Step One: Your UCAS Application

Before you begin your journey to university, your first step will be to prepare and organise your UCAS application. The UCAS website has lots of information on courses, open day events, entry requirements as well as application information and deadlines.

All the key information you will need on UCAS and how to start your application can be found on their website here.

If you have any difficulties in accessing any parts of the website, contact the UCAS customer services on the UCAS Accessibility page.

Declaring your vision impairment on the UCAS form

When you apply through UCAS, you can declare that you have a disability on your application form. This could be a beneficial way to notify the universities you are applying to of your type of vision impairment. This information is confidential between you and the university.

It can really help to declare your vision impairment right at the start. It can help to ensure that any accessibility needs can be identified throughout your application process- such as designated living spaces, a support worker or extra adaptive equipment.

You may choose not to declare your vision impairment until you have been accepted. We recommend that you check what support is available beforehand and be prepared that there may be delays in getting this in place at the start of your studies if undisclosed.

The UCAS website ‘Disabled students’ section provides more general information to support your application, and their Frequently Asked Questions page provides further advice around declaring your disability.

Also, take a look at our guide to Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) here.