Our Reasonable Adjustment principles
The University provides support to disabled students and doctoral researchers in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
The Equality Act 2010 defines a disability as a long-term physical or mental health condition - which has lasted, or is likely to last, 12 months or more — and which has a substantial and adverse effect on someone’s ability to undertake normal day-to-day activities. For students and doctoral researchers, their normal day-to-day activities include studying. The University also supports students and doctoral researchers with significant health issues, injuries, and those facing challenging personal circumstances.
These principles were approved by the University’s Education and Student Experience Committee (ESEC) in May 2025.
- As far as possible, teaching, doctoral research and assessment practice should be inclusive rather than individual disability-related needs being met through retrospective reasonable adjustments.
- Adjustments will typically be made for individuals who the University is aware have a disability (or long term mental or physical health condition) in line with the definitions in the Equality Act 2010.
- Short term adjustments may be provided to non-disabled individuals experiencing difficult life events where these will support them to access their studies or research and prevent longer term potential impact on their mental or physical health.
- Adjustments must be provided where a disabled individual (as defined under 2.) will otherwise experience substantial disadvantage, except in the rare circumstances in which a competence standard would be compromised.
- It is the whole University’s responsibility to provide appropriate adjustments in a timely way; responsibility does not lie solely with SWAI or with the academic School.
- Information on disability diagnosis will therefore be shared with relevant staff who have responsibilities towards students and doctoral researchers unless they specifically request limiting the sharing of their information during discussions with SWAI.
- Adjustments must be effective at removing the substantial disadvantage but should not give the individual an advantage over those who do not receive the adjustment.
- Adjustments requested by an individual will be considered carefully but the final decision on whether an adjustment is reasonable will lie with the University.
- All adjustments will be kept under review to ensure alignment with the individual's studies, any changes in their disability or health condition and evidence of their effectiveness.
In determining what is reasonable in each student case, various factors will be considered including but not limited to: effectiveness in overcoming the disadvantage; extent to which it is practicable; effect of disability; financial commitment to make the adjustment; health and safety requirements (The Equality Act does not override health and safety requirements).
Last updated: 15th September 2026