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Going into Higher Education / University with SEND

Going into Higher Education/ University with SEND

How do I get support when I go to University and what happens with my EHCP.

What is Higher Education?

Higher Education is study at University, Level 4 at a college or via an level 4 advanced apprenticeship). You will have achieved your Level 3 qualifications (usually via A levels, t levels, BTECs or Access course).

 

How do I apply for University?

You should follow the normal route for University applications via UCAS.

 

Conditional and Unconditional offers

Once the universities have received your application. A university will give you a conditional or unconditional offer.  Conditional offer means that you have been offered a place as long as you meet certain conditions for example; getting the right A level grades for the course.  An unconditional offer means that you have been offered a place and there are no conditions that are required.

 

Can my EHCP support at Level 4?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is not able to support at Level 4/ Higher Education.  However, you can use your EHCP to apply for Disabled Students Allowance.

 

Disabled Students Allowance

You may be entitled to Disabled Students Allowance.  This is extra money available to support you at university and to help meet your support needs.

You can find out more information about Disabled Students Allowance here https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

An assessment with DSA can take up to 6 weeks or longer.  Once you have applied for university via UCAS it is useful to also apply for DSA to start the process. 

Talk to the university disability team for support and they will help to guide your through the process. 

With your consent we can send a copy of your documents to your universities.

 

Do I have to tell people that I have special needs or a disability?

Under the Equality Act (2010) it is your choice around whether you share any special needs or disabilities. However, if you do not share any special needs the university may not be able to make reasonable adjustments to support you.

 

Can Universities support my needs?

Universities must try their best to support students who have an EHCP.  Things that they can do might include:

  • Supporting you to take notes
  • Provide extra support around study skills
  • Arrange for specialist equipment/ software
  • Give you tutorial support
  • Extra time for coursework/ exams

These are called reasonable adjustments and they are to make sure young people with SEND have access to University Education.

You can find out more information here https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/disabled-students

 

Can I take a Gap year and will my EHCP remain in place?

You are welcome to take a Gap year before Uni. You will have completed your level 3 study and your progression will be to move to a level 4 course or employment.  With this in mind it is likely that your EHCP will be ceased as you will be moving to university or employment.

 

When will my EHCP end?

Your EHCP will remain in place until the end of the academic year e.g. until the end of Year 13. Following your last annual review before you go to university we will send you a letter that is proposing to cease your EHCP in following September.   Once you have your results and have confirmed your placement at university, please let your co-ordinator know. On the 30th September we will send the final cease letter to close your EHCP.

 

Other Useful Contacts

SNAS Team - find out your co-ordinator here

Alternatively you can contact our duty line on

Email: [javascript protected email address]

Telephone: 020 8871 8061  

 

Post -16 Participation Team

Email:  [javascript protected email address]

Telephone/Whatsapp: 07971 038 671 / 07977 093 610

 

Wandsworth Information and Advice Service (WIASS)

Website: https://wiass.org.uk/contact-us/

Email: [javascript protected email address]

Telephone: 020 8871 8065