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Examinations: Disadvantage Compensation (Studying with a Disability or Chronic Illness )

General information on disadvantage compensation for students with disabilities/chronic illnesses

Students with a disability, chronic illness or health impairment that is not only temporary and makes it difficult for them to complete their studies and examinations can apply for compensation for disadvantages.

Aim of a disadvantage compensation

The aim of compensation for disadvantages is to ensure that study and examination performance can be completed under appropriate conditions and with equal opportunities. Disadvantages that students with the above-mentioned impairments have in comparison to other students in the performance of study and examination achievements should be compensated for as far as possible. The requirements that are part of the performance profile of the examination may not be waived and there may be no overcompensation. Measures to compensate for disadvantages must be determined individually in advance of the respective study and examination performance.

Requirements for the granting of measures to compensate for disadvantages

  • Existence of a disability, chronic illness or not only temporary health impairment. The achievement of academic or examination performance under the regular conditions is more difficult than for other students due to the impairment is more difficult than that of other students due to the impairment.
  • The requirements that are part of the performance profile of the study or examination performance are not changed by the measure to compensate for a disadvantage.


Examples of compensation for disadvantages

  • Writing time extensions for examinations
  • Breaks in examinations
  • Separate room during the examination
  • Extension of deadlines for submissions
  • Use of technical aids

Advisor/Representative for Students with a Disability or Chronic Illness

Legal basis according to the Exam Regulations

  • The legal basis for disability compensation is embedded in the general examination regulations for Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree programs as a solidification of the general principle of equal treatment according to Article 3, paragraph 3 of the Basic Law.
  • An excerpt of the general examination regulation Bachelor of Science § 14a disability compensation:

(1) If a student has non-temporary or chronic health impairments that are not dependent on the examination which make it more difficult for him or her to complete examinations, the departmental Board of Examiners may take appropriate measures to compensate for the impairment upon written request; in this case, the student must still provide evidence of possessing the abilities the examination is designed to test in full scope. In the case of written examinations, possible compensational measures may include lengthening the time allowed to complete the examination by a reasonable amount, allowing the student to take breaks that are not counted toward the time allowed to complete the examination, or allowing the student to use personal or material aids.

(2) Before making a decision under Paragraph 1 in contentious cases, the departmental Board of Examiners should consult the representative for disabled persons or another expert at the consent of the student.

(3) Applications for disadvantage compensation should be submitted upon registration for a module examination or, at the latest, on the Monday before the module examination in question. The student must explain the impairment and present a doctor’s certificate containing the necessary medical evidence for the decision.

(4) If a student has non-temporary or chronic health impairments that make it more difficult for him or her to complete course work, the regulations described under Paragraphs 1 to 3 apply mutatis mutandis.

 

What should you take into consideration?

  • Not every psychological or physical impairment justifies disability compensation. Relying on equal opportunity for all students, we will not offer disability compensation if the performance deficit relates to the skills that are being tested in the examinations.
  • In order to grant disability compensation, there must be an impairment that does not affect the student's performance but only makes it difficult for the student to present his solution. 

 

How can I apply for disability compensation?

  • The application must be submitted in writing to the examination board.
  • It should contain as precise information as possible on the concrete restrictions in performing the respective study or examination performance and on which measures are being applied for.
  • A medical certificate (note: evidence from psychotherapists without medical training cannot be accepted) must be submitted with the application, clearly stating the health impairments and the resulting restrictions in the performance of study and examination achievements.
  • The application must be submitted together with the examination registration or at the latest one month before the study or examination performance.
  • Please submit your application with the respective documents of proof to the examination office at the Faculty of Engineering.