RIASS Redbridge
Moving on to Higher Education or University
Are you thinking about university or higher education?
If you have special educational needs (SEN), a disability, a long-term health condition, a mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty, you may be wondering what support will be available when you move on from school or college.
Moving into higher education is an exciting step, but we know there can be lots to think about. Higher Education (HE) usually means education at Level 4 or above. This could include studying:
Higher education can therefore look different for different young people. This is an important difference between further education and higher education. Your EHC Plan does not continue when you move into higher education.
If you have an EHC Plan at school or college, the local authority will cease the plan when you move into higher education. However, this does not mean that you cannot receive additional support at university. Instead, support in higher education is provided through different arrangements, including reasonable adjustments made by your university or higher education provider and, where eligible, support funded through Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
When you visit the university or place of higher education you can talk to the Student Support Team who will advise on the access arrangements they have in place and the financial support you can apply for.
They can also advise on the support you may need and how best to access this and how to use the funding to support your learning needs. Keep a copy of your EHC Plan and other reports or assessments. They can provide useful information about your needs, the support you have received and what has helped you at school or college.