Student accommodation
There are different housing choices for students with disabilities.
You can choose live:
- in a university-owned accommodation, like halls of residence
- in a house or flat you rent from a private landlord
- at home.
University owned accommodation
Every university should have:
- accommodation available for disabled students
- student disability services.
The student disability service would be able to advice you about:
- your accommodation options
- help you to find the best solution
- help to arrange for adjustments.
Private accommodation
As a disabled person, if you choose to rent privately, letting agents and landlords cannot legally:
- refuse to let a property to you because you’re disabled
- say that pets aren’t allowed if you need a guide dog or other assistance animal
- evict you for being disabled.
A private landlord is legally obliged to make ‘reasonable adjustments' such as installing an entry phone system you can easily use, painting door frames a darker colour to make them more visible.
Check with the student disability services if your landlord is legally obliged to make the adjustments you’re requesting.
Financial help
All students are eligible to apply for a student loan, and bursaries but there are other financial support you can get if you’re disabled.
- Check UCAS scholarships, grants and bursaries for disabled students.
- You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) to cover some of the costs. You don’t need to pay DSA back.
- Use Scope’s Grant Checker tool to find out if there are any grants that you can apply for.
- Speak to your university’s disability advisor to find out other support that might be available.
