Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) for PhD Study

If you're a PhD student in the UK with a disability, you can get up to £27,783 per year in Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) for the 2025/2026 academic year. This is extra funding to help with study-related costs, like specialist equipment, support workers, or extra travel expenses. You don’t have to pay it back, and the amount you get depends on what you need, not your income. To apply, fill in a DSA form and send proof of your disability to the student finance office.

Doing a PhD is tough enough without extra challenges getting in the way. If you have a disability, you might need some extra support — and that’s where Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) comes in. Think of it as a bit of backup to help you focus on your research instead of worrying about study-related costs.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through who can get DSA, how to apply, what it covers (and what it doesn’t), and some tips to make the process as smooth as possible — well, at least compared to writing a thesis!

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is a grant from the UK government that helps students with disabilities cover extra costs related to their studies. You don't need to pay it back either.

Postgraduate Disabled Students' Allowance in the UK

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) for postgraduates varies by year and country. For the 2025-26 academic year, the maximum amounts are:

• England – £27,783
• Wales – £34,000
• Northern Ireland – £25,000
• Scotland – PhD students receive DSA at undergraduate rates:
• Basic allowance: up to £1,725
• Large items: up to £5,160
• Non-medical personal help: up to £20,520
• Extra travel costs may also be claimed

These are the highest amounts available for full-time study. DSA is needs-tested, so your actual funding depends on your specific costs and is usually lower than the maximum.

How much DSA do part-time PhD students get?

Part-time PhD students get DSA based on how fast they study compared to full-time students. If you study at half the full-time speed (for example, over six years instead of three), you can get up to half the maximum DSA each year. The amount still depends on your needs.

DSA helps with extra costs caused by your disability while studying. These costs usually fall into four main categories:

• Equipment costs – Helps pay for specialist equipment needed for your PhD, like computer hardware or software for learning difficulties or sensory impairments. It usually doesn’t cover mobility aids like wheelchairs unless they are essential for your PhD.
• Non-medical help – Covers extra support, such as staff to help with mobility, note-taking, or tuition for learning difficulties like dyslexia. It does not cover medical care or daily living support.
• Travel expenses – Helps with extra travel costs due to your disability, either as a grant or as reimbursed expenses.
• Other costs – You may also get funding for other disability-related expenses that don’t fit into these categories.

• PhD fees and living costs – DSA is not general PhD funding, so it won’t pay for tuition fees, rent, food, or other daily expenses. You will need other funding for these.
• Costs not linked to your PhD – DSA won’t cover disability-related costs that are not directly needed for your PhD, such as mobility aids or medical care you would need anyway.
• Services your university must provide – Universities must make reasonable adjustments for disabled students under the Equality Act. You won’t need to use DSA for these and cannot claim for support already provided.

If you’re unsure what costs you can claim, your university’s disability or student support office can help.

You can usually get Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you:

• Are legally disabled
• Live in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland)
• Are not getting the same support from another source

Disability Requirements

To qualify for Disabled Students’ Allowance you will need to have a disability that fits the criteria defined in the Equality Act. In other words, a long-term condition that makes studying harder, such as:

• A physical disability
• A mental health condition
• A chronic illness
• A learning difficulty

You will need to provide proof of your disability. A doctor’s report is often enough, and it’s usually free. If you have a learning difficulty like dyslexia, you need a diagnostic assessment done after age 16. If you need a new assessment, a qualified professional, such as a psychologist, special needs teacher, or education specialist, can provide one.

Residency

You must be a UK national and normally live in the UK before starting your PhD. EU students usually do not qualify unless they have lived in the UK for at least five years.

Full-time and part-time study

You can get DSA for a full-time or part-time PhD, but your course must last at least one year.

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland: Part-time students must study at least 25% of a full-time course (e.g., a 3-year PhD must be finished within 12 years).
• Scotland: Part-time students must study at least 50% of a full-time course (e.g., a 3-year PhD must be finished within six years).

Financial circumstances

DSA is based on need, not income. You can get it no matter how much money you have, as long as your disability requires support.

DSA and Other PhD Funding

You can apply for DSA even if you have other PhD funding unless your PhD is funded by the NHS or a UK Research Council, as they provide their own DSA.

• If you get a university scholarship for fees and living costs, you can still apply for DSA.
• If your university already covers all disability-related costs, you cannot apply for extra DSA.

You can receive DSA for your whole PhD, but you may need to renew your application each year.

You should apply for DSA through the relevant Student Finance body for your country. The websites for the organisations are:

• Student Finance England
• Student Awards Agency for Scotland
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance Northern Ireland

You can apply for DSA at any time during your PhD, but it’s best to apply as early as possible. The process can take time, as you will need to provide evidence and have a study needs assessment. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can get the support you need.

You can apply for DSA at the same time as other funding, like a Research Council studentship.

Proof of Disability

You will need to provide proof of your disability and how it affects your studies. This proof should come from a medical professional or someone else qualified.

For more details, see the eligibility section for DSA.

Study Needs Assessment

As part of your DSA application, you will usually need a study needs assessment. This can be done at an assessment centre or by someone at your university.

If your disability changes during your PhD, you may need a new assessment. If your condition worsens, you may get more DSA for new expenses. If it improves, your DSA may be reduced.

If you're getting PhD funding from the UK Research Councils or the NHS, you'll need to apply for DSA directly from them – not from Student Finance. Just remember, you can’t combine DSA from different sources.

DSA from UK Research Councils

If your PhD is funded by one of the UK Research Councils, you might be eligible for DSA on top of your Research Council studentship. To apply, go through your university. They’ll confirm your eligibility, assess what you need, and claim the funds from the Research Council. The amount you get should be similar to what you’d receive from Student Finance.

DSA from the NHS

If you’re on an NHS-funded PhD programme (like those for doctors or dentists), you’ll need to apply for DSA from the NHS. It covers the same kinds of costs as other DSA sources and will usually be paid alongside your NHS bursary.

• Keep copies: You’ll want to keep track of everything. Copies of emails, forms, receipts—anything you send off. You never know when you’ll need to pull out your paper trail.
• Engage with your university’s disability services: They’re there to help, so make the most of it! They can offer extra support and might even help you navigate the DSA process.
• Be honest in your needs assessment: The more honest you are, the better your support will be. Don’t underplay your needs—this is the time to say exactly what you require, not what you think they want to hear.