Disabled Students’ Allowance
Specialist Study Skills Support
Specialist 1:1 Study Skills and Strategy Support for students with dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties in higher education.
Support is available in person, in-home or by video call, depending on the student’s needs, location and DSA funding arrangements.
What is Disabled Students’ Allowance?
Disabled Students’ Allowance, often called DSA, is funding that can help eligible students meet disability-related study costs. It can fund support such as specialist equipment, non-medical help and other study-related support. DSA is based on individual need rather than household income and does not have to be repaid.
Lancashire Dyslexia Specialists provides DSA-funded Specialist 1:1 Study Skills and Strategy Support for Specific Learning Difficulties, where this has been recommended and approved through the student’s DSA process.
What can sessions help with?
Specialist Study Skills support may help you develop strategies for:
-
planning assignments and breaking down briefs
-
structuring essays, reports, dissertations and presentations
-
academic reading and note-making
-
critical reading and critical writing
-
organising research and sources
-
revision planning and exam strategies
-
managing deadlines and workload
-
developing proofreading and editing routines
-
using assistive technology in real study tasks
-
building confidence and independence with academic work
Sessions are not subject-specific tutoring, proofreading, counselling or advocacy. The aim is to help students develop independent study strategies that they can apply across their course.
How to access DSA-funded support
1. Apply for DSA
You apply through Student Finance or the relevant funding body.
2. Attend a Study Needs Assessment
A needs assessor discusses your study-related barriers and recommends appropriate support.
3. Receive your DSA2 entitlement letter
This confirms what support has been approved.
4. Contact your chosen provider
If Specialist Study Skills support has been approved, you can contact Lancashire Dyslexia Specialists to discuss availability.
5. Start your sessions
Sessions are planned around your course demands, agreed goals and DSA-funded hours.
NMH Rates
Support type | Delivery | Hourly rate (£) | VAT (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
ULan (Preston) Student
Rachael is a Super Star! Rachael understands my ADHD and just Rachael is a Legend!
ULan (Preston) Student
Rachel has been so helpful, I really could not have done this year without her. Rachel has taught me some really valuable skills.
Lancaster University Student
What worked well? Individual support sessions, meeting weekly or fortnightly to check in on assignments, option for face to face and online, helping to integrate my software into my own studies.
Open University Student
Having Rachael has really given me confidence when handing in my university work. Before I used to worry when the feedback I received was about my grammar, not just the content of my work. I am really glad I now receive support. It is really easy to set up and helps me work through ideas in a way that suits me and I am comfortable doing!
Open University Student
Rachael is excellent. She is helpful, respectfully, hard working. She listens to your needs and goes out of her way to make sure she helps you meet them. Thank you Rachael xx