Frequently asked questions

The best advice is to read the content of the DSA2 letter carefully – funding bodies have worked very hard to make sure what is often a very arcane and complex process can be followed easily by reading the DSA2 award letter. The DSA2 will explain who to contact (and how) in order to secure delivery of your specialist equipment and to arrange your recommended human support. If you are not sure, please come to our weekly DSA-clinic. 

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) does not cover costs that any student might have, or costs that are disability-related but would be incurred whether or not you were studying: 

DSA does not fund non-specialist human support, such as general notetaking support or practical support (including lab support). If you require this support to help you access your studies, the university may be able to provide this for you instead.

Details on how to apply for Non-Specialist Human Support from the Disability and Dyslexia Service can be found here.

Should you have any queries regarding DSA provision please do come to our DSA-clinic.

The needs assessor recommends technology of a specification adequate to support recommended software, but it is recognised that some students may wish to amend this.  The various DSA funding bodies may be willing to agree to this, provided students are prepared to pay any additional cost and the efficacy of recommendations remains unaffected.

The approved computer suppliers are businesses and will be happy for you to pay more money for a higher spec system. However, we would recommend that you think about issues such as battery life and also when considering a change in printer you should think about the cartridge life and the type of printing which you will need before committing to either a LaserJet or Inkjet printer.

Every computer retailer will provide at least twelve months of warranty on a new system and should your machine develop a fault the warranty will cover this. The approved suppliers are required to provide longer warranties than usual to cover the duration of three or four year degree courses.

Insurance is not the same thing as a warranty – if your computer is, for example, stolen or damaged by a flooded bedroom or otherwise needs replacing then you will need to claim from the insurance company used by your supplier. If you do not have any insurance, you won’t be able to get a replacement machine through the DSA.

You will have been allocated a set number of hours of Specialist One to One Study Skills Support EITHER per year OR in total. The concept of study skills is that it will ultimately allow you to study autonomously – think of it as a bit like having to take driving lessons before you are allowed to drive on your own. Among the ways that study skills can improve your academic performance are:  

• Looking at how you tackle an assignment; e.g. if you are taking 20 hours completing an assignment, how can your time be made more efficient so that you use only 10 hours? You may consider yourself organised but how effective is your organisation? The study skills sessions can enhance your current abilities.
• Allowing you to develop strategies such as how to record text you have read for research purposes and how to proofread your work to avoid all grammar and spelling errors in less time.
• Utilising the tutors’ time - what can they do to help? This may include things like helping you implement the feedback from your assignments, tips on sourcing specific literature / ideas / resources to help you with your course.

No. It’s an assessment of need – you either need a particular type of support or you don’t.

Again, this is clearly explained in the DSA2 letter. The letter explains how much you have been awarded for each item, e.g. printing consumables and you will need to send the relevant form along with receipts for the expenses you have incurred.