Support for university students

By Think ADHD
By Think ADHD

We hope you find this page helpful. Remember, symptoms vary between patients. If in doubt, speak to a healthcare professional.

This page is for young adults with ADHD who are either currently in (or preparing to attend) university.

For children and teenagers in primary and secondary education, please check out our education support page.

Snapshot

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) can provide financial support for assistive technology and monitoring for students with ADHD.
Mentoring and exam accommodations can help university students manage their time, organisation and focus – but you’ll want to ask well ahead of exam season.
Students with ADHD can often benefit from tailored support that helps them navigate the need for independent learning, as well as academic pressures – but provision will vary from institution to institution.
Though often distant physically, parents can still offer emotional support, helping their children access university resources and stay organised.

For students entering higher education, navigating university life with ADHD-type symptoms can present a whole world of new challenges. Indeed for some that overnight transition from structured school environments to more independent learning can be quite overwhelming.

Help is at hand however, with a range of support services helping students with ADHD-type symptoms to manage their condition and achieve their academic potential.

University support for students with ADHD

Disabled Students’ Allowance
Students with ADHD can apply for the DSA. This is a government-funded grant which helps cover the costs of additional support, such as assistive technology (organisation apps, note-taking software etc), mental health mentoring, or similar.
Study skills mentoring
Many universities provide one-to-one mentoring for students with ADHD. These mentors offer guidance on time management, organisation, breaking down assignments, and managing distractions. This targeted support helps students develop effective study habits – although support will vary between institutions.
Exam accommodations
Students with ADHD may qualify for specific adjustments during exams, such as extra time, breaks, or being in a quieter room to minimise distractions. These accommodations are designed to support students with focus and time perception issues.

Symptoms this support can help with

Time Management
Mentoring and assistive technology can help students to manage their time and to meet deadlines.
Organisation
DSA-funded tools, such note-taking software, can help in organising study materials and tasks.
Inattention
Exam accommodations, as well as one-on-one mentoring, are designed to assist students in staying focused and achieving their potential.
Procrastination
Mentors can help students break down tasks and overcome procrastination through structured study routines.
Memory
Assistive technologies like note-taking software can help students keep track of important information and tasks.

Managing ADHD at university

Student life requires a large dose of self-management and independent learning, which can be difficult for students with ADHD-type symptoms.

Scheduling-in routine study times, using digital tools to manage tasks, and breaking larger projects into smaller tasks are all common approaches that can help students with ADHD to achieve success.

Within the university itself, mentors and advisors can assist in developing practical strategies to stay organised, meet deadlines and prioritise workloads.

Advice for parents of students with ADHD

Helping your child to understand the importance of time management and organisation, as well as offering emotional support, can help with the adjustment into student life, and as a parent you can still play a proactive and supportive role for your child.

A good place to start is to encourage them to access the university’s own internal support services – their details can usually be found on the university’s website (if not, try the student union).

Further reading

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a key resource for students with ADHD. It is intended to cover the cost of additional support and equipment, such as assistive technology (mind-mapping software or voice-to-text programs, for example) which help students organise their thoughts and stay on top of assignments. DSA may also fund specialist ADHD mentoring or study skills training, providing guidance on managing academic tasks.

Study skills mentoring

Study skills mentoring offers personalised support to university students with ADHD, helping them develop the tools needed to manage their workload and stay organised.

Mentors provide practical guidance on breaking down large assignments, prioritising tasks, and avoiding procrastination. They also offer tips on how to structure study sessions, use apps to manage deadlines, and maintain focus during long study periods.

This support can be particularly valuable for students who struggle with time management and executive functioning skills in the less structured university environment.

Exam accommodations

Students with ADHD often need specific adjustments to perform their best in exams.

Common accommodations include extra time and rest breaks to help manage focus, and quieter rooms to reduce distractions. These accommodations are designed to create a fair testing environment, recognising the impact of ADHD on time perception and attention.

Applying for these adjustments early is crucial to ensure they are in place when needed, helping ADHD students feel more confident during exam periods.

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