What evidence do I need to provide to apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?
The evidence needs to:
- be provided and signed by a medical or suitably qualified professional.
- contain clear information about the professional's organisation such as a letter heading, details of the organisation in the email signature, an organisation's stamp etc.
- demonstrate that the disability is long term - lasting or likely to last 12 months or more.
- indicate there is a significant impact on your day-to-day life.
- be written in English or be a formally certified translation.
Please note, if you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, your evidence needs to be in the form of a full diagnostic report carried out by a registered psychologist, qualified specialist teacher or similar.
With the exception of students with Specific Learning Difficulties, you can use the Disabled Students' Allowance evidence form and ask the medical professional to complete this instead of a letter or report.
Please see the table below for further guidance:
| Type of evidence |
Suitable - yes or no |
| A diagnostic report written by an educational psychologist or qualified specialist teacher (this will be indicated on the front page of the report) |
Yes |
| Evidence of previous exam arrangements from school, college or other educational provider such as JCQ Form 8 |
No |
| Results of a screening test such as QuickScan |
No |
| A letter from a medical professional such as a GP, clinical specialist, hospital-based specialist, consultant, Psychiatrist, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist containing details of a diagnosis and the long-term impact. |
Yes |
| A referral for hospital admission or treatment. A hospital discharge document. A document summarising treatment received. |
Probably not unless it contains the information outlined above. |
| A prescription or photograph of medications. |
No |
| A sick note or fit note. |
No |
If you are unsure whether your evidence is suitable, you can email it to Disability Services and ask us to check it. Please make it clear in your email that you are asking us to check your evidence - thank you.