Medical Evidence Guide for DSA Application

Why might it be of interest?

When a disabled student applies for the Disabled Students Allowance to support their university studies they will have to provide evidence of their disability and how it impacts their learning.   The evidence has to be provided by a medical professional and the advice in this sample letter is to help make sure the information that will be required is provided at the right time.

This following is the sample letter from one university – it may well be worth checking whether your young person’s intended university has something similar.

You might find the information on the following links helpful:

Government site:

Disability, long term health need, mental health needs:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disabled-students-allowance-evidence-form

Specific learning disability(eg dyslexia):

A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher

You may need evidence from more than one health professional if you have multiple disability or health needs that cannot all be evidenced by one person.  Evidence must come from a recognised health practitioner (doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, regulated psychologist, occupational therapist).  Alternative medicine practitioner evidence (eg osteopath, hypnotherapist) or counsellors are less likely to be accepted. Summary medical notes, copies of prescriptions, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) letters are also not likely to be sufficient.

For some disabilities and conditions a letter of diagnosis will be adequate.  For others you may have to provide more recent evidence, especially of any changes to the condition.

Evidence is everything so try to make sure it is clear and unambiguous and detailed enough.

Guidance for health professionals writing medical evidence letters for application for Disabled Students Allowance

The student’s funding body determines whether an award will be made and the funding body requires medical evidence from a health professional as part of this process.  This document outlines what the funding body expects from such a letter.

The letter should:

• State diagnosis
• Is the condition long term / short term?
• Is the condition fluctuating?
• Outline the effect the disability may have on learning / attendance at university
• State the impact, if any, on day-to-day activities

For example, does the condition affect:

• Concentration
• Motivation
• Short term / long term memory
• Ability to travel on public transport
• Reading / writing for long periods
• Use of computers
• Ability to walk any distance

The above suggestions are not exhaustive and are only examples of the kind of evidence the funding body state they require.

Medical evidence letters should be presented to the student for approval and then forwarded to the disability team (this may vary depending on the university).

Guidance for health professionals writing medical evidence letters (mental health) for application for Disabled Students Allowance

The student’s funding body determines whether an award will be made and the funding body requires medical evidence from a health professional as part of this process.  This document outlines what the funding body expects from such a letter.

The letter should:

• State diagnosis
• Is the condition long term / short term?
• Is the condition ‘severe and enduring’?
• Is the condition fluctuating?
• Outline the effect the mental health need may have on learning / attendance at university
• State the impact, if any, on day-to-day activities

For example, does the condition affect:

• Concentration
• Motivation
• Short term / long term memory
• Ability to mix in groups – anxiety
• Ability to travel on public transport

Does medication have side effects that may impact on learning?  Eg sleep disturbance, fatigue in the mornings, etc.

The above suggestions are not exhaustive and are only examples of the kind of evidence the funding body state they require.

Medical evidence letters should be presented to the student for approval and then forwarded to the disability team (this may vary depending on the university).