Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

Disabled Students’ Allowance provides extra support for students who have a diagnosed disability which may cause them difficulty during their studies.

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Service information

Disabled Students’ Allowance (or DSA) provides extra help for students who have a diagnosed disability which may cause them difficulty with fully engaging in all elements of their academic studies.

You may claim DSA in addition to your student finance loans and grants to cover any extra study-related costs you incur due to a disability, mental health condition, or learning difficulty (such as dyslexia or dyspraxia).

DSA is not a financial award; it provides funding for specific equipment, non-medical help and general allowances which are recommended by an Assessor and agreed by the Student’s sponsor. However, it is also not a loan and therefore does not need paying back.

The amount you will receive depends on your individual needs and not on your household income.

You are eligible for a DSA if you meet all the following criteria:

You are taking a full-time or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course in the UK (including distance learning courses) that lasts at least one year.
You are a Home Student and qualify for student finance, even if self-funding your course.
You have suitable medical evidence of a diagnosed medical condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty which affects your ability to study.

Students who are studying at an undergraduate or postgraduate level and have a disability may be eligible for additional support from the Disabled Student Allowance. For new students, apply for DSA along with your Student Finance, even if you do not have a confirmed place at University as it takes, on average, over 10 weeks from applying for DSA to receiving support.

Your Guide to DSA

We have created a comprehensive guide to DSA, including what support you can get and how to apply. The guide helps to explain what steps are involved in the application process and what to expect from these.

Your Guide to DSA | Student Wellbeing Centre | (Internal)

We have also created a DSA Roadmap to help outline the DSA Application process, and what to expect.

This is also available as a PDF File: DSA Roadmap

Student Services