Toolkits
Getting support at college or university
Toolkits
Getting support at college or university
Toolkits
Getting support at college or university
Summary
Congratulations, you have a place to study your specialist subject at college or university. This article summarises how to access support whilst you undertake your studies.
Summary
Congratulations, you have a place to study your specialist subject at college or university. This article summarises how to access support whilst you undertake your studies.
Read this article
2m
I have had a diagnosis of dyslexia, autism, ADHD or other specific learning difficulty, now what?
You will have received a comprehensive report outlining your individual strengths and challenges by a qualified psychologist or specialist assessor. There will also be a section of recommendations to support you. Take time to read, review and familiarise yourself with your report. You may wish to go through the report with your assessor/psychologist.
Contact your college or university student support services team and inform them of your diagnosis and ask how you arrange for support to be put in place. Ideally discuss what support they may already offer that you can access (being familiar with your report recommendations will greatly help you to discuss reasonable adjustments, such as examination arrangements or lecture recordings).
Look into funding options
UK students studying on a higher education course who have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, autism, ADHD or another specific learning difficulty will be eligible to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
The student support services team can also tell you how to apply for DSA through your student finance funding body (such as Student Finance England or the Students Awards Agency Scotland).
This fund can contribute towards the extra costs that will support you whilst studying (for example, specialist study skills support and assistive technology).
Expect to have a needs assessment to discuss what support and equipment may help you during your studies. A shorter report outlining equipment and support will be written by a needs assessor for you.
Students not on a higher education course, such as those doing BTECs or NVQs should talk to their student support services team as they are likely to have responsibility for funding any support that is needed.
Stay in touch
Throughout your course ensure you keep in touch with the student services team and course tutors if you have any queries or concerns. If you are struggling due to your diagnosis, the college or university has a responsibility to help, but don’t assume they will know that things aren’t going well for you. Be proactive and get the help you need!
Read this article
2m
I have had a diagnosis of dyslexia, autism, ADHD or other specific learning difficulty, now what?
You will have received a comprehensive report outlining your individual strengths and challenges by a qualified psychologist or specialist assessor. There will also be a section of recommendations to support you. Take time to read, review and familiarise yourself with your report. You may wish to go through the report with your assessor/psychologist.
Contact your college or university student support services team and inform them of your diagnosis and ask how you arrange for support to be put in place. Ideally discuss what support they may already offer that you can access (being familiar with your report recommendations will greatly help you to discuss reasonable adjustments, such as examination arrangements or lecture recordings).
Look into funding options
UK students studying on a higher education course who have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, autism, ADHD or another specific learning difficulty will be eligible to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
The student support services team can also tell you how to apply for DSA through your student finance funding body (such as Student Finance England or the Students Awards Agency Scotland).
This fund can contribute towards the extra costs that will support you whilst studying (for example, specialist study skills support and assistive technology).
Expect to have a needs assessment to discuss what support and equipment may help you during your studies. A shorter report outlining equipment and support will be written by a needs assessor for you.
Students not on a higher education course, such as those doing BTECs or NVQs should talk to their student support services team as they are likely to have responsibility for funding any support that is needed.
Stay in touch
Throughout your course ensure you keep in touch with the student services team and course tutors if you have any queries or concerns. If you are struggling due to your diagnosis, the college or university has a responsibility to help, but don’t assume they will know that things aren’t going well for you. Be proactive and get the help you need!
Written by Lisa Rawlings
Written by Lisa Rawlings
0:00/1:34
Summary
Congratulations, you have a place to study your specialist subject at college or university. This article summarises how to access support whilst you undertake your studies.
Read this article
Congratulations, you have a place to study your specialist subject at college or university. This article summarises how to access support whilst you undertake your studies.
I have had a diagnosis of dyslexia, autism, ADHD or other specific learning difficulty, now what?
You will have received a comprehensive report outlining your individual strengths and challenges by a qualified psychologist or specialist assessor. There will also be a section of recommendations to support you. Take time to read, review and familiarise yourself with your report. You may wish to go through the report with your assessor/psychologist.
Contact your college or university student support services team and inform them of your diagnosis and ask how you arrange for support to be put in place. Ideally discuss what support they may already offer that you can access (being familiar with your report recommendations will greatly help you to discuss reasonable adjustments, such as examination arrangements or lecture recordings).
Look into funding options
UK students studying on a higher education course who have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, autism, ADHD or another specific learning difficulty will be eligible to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
The student support services team can also tell you how to apply for DSA through your student finance funding body (such as Student Finance England or the Students Awards Agency Scotland).
This fund can contribute towards the extra costs that will support you whilst studying (for example, specialist study skills support and assistive technology).
Expect to have a needs assessment to discuss what support and equipment may help you during your studies. A shorter report outlining equipment and support will be written by a needs assessor for you.
Students not on a higher education course, such as those doing BTECs or NVQs should talk to their student support services team as they are likely to have responsibility for funding any support that is needed.
Stay in touch
Throughout your course ensure you keep in touch with the student services team and course tutors if you have any queries or concerns. If you are struggling due to your diagnosis, the college or university has a responsibility to help, but don’t assume they will know that things aren’t going well for you. Be proactive and get the help you need!
Written by Lisa Rawlings
Lisa Rawlins (PGCert Ed, BA, AMBDA FE/HE. APC MDG) is a Specialist Assessor and Tutor at The Learning Support Centre.
Written by Lisa Rawlings
Lisa Rawlins (PGCert Ed, BA, AMBDA FE/HE. APC MDG) is a Specialist Assessor and Tutor at The Learning Support Centre.