UK Government - Students with disabilities

What you get

If you are studying at the Open University (OU), a British distance-learning university, and have a disability, you are entitled to two types of support. Firstly, a government grant called Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). This covers the additional study costs arising from your disability. You do not have to repay this grant, and it does not affect any other benefits you receive. The amount of the grant is not fixed; it is based on your individual needs. The DSA covers specialist equipment and software, non-medical support staff (for example, a sign language interpreter), additional travel costs related to your disability, and other study costs related to your disability. Standard study costs or personal care are not covered. Secondly, the OU itself offers additional support at no extra cost: learning materials in various formats (print, audio, video), adaptive software and screen readers, recorded online tutorials, individual examination adjustments, and advice from a dedicated Disability Support Team.

Who can apply

• University: You are studying at the Open University.
• Disability: You have a disability that affects your studies. These include learning difficulties such as dyslexia or ADHD, mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, physical disabilities, sensory impairments such as deafness or visual impairment, and long-term illnesses such as cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV.
• Where you live: The DSA grant is available to students resident in the United Kingdom. If you live in Ireland or the Channel Islands, or if you are an international student, please check what support your own government offers instead.
• Financial need: Not required. The DSA is not dependent on your income.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Apprenticeships: Apprentices are not entitled to the DSA.

How to apply

Please inform the OU of your disability as early as possible by completing the Disability Support form. Apply for the DSA via your regional student finance organisation (Student Finance England, Student Finance NI, SAAS in Scotland or Student Finance Wales). Make sure you start this well in advance of the start of your course. The entire DSA process can take at least four months, and it may take up to 16 weeks for the support to be set up.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a competitive scholarship with a fixed number of places. If you are studying at the OU, live in the UK and can provide evidence of a disability that affects your studies, you are entitled to the DSA and support from the OU. The main risk lies in the timeline, not in the selection process. Apply for support as early as possible, as it can take several months to set up the support.