About the Disabled Students Allowance

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) are designed to help pay for extra costs you may face as a direct result of studying with a disability, a long-term illness, a mental health condition, a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia or an autistic spectrum condition such as Asperger's syndrome.

If you want to know more about applying for DSAs, Disability Rights UK have a lot of information on their Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) factsheet.

DSAs are not means-tested, so you or your parents' income will not be taken into account. Getting DSAs will not affect any other benefits you receive.

The amount of funding that you will get is based on your individual needs. For more information and current figures, see the Gov.uk webpage Disabled Students' Allowances - how much you can get.

If you are not eligible for DSAs, you may still be able to receive funded support. Register with our Student Disability Service and discuss your needs with your named advisor.

A DSA can fund

Specialist equipment
You can get a one-off payment for equipment or software to help with your studies, for example:

  • computer (you may be asked to pay £200 towards a computer)
  • digital voice recorder
  • screen reader
  • Braille embosser
  • Assistive software e.g. voice recognition software

Non-medical helper support
DSA can provide funding for study related disbility support you may need, for example:

  • dyslexia support tutor
  • specialist note-taker for deaf of visually impaired
  • specialist mental health mentor
  • Asperger's support mentor
  • sign language interpreter

Travel costs
If you incur additional travel costs to attend your course because of your disability, you may be entitled to help with them.

General allowance
You can get an annual allowance for things like:

  • software training
  • photocopying and printing expenses

You cannot claim for
Costs which are not connected with your disability or those that you would have incurred if you were not a student, including:

  • the cost of medicines
  • equipment for daily living or medical needs

Colleges

Professional Services