Disability Support

We want Bridge to be the most welcoming and supportive place in London for disabled students. Whether you’re already studying with us or thinking about applying, we’ll work with you to reduce or remove barriers to your studies, whatever your disability, long-term health condition, or specific learning difference, so you can get the most from your time with us.

We’re building something different

Bridge School of Business is a new institution, and that means we have a unique opportunity to design our approach to support from the ground up, free from legacy processes and outdated assumptions.

We know that one of the biggest barriers isn’t the disability itself, it’s the worry about what happens when you tell us. So, we’re committed to creating an environment in which students feel confident to tell us about their disability, see the benefits of doing so, and receive the timely support they need.

Our commitments to disabled students include:

· Disability advisors and champions to support your course experience

· A student ambassador who can be a first point of contact if you’re anxious about disclosing

· A Student Support Advisory Group, run by and for students, to shape how we improve our support

· Transition support to help you settle into your course

· Targeted open days, so you can see for yourself what we offer before you apply

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to talk to us

We support students with a wide range of disabilities and conditions, including:

Specific learning differences (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or ADHD)
Mental health conditions (such as anxiety or depression)
Physical and mobility impairments
Sensory impairments (visual or hearing)
Autism spectrum conditions
Long-term health conditions (such as epilepsy, chronic fatigue, or chronic pain)

If you’re not sure whether your situation qualifies, just get in touch. We’d rather have a conversation early than have you struggle in silence.

Getting support in three steps

Tell us about your needs
Get in touch at any time – before or after you start your course, to share your situation. You may need to provide some evidence of your disability or condition, but we’ll guide you through exactly what’s needed. If getting evidence is difficult for any reason, talk to us, we’ll work with you to explore appropriate options.

Have a conversation with us
You’ll meet with a member of our Student Services team to talk through how your condition affects your studies and what would help. This is relaxed and informal, it’s not a test.

We put your support in place
We’ll agree a support plan including reasonable adjustments where appropriate, and work with your academic team to put arrangements in place. You won’t have to keep telling us the same things, and our information is shared only with the staff who need it. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to remove or reduce disadvantages experienced by disabled students, taking into account individual needs and what is reasonable in the circumstances.

Examples of support that may be available

Academic adjustments
For example, extra time in assessments, alternative formats, flexible deadlines, and adjustments to how you’re taught and assessed. Academic adjustments are designed to support access to learning and assessment and will not alter the core academic or competence standards of the course.

Funding & Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
We’ll help you understand and apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which can cover specialist equipment, software, and one-to-one support.

Mental health & wellbeing
Access to wellbeing advisors, mental health support, and signposting to specialist services.

Physical accessibility
Accessible facilities, adapted spaces, and practical support to help you navigate our campus.

Assistive technology
Guidance on software and tools that can support your learning, and help accessing them through DSA or our own resources.

Non-medical helpers
Where appropriate, and following assessment: support workers, note-takers, BSL interpreters, and specialist mentors, depending on your needs.

Designed to work for everyone

We’ve designed our learning environment to be inclusive from the outset, not as an afterthought.

Built-in features of how we teach:

Key face-to-face teaching sessions are recorded and made available on our virtual learning environment
Accessible learning resources and technical support
Electronic devices provided to support with your study
We champion inclusion with all students, so the whole community is understanding and supportive

Financial support you don’t have to pay back

If you’re eligible, the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a government grant that covers extra study-related costs arising from your disability. It doesn’t depend on your household income and doesn’t need to be repaid.

DSA can help pay for things like:

Specialist equipment (e.g. a laptop configured with assistive software)
One-to-one specialist support
BSL interpretation
Note-taking support
Extra printing costs related to your disability

We can help you understand whether you’re eligible and support you through the application process. We’ll also let you know about any additional bursaries or institutional funding that may be available.

We recognise that not all disabilities are visible

Many students have conditions that aren’t immediately obvious to others, including anxiety, chronic fatigue, autism, ADHD, and chronic pain. You shouldn’t have to explain yourself in every situation.

We know that many disabled students are reluctant to tell their institution about their disability, sometimes from fear of discrimination or disadvantage, sometimes because of cultural sensitivity, and sometimes simply because they’re not sure it will help. We want to change that.

Thinking about applying?

We actively encourage disabled students to consider applying to Bridge, and we offer specific support to assist your journey from interest to enrolment.

Get in touch as early as possible. This gives us time to work with you before your course begins to consider your support needs. You’re welcome to ask us anything at any point in the process. There’s no commitment to apply just because you contact us.

Talk to our disability support team

Our support team is friendly, confidential, and here to help. There’s no wrong question.

support@bsblondon.co.uk

Talk to our disability support team

Our support team is friendly, confidential, and here to help. There’s no wrong question.

Email: support@bsblondon.co.uk