Find out how to register for funding for a Specific Learning Difference assessment.
Requesting a Specific Learning Difference assessment
If you think you have a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD), such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia, but do not have a diagnostic report, we may be able to refer you to an approved assessor.
Whilst a formal diagnostic report will not be required to access reasonable adjustments, it may help identify additional learning needs and could further entitle you to apply for the external Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
Diagnostic assessments are carried out by a chartered or educational psychologist or specialist teacher, indicating that a SpLD has been identified.
How to request an assessment
If you have no documents showing you have a SpLD, you can tell us about specific difficulties in a section on our Tell Us More form. Once you have completed this form we can arrange an assessment for you, if necessary, to determine your reasonable adjustments.
Cost of an assessment
A Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) assessment costs £330.
Some UK undergraduate students are automatically eligible for funding to cover this cost.
If you’re a UK student, after telling us more about your learning differences, we will check your eligibility.
Eligibility for SpLD assessment funding
We automatically pay for assessments for some students, based on their circumstances and household income.
We will check your eligibility when you complete the Tell Us More form and confirm whether the University will be able to cover the costs. Once this is completed, we will get in touch to arrange an assessment.
If you arrange your own assessment with a private provider outside of the University, we will not reimburse the cost.
We are unable to pay for assessments if you are:
- a Masters or PhD student
- an international student
- a UK student who does not meet our automatic funding criteria.
If you’re not eligible for automatic funding
We will tell you if you are not eligible for an automatic payment to cover the cost of a SpLD assessment.
It takes about a week for us to make a decision and it is based on the process we follow for the Hardship Fund.
If you are required to make the payment yourself, we can still help arrange and book the assessment at the cost of £330.
If you still think you need financial help, please visit the Hardship Fund for details on how to apply.
Further help and advice
If you need advice or support you can get in touch through My Sussex.
You can also:
- come to a Disability Advisor drop-in, every Wednesday (11am-1pm) and Thursday (2pm-4pm) in the Student Centre, during term-time
- visit the Student Centre Welcome desk, 8.30am-5pm, Monday-Friday
- call 01273 075700, 9am-4.30pm, Monday-Friday.