Balliol welcomes and supports all students with a disability (undergraduate and graduate). You are warmly encouraged to visit or contact us to discuss how we can plan to support you, in collaboration with the University’s Disability Advisory Service (DAS). DAS has provided a short guide to disability provision at Oxford, which includes a flowchart, outlining the usual journey of a student with disabilities from the point of application to course completion; this document can be found here. We would recommend offer holders to contact DAS by email prior to your arrival in Oxford or register with the service once you are on course. Contact details and also information about exam adjustments can be found at the foot of this page.
The College is continually working to improve access and this page contains details of what we are currently able to offer. There is also an Oxford University-wide Access Guide and specific detail about Balliol can be found here.
Accommodation
The College owns several rooms that are specially adapted for disabled students, with disabled showers. There is one at Broad Street (example above, top), three at Jowett Walk, and eight in our newest buildings at the Master’s Field (examples below).
Access to the Balliol sites
Access to the Balliol sites is as follows (with links to the precise location on the free what3words app or website as indicated):
Broad Street (main site): There is a ramp from the Porters’ Lodge down into the Front Quad. Access for those in wheelchairs from the Front Quad to the Fellows’ Garden and Garden Quad is via the Chapel Passage. There is an accessible lift to Hall from the Buttery. There is accessible teaching space on the main site. It is also possible to arrange car parking and access via the metal gates off Magdalen Street East (what3words link): please contact the Lodge if this is required.
Holywell Manor: Access is limited. It can be accessed from Manor Place (what3words link), linking through the Garden and into the South Wing corridor for access to the specially designed toilet and shower. A ramp enables access to the Cockpit and Music Room. Here is a map of wheelchair access to the public rooms at Holywell Manor.
Jowett Walk (what3words link): There is one lift from the entrance to the ground floor.
Master’s Field (what3words link): All buildings have ground-level access and lifts to access each floor.
Hall
There is a lift from the Buttery up to the Hall.
Library
There are many ways in which we can help users with disabilities to get the most out of the Library: there is more information here.
Chapel
There is an audio loop system in the Chapel. Access to the Chapel is via portable ramp: if you require access to it, please contact the Broad Street Lodge (telephone 01865 277777).
Gillis Lecture Theatre
The Gillis Lecture Theatre on the Broad Street main site has a lift, full wheelchair access throughout and an adapted toilet. It also has an audio induction/ hearing loop.
Hearing support systems
Balliol has some equipment to support hearing disabilities. If you need to use it, please ask at the Broad Street Lodge.
Arrangements for examinations
If students need practical help with, or extra time for, examinations because of a disability (for example, if it would be impossible for a student to sit examinations in the Examination Schools, or if a candidate needed to use a computer), the College Office and Examinations Administrator, Matt Fifield, can seek permission for, and organise, the required special provision. Please contact Matt for further details about exam adjustments (student.support@balliol.ox.ac.uk).
If a student chooses not to inform the College of any requirements related to disability and a matter arises during studies or examinations, it may not be possible to make adjustments straight away. If you are in any doubt, please speak in confidence to Fiona.
Further information
The Disability Officers at Balliol are:
- Disability Lead: Senior Tutor, Nicola Trott
- Disability Coordinator: Fiona Chippendale
Current students can also contact the JCR Disabled Students’ Officer or the MCR Disabilities Officer with any concerns relating to disability. The Wellbeing and Welfare page lists people in College to contact if you need help or advice. See also: