer informal study skills workshops for students with specific learning differences but all are welcome to attend.
Sign-up to the Learning Well on Moodle
We also have a Moodle to help with transition to university study.
Disability Support Guide to University on Moodle
If you are a registered student and think you may be dyslexic, dyspraxic or ADHD, you can use our free online screening tool, the DO-IT Profiler. You will need to log-in to StudentLife to access this resource.
If you wish to progress a formal assessment for autism, ADHD or other specific learning differences, please read this guidance.
FAQ
I need advice about a Coursework Extension Request (CERF)
The Assessments Teams manage CERF enquiries via the Student Enquiry Centre. We would always recommend you raise an enquiry there. If it is related to CERFs or ECs (extenuating circumstances) it will be routed direct through to the correct team and you can track the progress via your portal account.
Alternatively, you may find the answer you require in the FAQs at the Student Enquiry Centre or in the Guide to Coursework Extensions.
Should I submit the 5-day extension no evidence EC claim or request a CERF? Can I use both? If so, which should I submit first?
A CERF should be requested before the assignment’s original deadline. If the new CERF deadline has been missed, the EC process should be followed.
- In addition, if after receiving a CERF deadline, a further deadline extension is required, the EC process should be followed.
No evidence (self-certification) extension request
- This is referred to as a '5-day extension no evidence EC claim'. It is possible for some assessments in a School/Department to be eligible for ‘no evidence’ extensions and not others.
- No evidence extensions are there for short, impactful illnesses or situations where students don’t have an opportunity to provide evidence.
- Highlighting a long-term condition as a reason for a no evidence extension is not an appropriate use of this policy. Check the ‘Acceptable Circumstance’ section of the regulation before making a submission.
What is the process for requesting an extension using a CERF?
View the full procedure which outlines what to do and when.
The Quality Manual outlines the University regulations concerning coursework extension requests.
If you need support to complete a CERF or EC claim you book an appointment with your Support and Wellbeing Team.
SU Advice also have information about coursework extensions and can help students who are unclear about university processes.
I require reasonable adjustments for exams and teaching (Support Plan)
We can liaise with your department at university regarding any impact that your condition may have on your studies. In conversation with you, we can develop an individual support plan with recommendations for reasonable adjustments to examinations and in teaching.
This information is also relevant for students with long term medical conditions and mental health conditions.
- To start, please complete 'Your Essential Information Form' and confirm consent to share.
- Gather your supporting documentation. Further descriptions of the type of documents required are detailed on submitting your evidence.
- Read the guidance on Coming to Nottingham - tell us of a disability and complete the steps.
- Please be aware there are deadlines to request support for exams.
If you need assistance with sharing documentation, email Disability Support Services or call us on 0115 82 32070 (9am-12 noon Monday-Friday).
How do I book an appointment on StudentLife?
I'm unsure if I have a Specific Learning Difference?
If you have never been assessed for specific learning differences (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD), we would usually suggest that you first complete a free initial online screening using the Do-It Profiler.
On completion of a series of questions and tasks, the Do-It-Profiler gives you a personalised report. Although it does not identify specific learning differences, the tool gives you information and resources, along with guidance to help you decide if you want a formal assessment. The Do-It-Profiler is not an exam - you cannot pass or fail it.
Requesting access to the Do-It-Profiler
You will need to log-in to Studentlife to access resources, select Do-IT Profiler resource, to be sent the full details.
Guidance documents:
If you need further advice:
Non term-time: our specialist Study Support Tutors offer short ‘Quick Query’ appointments to answer your questions during the holiday periods. Book ‘an SpLD quick query’ appointment.
Term-time: we offer weekly webinars to help you understand your Do-IT Profiler results and next steps. Check StudentLife for the next webinar.
How do I check my Support Plan is in place correctly?
If you require amendments to your exam accommodations that are listed in your Support Plan, please let us know so we can prioritise these requests.
You can review your Support Plan by following these steps:
- Go to NottinghamHub
- Log in with your University username and password
- Click on the ‘Support arrangements’ icon
- You can save a copy. Current students can download a pdf of your approved support arrangements, offer holders can select the grid icon on the top right of the list to download a spreadsheet of the reasonable adjustments.
If no arrangements are showing, incorrect or something is missing, please let us know straight away.
Hidden disabilities & the sunflower lanyard
The sunflower lanyard is a product of the Hidden Disabilities UK scheme. It provides a visible sign that you have a hidden disability.
Sunflower Lanyards are now available for students to collect from Cherry Tree Lodge reception. No evidence is required when collecting a Sunflower Lanyard. If students are unable to collect in person, please let us know and we can post a lanyard out to you.