Lots of people find that having epilepsy doesn’t cause them any problems at school, college or university.

Epilepsy alone shouldn’t stop you from going to college or university. But you need to include epilepsy on the list of things to consider. Will I need extra support? Will I need extra time or help with my exams? Will my epilepsy affect my choice of career?

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

The following information is only relevant if you live in the UK. If you live outside the UK, you can find out about the law in your country by contacting your your local epilepsy group.

In the UK, the DDA is a law that exists to make sure that you’re treated fairly if you have a long-term medical condition. This includes epilepsy.

The DDA means that schools, colleges or universities can’t stop you from taking part in certain activities just because you have epilepsy. For example, if staff think that you shouldn’t take part in a trip or sporting activity because you have epilepsy, they need to give you a very good reason why.

Help and support with study

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) means that your school, college or university has to try to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to help you with any problems that are caused by your epilepsy. For example they might provide you with extra help and support if you need it. This could be hand-outs to help you in lessons and lectures, or a member of staff to support you in the classroom.  

Exams

In the UK, you may be entitled to extra time in exams if, for example, you have concentration or memory problems because of your anti-epileptic drugs. You wouldn’t be given extra time just because you have epilepsy.

Your school, college or university would need to apply to the exam board, who would decide whether or not you are entitled to extra time. Your epilepsy specialist may be able to give advice on whether or not you need extra time in exams, and support you in requesting this.

• More information about help with exams if you have epilepsy
   

Stress

Stress can make some people with epilepsy more likely to have a seizure. If stress is a possible seizure trigger for you, you could talk to your teacher or the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator, about possible extra help and support to make studying and exams less stressful.

• More information about education and epilepsy
  

Teasing and bullying

Teasing and bullying can happen to anyone, but no one should have to put up with it. If you’re being teased or bullied at school, college or university, you may want to talk to your teacher or tutor about this.

Although there’s never an excuse for bullying, some people do it to make fun of something they don’t understand. You may want to ask your teacher about arranging an epilepsy awareness lesson, to help your classmates understand more about epilepsy. Epilepsy Action can offer advice on setting up an epilepsy awareness lesson.

There’s lots of information about epilepsy on our website which you could show to your teacher. In some areas of the UK, Epilepsy Action has Accredited Volunteers who can give epilepsy awareness presentations. Contact the Epilepsy Helpline for more information; helpline@epilepsy.org.uk, freephone 0808 800 5050.

Sources of help if you’re being bullied

• Childline
• Beat bullying
  

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