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Dyslexia support

Find out the support and available to students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs).

Nottingham Trent University is committed to providing a fully inclusive learning environment for all students.

The Dyslexia Support Team offers advice and support to students with SpLDs such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD. This support enables you to develop relevant skills and strategies over the course of your time at University, and to support you in achieving your full learning potential while studying here and in your future career.

The team of experienced professionals understand the many positives of SpLDs, and the areas where assistance may be useful to allow you to make the most of your university studies.

We offer advice on:

  • Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) to fund your support
  • DSA funded Specialist One to One Study Skills Support
  • How to access generic support within NTU e.g. Library Study Support
  • How to implement reasonable adjustments as recommended in your evidence (e.g. extra time in exams)
  • Diagnostic evidence requirements

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to tell the NTU Dyslexia Support Team before I begin my studies?

We want to make sure that all our students get the most from university life. By telling us about your SpLD as early as possible, we can identify any support that you might need. Ideally, tell us about your SpLD on your UCAS application form or NTU application. You're not obliged to tell us about your SpLD, but if you choose not to, you may not be able to access the full range of support available.

What formal evidence of my Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) will I need?

We will require formal evidence of your Specific Learning Difficulty in order to put exam adjustments or one to one support in place. We will require this evidence before the start of your course. Please forward your documentation to us even if you are awaiting exam results.
For dyslexia, this will be a photocopy of a full diagnostic assessment written by a qualified assessor who holds an approved qualification and is either:

  • A Specialist Teacher Assessor holding a current SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) OR
  • A Practitioner Psychologist registered with the HCPC

Dyspraxia and ADHD may be assessed by medical professionals, in which case we will need written confirmation from them of the diagnosis, and a clear indication of the impact on your studies.

What if I do not have a formal evidence of my Specific Learning Difficulty?


You will need to obtain a formal diagnosis, as stated above, before you enrol at NTU. This is to enable us to put your support in place before you start your course. If you require guidance regarding the assessment required by Student Finance for an application for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs), please look at the SASC website or the DirectGov website. If you require further advice about your documentation, we recommend that you contact us to discuss this further. If you are a current student, please attend an Advice Session to discuss evidence requirements.

International students


If you are an international student with an SpLD, please provide us with a copy in English of a full, recent, professional assessment report, as soon as possible after accepting a place on your course. We can then consider any recommendations in the assessment report.

How do I set up my exam adjustments?


When you forward your documentation to the Dyslexia Support Team, you must specify the exam recommendations you would like as outlined in your evidence. We are unable to include recommendations that are not detailed in your evidence. Please be aware that the NTU Exams Team observe deadlines for notification of students requiring additional exam arrangements such as extra time in exams. If you require additional exam arrangements you must forward evidence to support this. Any adjustments recommended after published exam deadlines will not be implemented until the following exam period. Further information is available on our exam pages.

How do I forward my evidence to the NTU Dyslexia Support Team?

Please scan and email your documentation to dyslexia.support@ntu.ac.uk.

If you are a current student, you can hand your documentation into the Enquiry Desks at:

  • Student Services Centre, Central Court, Newton Arkwright, City Campus
  • Student Services Centre, Clifton Campus
  • Bramley Building Reception, Brackenhurst Campus

Please include your most recent mobile number and email address.

What will happen once I forward my evidence to the Dyslexia Support Team?


The SpLD Specialists will review your diagnostic assessment report. We will share a summary of appropriate recommendations, including exam adjustments, with relevant areas of the University. This document is called an Access Statement. We will send a copy of your Access Statement to your NTU email. Please see the information below about how we hold and process your personal data.

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) to fund your support

DSAs are intended to cover any additional support you may need while you are studying, including one to one support. Find out information on how to apply for DSAs.

Are you an existing student experiencing difficulties on your course?


The academic challenge of University can sometimes highlight difficulties that you have not experienced before. You may have experienced difficulties with spelling, composing assignments, or reading academic texts. However, difficulties in these areas do not necessarily mean you are dyslexic. To support your learning there are a number of resources that we recommend. See self-help resources.

To find out more information about dyslexia, or other SpLDs such as dyspraxia or ADHD, please look at the following websites:

If you continue to experience difficulties, and want further advice, please attend an Advice Session with a Dyslexia Specialist. View the current Advice Session timetable.

Support sessions

Advice sessions

We run 20-minute One-to-One Advice Sessions across all of our campuses, where students can ask a Dyslexia Specialist for advice, or ask questions about such things as:

  • Your support arrangements
  • Exam arrangements
  • Applying for Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs)
  • Any questions relating to Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)s.
  • If you think you may have a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia
  • You can attend any of the following advice sessions:

All Advice Sessions take place during term time only.

Book an Advice Session** or call 0115 848 4120.

**These sessions are for fully enrolled current NTU students, however applicants can also book appointments for sessions taking place between 7 June and 8 October. For applicant enquiries outside of these dates, call us on 0115 848 4120 or email us at dyslexia.support@ntu.ac.uk.

Specialist one-to-one study skills support through Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs)

What we offer:

Specialist One-to-One Support is available to students who are in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs). It is important to note that we are not able to give subject specific guidance. We provide one-to-one support sessions that are tailored to your needs and develop your skills in:

  • Understanding your thinking and learning style
  • Writing: Planning, drafting, editing, proof-reading strategies
  • Time Management and Organisation: Meeting deadlines, handing in on time, action plans, sorting your diary
  • Skill Development: Reading and spelling skills, comprehension, note-taking, reading fluency, research
  • Presentations: Plan – Revise – Rehearse. Posters, PowerPoint
  • Planning and Structuring Techniques: Mind Mapping, prioritising
  • Examination and Assessments: Revision techniques, memory, sign-posting to useful sources of support for stress management, managing your extra time
  • Use of Assistive Technologies

If we are unable to see you for any reason, e.g. staff illness, we will contact you to rearrange. DSA funding will not be claimed for sessions cancelled by the Dyslexia Support Team.

What we expect from you

To book: It is your responsibility to book sessions in advance. To do this, please ring 0115 848 4120. Alternatively please email your availability to attend an appointment over the next two weeks to dyslexia.support@ntu.ac.uk. Please note that during peak times, there may be a high demand for this service and we advise you to book an appointment at least two weeks in advance.

Preparation for the session

To get the most out of your sessions, it is important to arrive promptly and to consider in advance what you want to work on. If you are bringing work, please place it on your preferred device, e.g. memory stick, laptop, paper etc. You are responsible for ensuring your work is saved onto the device.

Academic conduct

It is your responsibility to ensure that your work meets the academic regulations required by Nottingham Trent University.

Managing your support sessions

You have been awarded a set number of sessions to use over the year. Please note, your DSA will be charged if you cancel an appointment with less than 24 hours' notice. This will reduce your available DSA Funding.

Assistive Technology

If you have been awarded Assistive Technology through DSAs we expect you to have ordered the equipment and access the Assistive Technology Training to enable you to make full use of the software during the One-to-One Support Sessions.

Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend your arranged support, you are responsible for contacting NTU to cancel the session. Please contact 0115 848 4120 or email dyslexia.support@ntu.ac.uk giving at least 24 hours' notice.

DSA Funding will be claimed if the session is cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice.

DSA funding is only available to fund two missed sessions per invoicing period. A missed session is one where you cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice or did not attend without giving notice. After two missed sessions per invoicing period, your support may be suspended and future sessions cancelled.

Invoicing periods are: September to December; January to April; May to August.

Feedback and Complaints

We welcome informal feedback on our services at any time, either in person or by email. We will also ask you to review the support we provide and your personal progress at on a termly basis. However, if at any time you are unhappy with any aspect of your support, please contact 0115 848 4120 or email dyslexia.support@ntu.ac.uk to discuss this.

If you feel your complaint has not been dealt with satisfactorily at a local level, please refer to your Student Handbook or Student Resources for further information about NTU complaint procedure.

Data Protection

Any information supplied will be used by the University in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679)). This may also be shared with other areas of Student Support Services to enable the University to provide you with relevant advice and support.

Consent to share personal data: We request that data can be shared with Disabled Students’ Allowances Quality Assurance Group for audit purposes. These audits play an important role in ensuing we are complying with relevant legislation, internal and external guidance. We will ask you to agree this prior to sharing your data for audit purposes.

Signed confirmations for reclaiming DSA funding: You will be asked to sign a time sheet to confirm the hours of NHM support you have received. It is very important that you do this to allow NTU to reclaim funding for your support. Failure to do so may mean you could be liable for the full cost of your support.

Self help

There are a wide variety of resources available to assist your studies at NTU.

Course related advice

  • Use any study support that is offered within your academic school. Details will be included in your module learning rooms on NOW.
  • Make sure you understand each assignment and be confident about asking for help early on.
  • Discuss any initial feedback from assessments with your tutor.
  • Check your Course Handbook for subject specific advice regarding referencing.

Library support

  • Check out the library pages for really useful information about support available from the Library's Learning and Teaching Team, including academic writing support and Maths support.
  • Want to find out more about researching for information, study skills, academic writing and maths? Check out the Library Events Programme and book online.
  • Need to talk to somebody one-to-one about your studies? Book an appointment with one of the Library’s Learning and Teaching Librarians, Academic Skills Advisers or Student Mentors. They also have bookable appointments for maths and statistics support. Book online.

General study support

  • Check out the study support pages.
  • The SOS website has information regarding exam stress.
  • Check out the resources on NOW under the Student Help tab. There are lots of useful resources covering managing your time, writing, referencing, copyright and plagiarism, presentation skills, Maths and Statistics.
  • There is also valuable information on the Skills for Success website: www.ntu.ac.uk/skillsforsuccess

Assistive technologies

  • Utilise available assistive technology resources which are free to download Assistive Technology Resources.
  • Use the Assistive Technology applications that are available on all resource room PCs.
  • Texthelp is text-to-speech software, which may be useful for checking your work.
  • Inspiration and MindGenius are mind-mapping applications that can help you plan your ideas. Both Inspiration and MindGenius can convert these mind maps into easy-to-follow essay plans. Ask at the Library Information desks how to access these applications.
  • If you have been allocated assistive equipment and software through the DSA, make sure you access the training you have been awarded, and use the provision to support your study and learning.

External resources

  • You may also find it helpful to consult The Study Skills Handbook 4th edition by Stella Cottrell (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013).
  • There are some good support resources developed for dyslexic students in higher education by the University of Sheffield.

Exams and assessments

Your Access Statement will be shared with your Academic School and the Exams Team at NTU.

Examination arrangements

ou must provide sufficient evidence, confirm your examination arrangements and have an Access Statement in place prior to exam deadlines. Please see the Exam web pages for important information, such as the deadline dates for the submission of individual exam arrangements and your responsibilities as a student.

If your assessment report recommends the use of a PC, scribe or reader in exams, you must confirm your exam arrangements with us before your Access Statement is agreed. It is important that you attend an advice session to discuss this further.

Extensions to coursework deadlines

Students with SpLDs should endeavour to hand in work within the usual deadline period. Having extra time to complete a piece of coursework will mean less time to plan and prepare for other assignments. It may lead to building up a backlog of outstanding work, creating further pressure and anxiety for you later on in the term. It can also cause difficulty with group projects. The Dyslexia Support Team can offer you advice in managing workloads. If you have DSA funding for one to one support, we recommend that you access it in order to assist with planning and organising your workload.

If, however, you are having difficulty meeting a deadline for written coursework, you should refer to your programme handbook for information about your Academic School extension policy. You should adhere to school procedure and request any extensions in advance of the deadline.

Academic appeals

Please see the Academic Appeals website for information regarding Notification of Exceptional Circumstances, Reconsideration Requests and Academic Appeals. If you are required to submit a Notification of Exceptional Circumstances please see our Student Support Services guidance.

Nottingham Trent Students' Union Advice Centre

Please see the Nottingham Trent Students' Union website for information regarding the advice and information provided by the Student Advice Centre.

  • Last updated: 05/12/2022