During an appointment with one of our Disability Advisers, and following completion of one of our screening checklists, your adviser may recommend that you undertake a formal diagnostic assessment with an Educational Psychologist. This assessment helps identify Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. Depending on the assessment type, it may also identify traits associated with ADHD. These assessments do not provide a medical diagnosis. However, they can identify learning differences and, where appropriate, identify signs of ADHD. The assessment report can be used as supporting evidence when applying for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
Providers of diagnostic assessments
The University works with an experienced, local Educational Psychologist who undertakes diagnostic assessments for our students. Assessments are available most Tuesdays in our Virgil Building and are typically 2 hours in length. The University also works with an online provider of diagnostic assessments, CF Psychology.
Depending on your circumstances and assessment requirements, you may be offered either an in-person assessment with our local Educational Psychologist or an online assessment through CF Psychology.
Funding your assessment
If you are using one of the above providers, your assessment will cost £350-£380, depending on your assessment type.
If you are a Gold Scholar, Claverton Scholar, Bath Bursary holder, or Discretionary Student Support fund recipient, the University will cover the full cost of your assessment.
If you are under 25 and your family’s household income is below a particular threshold, the University will cover part or all the cost of your assessment. The level of financial support available is determined by your household income, as shown below.
| Gross household income | Level of support |
|---|---|
| £42,875 or below | Full Support (up to £380) |
| £42,876 - £62,376 | 50% of full fee paid (up to £190) |
| £62,377 or above | 0% of full fee paid (£0) |
We are only able to provide you with financial support if you are currently studying at the University.
If you do not meet any of the above criteria, you will need to self-fund your assessment. However, if paying for a diagnostic assessment will put you in financial hardship, you can apply to our Financial support fund.
Booking your assessment
- during your Disability Advice appointment, your adviser will help you complete the Diagnostic Assessment Funding Route Form, covering the type of assessment you've been recommended and how you plan to fund it.
- once your form has been reviewed, the Disability Support Coordinator team will email you to confirm your level of funding (if applicable) and how to book your assessment, either in-person with our local Educational Psychologist, or online with CF Psychology.
- you'll usually wait just a few weeks between submitting your form and having your assessment, though availability varies throughout the year.
- before your assessment, you'll need to complete a digital pre-assessment questionnaire. Please make sure you do this ahead of your assessment.
What to expect after your assessment
Approximately two weeks after your assessment, you will receive your assessment report. If you are self-funding all or part of the assessment cost, you will also receive an invoice for payment at this stage. The report will outline the assessment findings and any recommendations for support. It can be used as evidence when applying for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) and may support the implementation of reasonable adjustments through a Disability Access Plan. If you would like the University to add the report to your record, please email a copy to disabilityadvice@bath.ac.uk.