Disability Support
OVERVIEW
We support staff and students with a wide range of disabilities.
The NFTS aims to ensure the School is an inclusive place for disabled and neuro-divergent people and are working to increase representation of talented disabled professionals behind the camera at all levels.
Some of the disabilities we support
These include (but are not limited to) specific learning differences (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD); mental health difficulties (e.g. depression, bipolar disorder); long-term medical conditions (e.g. HIV, cancer, multiple sclerosis); unseen disabilities (e.g. diabetes, asthma, epilepsy); sensory impairments (e.g. blindness, hearing loss or deafness); mobility/physical impairments (e.g. paralysis, arthritis)
As the NFTS continues its commitment in ensuring we are a diverse and inclusive community, we have consulted with a range of industry and sector stakeholders and commissioned industry expert Ally Castle to make recommendations for the distinct way in which we can play a deliberate, strategic role in supporting the greater inclusion of disabled talent within the film, games and television industries. In doing this, we recognise that the School, as the leading film, television and games school in the UK, can be effective in supporting disabled talent and be a catalyst for effective and meaningful change to issues faced by disabled talent within the industry.
As part of our commitment to delivering change in this area, we have developed an action plan of steps we will take to counter the physical, cultural and structural barriers faced by disabled creatives. We recognise that many of our commitments will be ongoing and we will review them on a regular basis to ensure we are making progress.
Read the full Disabled Talent Commitment (pdf)
Disabled Talent Commitment - Actions (pdf)
Accessible Accommodation
From January 2027 we have new purpose-built accommodation for up to 9 students with physical access requirements, at our Main Campus. This forms part of our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive, accessible environment in which all students can live and study independently in Beaconsfield.
These new rooms will be on the 2nd floor of the Cubby Building. Read more on our Accessible Accommodation page.
Content Tabs
We offer a range of support below to help you succeed. We can also provide guidance during the application process, including advice on any reasonable adjustments needed for interviews or workshops.
Disability Support - What support we offer at the NFTS?
- You can meet with a Student Support & Wellbeing (SSW) Adviser to discuss what support is right for you.
- We will work with you to create a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP), outlining any support you may need during your studies
- Where relevant, we can also develop an Access Rider, which includes adjustments for production or practical work (this depends on your course)
- We can liaise with your Head of Department, tutors, and other staff to ensure your support is in place
- Guidance on applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). For more information and to check eligibility can be found on the https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa
- Access to counselling support through referral
- Specialist study skills support (if you are not receiving DSA)
- Specialist mentoring support (if you are not receiving DSA)
- Advice and guidance on obtaining a ADHD and Autism diagnosis
Pre-arrival support:
Once you have accepted your place and shared information about a disability, the SSW team will contact you in advance to:
- Discuss your support needs
- Advice and guidance to help gather any required medical or diagnostic evidence
- Support you with your DSA application (if eligible)
- Begin preparing your Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP
Contact us:
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch:
Email: swellbeing@nfts.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1494 731 1382
We are committed to supporting UK disabled talent and being a catalyst for meaningful change to issues faced by disabled talent within the UK screen and games industries. As part of our commitment to making the creative industries more accessible to disabled talent, we are providing dedicated funding to help to support UK students with disabilities to access our world-class training.
Five bursaries will be available for UK students applying to study on full time MFA and MA courses from September 2025, providing up to £5,000 per annum each. Additional bursary support is also available for UK students applying to study part time Diploma and Certificate courses from September 2025 of up to £1,000 each. UK Students studying courses supported by NFTS scholarship and bursaries will also be eligible to apply for further funding from the School to help with tuition fee costs.
The funding aims to assist UK students who face significant additional costs because of the nature of their disability.
The bursary could be used to help with costs such as:
- Accessible accommodation
- Carers accommodation
- Additional heating and electricity costsTravel expenses
- Specialist and mobility equipment
Eligibility
Candidates must have:
- Been permanently resident in the UK for the last three years and hold a British passport in order to be eligible.
- A learning difference (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, or AD(H)D)
- A visual impairment uncorrected by glasses (e.g. blindness or partial sight)
- A hearing impairment (e.g. D/deafness or partial hearing)
- A physical impairment or challenges with mobility (e.g. climbing stairs or uneven surfaces), or dexterity (e.g. using a keyboard or laboratory equipment)
- A social, behavioural or communication impairment (e.g. an autistic spectrum condition or Tourette’s Syndrome)
- A long-term illness or health condition which may involve pain or cause fatigue, loss of concentration or breathing difficulties – including any effects from taking associated medication.
We cannot accept applications from individuals who only experience a mental health condition, challenge or disorder (e.g. anxiety or depression).
We will require medical confirmation of your disability. This may be a letter from your health care provider, doctor or consultant, confirming your stated disability.
How To Apply
On receiving an offer of a place on one of our courses, you will be given further information on how to apply, if you are eligible.
Applicants will need to provide medical evidence of their disability (from a GP, consultant or specialist practitioner) and provide information on how the funding will be used. Applications will be assessed by a panel comprised of NFTS representatives and the School’s Disability Advocate.
The NFTS Accessible Living Bursary is a transformative new initiative that will fully fund on-site, purpose-built accommodation for physically disabled students for the entire duration of their course. Make sure you mark that you wish to apply for accommodation when you fill in the application form for your chosen course and we will contact you to discuss should you be successful in being offered a place on your course.
The bursary fully covers rent, utilities, and any agreed reasonable adjustments within the accommodation provided at our Main Campus.
Please note: It does not include personal living costs.
