FAQs and useful links
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FAQs and useful links
Frequently Asked Questions
At RACEL we are dedicated to helping students to navigate the DSA framework. If you have a question not answered below, please feel free to contact us via email racel@uel.ac.uk
Will I have to pay for the needs assessment myself?
No, the invoice is sent to your funding body. The funds to pay for the assessment are taken from your Disabled Student Allowance (DSA).
Why yet another assessment when my disability has already been diagnosed?
This session is to determine what type of disability-related support you can get through the Disabled Student Allowance to assist you to study effectively, rather than to investigate the nature of your disability.
I have not been contacted by Study Tech or Capita; how do I contact them?
Check your letter authorising your Needs Assessment, known as a DSA1, to confirm which supplier you should contact, to set up your Needs Assessment.
- Capita can be contacted by email at DSA@Capita.com or by phone at, 01823 273 060.
- Study Tech can be contacted by email at assessments@study.tech or by phone at 020 4532 2084 - choose option 1 for Needs Assessments.
I need changes made to my DSA, what do I do next?
If you had your Needs Assessment at RACEL and require an update to your DSA award or have a DSA query, please contact us via email racel@uel.ac.uk as we are continuing to support our students.
If you are a registered UEL student, who is currently in receipt of DSA and you require additional DSA support, but your Assessment centre has closed, you can contact us at racel@uel.ac.uk for advice and guidance.
Alternatively, you can contact Student Finance England or Student Finance Wales directly who will assign you an alternative Assessment centre, who will assist you with any changes to your DSA.
Can I request extra support that may become available after my assessment?
Yes, but you need a disability-related reason for requesting the support, i.e., the requested support should be necessary to alleviate difficulties caused by your disability/SpLD in relation to your studies.
Contact your Needs Assessment Centre to formally request the support you feel you need. In order to make the request, you may be required to provide further evidence.
Who can be assessed at the Regional Access Centre East London (RACEL)?
At RACEL we can undertake Study Needs Assessments for home students who are eligible for the Disabled Students Allowance funding via:
- Research Councils
- Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
- NHS
- Apprenticeships
- Higher Education Provider (HEP)-Funded students
Useful links
How to apply for the DSA
The course you are studying and where you live in the UK determines which funding body you will need to submit your DSA application to. Please find below a list of funding bodies, which have been linked to their home pages.
- Student Finance England
- Student Finance Wales
- Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Scottish Awards Agency
- Jersey and Guernsey
- NHS or Social Work Bursary
- Research Councils
Bursary information for the University of East London
The University of East London can possibly assist with the payment of £200 towards DSA equipment. Please click on the link to access the University of East London’s bursary forms and guides.
Snowden Trust
If you have a physical or sensory disability the Snowden Trust may be able to provide additional funding to assist you while studying. For further details please select the link to access the Snowden Trust website.
How to obtain an assessment to be diagnosed with a SpLD
If you believe you may have a Specific Learning Difference and wish to investigate this, you can find additional information on the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee website, or, you can use the PATOSS Tutor Index to find a local PATOSS registered Diagnostic Assessor or freelance tutor.
The University of East London disability office may be able to support students with obtaining a diagnostic assessment to investigate the possibility of having a Specific Learning Difference (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia). Please contact the Disability & Dyslexia Team at ddac@uel.ac.uk or via The Hub on 020 8223 4444.
Related pages
Regional Access Centre East London
At the Regional Access Centre East London (RACEL) we undertake Study Needs Assessments for home students who have been made eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance through select funding bodies.
Visit RACEL
Disabled Students’ Allowance
DSA contributes towards the additional costs which you may incur during your course, due to your disability or Specific Learning Difference. The DSA is not a loan and does not need to be paid back.
Information about DSA
Changes to the Disabled Students Allowance
Since February 2024, the DSA has undergone some big changes which aims to streamline the DSA process for students.
Changes to the DSA