Summary of Reasonable Adjustments - Frequently Asked Questions

IOE is responsible for anticipating and implementing ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ for students with a disability. We do this by working with students to set up a ‘Summary of Reasonable Adjustments (SoRA)’.   

These frequently asked questions support students who are applying for Reasonable Adjustments.  

They should be read together with the UCL Academic Manual - Chapter 2 Student Support Framework: Section 3. Reasonable Adjustments for Disabilities and Long-term Conditions. 

Section 1: General Questions

What is a SoRA? 

• A SoRA stands for ‘Summary of Reasonable Adjustments’ and is a personalised document that outlines the reasonable adjustments that UCL can provide students who have a disability or a long-term health condition.  
• The purpose of the SoRA is to help students access a range of appropriate support to facilitate their access to study and remove any barriers to learning. 
• Watch our video about the summary of reasonable adjustments.

How do I know if I am eligible for a SoRA? 

• At UCL we provide support for all disabled students who meet the Equality Act (2010) criteria.

• A person is considered disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term (lasting or likely to last 12 months or more) adverse effect on their ability to do day-to-day activities, including study.

What type of support does a SoRA provide? 

• For more information on who is eligible for support and the different types of support and adjustments that can be provided, please read through the information on the support we provide page. 
• The following guidance shows the different types of support available: Guidance: Which process should I use? | Academic Manual - UCL – University College London 

Do I need medical evidence? 

• Before you have an appointment with one of the disability, mental health and wellbeing advisers, you should collect evidence demonstrating that you meet the Equality Act (2010) definitions of a disability to allow us to provide you with support. 
• What evidence do I need to provide? (Scroll down to FAQs section) 

Does my evidence need to be translated into English? 

• Yes,  you will need to have your evidence translated into English.  
• What evidence do I need to provide? (Scroll down to FAQs section) 

What if I am not sure if I am eligible for a SoRA or I am experiencing temporary difficulties? 

• If you are unsure whether you are eligible for a SoRA or you are experiencing temporary difficulties, such as struggling with your mental health, then you should book a meeting to speak with one of the disability, mental health and wellbeing team. You can do this by either raising an enquiry on askUCL (there are instructions on how to do this below), emailing student.wellbeing@ucl.ac.uk or calling: +44 (0)20 7679 0100. 

• How to book to see a Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing Adviser. 

• If you are an undergraduate student, you can always book to speak with your Student Adviser first to have a supportive conversation and discuss what further support might be appropriate for you. 

• How to contact your Student Advisor? 

When can I apply for a SoRA? 

Students may apply for a SoRA at any point during their programme. 

How do I raise an enquiry on askUCL to book to speak with a member of the Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team? 

• Log in to askUCL 
• Click one of the ‘submit an enquiry through askUCL’ links on the Seeing an Adviser webpage 
• This will take you straight to the ‘Contact Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing’ FAQ 
• Click ‘Log an Enquiry’, which will take you to the appointment booking form 
• Complete the form and click ‘Log now’ at the bottom 

Should I book a same-day appointment or a longer pre-booked appointment? 

During busier periods of the academic year, there can be a 2-4 week wait for a pre-booked longer appointment with the Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team. If you have wish to speak to someone sooner and/or if you have the relevant medical evidence/proof of diagnosis for a SoRA ready, then you can request to speak with an adviser in a shorter same-day appointment and the SoRA process can be started. 

Is the service confidential? 

• The Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team provide a confidential service. This means that they will not tell anyone what you have told them without your consent or unless you or someone else is in danger. 
• Your tutors will be told what adjustments you require. They will not be told about your diagnosis unless you give your permission for this to be shared. 

What are the stages of the SoRA application process?  

1. Students should check if they are eligible for support and that they have appropriate medical evidence.  
2. Students should book an appointment to speak with a disability, mental health and wellbeing adviser – they will then be sent an Applicant Support Questionnaire. 
3. Students will meet with an adviser and discuss their access and support needs. 
4. Students will work with the adviser to agree what reasonable adjustments and strategies will be put in place. 
5. Students will submit their evidence. 
6. A SoRA draft is then created for the student to approve on Portico 
7. Once the student approves the SoRA, it is finalised and the student’s department are notified. 

What do I do if I think I need further adjustments and my SoRA needs updating? 

If you are still experiencing barriers to your learning and would like to discuss whether additional adjustments could be added to your SoRA, please book another appointment with a member of the Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team to discuss this. 

Do I need to pay for reasonable adjustments and support? 

You do not need to pay for the reasonable adjustments and support however some types of support including sign language interpreters, mental health mentoring and study skills tutoring may require you to apply for funding to cover these reasonable adjustments. You can get guidance about this in your appointment with a disability, mental health and wellbeing adviser.  

Further guidance on funding options 

Will details about my SoRA be listed on my transcript? 

No – there is no record of your health condition or disability kept anywhere on your record or transcript. 

Section 2: SORA Approved

What happens once my SoRA is approved? 

Once your SoRA has been approved, your programme team will be notified and your departmental SoRA contact will arrange a meeting to discuss your adjustments. After the meeting, your SoRA and agreed adjustments will be communicated to module leaders and any other relevant staff that need to be notified. 

Who is my departmental SoRA contact?  

• This is usually your Programme Leader, Subject Lead (for ITE students) or your Supervisor (Post-graduate Research Students). However, you may have another member of staff as your SoRA contact, such as your Personal Tutor or Student Wellbeing Lead. 
• Your Programme Administrator supports your Programme or Subject Leader to share your adjustments with relevant staff and can also be contacted for general queries. 
• Your programme contacts can be found on the IOE Student Helpdesk: 
• Programme Contacts | IOE Student Helpdesk - UCL – University College London 

Do I need to let anyone know about my SoRA? 

• Your Programme Leader or Subject Lead (for ITE students) will ensure your SoRA and agreed adjustments are communicated to Module Leaders and any other relevant staff who need to be aware of your condition.  
• For ITE students you will need to agree with your Subject Lead on who will communicate with your placement schools. 

I am taking modules in another department; do I need to let them know? 

Your Programme Leader or Subject Lead (for ITE students) will ensure your SoRA and agreed adjustments are communicated to Module Leaders and any other relevant staff who need to be aware of your condition.

I am a continuing student; do I need to update my SoRA each year? 

Your SoRA will be applied for the duration of your programme. However, if you feel your SoRA needs updating, you should meet with a Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing advisor to review your SoRA. 

Book an appointment to speak with a disability, mental health and wellbeing adviser 

Do I need to update my SoRA if I change programme?

Your SoRA will need to be updated if you change programme.  

Book an appointment to speak with a disability, mental health and wellbeing adviser 

What do I do if my Reasonable Adjustments have changed or no longer meet my needs?  

You will need to book a review with your Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing advisor who will issue the revised SoRA to the department.  

Book an appointment to speak with a disability, mental health and wellbeing adviser 

If I have any issues, who can I contact? Who else can I speak to about my SORA? 

• If you need your adjustments assessed or amended then you will need to book a review with your Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing advisor who will issue the revised SoRA to the department.  

• Book an appointment to speak with a disability, mental health and wellbeing adviser 
• If you have queries with how your adjustments are being implemented then please get in touch with your Departmental SoRA contact, usually your Programme Leader, Subject Lead (ITE students) or your Supervisor (Post-graduate Research Students). You may contact the Academic Head of Teaching and Learning for your department or the Faculty Tutor if your concerns have not been met. 
• Your Programme Administrator supports your Programme or Subject Leader to share your adjustments with relevant staff and can also be contacted for general queries. 

• Your programme contacts can be found on the IOE Student Helpdesk: Programme Contacts | IOE Student Helpdesk - UCL – University College London 

Section 3: Examinations and Assessments 

Do I need to inform my module leader if I plan to use my SORA extension?

Your SoRA adjustments will have been communicated to module leaders and any extension will automatically be applied. You are welcome to let your module leader know if you plan to use your SoRA extension but it is not essential to do so. 

Do I have to use my SoRA extension? 

The SoRA extension can be used flexibly to support you if you need more time. This may mean that you submit by the main submission date or at any point before the extension submission date. 

How will I see if my SoRA has been applied to my submission as extension deadline (on Moodle etc)? 

• This will vary depending on how your department and programme manages assessments. Please contact your Programme Administrator for further guidance.   
• Programme Contacts | IOE Student Helpdesk - UCL – University College London

Can I use my SoRA extension with a multiple-choice exam (MCQ) or 24-hour timed assessment? 

• Your SoRA may include reasonable adjustments for examinations, such as extra time and rest breaks.  
• The adjustments may differ depending on the format of the exam and in such cases the department will advise you accordingly  

Can I use my SoRA extension for group work? 

Extensions cannot be used for group work, either SoRA or Extenuating Circumstances. Please contact your Programme Leader if you are struggling to meet a group work deadline.  

Can I use my SoRA extension for resubmissions in the Late Summer Assessment? 

Your SoRA extension will also apply to resubmissions unless you have an approved extension or deferral from the Faculty Extenuating Circumstances Panel, which will include the SoRA extension.

Can I apply for extenuating circumstances if I have a SoRA? 

Yes, but please read the UCL guidance on SoRA and Extenuating Circumstances 
Section 3: Reasonable Adjustments for Disabilities and Long-term Conditions | Academic Manual - UCL – University College London 

Please contact your programme team as soon as you are aware that your SORA extension is not going to be enough to help you  

Can I use my SoRA extension if I have been granted an extension or deferral by the Faculty Extenuating Circumstances Panel? 

The submission deadline/s approved by the Faculty Extenuating Circumstances Panel are the final deadline and will include provision for your SoRA extension.

I have a learning agreement; can I use a SoRA extension? 

If you have a Learning Agreement or Study Plan then your specific deadlines are agreed with the department and will include Reasonable Adjustments. 

Please contact your Academic Head of Teaching and Learning or Learning Agreement Contact to discuss changes to deadlines.