Rise in number of new students reporting a disability

More students are disclosing a mental health condition as they start university

The proportion of undergraduate students starting higher education with a self-reported disability has grown in the past 10 years, particularly for reporting of mental health conditions.

In an annual update to its equality, diversity and student characteristics data, the Office for Students revealed on 7 June that 15.3 per cent (101,360) of undergraduate students starting a degree in 2020-21 reported a disability, up from 8.2 per cent (50,530) in 2010-11.