Dyslexia support

There’s no reason to think a dyslexia diagnosis will prevent you from studying at degree or postgraduate level. With the right support, you can be as successful as any other student.

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that affects literary skills and information processing. It’s often associated with difficulties with spelling and punctuation, but it also affects organisation and concentration, amongst other characteristics. Dyslexia often runs in families and is a lifelong condition. However, people with dyslexia do tend to be creative problem solvers, and there are often many positives about the way they think and approach their studies.

If you do not have a formal diagnosis/diagnostic assessment:

In order to get the right support, you need to have a diagnostic assessment carried out by a specialist assessor or educational psychologist. This will be a long document outlining the strengths and weaknesses in your learning profile.

Firstly, if you suspect you have dyslexia or you’ve been screened before, then please  register with the Disability Team and complete the online screening form. This isn’t a diagnosis, but it provides a guide so we can recommend your next steps.

• If we recommend you have a diagnostic assessment based on your answers in the screening form, you’re eligible to apply for help with funding the cost of the assessment. Dyslexia assessments usually cost between £350 - £450 and you can apply for £200 towards this cost through our Access to Learning Fund.
• To find an assessor, create an account with PATOSS (The Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties). Enter your postcode and use the Assessor index. You’ll be provided with a list of assessors and we recommend you make contact to check availability and prices.

If you already have a diagnostic assessment:

• Register with our Disability Team
  Register with the team and a Disability Adviser will arrange to meet you and work with you to develop a Learning Support Plan (LSP). This can be done by phone, online or in person.

• Apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
  Please don’t wait to see an Adviser before applying for your DSA. Then log in to your Student Finance England student portal and apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance.

• Sign up for a dyslexia induction
  Our Dyslexia Tutor can offer you a one-to-one dyslexia induction appointment to discuss your strengths and share useful resources with you.

• Access other support
  Check out our free productivity tools including screen readers.

Other sources of free information and support include the British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Action and the NHS.