DSA assessment process

You will need to apply to your relevant funding body with a copy of your medical evidence and/or educational psychologist’s report.

Please see below the links to the relevant funding bodies:

• Student Finance England
• Student Awards Agency Scotland
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance Northern Ireland
• NHS Bursaries
• NHS Social Work Bursaries (for postgraduate students only)

When should I apply?

You can apply for DSAs as soon as you have applied to University. There is no cut-off date and you can apply if you are already a student, but the full process can take up to three months, so you should apply as soon as possible.

If your application was successful, you will receive an eligibility letter by email requesting you to arrange and attend a needs assessment appointment.

A DSA needs assessment is an informal and friendly conversation between yourself and one of our experienced, supportive assessors. 

A DSA assessment with A2B Assessments is not a test!

During these discussions, you are encouraged to openly talk about your condition(s) and any difficulties you may face with your studies as a result of your approved condition(s).

Our skilled assessors will listen to you and our recommendations are always a reflection of your conversation during the assessment. 

If you have any current strategies you find helpful, our assessors will consider these. Your assessor will show a practical demonstration of the relevant equipment and software available, this will ensure that your recommendations are tailored to your needs.

A2B Assessments allow up to 2 hours for your DSA needs assessment. This ensures that the discussion is detailed, comprehensive and unrushed.

That’s it! After your assessment, all agreed recommendations are summarised in a report that is sent to you and your funding body.

Your funding body will send you a DSA2 letter detailing what support has been approved. Please contact the required suppliers and let them know you have approval from your funding body, and they will provide all the support you need to carry out the process.

The cost of your study needs assessment is fully inclusive and will be paid to us directly by your funding body.

Specialist Equipment

You will be required to make contact with your assistive technology supplier.  Arrangements will be made regarding the delivery and set up of your equipment.

If Student Finance England is your funding body you will be required to pay a £200 contribution to any computer recommended in your report. This payment is required in advance of delivery. We recommend that you contact your University disability services as they may contribute or offer support to this additional payment.

Non-medical helper support

Otherwise known as one-to-one support, for example mentoring, specialist study skills and sign language interpreting. You have the option of selecting either online or face to face training, depending on your requirements.

You should receive the full support of your supplier throughout this process and if further support is required it is important to contact your needs assessor.

It is important to note that you should receive your equipment less than 10 working days after providing confirmation of funding body approval.

Any questions concerning the organisations that supply Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) funded equipment, should be directed to your funding body.

If you wish to upgrade some of your DSA equipment, such as upgrading your DSA provided laptop, then you will need to pay the additional cost.