Bristol Veterinary School (BVS) is committed to supporting registered students with disabilities to allow them to fulfil their potential.

What Applicants need to know about applying if they have a disability

Student disabilities are identified in a number of ways.   

Students are encouraged to declare any disabilities through their UCAS application process. 
 
Prior to starting the programme

All undergraduate applicants must submit a pre-course health questionnaire prior to  commencing their studies, which is screened by the University’s Occupational Health Service.  
 
Occupational Health assesses an applicant’s fitness to train and meet the required standards upon graduation in accordance with this guidance from HEOPS (Higher Education Occupational Health Physicians). If an applicant has a health condition or disability which may impact upon their ability to meet the requirements of the programme in line with that guidance, or if they might need adjustments to support them in the clinical environment, they are contacted by Occupational Health for an appointment before they begin their programme.  
 
Following the appointment, Occupational Health will make one of the following recommendations:

• Fit for the programme 
• Fit for the programme with adjustments 
• Unfit for the programme at present (recommends a deferral) 
• Will not be fit for the programme at any point in the future 

A report detailing the applicant’s fitness for the course and any recommended adjustments is sent to the Faculty and nominated BVS staff to consider. If a student is fit to be on the programme but requires a review several months in, Occupational Health will arrange a review appointment.  
 
Occupational Health might advise the applicant to register with Disability Services to get adjustments implemented for the academic setting, including exams, as Occupational Health looks specifically at the clinical environment. 
 
Applicants with certain disabilities (e.g., specific learning disabilities) might not require adjustments via Occupational Health. They are also advised on the Pre-Course Health Questionnaire to register with Disability Services. 
 
During the programme 
 
Student monitoring processes enable identification of students with undeclared disabilities or health conditions which are impacting their studies, either through the wellbeing service which staff and students can use to flag a student who is struggling, or through the School Engagement Monitoring Process. If potential disability support needs are identified students are referred to Disability Services  and/or Occupational Health. Students may also approach Disability Services at any time of their own volition.  
 
Support from Disability Services 

Referral of a student to Disability Services via one of these mechanisms enables the student to meet with a disability advisor to obtain a Study Support Plan (SSP). This includes recommended adjustments which should be made to the student’s learning experience. The SSP is made available via eVision, and is processed by the BVS’s School Disability Coordinator, who is responsible for ensuring appropriate implementation of the plan, and that the adjustments are compatible with the demands of the course. On occasion, some adjustments may not be compatible with achieving the Day One Competences, in which case a discussion is held between the School Disability Coordinator and the student regarding their options for alternatives or proceeding without that adjustment. 

Adjustments pertaining to the formal examinations (such as extra time or rest breaks) are implemented by the School's Student Administration team. A list of the expected adjustments is checked by the BVS departmental disability contact ahead of the assessment period to ensure it is accurate. 

Support from Occupational Health.

If a student experiences a change in their health that impacts on their engagement with the clinical aspects of their programme, they are encouraged to notify relevant staff in the School or Faculty. A referral to Occupational Health team will be made to assess their current fitness for their programme and consider whether any adjustments are required to support them to engage with their studies in the clinical environment. At this point, they might also be signposted to Disability Services for academic or examination adjustments. 

Once adjustments have been agreed by the relevant School staff, the School Disability Coordinator will liaise with colleagues on their implementation. A student might be advised to create a Health Passport, a document that can be used to inform clinical placement staff of the adjustments they require. The Health Passport is created jointly by the student, Senior Tutor, and School Disability Coordinator who will all work with the student to set this passport up. The student will then share this health passport  at their discretion and with key stakeholders, where appropriate.