1 How to manage exams at University Centre Sparsholt (UCS)

This section looks at how to manage exams at UCS. This includes information about what to expect, how to prepare for an exam and practical tips to help you perform well. It also explains how you can arrange exam access arrangements (like extra time or a smaller room) for your exams.

2 Arranging reasonable adjustments at UCS

Reasonable adjustments enable you to participate in the academic assessment process on a fair basis, and according to your preferences. Find out how to arrange reasonable adjustments that work for you at University Centre Sparsholt.

3 Finance and the Disabled Students’ Allowance

An overview of the funding and funded support available to you in your studies. Advice about how and when to apply for this support.

4 The DSA application process

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is a grant intended to cover the extra costs of having a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty such as an autistic spectrum condition, dyslexia or dyspraxia. This activity explains DSA and gives you a step by step guide when applying for a DSA.

5 Applying to University Centre Sparsholt

Find out more about applying to University generally, and about the UCS application process.

6 Healthy living and enjoying the UCS campus

This article focuses on the importance of healthy habits for wellbeing. The article provides useful tips and information regarding physical wellbeing, diet, responsible alcohol use, exercise and sleep.

7 Choosing your UCS accommodation

This article introduces typical accommodation options available and provides some tips for making the right choice for you.

8 Telling people at UCS about your autism

Telling people about your autism at university is also known as ‘disclosure’ or ‘declaring a disability’. More information about what this means and why it might be important to you is available in this article.

9 What is University Centre Sparsholt really like?

It’s hard to know what university is like until you get there, and all universities are different. In some ways it’s easier to describe what university isn’t! Well, everyone says that it is not like school or college, or work, or home. So, what IS university really like? We aim to give you a realistic view, based on things students told us they wish they had known.

Click to see some of our UCS locations on campus

10 Choosing a course and university

This article will help you decide what to study, and at which university. We provide practical tips on how to compare universities, how to prepare for open days and who to talk to at these events.

11 Talking about your autism at UCS

By talking about your autism and advocating for yourself, you make an important step towards feeling comfortable with others. At UCS, we recognise the wide range of skills and experiences that neurodiversity brings us and we aim to celebrate this whenever possible. This activity introduces the advantages of being open about your autism, and give some practical tips.

12 Meeting people at UCS

Many students find meeting new people and making friends amongst the most exciting but also most difficult aspects of starting university. This activity should help you to get started.

13 What is group work really like at UCS?

Working in a group with other students is part and parcel of study at UCS. Quite a few people worry about it, and some have real problems with it. This activity looks at the main issues people have with group work and gives you some practical tips for your own study.

14 Dealing with difficult situations at UCS

The UCS campus gives everyone lots of space to have some time away from any conflicts that arise – but conflict in your student life is probably unavoidable, although hopefully it doesn’t happen very often. Different people have different expectations and styles of working or living together. Sometimes that can lead to conflict. This article will help you recognise causes of conflict and proposes strategies to resolve it.

15 How to reduce anxiety and stress at UCS

It is normal to feel anxious when starting something new, like a university course, and everyone feels stress at difficult times of the year like exam periods or when there is a lot happening in their lives. It can sometimes be hard to relax. This activity is about helping you to manage these feelings and includes tips from other autistic students.