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Jargon and terminology
Starting University can sometimes seem like learning a whole new language. Don't worry - just ask or have a quick look through our list.
Acronyms and abbreviations
Some terms explained
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) - extra financial help for UK students studying a higher education course and have a disability, ongoing health condition, mental health condition or Specific Learning Difficulty like dyslexia.
Learning Profile - A Learning Profile is compiled by the Student Disability Service following discussions with you, and in some cases your Personal Tutor or Postgraduate Supervisor. It presents the recommended reasonable adjustments to be implemented so that you are able to participate fully with your studies.
Needs Assessment - A Needs Assessment is a report that explains what your difficulties with studying and learning are and makes appropriate recommendations for funding and other support in order to ensure you can access all areas of your course.
Reasonable Adjustments - Informs staff of what support is recommended for disabled students in lectures and in exams, e.g. permission to record lectures, extra time in exams etc.
Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) - Term used to cover a wide variety of specific learning difficulties, which can affect literacy skills (e.g. aspects of reading, spelling and writing skills), short term memory, processing of information and sometimes motor skills. These include dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia and is often used to refer to additional developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (includes Asperger’s Syndrome or High Functioning Autism) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
This article was published on Sep 28, 2012