An introduction to the support and services available at Leeds Beckett

Leeds Beckett University Disability Advice Team offers support, information and guidance on any disability related matters within our University. Support is available to students with a range of disabilities and long term conditions such as autism, Specific Learning Differences (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc.), a mental health condition (e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.), a long term health condition (e.g. epilepsy, IBS, diabetes, etc.), a physical or a sensory condition. Support is available on an anticipatory basis, via our Standards of Inclusive Practice, our Self-Referral and Anticipatory Adjustment Plan process and can also be tailored on an individual basis in order to ensure access to the most effective support for you.

Some examples of support are:

• Exam or Assessment adjustments (e.g. extra time, use of a PC, etc.)
• Support with reading and research (e.g. extended book loans, assistance to locate or/and collect research material, access to alternative formats, etc.)
• Access to specialist equipment and assistive software (e.g. text to speech to assist with research and proofreading, mind mapping to assist with planning and organising your work, a recording device to assist with note taking, etc.)
• Access to handouts and notes in advance of taught sessions
• Additional support from your tutors (e.g. assistance to catch up on missed work or to check your understanding, as required)
• 1:1 Support (e.g. Mentoring, etc.)

Students at Leeds Beckett are also able to access the following support:

Student Advice Team 

The Student Advice Team are based at the Student Services Centres. They are a good place to start if you don’t know where to go and can offer a first point of contact to access a range of support and advice, on areas including money (student loans, hardship funds, etc), careers and employability (part-time work, CVs, etc), wellbeing (counselling, mental health and emotional support) and immigration/visa advice. You can visit the Student Services Centres at City campus or Headingley campus or contact a member of the team using the following details:

Telephone: 0113 812 3000 / E-mail: studentadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk / Web: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/student-advice/ 

Library Resources and Learning Support Officers

Information about the resources and support available in the Library, such as printing on coloured paper, the Disability Resource Area, how to find and reserve books, and contact details for the Library Learning Support Officer(s) is available here.

Skills for Learning

The Skills for Learning Team is based in the Library and offers a range of online resources, workshops and 1:1 tutorials to support academic development; from academic communication, to maths skills, to group skills, referencing and exam techniques. You can find out more information about this service here.

Assistive Software

There is a range of assistive software available at our University, including text to speech and mind mapping software. If you are interested in finding out more about this software and how it can help you with your studies, you can find further details of the software available, user guides and software you can access off campus here.

Alternative Formats

If you have a preferred way to access information (e.g. audio, kindle, ebook, etc.), you can find information about accessing alternative and accessible formats here.

Getting used to life as a University student can be a challenge for anyone, it is important to know that there is support, information and resources available if you need them. Talking to us about the support available, any questions or concerns you have, and visiting campus, might help you make a decision whether you want to study with us, and ensure you have the best possible University experience if you do. It is much better to be prepared even if you later decide Leeds Beckett isn’t for you.

If you decide to apply to study at Leeds Beckett University and you declare your autism on your application the Disability Advice team will contact you to discuss any support needs you may have.

Where possible we would suggest you contact our Disability Advice Team as soon you have an offer of a place, even if you haven’t decided that you are definitely studying with us. This will give us plenty of time to talk about your support, give you an opportunity to look around our campus and ensure any support is in place for when you start.

To register with Disability Advice and talk about how any adjustments you may require please contact

Email: disabilityadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk / Tel: 0113 8125831