England

Please tell us where you live so that we can provide you with the most relevant information as you use this website.
If you are at a BFPO address please choose the country or region in which you would ordinarily be resident.
Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate The Open University's postgraduate disability support page.
At The Open University, we support over 38,000 students who tell us they have a disability or long-term health condition. We offer specialist guidance, inclusive materials, and advice on accessing assistive technology. Whatever your circumstances, we’ll help you explore the support available, including funding through the Disabled Students’ Allowance, so you can study with confidence and achieve your goals.
You may not think of yourself as having a disability, but we can offer you extra support and study adjustments if you need them. Along with other disabilities, we can assist students with many different health conditions and impairments, including:
We strive to make sure all aspects of study are available to everyone, which is why accessibility is at the forefront of our mission to be ‘open to all’.
We’ll help guide you through the process of applying for financial support towards your study costs. Did you know, if you’re a UK student, you may be able to get funding with a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)? You don’t have to be registered as disabled, and it’s not age or income-related, so it’s worth checking out what’s available.
If you’re not eligible for DSA funding, we have a lending scheme that can provide you with assisted software and specialist equipment. Depending on what you may need, there’s a range of items we can provide, from a handheld magnifier to a laptop, to help you study at home, in tutorials, at day schools or residential schools.
Our study materials are available in different formats to make printed texts, audio/visual content, interactive activities, and other online resources accessible. This can include comb-bound or audio versions of study texts, but we can discuss what works best for you.
We can help you with access and taking part in talking, listening, taking notes and group activities. If you’re unable to participate at a tutorial or day school, we can try to make alternative arrangements.
If you let us know in advance, we’ll make reasonable adjustments to suit your needs if you’re not able to sit an examination under standard conditions, or you have difficulties with an assessment.
Some courses include residential schools, which can be a highlight of OU study. We’re committed to helping you attend and may be able to provide the support and facilities needed to get you there.
*For any face-to-face events we’re unable to offer, online alternatives will be provided instead. Please check individual courses and modules for more information.
Whether you’re studying for a postgraduate certificate, diploma, masters degree or a standalone module, make sure you:
1 minute 25 seconds
Watch Sarah’s video to find out how we helped her to study after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder part way through my BA. Studying with the OU gave me the time and flexibility to navigate my way through different medications, therapies and lifestyles as I started to work out how best to manage living with a mental illness, without having to abandon pursuing my goals.
Level info