Here are some useful questions and answers about our Education Support Services, including information on how to apply for support, exam access arrangements, transition visits and disability allowances.
At Northern Regional College, we are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you have a disability, a long-term medical condition, or a learning difficulty, you may be eligible for additional support during your time with us.
We encourage you to share any information about your learning needs so that we can put the right support in place. However, it is entirely your choice whether or not you wish to access the Education Support available.
If you are studying on an Inclusive Learning course, support is already built into your classes and you do not need to complete a referral form.
If you are enrolled in a Higher Education course (Level 4 and above), you may be eligible for additional support through the Disabled Students Allowance. This can help with the cost of specialist equipment, non-medical assistance, a general allowance, and travel expenses related to your studies. For more information and to apply visit Student Finance NI.
If you have exams as part of your course and require additional support such as extra time, reader, rest breaks, then you must disclose your needs at the start of the academic year. It is your responsibility to attend a needs assessment appointment and provide appropriate evidence that meet the awarding bodies’ regulations and application deadlines for exam access arrangements.
Transitioning from school to college can be challenging, especially for autistic students, but the Education Support team at Northern Regional College aims to make it easier through personalised visits, campus tours, and support discussions. As an Autism Friendly College, we have Autism Champions on all campuses and recommend resources from the Education Authority to help students prepare.
Here are some useful questions and answers about our Education Support Services, including information on how to apply for support, exam access arrangements, transition visits and disability allowances.
You can apply for support if you have an additional need that may affect your learning. This includes:
Specific learning difficulties (e.g: dyslexia, dyscalculia, developmental coordination delay
Autism
ADHD
Sensory impairments (e.g: hearing or visual impairments)
Physical disabilities
Long-term medical conditions
Long-term mental health conditions
Our Education Support Team will work with you to understand your needs and provide the right support. We also collaborate closely with lecturers, other College services, and external organisations to offer a person-centred approach that supports your learning journey.
1:1 Mentoring
Specialist Support
Equipment & Specialist Aids
Exam Arrangements
| Exam Series | Deadline |
|---|---|
| December to March | Modified papers: 26 Sep 2025 All other L2/L3 exams: 10 Oct 2025 Access / HE / Essential Skills: 21 Nov 2025 |
| GCSE | Modified papers: 16 Jan 2026 All other exams: 27 Feb 2026 |
| Essential Skills (April) | 27 Feb 2026 |
| May & June | Modified papers: 23 Jan 2026 All other exams: 6 Mar 2026 |
Further details are available in the guidance for parents, carers and students about access arrangements.
To apply for Education support, simply complete the 2025/26 referral form
If you need help filling in the form, email Education Support and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
Please obtain all relevant documents from school prior to commencing course. You should upload these to the Evidence section of your application and select ‘Education Support documentation’.
Disclosure can happen at any time throughout your time at college, but we recommend that it happens as early as possible so there is time for the support to be implemented effectively. Your information will be treated with confidentiality and held in accordance with GDPR legislation and will only be shared with your approval. It is your right not to disclose, however, we will not be able to provide support on your course or in examinations.
Once your referral is received, you will be invited to a needs assessment appointment where we will discuss your support requirements. You will be asked to provide evidence of your needs. Examples of documents include:
A Statement of SEN
An Autism diagnosis report
An ADHD diagnosis report
A letter or report from medical professional (e.g: consultant/occupational therapist/speech and language therapist or mental health professional)
A Dyslexia or Education Psychologist report
Form 8/Form 9 and Access Arrangements Online Confirmation from previous schoolcollege (if you received exam support)
Moving from the familiar atmosphere of school into college can seem like a daunting experience for any young person, but especially if you’re autistic. That is why we offer individualised transition visits, during quieter hours, to help make the move a little easier. These visits give you a chance to learn more about your course, discuss support requirements and get a tour of the campus. To arrange an in-person tour of the campus, email the Education Support team.
We are proud to be an Autism Friendly College, with Autism Champions on every campus. The Education Authority and the Autism Advisory and Intervention Service have produced a series of helpful videos and a booklet which can be accessed through the Education Authority website.
We have also created virtual tours of each campus site so you can explore the campus ahead of any visit.
You may be able to get help with:
For more information and to apply, visit Student Finance NI.
Specialist Equipment
Non-medical help
General allowance
Travel allowance
We aim to be inclusive and flexible in how we support student carers, recognising that you may face unique challenges throughout your learning journey. That is why we treat student carers as a priority group, offering tailored support to help you succeed in your studies and beyond.
We work closely with a range of external partners including those in the Health and Social Care sector, as well as statutory and voluntary organisations to help provide you with the best possible learning experience.
If you are a student with caring responsibilities, please speak to the Education Support Co-ordinator on your campus. They will work with you to understand your needs and help ensure your time at the College is as positive and successful as possible.
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Note You may be asked to provide evidence of your caring responsibilities in order to access some forms of support. |
We believe in opportunity for all, and we work hard to remove barriers for students who may have learning difficulties, disabilities, or who have faced challenging life experiences whether social, emotional or educational.
If you are a Looked After Child (LAC) also known as a Child Looked After (CLA) or a Care Leaver (CL), we want to make sure you feel supported and empowered to take full advantage of your education and training. Our goal is to help you build the skills and confidence needed to succeed, both during your time at College and in your future career.
If you feel that you would benefit from extra support, please speak with the Education Support Co-ordinator on your campus. They are here to help guide and support you throughout your College journey.
| We are a JAM card friendly organisation. If you have invisible disabilities, the JAM Card is a simple yet effective tool to enable you overcome communication barriers. You can download the app, free to your phone. Visit JAM Card for further information. |
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At Northern Regional College, we have partnered with AccessAbleto give you access to detailed online guides that can help you plan ahead if you have a disability or accessibility needs.
These access guides provide detailed information about each campus building and its facilities, including the library, canteen, classrooms, and more. You can view or download the guides at any time to help you feel more confident and prepared when visiting any of our campuses whether you are a student, staff member or visitor.
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