Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or long-term health condition, the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) can help you to pay for extra costs that come as a result.

For example, the DSA can help to pay for a non-medical helper (such as a BSL interpreter, specialist mentor, one-to-one study skills tutor), specialist equipment and travel assistance. It is not means-tested: all UK students who are studying full or part-time on an undergraduate or postgraduate degree can apply.

The university's Disability and Dyslexia team can advise on making your application and help to arrange any agreed support. Remember that the DSA cannot fund expenses that are not related to your disability.

To find out how to apply to DSA, watch the video below.

For more details:

  1. Provide evidence and apply online
  2. Needs assessment
  3. Setting up support

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Find out more info on gov.uk

Get in touch

Declaring a disability process

Have you provided your disability evidence?

In order to access support, you will be asked to provide evidence both to the Disability and Dyslexia team, and as part of any application for DSA (or equivalent).

Find out more about obtaining disability evidence.

Learning Support Plans

Support is available for all disabled students at the university through a Learning Support Plan (LSP), which ensures that your lecturers are aware of your support needs.

Find out more about LSPs.

How to apply for Disabled Students' Allowance

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can watch the video on YouTube.

1. Provide evidence and apply online

If you have applied for a student loan and declared a disability on your original application, you will also be invited to apply for Disabled Students' Allowances through the online system at the same time:

  • You will be asked to fill in an online form confirming your course and disability details.
  • You will then be asked to submit copies of your disability evidence.
  • Section 6 of this form will ask you whether you are happy to share your DSA information with the university. Please agree to this, as it will allow us to support you better.

If you have not applied for a student loan, didn’t previously declare a disability, or prefer an alternative application format, paper forms are available to download from the government DSA website.

If you need assistance with your application, please get in touch with us via disability@brighton.ac.uk.

2. Needs Assessment

If you have been successful in the first stage of your application for DSA, you will receive a letter from Student Finance England or your equivalent funding body asking you to make an appointment for a needs assessment.

This is an informal appointment which can last up to two hours and will determine what funding-related items or support you will need for your course. The appointment is carried out at a recognised assessment centre or online.

You can attend a Needs Assessment Centre wherever is most convenient and there are centres based around the country. There are three Needs Assessment Centres based in Sussex.

Find your nearest assessment centre.

Two people looking at a laptop

Our Disability and Dyslexia team can help you to apply for the DSA.

3. Setting up support

It can take up to four weeks (or longer during busier times therefore apply for your DSA funding early) after your needs assessment before you receive your confirmation of funding (DSA2) letter.

This outlines the items and/or support that has been agreed. The letter will include instructions on how you can order any equipment and access support.

If your funding is through Student Finance England, you will be asked to pay the first £200 of your computer equipment, but the university's DSA Contribution Refund can assist students whose household income is £25,000 pa or less.

If you have any questions about this process get in touch with us by emailing disability@brighton.ac.uk.