My requests would be unfair on other students?

Hi,
I was a student at a university in the UK. I have adhd, dyspraxia and on my last year at university I suffered with low mood suicidal thoughts and then got diagnosed with severe depression episode with suicidal thoughts. Despite trying my best and notifying the university that I was having trouble accessing my medication due to national shortages I was not offered any other mitigations besides the ones I already had.
At the end of my course, I was unable to sit my final year exams and ended up with a very low classification. I had submitted multiple extenuating circumstances requests and evidence from GPs and consultants that I was struggling with my health and for them to consider letting me take the exams another time.
The university claimed that their regulations did not allow for a further attempt and that if the support plan was no sufficient I should have said so previously. The declared that they had a duty to apply the regulations equally and that because I had 2 previous extra years (due to disability reasons and domestic violence) there was not provision for a 3rd attempt even if it was just to finish my exams.
The OIA has said that this is their academic judgement and has made no mention of the points that I made about the Equality act..
Can anybody tell me if this is legal? If the exams are going to happen whatever I am there or no and I have evidence of being impaired why do I have to accept a low classification when all I'm asking is to be able to sit the exams like everyone else?
Anybody has been in a similar position before?
Comments
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Firstly, welcome to the community Lila.
Regarding your question. UK universities are legally required to ensure that students with disabilities or health conditions, such as ADHD, dyspraxia, or depression, are not placed at a disadvantage compared to their peers. When students provide medical evidence demonstrating that their health has impacted their ability to sit examinations, universities have a responsibility to consider offering additional support or alternative arrangements, rather than simply adhering to standard procedures.
Failing to take into account individual circumstances and relevant medical evidence may constitute disability discrimination. If both the university and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator do not properly address these legal obligations, there may be grounds to seek further advice or pursue the matter through other channels.
Essentially, students have a right to an individual assessment of their situation, rather than being subject to a blanket application of institutional policies.
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I'd recommend contacting Disability Rights UK, who have a Disabled Students Helpline.
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