Your DSA Assessment Centre
We are A2B Assessments DSA Assessment Centre. We offer positive, supportive and informative DSA Needs Assessments that help you succeed at University and beyond.
Your DSA Assessment Centre
We are A2B Assessments DSA Assessment Centre. We offer positive, supportive and informative DSA Needs Assessments that help you succeed at University and beyond.
What is the DSA?
The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) supports students in higher education. It can cover some of the extra study-related costs students may incur due to their impairment, mental health condition, or learning difference. As DSA is tailored to your needs, it can make day-to-day student life a lot easier, particularly in terms of attending class, note-taking, revision and travelling.
Apply for the DSA as early as possible. You can get support in place before you start your studies, so it’s one less thing to think about. If that’s not possible, you can also apply at any point during your course.
Unlike a student loan, your DSA does not need to be repaid.
All UK residents studying both part-time and full-time can get access to the DSA including those on postgraduate, distance learning and Open University courses.
Any student in the UK can apply for the DSA as long as you have evidence to show that you have:
- Dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other specific learning differences;
- Anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions;
- Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome;
- Long-term illnesses such as cancer, HIV, diabetes;
- Physical impairments;
- Sensory impairments.
Evidence about your disability or condition will need to be provided. This can be proof from a doctor or a diagnostic report done by a specialist practitioner.
The support you get depends on your individual needs but you may be recommended any of the following:
Specialist equipment allowance
This may include computers /laptops, assistive technology software, ergonomic equipment.
Non-medical helper’s allowance
This could cover the cost of the expense of certain 1:1 support, for example, sign language interpreter, study skills tutor or a mentor.
General allowances
This could cover disability-related expenses such as photocopying and printing costs.
Travel costs
This allowance can cover reasonable additional travel costs directly related to your disability or learning difference.
For a step-by-step guide to applying, please see our DSA needs assessment process.
Frequently asked questions
Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about when applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
A DSA Needs Assessment with A2B Assessments is an informal chat between yourself and one of our friendly, experienced assessors. A DSA Needs Assessment with A2B Assessments is not a test!
- We’ll discuss what specific difficulties you are experiencing as a result of your approved condition(s), and identify what strategies are available to help you overcome these difficulties.
- Once we have spoken through the different strategies available to you, we will produce a Needs Assessment Report for you and your funding body to read. This report is so your funding body can approve the recommendations made by your assessor.
- Your funding body will then send you a letter detailing what support has been approved and what you need to do next to arrange it.
After your DSA Needs Assessment your assessor will write a detailed report known as a Needs Assessment Report. This report contains the recommendations made for your support as well as the justifications behind these recommendations.
DSA Study Needs Assessments are available if the following apply to you:
- You are currently living and studying in the UK.
- You can prove you have a condition(s) that affects your ability to study (medical condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty).
- You are studying full-time or part-time in one of the following:
- A first degree, for example BA, BSc or BEd
- A Foundation Degree
- A Certificate of Higher Education
- A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- A Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- A Higher National Diploma (HND)
- A Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
- A postgraduate course
- An Initial Teacher Training
- Your course lasts at least one year
- You qualify for student finance (you do not need to have a student loan to receive DSA).
You can check if you are eligible and apply for your DSA at gov.uk.
Once you have applied for the DSA and received an email, or letter confirming that your DSA application has been successful, it is time to book your DSA Needs Assessment.
Please follow this link to book your DSA Needs Assessment with us, or for more information, please contact us.
Assessments can take place face to face, by phone, or by video call.
If you choose to have your assessment face to face, this can take place at any of our registered needs assessment centres.
No, you don’t need to wait until you begin your course to arrange your assessment.
The sooner you can arrange your assessment the better. We can then ensure that all your support is organised and arranged in time for the beginning of your studies, so you can get off to a flying start!
Your support can be amended as required throughout your course.
A DSA Needs Assessment with A2B Assessments is certainly not a test! There is no pass or fail.
- Assessments are an informal discussion, where you can talk openly and honestly about any difficulties you are experiencing in your studies as a result of your approved condition(s).
- We understand that every student’s condition(s) is different and therefore will cause different struggles when studying. The assessors are there to listen to these difficulties and recommend the best possible strategies for you.
Here are 5 reasons why you should book with us:
- We place your needs first.
- We’ve designed a tailor made system to make the booking and administration process for our students as easy as possible. This means we can spend less time on paperwork and more time getting to know you, finding out what support you need.
- This streamlined process allows our assessors to adopt an individual approach to every student that we see, ensuring our assessments are as unique as you are.
- Our assessor team are one of a kind. Comprising of a diverse group, many of our team have worked in other areas of the DSA, whilst others have been through the DSA process as students themselves. This pooled experience helps to ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of your needs before, during and after your assessment with us.
- Our goal is to support you from when you first contact us, through to when you finish your course.
- We will send your report to you and your funding body within 10 working days.
- Your funding body will then review and process the recommendations made for your support. This can take a further 21 working days.
- Once your report has been processed, your funding body will issue you with an Entitlement Letter. This letter will detail what support has been approved and how to order any equipment or 1:1 support that has been approved.
A2B Assessments and our team.
Of course! If you are under the age of 18 and/or feel that you would like to have further support during your face-to-face, phone, or video assessment, you can be accompanied by a parent, carer, or friend. We ask that you contact us beforehand to make us aware.
Our goal is to make the assessment as welcoming and supportive as possible for you.
The following documents are required for having an assessment:
- A copy of your medical evidence or diagnostic report.
- A copy of your funding body eligibility letter.
We recommend that you send these documents to us in advance of your assessment, as your funding body does not send us this information.
If you are having difficulty with any of the above please contact us for further guidance.
What counts as medical evidence?
The type of medical evidence required ahead of your assessment is the same evidence that you provided to your funding body during your application for DSA support.
The type of medical evidence required by your funding body will depend on the condition you are applying for. Some guidelines are:
- An Educational Psychologist’s Report:
This is a report for students with specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia.
- A Letter from a Doctor or Suitable Specialist:
This will be required for students with a Physical Impairment, Long Standing Medical Condition, Mental Health Condition or Sensory Impairment. For SFE students your doctor may also complete the Student Finance medical evidence form.
No. The assessment fee will be paid by your funding body and is not added to your student loan.
There is no cost to you for your assessment.
Reports will be shared with:
- You. You are welcome to see a draft copy of your Needs Assessment Report and can request this with your assessor during the assessment.
- Your funding body. This is a requirement as it is your funding body that approve and fund your support.
- With your consent we will also share your report with your university disability team. This helps ensure they are able to provide the support required, but you can decide whether you wish to give this consent during your assessment.
For more information please see our Privacy Policy.
A funding body is the entity which pays for your DSA Needs Assessment and recommended support.
Which funding body you are supported by depends on factors such as what course you are studying and what country you are based in.
Different funding bodies include:
- Student Finance England – SFE
- Student Finance Wales – SFW
- Student Finance Northern Ireland – SF NI
- Student Awards Agency for Scotland – SAAS
- National Health Service – NHS
- Research Council
- The Education and Skills Funding Agency – ESFA
A DSA Needs Assessment can be called:
- A DSA Assessment
- A Study Needs Assessment
- A Needs Assessment
- An Assessment
These all mean the same thing. At A2B Assessments we refer to it as a DSA Needs Assessment.
Your DSA Needs Assessment is valid for the duration of your studies.
If your circumstances change during your course, your support can be reviewed and amended as necessary.
If you return to further study at a later date you could be entitled to a review of your needs to ensure that your recommended support is still relevant.
If you haven’t applied yet and would like some further advice, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions…
A DSA Needs Assessment with A2B Assessments is an informal chat between yourself and one of our friendly, experienced assessors. A DSA Needs Assessment with A2B Assessments is not a test!
- We’ll discuss what specific difficulties you are experiencing as a result of your approved condition(s), and identify what strategies are available to help you overcome these difficulties.
- Once we have spoken through the different strategies available to you, we will produce a Needs Assessment Report for you and your funding body to read. This report is so your funding body can approve the recommendations made by your assessor.
- Your funding body will then send you a letter detailing what support has been approved and what you need to do next to arrange it.
After your DSA Needs Assessment your assessor will write a detailed report known as a Needs Assessment Report. This report contains the recommendations made for your support as well as the justifications behind these recommendations.
DSA Study Needs Assessments are available if the following apply to you:
- You are currently living and studying in the UK.
- You can prove you have a condition(s) that affects your ability to study (medical condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty).
- You are studying full-time or part-time in one of the following:
- A first degree, for example BA, BSc or BEd
- A Foundation Degree
- A Certificate of Higher Education
- A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- A Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- A Higher National Diploma (HND)
- A Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
- A postgraduate course
- An Initial Teacher Training
- Your course lasts at least one year
- You qualify for student finance (you do not need to have a student loan to receive DSA).
You can check if you are eligible and apply for your DSA at gov.uk.
Once you have applied for the DSA and received an email, or letter confirming that your DSA application has been successful, it is time to book your DSA Needs Assessment.
Please follow this link to book your DSA Needs Assessment with us, or for more information, please contact us.
Assessments can take place face to face, by phone, or by video call.
If you choose to have your assessment face to face, this can take place at any of our registered needs assessment centres.
No, you don’t need to wait until you begin your course to arrange your assessment.
The sooner you can arrange your assessment the better. We can then ensure that all your support is organised and arranged in time for the beginning of your studies, so you can get off to a flying start!
Your support can be amended as required throughout your course.
A DSA Needs Assessment with A2B Assessments is certainly not a test! There is no pass or fail.
- Assessments are an informal discussion, where you can talk openly and honestly about any difficulties you are experiencing in your studies as a result of your approved condition(s).
- We understand that every student’s condition(s) is different and therefore will cause different struggles when studying. The assessors are there to listen to these difficulties and recommend the best possible strategies for you.
Here are 5 reasons why you should book with us:
- We place your needs first.
- We’ve designed a tailor made system to make the booking and administration process for our students as easy as possible. This means we can spend less time on paperwork and more time getting to know you, finding out what support you need.
- This streamlined process allows our assessors to adopt an individual approach to every student that we see, ensuring our assessments are as unique as you are.
- Our assessor team are one of a kind. Comprising of a diverse group, many of our team have worked in other areas of the DSA, whilst others have been through the DSA process as students themselves. This pooled experience helps to ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of your needs before, during and after your assessment with us.
- Our goal is to support you from when you first contact us, through to when you finish your course.
- We will send your report to you and your funding body within 10 working days.
- Your funding body will then review and process the recommendations made for your support. This can take a further 21 working days.
- Once your report has been processed, your funding body will issue you with an Entitlement Letter. This letter will detail what support has been approved and how to order any equipment or 1:1 support that has been approved.
A2B Assessments and our team.
Of course! If you are under the age of 18 and/or feel that you would like to have further support during your face-to-face, phone, or video assessment, you can be accompanied by a parent, carer, or friend. We ask that you contact us beforehand to make us aware.
Our goal is to make the assessment as welcoming and supportive as possible for you.
The following documents are required for having an assessment:
- A copy of your medical evidence or diagnostic report.
- A copy of your funding body eligibility letter.
We recommend that you send these documents to us in advance of your assessment, as your funding body does not send us this information.
If you are having difficulty with any of the above please contact us for further guidance.
What counts as medical evidence?
The type of medical evidence required ahead of your assessment is the same evidence that you provided to your funding body during your application for DSA support.
The type of medical evidence required by your funding body will depend on the condition you are applying for. Some guidelines are:
- An Educational Psychologist’s Report:
This is a report for students with specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia.
- A Letter from a Doctor or Suitable Specialist:
This will be required for students with a Physical Impairment, Long Standing Medical Condition, Mental Health Condition or Sensory Impairment. For SFE students your doctor may also complete the Student Finance medical evidence form.
No. The assessment fee will be paid by your funding body and is not added to your student loan.
There is no cost to you for your assessment.
Reports will be shared with:
- You. You are welcome to see a draft copy of your Needs Assessment Report and can request this with your assessor during the assessment.
- Your funding body. This is a requirement as it is your funding body that approve and fund your support.
- With your consent we will also share your report with your university disability team. This helps ensure they are able to provide the support required, but you can decide whether you wish to give this consent during your assessment.
For more information please see our Privacy Policy.
A funding body is the entity which pays for your DSA Needs Assessment and recommended support.
Which funding body you are supported by depends on factors such as what course you are studying and what country you are based in.
Different funding bodies include:
- Student Finance England – SFE
- Student Finance Wales – SFW
- Student Finance Northern Ireland – SF NI
- Student Awards Agency for Scotland – SAAS
- National Health Service – NHS
- Research Council
- The Education and Skills Funding Agency – ESFA
A DSA Needs Assessment can be called:
- A DSA Assessment
- A Study Needs Assessment
- A Needs Assessment
- An Assessment
These all mean the same thing. At A2B Assessments we refer to it as a DSA Needs Assessment.
Your DSA Needs Assessment is valid for the duration of your studies.
If your circumstances change during your course, your support can be reviewed and amended as necessary.
If you return to further study at a later date you could be entitled to a review of your needs to ensure that your recommended support is still relevant.
If you haven’t applied yet and would like some further advice, please contact us.
