Forced to quit because "status" mattered more than my disability
I have been forced to withdraw from my studies at Manchester Metropolitan University because of a toxic, hierarchical culture that prioritises the egos of staff over the legal rights of disabled students.
As a 53-year-old student with a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for mental health vulnerabilities, who already has a law Degree and wanted to train to be a BArrister,
I expected a professional nurturng environment.
And thre were sevral poeple who were understanding and tolerant.
But Generally, I encountered tutors—many of whom are practicing barristers—who seem to think they are above the law. And Infer, in a round about way that people with disabilities have no place at the Bar, and hint not to waste our time and money.
The "Barrister Culture" Problem:
There is a massive issue with "positional power" here. I had a tutor who openly state to a class that she "deliberately" ignored all student PLPs (Personal Learning Plans) and that we had to "adapt" as dispabled people dont treated any differetnly in the court room.
This isn't just a "teaching style"; it is a blatant breach of the Equality Act 2010.
Public Humiliation:
When I tried to ask a simple academic question, I was shouted at and ordered to "step outside" like a child. My PLP explicitly states I should never be confronted in front of peers due to the risk of a mental health crisis. This was ignored. In the corridor, I was met with an intimidating "I won't tolerate you talking to me like that" attitude. It felt like being in a courtroom with a judge who has zero interest in empathy or disability training.
Zero Support:
The university culture is incredibly hierarchical. It feels like tutors believe they are owed "extraordinary respect" due to their status, while neurodivergent students are seen as a nuisance. They talk about "dignity at study," but the reality is a hostile, ableist environment where you are silenced if you dare to speak up.
Final Word:
If you have a disability or a learning plan, stay away from MMU Law especially the Bar training Course
They might have the fancy buildings, but they lack the basic human decency and legal compliance needed to support students. I’ve had to quit to protect my mental health. Don’t let them do the same to you.
14 January 2026
Unprompted review