ADHD among university students
Posted on: Friday, May 30th, 2025
The GMSP and ADHD
The Greater Manchester Student Partnership (GMSP) is committed to improving the quality of life for university students with ADHD. First-time university students, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, represent a particularly vulnerable group and require the appropriate additional support. Currently, university students are not seen quickly enough. The number of people on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment has now reached 25,000 in Greater Manchester, with some waiting for up to two years. In the meantime, students may be facing significant academic, social, and emotional difficulties which cannot be properly addressed without a formal diagnosis and the support that follows.
Dr Rozewicz, a specialist in adult ADHD, emphasises the importance of timely intervention, stating that “there are enormous benefits of appropriate drug therapies, which can in some cases can make all the difference between leaving university early and successfully completing their studies.” In fact, around 80% of those with ADHD will improve with medication. However, without the proper structure in place to ensure students receive a diagnosis they cannot receive any of the benefits that medication can offer.
The Student Mental Health Hub
While the Greater Manchester Student Mental Health Hub is doing vital work in expediting mental health support for students, it does not currently have an ADHD assessment provision within its service. If there was a more streamlined pathway for students, this would drastically improve the experience of university for many. Those who might have otherwise struggled to cope, and even drop out, would be able to thrive with the right support. The lost fees of just a handful of students dropping out due to a missed ADHD diagnosis would be well worth the money spent on the additional service, not to mention the unmeasured impact of improving that student’s life.
This is reflected in one student’s account:
“For me, receiving an official diagnosis of ADHD was what ultimately stopped me from dropping out of uni. Everything started to make sense as to why I had such a hard time studying compared to my peers and why I was constantly forgetting assignments.
The diagnosis was the catalyst to changing how I managed everyday tasks and, more importantly, how much I value myself.”
Women and ADHD
This problem is particularly prevalent for female students. Due to a lack of understanding of how ADHD presents in females, many do not receive a diagnosis until adulthood. Often, during school, girls find it easier to mask the impact of their ADHD symptoms. In fact, many are able to excel academically. However, this does not mean that they are not struggling to the same extent, just that they are better at hiding it. It is when they experience a major lifestyle change, like moving to university, that a lot of their coping mechanisms are stripped away and internal issues come to light.
This problem is compounded since ‘women who do not receive a diagnosis of ADHD until adulthood are at greater risk of suffering with low self-esteem’. This directly impacts quality of life, influencing employment, socioeconomic status, as well as mental and physical health.
One student shared their perspective:
“I couldn’t have made it this far in my degree if it weren’t for my diagnosis and treatment. Had I been diagnosed and treated earlier, I would have graduated by now. Instead it will have taken me six years to complete a three year Bachelor.
It’s a very common pattern in students with ADHD to perform well in school under the guidance of their parents and support of their family. Getting themselves into very good universities, just to fall short when they get there and wonder how they even made it there in the first place.
If there is anywhere that should diagnose and treat people with ADHD, it’s our Russell Group Universities.”
What next?
It is clear that the current system is not meeting the needs of students with ADHD, and the consequences, both personal and systemic, are too significant to ignore. The GMSP is in a unique position to channel the resources of local government and universities to make a real difference. We believe that with the right investment, Greater Manchester’s universities can lead the way in creating a model of ADHD support that is timely, inclusive, and life-changing. By integrating ADHD assessments into existing mental health services and developing pathways for diagnosis and treatment, we can ensure that no student is left behind simply because their needs are not recognised. Now is the time to act, not only to support academic success, but to give all students the opportunity to thrive during one of the most formative periods of their lives.
What can you do?
If you want to help us make life easier for students with ADHD, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Similarly, if you have a story you want to tell we want to hear it.
Email us at info@gm-sp.com or find us on Instagram @greatermanchester.sp