DSA
Help with study costs
DSA covers study-related costs caused by a disability, long-term illness or mental health condition. Students can get up to £27,783 a year, and it doesn't have to be paid back.
See what's coveredStart
WHAT THE GUIDANCE SAYS
Every student
should get the lecture.
Lectures don't work the same way for everyone.
A note taker, a recording, a laptop with the right software or a BSL interpreter can make the difference. In England, Disabled Students' Allowance helps pay for that kind of support, and universities must make reasonable adjustments too.
NOT A LOANyou don't pay DSA back
See what's coveredKeep in mind
- Based on need, not income
- Assessed, then funded
- Universities must adjust
- Support built around you
THE SHORT ANSWER
Ask early,
get assessed.
DSA covers study costs you have because of a disability.
The amount depends on your needs, not your household income.
RECORDING
Recording a lecture
Some universities let students with an evidenced need record teaching as a reasonable adjustment, usually for personal study only. Cambridge's agreement is one example.
How recording works
THE LAW
A duty to adjust
Under the Equality Act 2010, universities and colleges have a duty to make reasonable adjustments so disabled students are not discriminated against.
How to applyA QUICK SUPPORT CHECK
Could DSA
help with it?
Pick a kind of support to see how Disabled Students' Allowance treats it. The bar shows how directly DSA covers it, following GOV.UK guidance.
Based on GOV.UK guidance on Disabled Students' Allowance from Student Finance England. What you get depends on your needs assessment. General information, not legal or financial advice.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
What DSA can pay,
and what you pay.
The yearly ceiling for support,
and the one contribution most students make.
£27,783
Support per year, undergraduate or postgraduate
This is the most DSA can provide in a year. The type and amount of support depend on individual needs, not household income, and it is not repaid.
MAXIMUM · GOV.UK
£200
Your contribution to a new computer
If your needs assessment recommends a new computer, you pay the first £200. The DSA team sends more details after the assessment.
COMPUTERS · GOV.UK
Courses funded through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement, which opens for applications from the end of October 2026, can also qualify for DSA if you study at least 30 credits.
FOUR STEPS TO SUPPORT
From application
to the lecture hall.
These steps follow the GOV.UK guide for students funded through Student Finance England.
Step 1
Check you're eligible
You need to live in England, have a condition that affects your studies, and be eligible for full student finance on a qualifying course.
Step 2
Send your evidence
For most conditions, a letter from a doctor or medical professional; for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, a diagnostic assessment.
Step 3
Have your needs assessment
An informal meeting, in person or remote, about what would help. It's not a test, and no decision is made without it.
Step 4
Talk to your university too
Every university should have someone in charge of disability issues who can arrange adjustments such as permission to record.
RECORDING LECTURES
Recorded for you,
not for sharing.
At the University of Cambridge, students with an evidenced disability-related reason why taking notes is difficult may record lectures, seminars and supervisions as a reasonable adjustment. They don't have to tell the lecturer why.
In return, students agree the recordings are for their own private study only and won't be passed on or posted online. In small-group teaching, the session leader checks first that nobody objects.
Questions
Questions on the way
What is Disabled Students' Allowance?
Support from Student Finance England that covers study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or other disability. It depends on your needs, not household income, and you don't pay it back.
How much DSA can I get?
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £27,783 a year. The actual amount depends on what your needs assessment recommends.
Does DSA cover a note taker in lectures?
It can. GOV.UK lists non-medical helpers, such as a British Sign Language interpreter or specialist note taker, among the costs DSA can help with.
Can I record my lectures?
Some universities let students with an evidenced need record teaching as a reasonable adjustment; the University of Cambridge is one. Ask your university's disability service. Recordings are usually for personal study only.
Do universities have to make adjustments for disabled students?
Yes. Section 91 of the Equality Act 2010 places a duty to make reasonable adjustments on universities and colleges, and GOV.UK says each should have a person in charge of disability issues.
Destination