Leeds Assessment Centre
The Leeds Assessment Centre carries out needs assessments as part of a disabled student's application for disability support funding.
We offer assessments:
- Remotely via video conferencing systems (e.g. Zoom)
- By telephone
- In person, if necessary.
If you would like to book an appointment or find out more, please email assessmentcentre@leeds.ac.uk
What is a needs assessment?
Disabled students applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) have a study needs assessment as part of the application process.
The Leeds Assessment Centre carries out these assessments for current undergraduate or postgraduate students at the University of Leeds. We also provide assessments to students planning to study at another university but who would like their assessment carried out locally.
The assessment will involve a meeting with an experienced assessor who will discuss your disability and the way it may affect your studies.
- Your assessment is a supportive process and an opportunity for you to talk through any study-related concerns you may have
- It allows the University to work out how you can have equal access to your course.
- Even though this is called an "assessment", it does not involve any kind of tests, and it is not an assessment of your academic achievements.
What happens after a neeeds assessment?
As a result of the meeting, the assessor will write a report detailing:
- how your disability affects your studies
- what support you require
- why you require this support
- how much it should cost
This should be ready for you to read within 10 working days and you will have the opportunity to propose any amendments if you want to.
Once the report is finalised:
- A copy is sent to you, your institution and your funding body
- The funding body will contact you in writing to confirm that they agree with the recommendations
- You will receive an ‘entitlement letter’ with a list of suppliers for your support and information about accessing it.
- You should then contact each supplier individually to arrange this support
Booking a needs assessment
- Apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances via your funding provider
- Once you've received approval from your funding provider, contact us at the Leeds Assessment Centre
- Telephone: 0113 343 3927
- Email: assessmentcentre@leeds.ac.uk
- Opening times: 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
We expect to see students within 15 working days. Please note that this changes on a regular basis as dictated by the demands of the service.
If you would not normally be traveling to the University of Leeds campus, you can claim back the cost of travel for the needs assessment from your funding body.
You will need:
- a copy of your approval letter from your disability support funding provider
- a copy of your evidence of disability (this should be the same evidence you used to apply for your funding)
- a completed pre-assessment questionnaire that will be sent out with your appointment confirmation
How to find us
We are based in the Chemistry West Block building at the University of Leeds. For further information about accessibility and our facilities please visit AccessAble.
Changing/cancelling appointments
Please contact us as soon as you can to discuss this with us. If you cancel with less than two working days’ notice or miss your appointment, we may have to charge you £50 to pay the Assessor for their time.
Assessment fee
The cost of the DSA assessment is taken from your DSA funding. We only charge a single assessment fee that covers all work required for the duration of your course of study.
This includes:
- Any activities undertaken by the assessor or Centre with you to manage additional DSA support recommendations for the duration of your original course.
- Liaison with funding bodies, equipment suppliers, HEIs or other stakeholders for the purpose of managing these additional recommendations
Postgraduate students
Postgraduate and PGCE students may be eligible for a formal review of their needs funded through the postgraduate DSA. All reviews must be authorised in writing by the funding body.
International and EU students
International, EU, and non-degree course students should contact contact Disability Services for further advice on disability funding.
Data protection and complaints
Please note the information below regarding student privacy and our confidentiality policy:
If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service and wish to complain, please follow our complaint procedure
