A Guide to the DSA Needs Assessment for Masters Students

Once your eligibility for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is confirmed, you’ll need to have a DSA needs assessment. This informal assessment is an opportunity to discuss your needs and the potential difficulties you’ll experience during university. The needs assessment helps determine what support you can get and can be done in person or remotely. DSA needs assessments are also completely free.

The DSA Needs Assessment is the next natural step after receiving confirmation that your DSA application has been accepted. It sounds quite daunting, but the DSA Needs Assessment isn’t a test. Far from it. It’s your chance to clearly outline what support you’ll need during your postgraduate study.

In this guide, I’ll explain what to expect from the DSA Needs Assessment and how you can best prepare. I’ll give you all the tools and information necessary so you can advocate for yourself and receive the support you need to be comfortable and succeed during your Masters.

The DSA Needs Assessment is a structured yet informal one-to-one discussion between you, the student and a study needs assessor. As I mentioned earlier, the word ‘assessment’ can be a scary term for students, especially when used in a medical context. However, this interaction will feel more like a chat than an assessment.

The purpose of the needs assessment is to determine, in practical terms, what support you’ll require during your studies. It’s that simple. It will benefit you to do some preparation for this, but we’ll cover that later.

Specialist assessment centres that are contracted by funding bodies (such as Student Finance England and the NHS) are the ones that actually carry out your assessment, not your university. You’ll get to choose the Needs Assessment Centre and you get to decide whether you’d like to do it in-person or remotely.

Anyone who has successfully applied for DSA will have to complete a Needs Assessment as the next step in the process. To see if you’re eligible for DSA funding, take a look at our guide to DSA.

The postgraduate world is quite different to life as an undergraduate so, it’s important you consider how your needs may have changed or developed since getting your Bachelor’s. This is why even if you had DSA funding at undergraduate level, you’ll need to have another Needs Assessment for Masters or PhD.

Your DSA Needs Assessment will be a structured but informal conversation. It can take place in person at an assessment centre, online via video call, or occasionally over the phone—whichever you prefer. You’ll be able to select a time and format that works best for you when booking.

The session usually lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours, giving you plenty of time to explain your situation without feeling rushed.

You’ll discuss various aspects of your course and how your condition affects your studies. This might include:

• Your course structure – for example, whether it includes essays, practical placements, lab work, group work, or independent research
• Your study-related challenges - such as time management, note-taking, concentration, or mobility issues
• What's helped you before - including any strategies or tools you currently use
• What didn't work at undergraduate level - and what you might need now that's different or more advanced

Your assessor’s job is not to judge you or make a diagnosis. Instead, they’ll use this conversation to build a picture of how your studies may be impacted and suggest support that could help. They’ll make recommendations, not decisions—you remain at the centre of the process.

The more prepared you are, the more useful and tailored your assessment will be. Here’s how to get ready:

• Confirmation of your DSA eligibilty letter
• Medical evidence or diagnostic reports related to your condition
• Details about your course (e.g module list, dissertation requirements, placements)

• Specific challenges you face with reading, writing, organisation, communication, physical access, or mental health
• What support or tools helped during undergrad—and what didn’t
• New challenges you anticipate in postgraduate study, such as independent research, heavier reading loads, or long writing projects
• Any software or equipment you’ve heard of and would like to try

Once your assessment is complete, the assessor will compile a Needs Assessment Report (NAR). This document outlines:

• The challenges you described
• The types of support or equipment recommended
• Justifications for each recommendation

You’ll usually be sent a draft of the report to review before it’s submitted to your funding body (like Student Finance England or the NHS bursary scheme). They will then decide which recommendations to approve and arrange funding for them.

Typically, you’ll receive a final report within 10 working days, and your funding body will confirm the approved support shortly after.

If your situation changes later—if your condition changes or your course requirements shift—you can request a review or additional assessment. You're not locked into one plan.

Postgraduate study often comes with greater independence and more complex academic demands. As such, the support recommended might include:

• Assistive technology - like mind-mapping tools, speech-to-text software, or screen readers
• Specialist software - including referencing tools (e.g EndNote), data analysis packages, or organisational apps
• 1:1 mentoring - to help with planning, managing stress, and keeping on top of deadlines
• Study skills support - focused on structuring dissertations, academic writing, or managing reading
• Ergonomic equipment - such as adjustable chairs, desks, or keyboard and mouse alternatives
• Recording devices or notetaking support - especially for lectures or supervision meetings

Your assessor will only recommend what is relevant and helpful to you - not a generic package.

It’s totally normal to feel uncertain going into your Needs Assessment. I’m here to set the record straight on a few things you might be worried about going into your assessment:

• "It's a test" - It's not. There are no right or wrong answers. It's supportive conversation.
• "They'll decide what support I get" - You're a key part of the decision-making process. Your preferences matter.
• "It's only for full-time undergraduates" - DSA and the Needs Assessment are available for postgraduate and part-time students too.

If you’re getting ready for your DSA Needs Assessment, a few handy tips can really make the process smoother. First off, try to book your appointment as early as possible—ideally before term kicks off. This helps avoid any last-minute scrambles or delays in getting your support in place. When you're at the appointment, be as open and honest as you can; the more you share about what you need, the better your support package can be tailored to you. And don’t worry—you don’t have to go it alone. Feel free to bring along a friend, parent, or support worker if that makes you feel more comfortable.

It’s also worth checking that you’re going to a registered assessment centre. You can do this easily using the DSA QAG Assessment Centres Directory—it only takes a minute and helps ensure you're in safe hands.

This process is designed to support you. It’s not about proving anything or jumping through hoops. It’s about giving you the tools and access you need to thrive in your postgraduate studies.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, that’s okay—but once you’ve had your assessment, you’ll likely feel much more in control.