Getting a diagnosis
If you think that you may have a disability, learning difficulty, or a mental health condition, we encourage you to get a diagnosis.
To request a study support plan, you will need to provide evidence of your disability. In most cases this will be a diagnosis from a doctor.
If you are referred for an assessment:
- there can be a long wait for an NHS assessment
- ask your doctor to write you a note that says why you have been referred for assessment and what sorts of things you struggle with
- we can use your doctor's note to put interim support in place while you wait for a formal assessment.
If you are not sure if you have a disability, get advice
Speak to a doctor
Contact a doctor to talk about why you think you may have a disability. You must be a registered patient to make an appointment. The doctor may agree to refer you for an assessment on the NHS.
Contact the University Disability team
If you are unsure if you have a disability and are unable to speak to a doctor, contact a member of the Disability team. The university cannot offer you a diagnosis, but they can give advice.
Get a diagnosis
Specific learning difficulty assessment (SpLD)
A specific learning difficulty refers to a difference or difficulty with particular aspects of learning.The most common SpLDs include:
- dyslexia
- dyspraxia
- dyscalculia and dysgraphia.
Common characteristics of SpLDs
You can attend our 'Am I Dyslexic?' workshop.
Formal assessments
If you suspect you have a SpLD, you will need a formal assessment.
You can find an assessor by:
- conducting a PATOSS search
- using the British Psychological Society (BPS) list of chartered psychologists
- or, if you are in Bristol, you can choose from the SpLD assessors list (Office document, 59kB)
Cost of SpLD assessments:
- Assessments may cost between £390 and £515.
- You must pay the cost of the assessment yourself.
- If your family income is less than £42,875, we may be able to provide you with financial help.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD)
Contact the Students' Health Service or your own doctor (you must be a registered patient) to discuss why you think you may have ADHD or ADD.
Diagnosis for autism
Contact the Students' Health Service or your own doctor (you must be a registered patient) to discuss why you think you may have autism. Your doctor may agree to refer you for assessment on the NHS.
National Autistic Society has advice about the benefits of getting a diagnosis and how to discuss autism with your doctor.
Diagnosis for a mental health condition
Contact the Students' Health Service or your own doctor (you must be a registered patient) to discuss why you think you may have a mental health condition. Your doctor may agree to refer you for an assessment on the NHS. The Students' Health Service has a specialist mental health nurse who you can request to see when booking an appointment.
Our Wellbeing Service can offer you support without a mental health assessment. We recommend you get an assessment from a doctor or mental health nurse, as we will need evidence of your condition to provide you with a study support plan.