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Student services: Learning & disability support

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At HCA we have a positive, inclusive atmosphere where all of our students are able to access support for their studies. Below, you can find more information about Additional Learning Support (ALS) specifically at university or college level for students and prospective students who are disabled or neurodivergent. 

Learning support for degree students

Our Additional support team is highly qualified and experienced, which allows them to help you get the most out of your studies. All students can access practical advice, guidance and support for their study skills and personal learning strategies. The team also helps students with specific disabilities develop tailored independent learning strategies. The Specialist team works with course teams and all members of Staff at HCA to promote a student-centred learning environment that gives every student the best possible opportunity to succeed.

Some students choose to drop in for a one-off session to enhance their written assignments or prepare for a presentation, whist other students access more formal tutorial support on a weekly or daily basis depending on their support needs. Our aim is to develop your academic skills so you can work as independently and successfully as possible.

If you have any queries please contact our team at - helearningsupport@hca.ac.uk

Specialised Support for Students with Disabilities and/or Difficulties

HCA has an excellent reputation for providing a wide range of specialist support for students. As you decide where you wish to study you should take into consideration any additional support needs that you may have.

It is very important that you make sure we are aware of any particular difficulties and/or disabilities you may have so that advice regarding the appropriate support can be provided.

You should ensure that you have an up to date diagnostic report, written after your sixteenth birthday, of any difficulties you have. This will need to be written by a professional such as an Educational Psychologist, a medical consultant, or Specialist Teacher, etc.

Your current school or college will be able to help and advise you about arranging this assessment.

If you are not currently in education, you should contact Hereford College of Arts to discuss the assessment process with a member of the Additional Learning Support (ALS) team who are here to help and advice.

Correct assessment of your difficulties may entitle you to a level of financial support from Student Finance through the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), even if you do not think you are disabled.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

Once you have accepted your place at HCA, and your DSA has been approved, you will need to provide us with copies of your Diagnostic Report, a copy of your Access Report (this is part of the Disabled Students Allowance application process), and a copy of your DSA approval letter. We strongly recommend you begin the Disabled Students Allowance application process as soon as possible, as it can be a lengthy process. 

Student Finance England may allocate your support to an external agency. The ALS team is happy to help with putting this in place and can also offer support additional to this, so it is important to let us have as much information as possible.

Learn more about Disabled Students Allowances.

We are able to provide support for students who do not have a Disabled Students Allowance in place, but this support may be less specific to your individual needs.

FAQs (degree students)

You can speak to a member of the specialist team at any time about having an assessment of your difficulties and/or disabilities. 

If you are aware you may benefit from extra support ahead of starting your studies here, you should speak to a member of the specialist team at the earliest possible opportunity - contact details. The processing of a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) application takes approximately 3 months to complete, so the earlier you request help, the better. Click here to find out more about applying for DSA.

You can reach out for information, advice, or guidance before applying, during the application process, prior to enrolment, or at any point from enrolment onwards.

Any student at the college can request additional support from our specialist team. We will offer advice and support to help you develop your skills and abilities and, where appropriate, provide advice on assistive technologies that could help you to complete work more independently. 

Student Finance England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are responsible for allocating individual support and some students will be allocated specialist support from agencies from outside the College, in addition to the support services we are accredited to provide internally. Unfortunately, the allocation of this support is beyond the control of the College. To find out more about DSAs click here, or for support on your application contact us at helearningsupport@hca.ac.uk

AT HCA we are able to offer a wide range of help and support as an integral part of your studies, which is available to all our students. 

If you are applying for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), some formal assessments and specialist equipment will require some additional costs to be met; this varies according to individual need and will be made clear to you by Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, or Student Finance Northern Ireland.

All students have open access to the specialist team who can discuss your individual needs and the best way to proceed.

The College offer a wide range of assistance and support as an integral part of your studies, regardless of whether you are eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).

Learning support at college level

The Study Skills team at HCA is committed to providing a high standard of specialised and individually tailored support to improve outcomes for all students. This support includes extra provision for those who: 

  • would benefit from enhancing their academic writing, referencing and critical thinking skills; 
  • need to further develop their English and Maths abilities; 
  • require exam access arrangements such as 25% extra time; 
  • have particular learning requirements and need to focus on developing their organisation, planning and academic abilities; 
  • have English as their second language (EAL); 
  • may benefit from using Assistive Technology to develop greater independence. 

Study Skills support is currently delivered through specialist English, Maths or EAL sessions, as well as provision for students focusing on their coursework. The team aims to support learners in setting their own targets in order to develop their independence and achieve their full potential throughout their chosen course of study. 

All students also have access to scheduled drop-in sessions for support for all areas including coursework, English and Maths, study skills, EAL, information, advice and guidance. 

If you have any queries please contact our team at - studyskillssupport@hca.ac.uk 

FAQs (college level)

Any student in the College can attend Study Skills sessions.  We will support them to develop their skills and abilities and, if appropriate, show them how Assistive Technology can support them to complete their work independently. 

Students can ask their course tutor to refer them or they can see us in Study Skills and refer themselves.  They can also access support on a more informal basis by attending drop-in sessions. 

We make every effort to timetable regular Study Skills sessions at times when students have self-directed study and liaise with their course tutors to keep them up to date with their students’ progress. 

Potentially, yes.  Our Specialist Teacher and Assessor meets with each student individually to carry out the assessments that are needed. She discusses the access arrangements students have had at their previous school/college and looks in detail at their current learning needs. All access arrangements must meet Joint Council for Qualification (JCQ) criteria, and the arrangement/s must be each student’s normal way of working. 

Although we do not conduct formal diagnostic assessment, we can advise you how to go about the process. 

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