If you are thinking about university, you may also be thinking about access.
Many deaf, deafened and hard of hearing students worry about how they will follow lectures, group discussions or meetings with tutors. Communication can feel like a barrier before university even begins. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) exists to reduce these barriers.
DSA helps pay for the extra support or equipment that disabled students may need to study effectively. For many deaf students, this includes communication professionals who make spoken information accessible.
Understanding how DSA works can help you plan ahead and make informed decisions about university.
What is Disabled Students’ Allowance?
Disabled Students’ Allowance is funding provided by the UK government to help disabled students access higher education. It is available to students who have a disability, long term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difference.
DSA is not a loan. You do not need to pay it back.
The funding is used to cover disability related study costs that are not part of standard university provision.
For deaf students, this often means support that improves access to spoken communication during teaching and academic activies.
What support can deaf students receive through DSA?
Support is based on your individual needs. These are explored during a DSA needs assessment.
Many deaf, deafened and hard of hearing students receive funding for communication professionals such as:
• British Sign Language interpreters
• lipspeakers
• speech to text reporters
• electronic note takers
Some students may also receive equipment or software. For example:
• captioning or transcription tools
• lecture recording tools
• specialist microphones or listening devices
The aim is to make sure you can access teaching, discussions and learning materials as fully as possible.
How do you apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance?
1. Apply for student finance
You apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance through your student finance application.
You will need to provide evidence of your hearing loss or deafness. This may include an audiology report or medical evidence.
2. Attend a DSA needs assessment1. Apply for student finance
You apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance through your student finance application.
You will need to provide evidence of your hearing loss or deafness. This may include an audiology report or medical evidence.
After applying, you will usually be invited to a needs assessment.
This is not a test. It is a discussion about how you study and what access may help you.
You might talk about:
• lectures and seminars
• group discussions
• online learning
• meetings with tutors
• placements if your course includes them
3. Receive your support recommendations
After the assessment, you will receive a report that recommends support and equipment.
Student Finance reviews the report and confirms the funding.
4. Arrange your communication access
Your university disability service will usually help arrange the recommended support once funding is approved or they will refer you to an approved specialist provider like us.
This may include booking communication professionals for lectures and academic activities.
When should you apply for DSA?
It is best to apply as early as possible.
Many students start the process once they have accepted a university place. However, you can begin once student finance applications open.
Applying early allows time to:
• complete the needs assessment
• arrange communication professionals
• make sure support is ready for the start of your course
Do all deaf students use the same support?
No. Deaf people communicate in many different ways.
Some students use British Sign Language.
Some rely on lipreading.
Some prefer captions or speech to text.
Some use a combination depending on the situation.
DSA support is designed to reflect your individual communication preferences.
The most important thing is that the support works for you.
Preparing for your needs assessment
It can help to think about your communication needs before your assessment.
For example:
• How do you usually follow spoken information?
• Do you rely on lipreading, sign language or captions?
• Do you find group discussions difficult to follow?
• Do you need written notes or captions to review information later?
Being clear about your communication preferences helps ensure the right support is recommended.
Frequently asked questions about Disabled Students’ Allowance
Yes. Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing students can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance if their hearing loss affects their studies.
DSA can fund communication professionals, equipment and other adjustments that make learning accessible.
No. Disabled Students’ Allowance is not a loan. It is funding that helps cover disability related study costs.
You do not need to repay it after you graduate.
Yes. Many deaf students receive DSA funding for communication professionals such as:
• British Sign Language interpreters
• lipspeakers
• speech to text reporters
• electronic note takers
The exact support depends on your needs assessment.
It is best to apply as early as possible. Many students apply once they have accepted a university place.
Applying early helps ensure that communication access is arranged before your course begins.
No. Deaf people communicate in different ways.
Some students use sign language. Some rely on lipreading. Others prefer captions or speech to text. Many use a combination depending on the situation.
Your DSA needs assessment helps identify the support that works best for you.