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Help for Higher Education Students.

University Disability Officers offer specialist advice about all aspects of support. Dyslexic students should contact their DO as soon as they accept a place.

You will also find helpful information, including advice relating to disability discrimination, in our FAQ section for students.

1. Disabled Students Allowances (DSA).

Dyslexic students in Higher Education, who have been assessed as dyslexic, can apply to their funder (e.g. Student finance England, NHS Student Grants Unit, Open University) for a DSA. Part time students and post-graduate students are now eligible for this allowance.

The DSA is available for courses at Higher Education where the student is eligible for Student Finance:

  • HNC (1 year courses).
  • HND (2 year courses).
  • Foundation Degrees (2 year courses).
  • Degrees , Masters and PhDs.

Students at Higher Education with dyslexic difficulties can apply for the Disabled Students Allowance. The application should be supported by a diagnostic assessment report post 16 years from either an Educational Psychologist with a Health Professional Council (HPC) Practising Certificate, or a specialist dyslexia teacher with a Practising Certificate.

If you are eligible for a DSA, you can go to an ACCESS Centre, which can assess the needs of disabled students including ICT.

The BDA is now a centre for DSA Assessments.

Provision under the DSA for dyslexia can include once only equipment, such as a PC, hardware and appropriate assistive software, including ICT training; study skills support from a specialist tutor; proof reading, and an annual general allowance for books etc. See Bridging the Gap, below, for full details.

2. Useful publications.

The DoE Leaflet 'Bridging The Gap - A Guide To Disabled Students Allowance (DSAs) in Higher Education'.

Further information on allowances and eligibility can be found here.

Full details of assistance and support available under the DSA is available from Your DSA

3. Further sources of information.

The Open University.

Disabled Student Services.

Into Higher Education is a guide specifically for disabled students thinking about studying in higher education. It deals with common questions such as whether the college or university will be accessible, how to choose a course and what support will be available.

Advice also available from Disability Rights UK

Information for dyslexic nursing students.

NHS grants for nursing students etc. - Tel: 0845 358 6655. - http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/969.aspx

The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS)

EGAS offers guidance about loans, grants and benefits from educational trusts and charities for disadvantaged students over 16. Send an stamped address envelope or phone for a form for completion, to enable EGAS to give you appropriate advice.

  • Address: 501-505 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AU.
  • Tel: 020 7254 6251.
  • Fax: 020 7249 5443.

Scholarship Search UK.

Academic Scholarships and Bursaries for UK Universities and Educational Institutions.

FunderFinder

FunderFinder has links to fundraising resources and to a wide range of trusts (not all educational).

Help with Getting a Job

EmployAbility,an organisation providing the essential link for disabled and dyslexic students and graduates to ease the transition from education to employment, giving free guidance and advice on internship and graduate opportunities with top employers, as well as recruitment processes including how to seek disability related adjustments.