Autism at a UK university: one student's story
Adjusting to uni with autism spectrum disorder
Lina studied economics and accounting at Brunel University. Here, she shares what it was like to go to uni as a person with autism.
What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Autism, or ASD, is a condition that affects how people communicate and interact. It can also cause problems with behaviour and social situations.
Were you nervous about applying to uni as an autistic person?
Yes, I was nervous! Autism affects people differently. For me, it means I over-plan. So I felt anxious about choosing the right university, location, and distance from home. It was a challenge, and I had to mentally prepare for it.
Did you mention your autism in your application?
At first, I didn’t mention my autism. I was afraid being judged. I didn’t know I could get support if I told the uni about it, and my college didn’t encourage me to let them know. Now, I wish I’d mentioned it from the start, because I could have received more support!
How was the transition from school to university for you?
Surprisingly, it wasn’t as hard as I thought! I found it more manageable to focus on one subject in depth. It felt like a smaller change than going from GCSEs to A levels.
Were there any adjustments to help you at university?
I didn’t know how much support there was until a teacher saw I was struggling.
My lecturers let me choose whether to work in groups or alone on projects. And since we didn’t have remote learning back then, I was given a recording device to record lectures. I also got extra time for exams – about a third longer. This helped because I tend to feel anxious and overthink things at the start of exams.
Were the teaching staff supportive?
Yes, my lecturers were very supportive. They encouraged me to accept my autism, which helped me feel confident in my work. If I didn’t understand something, I could always ask them in person or by email and get a response within a day. We also had a student intranet called Moodle, where I could contact them.
What advice would you give to autistic students applying to university?
My advice is to understand how autism affects you. Know your strengths and challenges, and be clear about the support you need. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And remember – university may seem like a big step, but it’s probably not as big as you think.
Want to learn more about preparing for university with a neurodivergence or disability? Check out ‘Invisible disabilities at university: A guide to settling in.’