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Additional Learning Support for FE Students

We have a dedicated Learning Support Team for students who need extra assistance with their studies. Click here for HE Students.

Support is primarily for students with specific needs, learning difficulties and disabilities, including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and autistic spectrum disorders.

It may take the form of:

  • One-to-one lessons

    These help you to develop your skills in areas such as, planning and drafting assignments, proof reading, spelling, reading and numeracy.

  • Drop-in sessions

    These sessions enable you to ask a question or get some help on anything that you think might be affecting your studies.

  • Exam concessions

    If you are entitled to special exam arrangements exams, such as extra time or an assistant to read for you, these can be put in place.

  • Exam Access Arrangements (EAA)

    Exam access arrangements are modifications tailored to the exam settings for each student, reflecting their specific requirements and needs based on their normal way of working within the centre. They ensure that all students have the same opportunity to be successful in their exams. At HRUC we follow the JCQ and other exam boards guidance for all our exams.

    Some examples of Exam Access Arrangements are:

    • 25% extra time
    • A computer reader
    • Or typing on a computer.


    Did you have access arrangements in your exams at your previous school or college? 

    If so, it would be useful if you could provide a copy of the following from your previous school or centre of learning in order to help us to put appropriate arrangements in place for you here at HRUC. 

    Please obtain either one of the following as evidence:

    • FORM 8 and assessors certificate
    • Medical letter detailing your needs, this must be on headed paper from the NHS this cannot be from the GP
    • If you have an EHCP, you do not need to send anything in.


    Please note without the correct approved evidence, your EAAs could not be guaranteed.

    If you didn’t have access arrangements at school but think you should have done or have recently been diagnosed, you will have the opportunity to tell us. Your tutors will work with you to put appropriate Access Arrangements in place for your exams at college.

    Please send your evidence to:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Higher Education students

You can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have a disability, including a long-term health condition, a mental health condition or s specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

  • Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

    You must meet the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010.

    The support you get depends on your individual needs and not on income.

    If you ticked the Disabled Students’ Allowances box on your student loan application, you will receive a DSA1 application form with your basic details already filled in. Otherwise you can download the form from the Student Finance website. If you only want to apply for DSAs and no other type of student finance you need to complete a DSA1 application form which you’ll be able to download at www.gov.uk/studentfinance.

    DSA applications can take around 14 weeks to be processed.

    Any student who has not applied in time for their DSA funding may jeopardise their enrolment on their course, or may not have the support they need at the start of the course.

    Further information

    The government's information on disabled students' allowance is available here.

Meet our learning support team 

Further information

Contact Us

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01895 853746.