Student Support Unit : Student and Academic Services : University of Sussex

Welcome to the Student Support Unit Home Page

The Student Support Unit is the base for the University's Dyslexia, Disability, Mental Health and ASD support services. We are located in Pevensey 1 on North South Road.

Reception is open from 09.00 to 17.00 from Monday to Thursday and from 09.00 to 16.00 on Fridays.

We offer support and advice to prospective and current students with specific learning difficulties, unseen, mobility and sensory impairments, mental health conditions and autism spectrum disorders.

Below, you will find information about:

Application Stage
Disability Support
Access Around Campus
Mental Health and ASD Support
Specific Learning Difficulty and Learning Support
Dyslexia Support
Dyslexia Assessment
Specialist (Assistive) Software
Student Support Unit Staff
Contact Details
Useful Websites

Application Stage

If you have any additional support needs and have indicated these on your application form, we will contact you either during the application process or before you arrive at Sussex. This will ensure that your needs are properly considered and that you have details of the facilities available at Sussex.

Disability Support

The Disability Advisors can provide you with a wide range of support, such as

assistance with applications for the Disabled Student's Allowance
assistance with applications for personal care provision and liaison with Social Services when requested
liaising with University staff over teaching and examination arrangements
arranging support workers, note-takers, scribes etc.
liaising with Residential Services over accommodation needs

Access Around Campus

Information about how to access campus buildings, for people using wheelchairs, needing to use lifts, or with other mobility requirements, is available at: www.sussex.ac.uk/equalities/documents/access_around_campus_2010-07-30.doc.

Mental Health and ASD Support

The Mental Health and ASD Advisor works with students with long-term mental health conditions and students with autism spectrum disorders, such as Asperger's Syndrome, and can

talk to you in confidence about any support requirements you may have
liaise with academic staff over teaching and examination arrangements
liaise with your G.P., Counsellor or members of your health care team
liaise with Residential Services over accommodation needs
provide assistance with applying for the Disabled Students' Allowance

Dyslexia and Learning Support

The Learning Support service is for students who need additional help with their learning, including those with Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia).

We provide screening for Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia etc) and make arrangements for assessment by Educational Psychologists, where appropriate.
We help students to access the range of support available in the University, including examination arrangements, and can advise on how to apply for funding, such as the Disabled Students Allowance.
We can arrange individual learning support for students who have funding, such as the Disabled Students Allowance
We also offer some bookable sessions with a dyslexia tutor for students without funding.
We provide weekly Study Skills Workshops for any student who is experiencing study difficulties or who wants to improve their way of working
We are available to advise staff on issues concerning Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia). (Also go to www.sussex.ac.uk/equalities/1-2-6.html)

Dyslexia Support

If you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD), you should make an appointment for an initial meeting with a Dyslexia Advisor (see below). You will be asked to complete a simple form and to provide copies of any previous assessments you have had.

Information about the kinds of support available will be given to you at your first appointment and you will also be given advice about applying for the Disabled Students' Allowance or other funding. Detailed information about the Disabled Student's Allowance is available at:

www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898

To request individual learning support, you should complete a LS Request Form[DOC 55KB], (also available from the Student Support Unit). You will need to provide the Student Support Unit with written confirmation of funding.

Dyslexia Assessment

If you suspect that you may have a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, you may like to discuss this with a Student Life Advisor in the Student Life Centre. Alternatively, you may contact the Student Support Unit directly for an appointment with a Dyslexia Advisor. You will be asked to complete a simple form and to provide a sample of your written work with tutor comments.

If you need to be assessed by an Educational Psychologist, this can be arranged through the Student Support Unit and most students are able to apply for funding from University hardship funds towards the cost of the assessment. Please note, it is not possible to screen and assess students before they have started their course.

Specialist (Assistive) Software

The University has a number of PCs specifically for use by students with a disability or additional learning needs. In addition to the standard desktop, each adapted PC offers a number of assistive software packages.

More information is available at: PCs with Assistive Technology [DOCX 16KB] or from IT Services.

Sussex Regional ACCESS Centre (SRAC) carries out Study Aids and Study Strategies Assessments to help establish entitlement to and need of study support in relation to the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). Further information on the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) Study Aids and Study Strategies Assessment [doc].

SRAC also offers training on assistive software to students in receipt of the DSA.

Student Support Unit Staff

A list of Student Support Unit staff and their roles is available at: Student Support Unit Staff [DOC 30KB]

Contact Details

For further information or to make an appointment, please contact Reception in the:
Student Support Unit
Pevensey 1
North-South Road
Tel: (01273) 877466
Email studentsupport@sussex.ac.uk

Student and Academic Services

Student Support Unit