Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) Study Skills
What are Specialist Study Skills?
One-to-one Specialist Study
Skills tuition and support is available for students with Specific Learning Differences (SpLD), including dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD. We offer a service which supports your academic studies, is led by your needs, and personalised to you.
Specialist Study Skills can help you understand how your SpLD could impact on your studies and help you to develop appropriate strategies that will work for you.
Our service runs alongside, and complements, the University’s other academic and wellbeing support services.
Who are we?
The DSA Specialist Study Skills Tutors work within the University of Exeter’s Wellbeing Services.
Our tutors are experienced, level 7 qualified, dyslexia specialists.
We provide support for students studying at all levels and in any subject within the University.
We offer term time support across all subjects and levels of study from undergraduate to postgraduate.
What do we do?
Support is tailored to your needs, but will typically help you to do such things as:
l Develop an understanding of your individual learning processes and discuss effective ways of approaching tasks
l Enhance your research skills
l Plan your work
l Structure your assignments
l Revise effectively
l Unpack your assignment questions
l Develop your proof-reading skills
l Manage your time effectively
l Examination techniques
What don’t we do
l Make you do worksheets or phonics
l Proofread your work for you, but we will show you how you can do this for yourself
l Provide additional subject specific support
l Provide assistive technology training What can I expect during a session?
Our individual sessions typically last for 45 minutes. We adhere to the Wellbeing Services wider confidentiality policy: exeter.ac.uk/students/ wellbeing/devon/about/policies
The initial sessions will focus on establishing your learning priorities with your allocated Tutor.
Following sessions will build on this, with an emphasis on enhancing transferable study skills that will enable you to reach your full potential. The sessions are booked directly with your allocated Tutor following your first session. How do I receive Specialist Study Skills?
Most students who access Specialist Study Skills tutoring have their sessions paid for by Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), provided by their funding body (e.g. Student Finance England). This allowance helps to meet the additional costs that may arise from having a disability at university.
Home students can apply for the DSA directly at: gov.uk/disabled-studentsallowance-dsa
AccessAbility can support you with your application if necessary.
Attendance at sessions
Students are expected to attend all offered and agreed sessions. If you cannot attend due to circumstances, we ask that you give us 24 hours’ notice.
If less than 24 hours’ notice is given or a session is missed, then the session will count as one of the allocated sessions. If this occurs twice per term, then consideration will be given to the suitability of this support for you at this time.
Further information:
We encourage students to meet with an AccessAbility Advisor to discuss arrangements for other support for their university studies.
If you have already applied for DSA, and have a DSA 2 letter that lists the University of Exeter as one of your providers for specialist mentoring or study skills, please scan the QR code to complete the initial form, then select ‘Disability Support’. Choose the ‘Setting up my mentoring or study skills support from DSA’ to request your support.
If you require any further information, please contact Wellbeing Services, either by calling us on 01392 723880, or emailing us at wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk.