Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

What is DSA?

DSA is a non-means tested allowance that is used to fund costs that you may incur as a direct result of a disability during your studies. DSA is awarded to full and part-time undergraduates and most postgraduate students who can show that a disability, specific learning difficulty, mental health issue, sensory impairment or medical condition impacts on their studies.

To apply for the DSA your first step is to complete a DSA application form and send this to your funding body (Student Finance England or NHS). You will also need to provide evidence of your disability to accompany the application. Your evidence will need to explain how your disability impacts on your day-to-day life. Assistance with this application form and the DSA process is available from the Disability Support Service.

If you are unsure whether you have a disability or who your funding body is, please contact the Disability Support Service for more information and guidance.

As part of the DSA process, you will be asked to arrange an assessment of your study needs. The advisors in the Disability Support Service can assist with this and make arrangements for the assessment to take place at the University of Huddersfield, or at Barnsley or Oldham, depending on which campus you choose to study at. The assessment is a chance to discuss your requirements with a trained assessor who will let you know what support is available. This usually takes the form of equipment such as a digital recorder or a computer, assistive technology such as screen readers or mind mapping software, support workers such as dyslexia tutors or note takers, travel expenses and a general allowance which allows you to claim for miscellaneous items. In addition, the assessor will also discuss with you what adjustments the University can make - for example additional time in exams or copies of lecture notes in advance of taught sessions.

It is advisable to start the application process as soon as possible before starting University. The advisors in the Disability Support Service can assist you, even though you haven't started your course. Don't worry if you have not started the process before you come to Huddersfield, you can make contact with the Disability Support Service at any point during your course.