SEN/ALS & Mental health at Bournemouth University

I’ve been looking at options for Uni and Bournemouth University has always been on my list.
Was wondering if anyone could tell me the real situation for students with Special educational needs/neurodiversity/ mental health issues.
I’ve looked on the website and though it looks good I’ve been to schools that on the outside look great but in reality were border line breaking every law and regulations on disabilities/disabled students.
I am diagnosed with Dyslexia, ADHD, PMDD and GAD.
I was diagnosed with dyslexia at 9 and have since been to a school where the SenCo outright denied my dyslexia because I was assessed more than 5 years ago.
Would there be any need for me to be reassessed/rescreened?
I have been to a school that assessed me for access requirements in exams and then didn’t give me half of what they said I qualified for, but another school gave me access requirements I didn’t even know were an option.
Does BU assess you for requirements themself or can it be based off what I was provided at sixth-form?
Due to having PMDD there are times where I am in so much pain I can’t move and have migraines that cause vomiting episodes. The mental affect cause server episodes of depression, anxiety and anger where I have been unable to leave the house due to saftey concerns. Currently the treatments I have tried do not work.
What are they like when it comes to repeated absences and access to work missed during absence?
No matter the amount of research you do before hand you never truly know what it will be like until you get there. I am finally in a school where I don’t have to fight for every little thing and not sure I want to or can go back to a place where I’m constantly fighting for the smallest things that make the disadvantages I face just slightly less of a disadvantage.
In general what is the attitude towards neurodiversity and mental health issues?
Are they the sort of place where you have to fight for everything?

I’ve been looking at options for Uni and Bournemouth University has always been on my list.
Was wondering if anyone could tell me the real situation for students with Special educational needs/neurodiversity/ mental health issues.
I’ve looked on the website and though it looks good I’ve been to schools that on the outside look great but in reality were border line breaking every law and regulations on disabilities/disabled students.
I am diagnosed with Dyslexia, ADHD, PMDD and GAD.
I was diagnosed with dyslexia at 9 and have since been to a school where the SenCo outright denied my dyslexia because I was assessed more than 5 years ago.
Would there be any need for me to be reassessed/rescreened?
I have been to a school that assessed me for access requirements in exams and then didn’t give me half of what they said I qualified for, but another school gave me access requirements I didn’t even know were an option.
Does BU assess you for requirements themself or can it be based off what I was provided at sixth-form?
Due to having PMDD there are times where I am in so much pain I can’t move and have migraines that cause vomiting episodes. The mental affect cause server episodes of depression, anxiety and anger where I have been unable to leave the house due to saftey concerns. Currently the treatments I have tried do not work.
What are they like when it comes to repeated absences and access to work missed during absence?
No matter the amount of research you do before hand you never truly know what it will be like until you get there. I am finally in a school where I don’t have to fight for every little thing and not sure I want to or can go back to a place where I’m constantly fighting for the smallest things that make the disadvantages I face just slightly less of a disadvantage.
In general what is the attitude towards neurodiversity and mental health issues?
Are they the sort of place where you have to fight for everything?

Hello! I am currently a student at BU who struggles with anxiety, and I cannot stress this enough how good the Wellbeing Retreat (WR) is.
The WR is a separate annex-building in between the Fusion and the doctors building where you can either seek advice on recent issues with a member of staff (all confidential) or simply turn up to relax. All the staff are incredibly friendly and show genuine interest in all students who attend - it has made a huge difference to my first year. Fun fact, they offer a nice warm drink to your preferences upon arrival as well.
Oh, and the students who attend are incredibly kind. Every time I turned up, I made a new friend by just being myself. There are also students who fit your little description as well: neurodivergent and/or mental health problems.
A typical day there for me would involve having a friendly conversation with some of the staff and students, maybe doing some art whilst there's ambient music in the background - it truly is a wonderful place. Occasionally the staff and students would be playing a game together or having a good time. If I remember correctly, it is the first of its kind in the U.K.
Essentially what I'm saying is if you choose Bournemouth University, go there as soon as you can. I promise you will not regret it. Not once did I feel like I was wasting their time.

Hello! I am currently a student at BU who struggles with anxiety, and I cannot stress this enough how good the Wellbeing Retreat (WR) is.
The WR is a separate annex-building in between the Fusion and the doctors building where you can either seek advice on recent issues with a member of staff (all confidential) or simply turn up to relax. All the staff are incredibly friendly and show genuine interest in all students who attend - it has made a huge difference to my first year. Fun fact, they offer a nice warm drink to your preferences upon arrival as well.
Oh, and the students who attend are incredibly kind. Every time I turned up, I made a new friend by just being myself. There are also students who fit your little description as well: neurodivergent and/or mental health problems.
A typical day there for me would involve having a friendly conversation with some of the staff and students, maybe doing some art whilst there's ambient music in the background - it truly is a wonderful place. Occasionally the staff and students would be playing a game together or having a good time. If I remember correctly, it is the first of its kind in the U.K.
Essentially what I'm saying is if you choose Bournemouth University, go there as soon as you can. I promise you will not regret it. Not once did I feel like I was wasting their time.

Hey thank you so so much. I was glad to see not long after the post I got a response from BU. But at the same time know that a response from someone representing a school may be bias so to see this response for you was amazing thank you.