Disability Support
Find out more about the range of disability support on offer throughout your course.
The Transition Programme is for disabled and neurodivergent students starting at the University of Southampton in the new academic year including students with long-term health conditions, mental health conditions and specific learning differences.
Our Transition Programme 2023 incorporates a range of informative activities to ensure that your support arrangements are in place as you begin your studies. On this page, you can request specialist support, view our upcoming activities as well as find resources, tips and advice to help with the transition to university life.
For more information about the Student Disability and Inclusion team, take a look at the short video below.
Request specialist support through the Transition Programme
Request supportWe are offering a series of bespoke activities during the Welcome period. These optional activities are designed to support you with the transition to life at the University of Southampton.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page for the campus map, directions to meeting points and other helpful resources for the activities. Please be aware that places are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
If you are interested in attending these activities, you can view each one below. Click on the downward-facing arrow symbol on the right-hand side of each activity title to expand.
If you require a bespoke 1:1 tour, please contact us via The Student Hub.
Activity | Overview and additional information | How to join | Where to meet |
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Highfield Campus Tours
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Accessible walking tours of Highfield Campus' main support facilities. Duration: This tour will last approximately one hour. Group size: Maximum of 6 attendees per tour. |
You do not need to book a place. To join a tour, please come to the Wellbeing Centre at any time between 10:00 and 14:00. Tours leave every 30 minutes. |
Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. Use the map to find the Wellbeing Centre.
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Dates:
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Timings: From 10:00 until 14:00. |
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Bus Tours
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Public transport orientation. Duration: Tours will last approximately 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Route 3 may take longer for those wishing to visit the Sir James Matthews Building. Group size: Maximum of 4 attendees per tour. |
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Bus routes: Route 1: Highfield Campus to Mayflower Halls, returning to Highfield Campus. Route 2: Highfield Campus to Wessex Lane Halls, returning to Highfield Campus. This tour can start at Wessex Lane Halls upon request. Route 3: Highfield Campus to City Centre (Sir James Matthews Building), returning to Highfield Campus. |
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Dates:
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Timings: From 10:00 until 14:00. |
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Library Tours
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Orientation of Hartley Library. Duration: Tours will last approximately 1 hour. Group size: Maximum of 4 attendees per tour. |
To join a tour, please come to the Wellbeing Centre at any time between 10:00 and 14:00. Tours leave every 30 minutes. |
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Dates:
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Timings: From 10:00 until 14:00. | |||
Avenue Campus Tours
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Accessible walking tours from Highfield Campus to Avenue Campus. Duration: Tours will last approximately 1 hour. Group size: Maximum of 6 attendees per tour. |
To join a tour, please come to the Wellbeing Centre at either 11:00 or 14:00. |
Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. |
Dates:
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Timings: At either 11:00 or 14:00. |
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Accessible walking tours of WSA Campus. Duration: Tours will last approximately 1 hour. Group size: Maximum of 6 attendees per tour. |
To join a tour, please come to the WSA Café at either 11:00 or 13:00.
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Meet at the WSA Café, East Side Building, First Floor. Use the WSA Campus map to find the Café.
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Date: Wednesday 27 September. | |||
Timings: At either 11:00 or 13:00. |
If any of the below workshops are fully booked, please contact us via The Student Hub to be added to a waiting list.
Autism Matters | Workshop overview and additional information | How to join | Where to meet |
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Autism Matters: Welcome to the University of Southampton
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Duration: This workshop will last approximately one hour. Group size: |
The expression of interest form is now closed. To view our upcoming workshops, please visit our events page.
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For the 14:00 session: Inside The Student Hub, Building 37, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. For the 18:00 session: This session will be hosted online via Microsoft Teams. A link to join the Teams meeting will be provided when booking. |
Date: Wednesday 4 October. |
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Timings:
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Autism Matters: Social, Chat and Relax |
Duration: The session will last approximately 3 hours. There is no obligation to attend the full session. Group size: As this is a drop-in style event, we are unable to estimate numbers of attendees. |
To join the workshop, please come to the location at any time between 14:00 and 16:00. |
Use the University's campus map to find Building 100. |
Date: Wednesday 11 October. |
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Timings: From 14:00 until 16:00. |
Neurodivergent Group Workshops | Workshop overview and additional information | How to join | Where to meet |
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How to get the most out of your lectures
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Duration: This workshop will last approximately one hour. Group size: This workshop will be no bigger than 20 attendees. |
The expression of interest form is now closed. To view our upcoming workshops, please visit our events page.
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Dates:
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Timings: At 11:00. | |||
Getting going and organising your time
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Starting university can be an exciting experience, but it can also be quite overwhelming, especially during the first few weeks. This workshop will provide tips on organising your time, study essentials and university life. We will also provide information on services available for students to self-access. Duration: This workshop will last approximately one hour. Group size: This workshop will be no bigger than 20 attendees. |
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Inside The Student Hub, Building 37, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts.
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Dates:
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Timings: At 12:00. | |||
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Duration: This workshop will last approximately one hour. Group size: This workshop will be no bigger than 20 attendees. |
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Dates:
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Timings: At 14:00. | |||
Q&A: Bring any questions that you have for the Neurodiversity Team
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Duration: This workshop will last approximately one hour. Group size: This workshop will be no bigger than 20 attendees. |
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Dates:
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Timings: At 15:00. |
Wellbeing Workshops | Workshop overview and additional information | How to join | Where to meet |
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Managing anxiety and stress
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Duration: This workshop will last approximately one hour. Group size: This workshop will be no bigger than 8 attendees (usual sessions have 4 or 5 attendees). |
The expression of interest form is now closed.
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Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Use the map to find the Wellbeing Centre. Further details will be sent after booking. |
Dates: 26 October. | |||
Timings: At 17:00. | |||
Improving self-esteem
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Duration: This workshop will last approximately one hour. Group size: This workshop will be no bigger than 8 attendees (usual sessions have 4 or 5 attendees). |
The expression of interest form is now closed.
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Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Use the map to find the Wellbeing Centre. Further details will be sent after booking. |
Dates: 26 October. | |||
Timings: 12:00. |
Activity | Activity overview and additional information | How to join | Where to meet |
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Get to know the Student Disability and Inclusion Team
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Duration: This presentation will last approximately one hour. Group size: This presentation will be given to no more than 50 people. |
The expression of interest form is now closed.
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This session will be hosted online via Microsoft Teams. A link to join the Teams meeting will be sent to you upon completing our MS Bookings form.
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Dates and timings:
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These informal drop-in sessions will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet other disabled students starting University within their faculties. The events will be facilitated by Anna and Beth from the Student Disability and Inclusion Team. The events aims to provide a space for peers to get to know one another, reflect on any worries and concerns about University and finally, a chance to learn more about how the Student Disability and Inclusion Team can support students during their time at the University of Southampton.
Activity | Activity overview and additional information | How to join | Where to meet |
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Duration: This activity will last 2 hours. Group size: As this is a drop-in style event, we are unable to estimate numbers of attendees. |
To join, you can arrive at the Wellbeing Centre at any time between 15:00 and 17:00.
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Use the map to find the Wellbeing Centre.
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Date: Monday 2 October. |
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Timings: From 15:00 until 17:00. |
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Lets Chat: Arts and Humanities (Winchester School of Arts)
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Duration: This activity will last 2 hours. There is no obligation to attend the full session. Group size: As this is a drop-in style event, we are unable to estimate numbers of attendees. |
You do not need to book a place. To join, you can arrive at the WSA Café at any time between 14:00 and 16:00.
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Inside the WSA Café, East Side Building, First Floor. Use the WSA Campus map to find the Café.
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Date: Monday 9 October. |
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Timings: From 14:00 until 16:00. | |||
Lets Chat: Faculty of Medicine |
This informal drop-in session will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet other disabled students starting University within the Faculty of Medicine. Duration: This activity will last 2 hours. There is no obligation to attend the full session. Group size: As this is a drop-in style event, we are unable to estimate numbers of attendees. |
To join, you can arrive at the Wellbeing Centre at any time between 10:00 and 12:00. |
Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. Use the map to find the Wellbeing Centre.
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Date: Tuesday 3 October. |
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Timings: From 10:00 until 12:00. | |||
Lets Chat: Social Sciences
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This informal drop-in session will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet other disabled students starting University within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Duration: This activity will last 2 hours. There is no obligation to attend the full session. Group size: As this is a drop-in style event, we are unable to estimate numbers of attendees. |
You do not need to book a place. To join, you can arrive at the Wellbeing Centre at any time between 10:00 and 12:00. |
Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. Use the map to find the Wellbeing Centre.
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Date: Wednesday 4 October |
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Timings: From 10:00 until 12:00. | |||
Let's Chat: Engineering and Physical Sciences |
Group size: As this is a drop-in style event, we are unable to estimate numbers of attendees. |
To join, you can arrive at the Wellbeing Centre at any time between 3pm and 5pm. |
Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. Use the map to find the Wellbeing Centre. |
Date: Thursday 5 October. |
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Timings: From 15:00 until 17:00. | |||
Let's Chat: Environmental and Life Sciences
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Duration: This activity will last 2 hours. There is no obligation to attend the full session. Group size: As this is a drop-in style event, we are unable to estimate numbers of attendees. |
You do not need to book a place. To join, you can arrive at the Wellbeing Centre at any time between 15:00 and 17:00. |
Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. Use the map to find the Wellbeing Centre. |
Date: Friday 6 October. | |||
Timings: From 15:00 until 17:00. |
We offer the opportunity for parents, guardians or supporters to have a brief 15-minute online chat with one of our team to answer any general queries, questions or concerns they may have regarding student support.
Please be aware that we will be unable to discuss specific student situations unless permission has been granted to do so by the student. If students would like to provide consent to share, they can get in touch with us via The Student Hub.
Dates and timings
Thursday 14th September:
Friday 15th September:
How to book
The online booking system is now closed. Sessions will be hosted online via Microsoft Teams and a link to join the Teams meeting will be sent to you when you complete your booking.
Microsoft Bookings guidance
If you are unfamiliar with using Microsoft Bookings, please see our ’how to’ guidance document.
View our on-demand presentation, which provides support and advice about DSA:
Presentation with voice-over: An overview of DSA.
We have created a guidance on how to apply for DSA if you are funded by Student Finance England.
View our step-by-step guide on accessing DSA:
We also offer DSA support sessions if you have questions about the DSA process or are having difficulty with your application or accessing your suppliers.
One to one in-person or online Support Sessions:
Email us your availability for a one-to-one and your preference of either an in-person or online meeting to studenthub@soton.ac.uk and we will schedule this in.
DSA Drop-in
You can bring any of your DSA queries to us at our DSA Drop-in.
In-person session: Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 and 14:00-15:00 (excluding University closure) in The Student Hub, Building 37, Highfield.
MS Teams session: Tuesdays at 10:00 - 11:30 (excluding University closure). Please contact us on studenthub@soton.ac.uk so we can provide you with the Teams link.
Activity | Activity overview and additional information | How to join | Where to meet |
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Welcome Weekend |
Duration: Early access to the Welcome Zone will last approximately 1 hour. After this time, other students will start accessing the event. Group size: Approximately 6 to 7 attendees per group. |
To join, you can arrive at the Wellbeing Centre just before 11:00. |
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Dates:
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Timings: 11:00 until 12:00. | |||
SUSU Student Life Fair |
Duration: Early access to this event will last approximately 1 hour. After this time, other students will start accessing the event. Group size: Approximately 6 to 7 attendees per group. |
You do not need to book a place. To join, you can arrive at the Wellbeing Centre just before 10:00. |
Inside the Wellbeing Centre, House 28, University Road, Highfield Campus. Please look for our team who will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. |
Dates: Wednesday 27 September. |
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Timings: 10:00 until 11:00. | |||
SUSU Bun Fight |
Duration: Early access to this event will last approximately 1 hour. After this time, other students will begin accessing the event. Group size: Approximately 6 to 7 attendees per group. |
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Dates: Thursday 28 September. |
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Timings: 09:30 until 10:15. |
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SUSU Freshers' Fair
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Duration: Early access to this event will last approximately 1 hour. After this time, other students will begin accessing the event. Group size: Approximately 6 to 7 attendees per group. |
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Dates: Friday 29 September. |
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Timings: 09:30 until 10:15. |
View our resources page to assist you and your supporters with your transition to University.
Useful resourcesPlease take the time to review the wealth of support available throughout your studies in the blue boxes below:
Find out more about the range of disability support on offer throughout your course.
Find out more about the range of study support on offer throughout your course.
View the range of assistive technology available.
View the range of wellbeing support available to you through the Student Wellbeing Team.
The meeting point for most transition activities will be either in the Wellbeing Centre or in The Student Hub. Some events, such as the Let's Chat events, will take place at the Faith and Reflection Centre Café.
Use the University’s digital campus map to help you navigate your way to the meeting points. Alternatively, you can use our maps and directions below.
If your activity is bookable through Microsoft Bookings and you are unfamiliar with this platform, please view our 'how to' guide below.
For most activities, the Student Disability and Inclusion Team will be wearing dark blue t-shirts. You can see the design of the t-shirt below.