Supporting PGR students

Improving the experience of PGR students with disabilities

Responding to feedback both from students and from staff supporting students, the Service has made improvements to the postgraduate learning adjustments, as well as publishing the following guidance.

These improvements reflect our commitment to enhancing the educational experience of students with disabilities by making support mechanisms more effective and less cumbersome. This proactive approach benefits students by providing clearer and more direct access to the accommodations they require, ensuring they receive appropriate support throughout their academic journey. Lastly, this ensures that all parties involved in the educational process have the necessary resources and knowledge to facilitate a supportive learning environment.

New report reveals how disabled PhD students can be better supported • Disabled Students UK

Annual Review and Viva Examination Adjustments

Previously, students requiring adjustments for their annual review or viva examinations were required to consult DLSS prior to their annual review or viva. Under the revised process, students and their supervisors will receive a good practice guide alongside their adjustment notification. This guide will assist in implementing adjustments directly, thereby eliminating the need for a pre-annual review or viva consultation with DLSS.

Although the new process removes the requirement for a preliminary discussion with DLSS and an annual review or viva consultation, it does not restrict students from contacting DLSS at any point to review their learning support needs or to request additional support for their annual review or viva examination.

Benefits of the New System

Reduced Administrative Load: Streamlines the process, making it unnecessary for students to engage in repetitive administrative procedures.

Consistency and Accessibility: Ensures that supervisory teams have uniform and readily accessible information about the support measures in place for students.

Support for Staff

Staff supervising PGR students who have questions about how to implement learning adjustments or need advice on supporting disabled PGR students are encouraged to contact DLSS at disability.service@ed.ac.uk.