Thinking about applying for DSA?
If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty or long-term health condition you may be entitled to Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
This guide explains the basics and how specialist support from The Degree Doctor fits into the process.
What is Disabled Students’ Allowance?
Disabled Students’ Allowance is funding that helps students access the support they need to succeed in higher education.
Unlike maintenance funding, DSA isn’t based on household income and doesn’t have to be repaid. Instead, it provides funding for reasonable adjustments that help remove barriers to learning.
Depending on your needs, DSA may fund:
- Specialist one-to-one study skills support
- Specialist mentoring
- Assistive technology and software
- Specialist equipment
The exact support you receive depends on your individual needs rather than your diagnosis alone.
Who can apply?
You may be eligible if you have, for example:
- Dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty
- ADHD
- Autism
- A long-term mental health condition
- A physical disability
- A sensory impairment
- A long-term medical condition that affects your studies
What does a study skills tutor or mentor do?
Study skills support is non-subject specific and isn’t extra tuition. Instead, it’s personalised support that helps you develop strategies for studying effectively and independently. Sessions might cover topics such as:
- Planning essays and assignments
- Academic reading
- Note-making
- Revision strategies
- Dissertation planning
- Research skills
The Degree Doctor also supplies mentoring for students with ASC or ADHD diagnoses. This supports with:
- Organising your workload
- Prioritisation and goal setting
- Managing deadlines
- Time management
- Maintaining motivation
The aim of both roles is to help you develop approaches that work for you throughout your course of study and beyond.
How do I apply?
Step 1 – Apply for DSA
You apply through your student finance provider and submit evidence of your disability or condition.
Step 2 – Attend a Needs Assessment
Once your application has been approved, you’ll be invited to attend a Needs Assessment. Despite the name, this isn’t a test. A Needs Assessor will talk to you about how your condition affects your studies, the challenges you experience and what support might help. Following the assessment, they’ll recommend the support they believe will best meet your needs.
If you already know you would like to work with The Degree Doctor, you can tell your Needs Assessor during your assessment. Needs Assessors are usually happy to recommend an appropriate provider where this is possible, particularly if you’ve identified someone whose experience is a good match for your course or support needs.
Step 3 – Receive your DSA entitlement
Your funding body will review the recommendations and confirm the support that has been approved.
Step 4 – Arrange your support
Once your funding has been confirmed, your support can begin.
Do I have to pay?
No. Support provided by The Degree Doctor is funded through Disabled Students’ Allowance. We do not provide privately funded study skills support or mentoring, allowing us to focus exclusively on delivering specialist DSA-funded services.
Not sure where to start?
If you’re considering applying for DSA but aren’t sure what to do next, please get in touch.
We’re always happy to answer questions about the application process, explain how specialist study skills or mentoring support works, and help you understand what to expect before your Needs Assessment.
Whether you’re about to start university, returning after a break, or already studying and finding things more difficult than you expected, it’s never too early – or too late – to find out what support is available.