Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is funding that helps cover extra study-related costs you may incur at university because of a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, neurodivergent condition, or specific learning difficulty (SpLD).

DSA can provide valuable support by ensuring you have the practical assistance you need to succeed at university. The type and level of support available will depend on your individual needs.

DSA is not means-tested, so it is not affected by your household income. It is also non-repayable, meaning you do not have to pay it back. DSA funding is usually paid directly to suppliers or service providers delivering your support, rather than to you.

Checking your eligibility

To be eligible for DSA, you must:

have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, neurodivergent condition, or specific learning difficulty (SpLD) that is expected to last 12 months or more
be studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course
be studying either full-time or part-time (at more than 25% intensity) on a course lasting longer than one year
have a Home fee status
not currently be on placement or in a period of suspension

For full eligibility information, please visit the relevant student finance website for your region:

If you live in the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, or the Republic of Ireland, please contact our Disability Advice team for guidance.

What DSA can pay for

You will be contacted by the provider(s) listed in your DSA2 letter with instructions on how to order equipment or access software. Please refer to Appendix 1 of your DSA2 letter for a full list of approved equipment and software.

specialist equipment and software
additional travel costs to attend your course or placement if you cannot walk or use public transport
Non-Medical Help (NMH), such as mentoring, study skills support, or note-taking assistance
other disability-related study costs, such as additional printing or photocopying

How to apply

Please note: This guidance applies to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. If you are a postgraduate research student, please contact our Disability Advice Team.

You can apply for DSA as soon as your student funding body's application system opens. Although there is no application deadline, we strongly recommend applying as early as possible to ensure support can be arranged before you start your course.

1. Complete your DSA1 application

If you have already applied for student finance and have an online account, log in and look for "Apply for DSA" on your to-do list. Complete the application form and upload your supporting evidence. Please refer to the eligibility guidance above for details of acceptable evidence or get in touch with our Disability Advice Team for guidance.

If you do not receive funding from a student finance body, or you are a postgraduate student, you may need to complete a standalone DSA application form instead. For example, students living in England can complete the standalone DSA application form. You will need to send Section 5 of this form to our DSC Team so that we can complete this on your behalf.

Once you have submitted your application, all correspondence will be sent to the email address linked to your student finance account or provided on your standalone form. Please check your junk or spam folders regularly to ensure you do not miss any important communications.

We recommend giving your funding body permission to share information with the University. This allows us to communicate with them on your behalf regarding your DSA application, if necessary.

2. Receive DSA1 letter

Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive a DSA1 letter or email confirming whether your application has been approved.

If you have not received a decision within four weeks, we recommend contacting your funding body for an update.

If the evidence you submit is not accepted, you may still be eligible for DSA. Please contact our Disability Advice Team for advice on alternative evidence that may be accepted.

3. Book a Study Needs Assessment

You will receive an email explaining how to book a Study Needs Assessment.

This is an informal meeting with an external assessor to discuss how your condition affects your studies and to identify appropriate support. You can read guidance on what to expect from a Needs Assessment via the Student Finance England website.

4. Receive your Study Needs Assessment Report

You should receive your Needs Assessment Report within 10 days of your assessment.

If you disagree with any recommendations, you can discuss this with your assessment provider.

Your report will be shared with your funding body. Unless you have opted out, your funding body will also share the report with the University, and it will be added to your Disability Service record.

5. Receive DSA2 letter

Your DSA2 letter will confirm the support that has been approved and explain what happens next.

Receiving and arranging your approved DSA support

Once you receive your DSA2 letter, it will confirm the support that has been approved and explain how to access or arrange this.

Equipment and software

Laptop contribution

If a laptop has been recommended, you may need to contribute towards its cost. This payment is made directly to the supplier. Current students may be able to apply for financial assistance towards this contribution. Please contact the Student Money Advice Team for guidance and an application form.

Non-Medical Help (NMH)

This may include mentoring, study skills tutoring, or note-taking assistance. Your DSA2 letter will state the number of support hours approved. You should contact the provider(s) listed in the letter to arrange your support. If your funding body shares your DSA2 letter with the University and your place at Bath has been confirmed, we will also send the information to the relevant provider(s) to help set-up your support.

General allowance

This may cover disability-related study costs such as paper, printer ink, or other consumable items. Your DSA2 letter will explain how to claim eligible expenses. It will also include the cost of your Needs Assessment; however, no action is required on your part.

Travel Allowance

Your DSA2 letter will specify:

the locations between which travel support is approved
the number of journeys covered each year
the amount you must contribute towards each journey
the amount funded through DSA

Guidance on claiming travel expenses will also be provided. In some cases, such as where more than 30 single taxi journeys are approved each year, your funding body may arrange direct payment with the transport provider.

Support with your DSA application or DSA2 letter

If you are an offer holder

you can book a pre-entry Disability Advice appointment from April in the year you are due to start at the University.
if you need assistance booking an appointment, please contact the Student Support Helpdesk on +44 (0)1225 383838.

If you are already a student at Bath

you can book a DSA Application Support appointment through MySkills to receive support for completing your application. Appointments are typically available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during term time. If these times are not suitable, please email dsc@bath.ac.uk to discuss alternative arrangements.
if you have received your DSA2 letter and need help understanding or arranging your approved support, please contact the Disability Support Coordinator Team at dsc@bath.ac.uk.

Other relevant support

Whether or not you are eligible for DSA, the University's Disability Service offers a range of additional support and guidance to help you succeed during your studies.

Applying for Disabled Students' Allowance

This guide provides information on how to check if you are eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) and how to apply.