Higher education

Deaf people can work in a wide range of roles and sectors, and higher education is a popular route for deaf young people who need a degree to work in their chosen field. It’s important that staff working in these settings understand and support the needs of deaf students so they get the most out of higher education.

On this page, you'll find practical tips, real-life stories and expert resources to help you create a deaf-friendly learning environment where every student feels included, supported and able to succeed.

Experiences of deaf students in higher education

Real-life stories:

• Danii applies to university: Danii was unsure whether to mention her deafness on her university application.
• Going to open days: Daniel picked his top universities based on how accessible their open days were.
• Making it in medicine: Ashna had some obstacles as a medical student but is passionate about raising awareness of deafness. 

These simulations give insight into how some deaf young people experience sound in different environments:

• What different levels of hearing loss sound like (YouTube)
• Radio aids in a classroom (YouTube)
• Cochlear implant simulator (University of Southampton)

Preparing for higher education

It's important to make sure deaf young people have the information and support they need to make a choice about their education and apply to their chosen institutions. 

Top tips to support deaf students moving into higher education:

• Make sure information about your institution and its courses is accessible – use plain English and make sure videos have subtitles.
• Clearly explain your support services for disabled students, accessible adaptations in facilities, and key contact points.
• Arrange communication support early for open days and interviews. Be sure to ask the deaf person what communication support they'll need.
• With permission, share key information about the student with relevant staff. This might include formal support plans they've had in past education.
• Provide guidance on applying for Disabled Students' Allowance (see below).
• Train staff and book support services before the start of term. 

Deaf-friendly education and learning

Creating a deaf-friendly learning environment ensures deaf students are fully included in lessons, activities and higher education life. 

• Explore deaf-friendly teaching strategies.
• Download our free resource: Deaf-friendly higher education (Shopify)

Top tips for lecturers and course leaders

• Make sure the student can see you and any communication support staff. Avoid turning your back, and make sure your face is well-lit so lip-reading is possible.
• Share slides and notes with both the student and their support workers in advance.
• Use subtitled videos and check subtitles for accuracy.
• Make group work accessible – use quiet spaces, consider seating arrangements and encourage students to speak one at a time.
• Make remote learning accessible – use captions (and check the quality yourself), stop screen-sharing when you're not using slides, make sure speakers are visible, and multi-pin interpreters.

Creating a good communication environment

Simple changes to your environment – like reducing background noise or improving lighting – can make a big difference to a deaf student’s ability to communicate and access learning.

Find out how to create a good communication environment.

Support funded through Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

DSA can fund support such as: 

• notetakers
• electronic notetakers
• sign language interpreters
• communication support workers (CSW)
• lipspeakers
• language support tutors/Teachers of the Deaf

Find out more about Disabled Students' Allowance:

• Disabled Students' Allowance in England
• Disabled Students' Allowance in Northern Ireland
• Disabled Students' Allowance in Scotland
• Disabled Students' Allowance in Wales

Exam access arrangements

Access arrangements are changes to how exams are written, assessed or delivered to make sure deaf young people are not unfairly disadvantaged because of their deafness.

Schools, colleges, universities and awarding bodies must make arrangements so that deaf students can access exams fairly.

Learn more about exam access arrangements.

Technology in education

Some students in your setting may use hearing devices like hearing aids or cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices like radio aids and streamers. 

It’s important to understand how these devices work and how to support students who use them.

Learn more about hearing and assistive technology in education.

Work placements

Make sure any work placements are accessible and that any reasonable adjustments are in place when the student starts. Encourage the student to visit the employer before starting their placement to discuss their access needs. 

For paid placements at or above minimum wage, students will be entitled to Access to Work funding to cover the costs of communication support or equipment. 

Apprenticeships

Disabled Students' Allowance does not cover support for apprenticeships. A higher education institution can apply for learning support funding from the government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (no learning support funding is available in Scotland).

Deaf apprentices can apply for Access to Work to cover the cost of any communication support while in work or in training, but Access to Work will not cover any support for learning.

While deaf apprentices are responsible for applying to Access to Work (training providers cannot do it on their behalf), it is not the sole responsibility of an apprentice to secure their own support. You must understand whether the support provided through Access to Work will meet an apprentice’s learning needs and address any gaps in support.

Study abroad

When planning a study abroad placement, you and the deaf student should consider:

• the support offered by the overseas host institution
• that the quality of services for deaf people can vary from country to country
• that other countries use sign languages different from British Sign Language or Irish Sign Language

Social and emotional support

Deaf students are at risk of being socially isolated if their hearing peers do not understand how to communicate with them. It can be difficult for deaf people to take part in group conversations as it’s easy to lose track of what’s being discussed when trying to lip-read more than one person.

You can help by:

• setting up a deaf awareness session for other students and staff on their course or in their place of residence; you should ask the deaf student if they’d like to be involved in the training
• making sure communication support is available for induction events
• offering to introduce them to other deaf students at the university or nearby

Counselling services

Your counselling service should be open to deaf students. Counsellors should understand each student's communication needs and provide communication support if needed. 

If a deaf student experiences difficulties that are complex and relate specifically to being deaf, your institution’s counselling service (or other support) might not be able to adequately address their needs, and you should refer the student to other agencies. For example, you could refer them to social services for deaf people or local mental health services.

Accommodation 

Accommodation providers, both university-owned and private, are responsible for putting in place any adaptations to accommodation that a deaf student may need if living away from home.

Deaf people do not tend to wear hearing aids or implants when asleep. Where a student cannot hear a fire alarm while asleep, a hall of residence or student flat should have a fire system that alerts a student through flashing lights and vibrating pads that go under a pillow. Alternatively, a pager system could be used.

Flashing doorbells can also be put in place to alert deaf students to visitors.

Supporting transitions to adulthood

You will play an important role in helping deaf young people understand their options after higher education and helping them transition on to employment or other life opportunities. 

One of the biggest barriers deaf young people face when entering adulthood is the low expectations others have of them as well as the lack of knowledge about support available. You can help show them that nothing should hold deaf young people back from their dreams. 

Learn more about supporting transitions to adulthood.

Training for educators

Our training courses and workshops introduce you to the skills and knowledge needed to support deaf children and young people. 

We offer a range of flexible options, including free online courses you can complete at your own pace. These courses are ideal for individual learning or group sessions, such as inset days or whole-staff training. 

Some popular sessions for educators include:

• Introduction to Deaf Awareness (CPD accredited)
• Social Care Needs of Deaf Children and Young People
• Working with Deaf Children and Young People

Explore all our training courses for educators.

Find out how to learn British Sign Language (BSL).