Specific Learning Difficulties
You’ll need to find a qualified assessor for your diagnostic assessment. They’ll need to be an educational psychologist or a specialist teacher. Make sure the assessor you choose can assess for all the specific learning difficulties you want to be assessed for.
Here are some resources to help you find an assessor.
Free access to a list of specialist assessors in the UK.
The BDA can put you in contact with a BDA Approved Assessor for a diagnostic assessment for Dyslexia
Offers a ‘find a psychologist’ facility.
If you live in Scotland you can get a list of specialist assessors from Dyslexia Scotland. The list includes assessors that assess for more than one type of specific learning difficulty, not just Dyslexia. Call their helpline on 0344 800 8484 to request the list, or email helpline@dyslexiascotland.org.uk.
Checking their qualifications
All qualified assessors must be registered with one of the following:
Lists chartered or practitioner psychologists and their qualifications
Lists specialist teachers and their qualifications
Assessors in Scotland will also need to have a qualification that meets the level for Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA).
Related links
Semester L&D can provide support if you’re studying with a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia. Having a diagnostic assessment will help identify the right support for you. It can also be used as evidence when applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
Talk to us before arranging your diagnostic assessment, we can help you decide what kind of assessment you need and explain the process of finding an assessor.
Applying for help to pay for a diagnostic assessment
You’ll need to pay for a diagnostic assessment.
If your application is successful, the fund payment will be made to you after your assessment has taken place.
How much of the payment will the fund cover?
The amount awarded from the fund depends on your income.
The fund will cover the full cost of the diagnostic assessment if you receive one of the following benefits.
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit (including Local Housing Allowance)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Universal Credit
- A reduction under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (students in Wales only).
If your income does not include one of these benefits the amount you receive towards the cost of the assessment will depend on your gross household income. The table below breaks down how much you will receive depending on your income.
| Gross household income | Percentage of payment covered by fund |
| £25,000.00 and under | 100% |
| £25,000.01 – £29,999.99 | 90% |
| £30,000.00 – £34,999.99 | 80% |
| £35,000.00 – £39,999.99 | 70% |
| £40,000.00 – £44,999.99 | 60% |
| £45,000.00 – £49,999.99 | 50% |
| £50,000.00 and over | 0% |
Applying for the study-related costs fund
You’ll find the application form and guidance notes at Funding for study-related costs: England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Support for specific learning difficulties
For more information on studying with specific learning difficulties and support available see our Specific learning difficulties (SpLD) article.
Specific learning difficulties (SpLD)
The term ‘specific learning difficulty’ (SpLD) covers a range of learning differences that impact on your study. The support we provide depends on your specific learning difficulty and how it’s likely to affect your studies.
The list below shows examples of specific learning difficulties and some of the main effects on your skills.
- Dyslexia: Reading, writing and memory (due to effects on how information is stored and processed).
- Dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder): Motor coordination.
- Dyscalculia: Understanding maths concepts.
- Dysgraphia: Difficulties with handwriting.
- Attention deficit disorder (with or without hyperactivity): Ability to concentrate (listening skills).
Your previous learning experiences will help you to know what works for you. To provide evidence of your specific learning difficulty and identify your study needs, you can take a diagnostic assessment.
Getting the right resources for you
Make sure your student profile explains what you as an individual find difficult and the areas where you require support. Have a preliminary discussion with your tutor and request things that might help you.
To check the accessible formats available on a module go to the module website from StudentHome and look under the Resources heading for a link to Downloads. You could also look up your module in the online prospectus.
Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA)
Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) are grants that help to pay for extra equipment and support that you may need as a direct result of your disability, on-going health condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. The entire process may take up to four months, so you need to apply as early as possible.
DSA is not available to apprenticeship learners. You may be eligible for Access to Work which you can discuss with your apprenticeship employer.
Applying for a DSA
The process for applying differs depending on the UK nation you live in.
In order to be eligible for DSA, you must meet the following requirements:
- not be studying an apprenticeship
- have a long-term health condition such as cancer, HIV or chronic heart disease
- have a learning difficulty like dyslexia, ADHD or dyspraxia
- have a physical disability such as being partially sighted, blind or having to use crutches
- have a mental health condition like depression or anxiety.
You’ll also need to:
- be studying a minimum of 30 credits per year if you’re studying in England, Wales or Northern Ireland – if you’re studying in Scotland, the minimum is 60 credits a year
- be studying towards a qualification of at least 60 credits that involves at least one year of study – if you’re studying in Scotland, a qualification of at least 120 credits that will take two years of study
- meet the residency criteria as outlined by your relevant funding body
provide evidence of a disability or specific learning difficulty
Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition
Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
- a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
- support with managing your mental health at work
- money to pay for communication support at job interviews
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg), British Sign Language (BSL) and Easy Read format.
Practical support with your work
Access to Work could give you a grant to help pay for things like:
- BSL interpreters, lip speakers or note takers
- adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work
- taxi fares to work or a support worker if you cannot use public transport
- a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace
Your workplace can include your home if you work from there some or all of the time.
It does not matter how much you earn. If you get an Access to Work grant, it will not affect any other benefits you get and you will not have to pay it back.
You or your employer may need to pay some costs up front and claim them back later.
How to apply
Check you’re eligible and then apply for an Access to Work grant.
Mental health support
You can get support to manage your mental health at work, which might include:
- a tailored plan to help you get or stay in work
- one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional
As part of Access to Work, you may be eligible for:
- a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
- support with managing your mental health at work
For these types of support, you must:
- have a physical or mental health condition or disability that means you need support to do your job or get to and from work
- be 16 or over
- be in paid work (or be about to start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks)
- live and work (or be about to start or return to work) in England, Scotland or Wales – there’s a different system in Northern Ireland
There are different eligibility criteria for communication support at a job interview.
You cannot get Access to Work if you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Your disability, illness or health condition
You must have a disability, illness or health condition that means you need support to do your job.
This can include, for example:
- a physical disability, for example if you’re hard of hearing or use a wheelchair
- a learning disability or related condition, for example if you have Down’s syndrome
- a developmental condition, like autism spectrum disorder
- learning difficulties or differences like ADHD or dyslexia
- an illness such as diabetes or epilepsy
- a temporary condition, like a broken leg
- a mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression
You do not need to be diagnosed with a condition to apply for mental health support.
Your work
You need to have a paid job (or be about to start or return to one).
A paid job can be full or part-time and can include:
- employment
- self-employment
- an apprenticeship
- a work trial or work experience
- an internship
- a work placement
Your income and benefits
You can get support from Access to Work:
- however much you earn or have in savings
- at the same time as most benefits, as long as you work more than 1 hour a week
If you’re getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You can get Access to Work and ESA at the same time if you work less than 16 hours a week. There are rules about working while claiming ESA. You can ask your work coach for advice and support.
If you’re a civil servant
Your employer will provide support instead of Access to Work. Contact your employer so they can assess and arrange the support you need.
Mental health support
You can still get Access to Work for mental health services by applying for support from Able Futures or Maximus. They will contact Access to Work on your behalf. You will not need to tell your employer.
Get advice on your eligibility
If you’re not sure that you’re eligible, call the Access to Work helpline.
Access to Work helpline
Telephone: 0800 121 7479
Textphone: 0800 121 7579
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 7479
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
If phone calls are difficult for you (for example, because you’re deaf or hard of hearing), you can ask for all communication to be by email instead.
Studying on a Screen
All modules will require you to study, to some extent, on a screen. You may also need to do research online.
If you like learning via printed materials there are a few options to print online materials, as detailed below. These have limitations, however, because module websites are designed to be interactive and link to supporting materials, something that is more difficult to do in print. Where possible, studying digitally is preferable as it also helps to improve your digital skills, which will benefit you both in work and life generally.
There are a variety of alternative formats and tools to help you study on a screen successfully. Part of succeeding in study is working out what ways of studying suit you best, so try different options.
Make reading on a screen easier
If you:
- can’t look at a screen for a long period of time – for example you get headaches or migraines
- find it difficult to read and absorb information from a screen – for example the text blurs or distorts
- find some text difficult to read because of the colour contrast
- can’t read text on some webpages because it is too small
- have any other problems with reading from a screen.
There are lots of ways you can change the settings on your computer or device to make reading text on a screen more comfortable. Go to Setting up your computer for study.
You should also consider how to stay healthy when using a computer – there are tips here to avoid eyestrain, reduce aches and pains and look after your mental wellbeing.
You can also try listening to your study materials.
Carry materials with you and find format(s) that work for you
If you:
- need your materials to be portable (for example to take with you while travelling, waiting at medical appointments etc.)
- want to be able make notes on your materials (either digitally or on paper)
- need physical printed copies because you find reading on a screen difficult
- prefer to read from a tablet or e-reader
- use assistive technology that works better with downloaded files (e.g Word or PDF files) and/or on your tablet or e-reader.
Most modules offer study materials in a range of different formats that you can use on tablet and e-reader devices, allow you easily change text settings and make notes, are compatible with assistive technologies and are printable.
See Additional module material formats.
Listen rather than read
If you struggle to read materials in print or on screen you often have options to listen to your study materials.
Highlight and make notes
You can highlight and make notes on-screen on the Word and PDF versions on online materials, see Additional module material formats for more information.
To make notes on a PDF you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free. Find tips on the different ways you can highlight and make notes on the Adobe website.
All modules will require you to study, to some extent, on a screen. You may also need to do research online.
If you like learning via printed materials there are a few options to print online materials, as detailed below. These have limitations, however, because module websites are designed to be interactive and link to supporting materials, something that is more difficult to do in print. Where possible, studying digitally is preferable as it also helps to improve your digital skills, which will benefit you both in work and life generally.
There are a variety of alternative formats and tools to help you study on a screen successfully. Part of succeeding in study is working out what ways of studying suit you best, so try different options.
If you:
- can’t look at a screen for a long period of time – for example you get headaches or migraines
- find it difficult to read and absorb information from a screen – for example the text blurs or distorts
- find some text difficult to read because of the colour contrast
- can’t read text on some webpages because it is too small
- have any other problems with reading from a screen.
There are lots of ways you can change the settings on your computer or device to make reading text on a screen more comfortable. Go to Setting up your computer for study.
You should also consider how to stay healthy when using a computer – there are tips here to avoid eyestrain, reduce aches and pains and look after your mental wellbeing.
You can also try listening to your study materials.
Carry materials with you and find format(s) that work for you
If you:
- need your materials to be portable (for example to take with you while travelling, waiting at medical appointments etc.)
- want to be able make notes on your materials (either digitally or on paper)
- need physical printed copies because you find reading on a screen difficult
- prefer to read from a tablet or e-reader
- use assistive technology that works better with downloaded files (e.g Word or PDF files) and/or on your tablet or e-reader.
Most modules offer study materials in a range of different formats that you can use on tablet and e-reader devices, allow you easily change text settings and make notes, are compatible with assistive technologies and are printable.
If you struggle to read materials in print or on screen you often have options to listen to your study materials.
You can highlight and make notes on-screen on the Word and PDF versions on online materials, see Additional module material formats for more information.
To make notes on a PDF you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free. Find tips on the different ways you can highlight and make notes on the Adobe website.
