Our Learner Support team will help you with your studies and make sure you are able to fully join in college life.
How can we help?
The Learner Support Service are committed to ensuring that you can achieve and progress in your education and are able to fully participate in college life.
Our experienced team provides tailored support, advice and guidance for higher education students with a wide range of learning needs and are committed to providing inclusive education in a safe and positive environment.
We offer support for a variety of disabilities that include:
- Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia
- Autism Spectrum Conditions
- Hearing and Visual (Sensory) Loss
- Medical and/or Mobility Needs
- Mental Well Being.
Our provision:
To book an appointment with the Higher Education Access Adviser please click here to visit the HE Access Adviser Booking System. The adviser will remain the main point of contact for the service. The Access Adviser will start a Reasonable Adjustment Plan with you which will consider your individual needs and requirements and provide you with guidance and advice including:
- Discussing and developing strategies with you to support you through your course.
- Arranging examinations concessions, library extensions, equipment.
- Supporting you to share information with your tutors so that you can get as much support as possible.
- Assisting you in claiming Disabled Students Allowance
- Recommendations for referral for other (external) specialist assessment. (E.g. Visual processing or motor skills assessment)
Please ensure your appointment is during your independent study hours. It is helpful to bring a copy of your diagnosis or referral paperwork (paper/online) to the meeting, or you can send it to the HE Access Adviser in advance at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
You will receive an automatic confirmation of your booking via email. If you can no longer attend your booking or need to reschedule, please amend your booking as soon as possible to enable others to access the support service.
HE Access Adviser - Mhairi Hale
Specialist Support:
Appointments can be provided with a specialist assessor on recommendation from the HE Access Adviser. They will assess need and make recommendations to teaching staff on the best way to enable access to learning; including referral on to alternative, specialist assessment services, where required and in accordance with current assessment protocols (SASC).
Visit SASC.org.uk
Assistive technologies:
There is a range of assistive technologies available to enable access to learning. This includes having access to your own Microsoft Office 365 account and its associated accessibility tools.
Personal Learning Coach:
PLCs offer 1-1 appointments for support. Their offer may include practical study skills support; time management, organisation and planning as well as acting as a listening service and providing pastoral support.
Disabled Students allowance
This provides funding to help with the extra costs you may incur as a result of your learning need – this might be specialist equipment including laptops, assistive technology, support through a specialist study skills tutor and help with travel costs; if your disability directly affects your ability to travel to and from college.
To be eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance, available through Student Finance England (SFE), you need to be on a Higher Education course and have a long-term learning difficulty disability or health condition. Click here
Once you have applied you will be invited to attend a Need’s Assessment where an assessor will explore and demonstrate support that might assist you.
We can support you in making an initial application, then throughout the application process. You can apply for this type of support at any time during your course.
How can you contact us?
If you would like to talk to a member of the Learner Support Service about available support or to discuss your needs in more detail, please contact us:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
0191 375 4380
Main Building - Orange corridor, Room 0.22
Higher Education Study Support
Academic Study Skills Tutors are available to provide learning development to all Higher Education students. The Academic Study Skills Tutors are available to provide learning development to all Higher Education students, to aid in the improvement of research, writing and presentation skills, and to enhance your Higher Education experience.