Adjustments for Illness or Disability

If you have a disability or medical condition that will affect your ability to work sit an exam in the traditional way, you can apply for special study or examination arrangements.  To do this you will need to provide independent special evidence to support your request.  Detailed information about this is available on the University website. 

If you wish to seek adjustments, you should make a request as soon as possible, as it can take time to finalise the arrangements.  If you have a pre-existing condition when you arrive, you should contact your college - your Senior Tutor or Tutor for Graduates before you arrive or as soon as possible once you are in Oxford. 

Your college will then draft an application on your behalf to the Proctors, which must include evidence from a specialist regarding your condition and the potential impact it may have on your work.  The evidence provided must be relevant to the arrangements you are requesting.  You may include study needs assessments that are provided for the Disabled Students Allowance but these will not be sufficient evidence in themselves.

The University’s Disability Advisory Service ad the Faculty Disability Officers may also be able to provide advice and support in your application and you or your college can consult with them.

The adjustments allowed will depend on the individual students’ needs.  Adjustments may include provision of food or drink in examinations, special desks or chairs, rest breaks, extra time and rest periods, timing and spacing of exams, use of word processors.  Once the Proctors’ have approved a request it can only be changed by Order of the Proctors.  if you are unhappy with the Proctors’ decision you can make an appeal to the University’s Education Committee - the Disability Advisory Service and the OUSU Student Advice Service will be able to assist with this alongside your college.