Neurodivergent students face unique challenges in higher education. Here at The Degree Doctor we know those challenges affect the whole person and over our 15 years of working with students in the DSA system we have proven our ability to meet the individual where they are, bringing a validating, warm approach to our sessions.
Support is provided by Dr Sophia Deboick, who holds a PhD in History as well as specialist qualifications in specific learning difficulties and autism, bringing together academic skills and a deep knowledge of neurodivergence. This, along with her lived experience of ADHD and autism in the family and of navigating education and healthcare systems in the presence of these neurotypes, makes her uniquely placed to support neurodivergent students through both the academic and personal challenges of university life.
Find out more about Dr Sophia.
What we offer
If you receive Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), The Degree Doctor can provide you with study skills and mentoring support. Our support is designed to help you develop practical strategies that enable you to study with greater confidence, independence and success throughout your time in higher education.
Whether you’re studying for an undergraduate degree, Master’s qualification or PhD, sessions are tailored to your individual strengths, goals and the way you learn best, helping you develop strategies that will benefit you throughout your studies and beyond.
Because your support is funded through DSA, there are no fees for you to organise or pay, and we aim to make getting your support through us as stress-free as possible.
Flexible appointments
Sessions are arranged at times to suit you, including evenings and weekends. Regular weekly appointments are available where preferred, but support can also be provided flexibly around both academic and personal commitments. We have many students who are balancing their study with work and family, and we understand the challenges this can bring. We seek to be responsive to this and usually have appointments available at short notice if you need additional support at a particularly pressured time.
Remote support nationwide
All support is provided online using secure video conferencing, allowing you to access specialist support wherever you are studying in the UK. Remote sessions offer flexibility without compromising the personal, one-to-one nature of the support.
Support tailored to you
During your first session we’ll go through a Learning Agreement and develop an Individual Learning Plan together. This sets mutual expectations and provides a framework for your support, identifying your priorities, agreeing your goals and ensuring that sessions are tailored to your individual needs.
Support may include developing strategies for:
- Organisation and planning
- Time management and prioritisation
- Academic reading and note-making
- Essay writing and academic communication
- Revision and exam preparation
- Dissertation and thesis planning
- Research skills
- Managing workload and maintaining motivation
The focus will always be on finding practical approaches that work for you and your course.
Help with your DSA application
If you’re unsure about applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance, we can help. We can guide you through the process from obtaining the necessary evidence to accessing your equipment and specialist support.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the support we provide, or would like to discuss how DSA-funded study skills or mentoring support could help you, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to drop us an email or book a discovery call with us to find out more about how we can support you.