Help and advice
The Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre (ASDAC) supports students and applicants who share a disability with us or require additional support for their academic studies.
We provide a confidential service for all of our students with additional learning needs. We can give you advice on academic support, discuss what reasonable adjustments you may require, and refer you to appropriate agencies for support.
You can contact ASDAC in confidence if you have a condition that might impact on your ability to access the campus, curriculum, teaching, learning, assessments and any other University service. It’s best to contact us as soon as possible after you accept an offer so that we have plenty of time to work with you and get the right support in place before your studies. Our team will guide you through the whole process, regardless of when you get in touch.
Support and guidance offered by ASDAC
- Our dedicated access centre is Access Portsmouth, where you can be assessed for your DSA-funded support
- Confidential advice from disability professionals, whether you are applying from the UK, the EU or internationally
- Advice on funding to cover disability-related support costs such as the Disabled Students’ Allowance, degree apprenticeships and other additional funding
- Reasonable adjustments — arranged by discussing your needs
- Liaison with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- Advice on note-taking, mentoring and other support services
- Specialist study skills and strategies tutors
- Access to assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- Liaison with external services such as Autism Hampshire and Clear Links – here is a about starting University
From the very moment I stepped foot in ºÚÁϳԹÏthe entire ASDAC team has been very supportive, giving me the necessary tools and directions which in one way or the other has enabled me to complete this course successfully. The fact that I have been able to complete the course alone is a miracle.
Academic support
Reasonable adjustments
Reasonable adjustments remove or minimise the challenges you experience as a student, allowing you to develop as an independent learner.
The adjustments you will have depend on your individual needs.
Reasonable adjustments can include:
- Course materials in alternative formats
- Access to assistive technology
- Timetabling adjustments
- Specialist support to develop study skills strategies
- Extra time during timed assessments
Exams and assessments
Where appropriate, we'll make reasonable adjustments to ensure you are given every opportunity to demonstrate your learning.
We can work with you and your specific department to provide reasonable adjustments throughout your studies — and not only for your exams.
Exam adjustments could include:
- extra time
- word-processing facilities
- rest breaks
- assistive technology
- alternative methods of assessment
For further information, see .
Specialist study skills and strategies
Specialist study skills and strategies sessions help you develop your own individual skills so you can work independently.
These sessions are arranged on a one-to-one basis, and you're encouraged to discuss the areas you wish to concentrate on with your tutor.
You have been such a brilliant support network for me and I cannot describe how grateful I am for all that you have done for me. I feel that you have played a big role in my success at Uni and I will never forget that.
Getting around
Explore access guides for our buildings, and routes around ºÚÁϳԹÏon the AccessAble website.
Additional funding for disabled students
If you are eligible, you should apply for additional funding as soon as possible before arriving at university. The process can take time, so the sooner you apply, the greater your chance of having everything ready when you start your course.
Disabled Students' Allowance
If you have a disability, medical condition or specific learning difference such as Dyslexia, you may be eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). The support you get depends on your individual learning needs.
The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is not means tested.
It is a good idea to apply for DSA before you arrive at university as the process can take up to 3 months to complete. The sooner you apply, the more likely you will have the support you need at the start of your course.
Funding from the DSA can help you with:
- travel costs
- assistance with your with academic needs
- specialist equipment, such as a computer
Financial support for disabled students
If you have a disability, mental health issue or long term illness, you can apply for additional funding to cover the extra study costs you may have. Find out more now.
Financial support for disabled postgraduate students
Explore financial support for students who have disabilities or dependents during their studies.
Local funding authorities
Appropriate evidence is required when you apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance. Make sure to check your eligibility and evidence requirements with your funding body:
- Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Jersey
If you are a Global student or applicant due to start a course not qualified for DSA (such as a Degree Apprenticeship), please contact us to discuss alternative options.
Degree apprenticeships
For more information you can visit Advanced HE and read their publication . This document provides guidance for disabled students apply for a higher or degree apprenticeship in the UK
Apply for a grant or scholarship
The is a charity dedicated to providing grants to disabled and sensory impaired students in the UK.
About 100 grants are awarded each year ranging from £250 to £3,000. They cover support costs for sign language interpreters, note-takers, computers, specialist software and wheelchairs.
The Snowden Trust also provides the , in partnership with the Global Disability Innovation Hub. The Scholarships aim to support and accelerate disabled students with the ability to create change, influence others and become leaders and role-models.
The Student Health Association
The Student Health Association administers the Student Disability Assistance Fund which helps Higher Education students with disabilities in full-time or nearly full-time studies. It cannot help with fees or general living expenses. Priority is given to those who cannot obtain statutory funding. Maximum awards are £500.
You can find out more on the following link: .
Providing medical or diagnostic evidence
It is best to let us know about your disability and how it affects your life at university at the earliest opportunity so we can arrange the best support for you. You can contact us at any point in the application process or once you're here — we are here to listen, understand your disability-related needs and find the best ways to support you
We encourage you to provide us with evidence to help us determine the type of additional support you might need. The type of evidence required will depend on your disability. Any evidence not written in English must be translated and accredited.
Evidence of physical, sensory, long term health issues, mental health or autistic spectrum conditions
A letter from your doctor or a consultant confirming your disability, and how it affects you, your studies and everyday living. This may also be used by external funding bodies when you apply for additional disability related funding. The letter should:
- identify your condition, impairment or ongoing symptoms
- state whether the condition will be short or long term (over 12 months) and how it will impact your day-to-day activities as a student
- identify any medication and treatment, with any relevant side-effects
Evidence of a specific learning difference, such as dyslexia or dyspraxia
If you are looking to access additional academic support for a specific learning difference via the Disabled Students' Allowance, you will need a diagnostic assessment. The sooner you do this, the more likely all your support will be in place when you start your course.
You can get a private assessment through the following organisations:
- The British Psychological Society (BPS) – the BPS has an you can use to find a psychologist local to you to assess your learning difference
- The British Dyslexia Association – their outlines the steps you will need to be assessed through their service
- The Professional Association of Teachers of Students with SpLDs (PATOSS) – their can be filtered to show teachers near you
Information for DSA assessors
These documents aim to provide information that is commonly required for Needs Assessment reports.
If you require further information, or have specific recommendations not otherwise covered in this information, then please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 3462 or asdac@port.ac.uk to discuss the matter with one of our Disability Officers.
Please review the list of NMH Suppliers found on the SLC practitioners website before recommending the University as a supplier of NMH support.
DSA assessors should note that the University is currently at capacity for DSA funded support.
Information for assessors
Guidance and advice on all areas such as funding sources and support, and what reasonable adjustments are available.
ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï NMH rates (QAG)
Costings for specialist access and learning facilitators.
Support for current students
If you're already studying here, you can browse our service opening times, read our advice, and explore our self-help resources on MyPort.
Contact the Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre
By email or phone
If you have any questions or would like to find out how we can help you, contact us by email at asdac@port.ac.uk, give us a call on +44 (0)23 9284 3462.
Visit us in person
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
P01 2UP
Opening hours
- Monday to Thursday: 8.30am – 5.00pm
- Friday: 8.30am – 4.00pm
University policies
As a University, we have made a commitment to consider all applications equally. Every application is assessed on your academic merit and potential.
If you disclose a disability in your application, the admissions team will pass this information to the Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre (ASDAC). ASDAC can take action to discuss your support and learning needs. We would like to meet with you personally and discuss your requirements, with a focus on what we can offer and to manage expectations early in the process.
If there are health and safety concerns, barriers resulting from professional competence requirements that cannot be removed through reasonable adjustments, we will have to withdraw our offer.
For further information, please see our full .
See our policy on from our Examination and Assessment Regulations.
Read our .