Students with reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia), you may be entitled to reasonable adjustments to help you access your exams on an equal basis with other students.

These adjustments are agreed through your Reasonable Adjustment Report which is created by the Disability & Wellbeing Service after a discussion with you. Once you've approved it, your report is published on PEGASUS where your academic department will action the recommendations. The support you receive will depend on your individual needs, but may include:

  • Extra time in exams
  • Rest breaks
  • Use of a PC or assistive software (e.g., JAWS screen reader)
  • A smaller or separate exam room
  • Accessible exam papers (e.g., large print)
  • Permission to have a medical device on your desk (for example, to monitor blood sugar levels during diabetes management)

Top five things to do if you need exam adjustments

1. Confirm early

Contact the Disability & Wellbeing Service as early as possible in the academic year so your adjustments are confirmed well in advance of the exam period.

Exam arrangements cannot always be made at short notice and there is a cutoff date publicised before each exam diet – e.g., through an announcement on Myplace that is usually around 4 weeks before the exams begin. The earlier you contact the Service and agree your Reasonable Adjustment Report, the smoother things will be when exams come around.

Haven't been in touch yet?  Contact the Disability & Wellbeing Service

2. Know your adjustments

Check your Reasonable Adjustment Report on PEGASUS before the exam period begins.

Make sure you understand what has been agreed - extra time, rest breaks, assistive technology, or anything else - and how it will be implemented in your exam.

3. Check your exam location and time

Your Departmental Exam Coordinator will make sure that you are given your exam times and locations. The exam times and locations you are given might be different from the exam information published for your class on PEGASUS or MyPlace.

Make sure you know where to go - visit the location in advance if possible - and give yourself plenty of time to get there. If you have any queries, contact your Departmental Exam Coordinator or reach out to your department for advice. 

4. Keep in touch with your department

Your department is responsible for putting in place the agreed arrangements, so let them know as soon as possible if you have any concerns.

5. Have a plan if something goes wrong

If you arrive at your exam and something is missing - for example, you don’t have the extra time or rest breaks that were agreed - speak to the invigilator immediately. They will try to resolve the issue on the spot where possible.

If the issue cannot be fixed during the exam: