About the Access Centre

Exeter Access Centre is able to assess the needs of students with disabilities applying to study or who are already studying in Higher Education. We are able to assess students with a range of disabilities who meet the criteria for application for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). We aim to match students with an assessor who is best qualified to assess for the student’s particular disability. A report will be produced as a result of the assessment which will be a comprehensive description of the impact of the disability on learning and studying for the student and make a range of recommendations for support adjustments and equipment to support students to progress through a programme of study.

We aim to conduct high quality assessments and reports as part of DSA applications to students’ Local Education Authorities (LEAs), research funding bodies (including the NHS) or Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance NI or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. We are working within the DSA-QAG (DSA Quality Assurance Group) framework to ensure that the standards of service to students are maintained and all students receive and a meaningful and effective assessment of their needs. As part of the framework, we are audited to check that we are providing a good service to students.

We are part of a National Network of assessment centres (NNAC) and attend regular regional meetings to ensure that we share best practice, support our staff teams and all students receive a similar experience of assessment.