Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability
Disabled Students' Allowance
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability.
This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.
The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs - not your household income.
You do not need to pay back DSA.
What you’ll get
2024 to 2025 academic year
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £26,948 a year for support.
2023 to 2024 academic year
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £26,291 a year for support.
What DSA can pay for
You can get help with the costs of:
- specialist equipment, for example a computer if you need one because of your disability
- non-medical helpers, for example a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or specialist note taker
- extra travel to attend your course or placement because of your disability
- other disability-related study support, for example having to print additional copies of documents for proof-reading
DSA does not cover disability-related costs you’d have if you were not attending a course, or costs that any student might have.
Buying a new computer
You may get a new computer if you’re assessed as needing one because:
- you do not already have one
- your current one does not meet your study needs
When buying a new computer, you’ll need to pay the first £200.
The DSA team will send you more information about this after your needs assessment.
Your ‘needs assessment’
Your needs assessment is an informal meeting to determine what support you can get for your studies - it’s not a test. It can be in-person or remote.
After you receive your DSA eligibility letter, a supplier (either Study Tech or Capita) will contact you to arrange a needs assessment. You do not need to contact them first.
After your assessment, you’ll get:
- a report with the recommendations made by your supplier based on your assessment
- an entitlement letter explaining what support you can get
Study Tech or Capita will then contact you to discuss your equipment and arrange any assistive technology training you need. Your entitlement letter will also tell you if you need to contact any suppliers yourself.
Do not buy any equipment until you’ve been assessed - you will not be reimbursed for it.
How DSA is paid
Most payments will be sent directly to your suppliers depending on what support you’ve been awarded.
Only some allowance costs can be paid directly to you. Your entitlement letter will let you know if this applies to you.