Aim This article sets out to begin the process of discussing and investigating the support of nursing students and midwives with dyslexia.

Method The method is informed by grounded theory using a survey of universities through email contact with members of the Council of Deans (CoD).

Results Twenty eight universities responded to the survey, representing 46 per cent of the CoD membership and 40 per cent of the universities offering nursing and midwifery courses. The results show a wide variation of support available to students within financial constraints. Many universities offer support funded by top-slicing or goodwill gestures.

Conclusion Although concentrating on academic support, there are implications for practitioners who support students on clinical placements.