Compensation for disadvantages in study and examination achievements

For students with physical or sensory disabilities, chronic illnesses, dyslexia or mental health problems, studying for a Bachelor's or Master's degree is often a major challenge. The very tight timetable, the high workload and the closely spaced module examinations are already very stressful for "normal students".

Additional stress caused by illness or disability can even jeopardise studies. It can be just as difficult to fulfil the strict admission criteria for the Master's degree programme.

However, the examination regulations at the University of Oldenburg, the Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences and the Jade University of Applied Sciences provide for compensation for disadvantages in the form of modifications to examinations and coursework. For example, it is possible to apply for time extensions for examinations and the authorisation of aids, a change in the form of examination (conversion from oral to written or vice versa), a modification of the attendance requirement in courses, preferential module allocation and a temporal equalisation of module examinations at the end of the semester.
In the case of coursework, conditions are often modified as required in direct consultation with the lecturer. For examinations, students with disabilities or chronic illnesses must submit an informal written application to the relevant examination office or examination board. This application should outline the desired compensation for disadvantages. The application must be accompanied by suitable evidence.
Suitable proof can be, for example, a (specialist) medical certificate, a psychological report or a certificate of severe disability. A statement from the Disability Officer or the Disability Counselling Service of the Studierendenwerk Oldenburg can also be helpful.

It is important to submit the application in good time, if possible at the beginning of the semester and at the latest four weeks before the examination!

In general, the following applies: Compensation for disadvantages in coursework and examinations does not reduce the academic requirements for candidates. It is therefore by no means a facilitation, but rather a needs-based design of conditions to enable disabled and chronically ill students to complete coursework and examinations under equivalent conditions. The design of such measures to compensate for disadvantages must always be determined on an individual basis.
Compensation for disadvantages may not affect the assessment of coursework and examinations and may not be documented in transcripts or certificates.

Please note: The approval of compensation for disadvantages by the Examination Office generally only relates to the current study phase. This means that a new application must be submitted for the Master's programme, even if compensation for disadvantages has already been granted for the Bachelor's programme.

We have summarised the most important information on the subject of compensation for disadvantages in an information sheet:

Info sheet on compensation for disadvantages (PDF)

Professional secrecy and confidentiality

Affected students are often concerned that disclosing their illness could be associated with disadvantages and stigmatisation. However, the counselling institutions at the universities are obliged to maintain confidentiality. Counselling can also take place anonymously. The submission of an expert opinion is always carried out in close consultation and only with the consent of the person concerned. The other bodies involved (Examination Office, Examination Board and lecturers) are also bound to confidentiality.

Admission to the Master's programme

When applying for admission to a Master's degree programme, the disability-related study delay or other factors can also be taken into account.

Part-time study

The universities in the north-west offer various part-time study programmes. However, the University of Oldenburg is the only one to have issued regulations for part-time study for all degree programmes(further information from the university). The university application form already makes it clear that the study planning for the relevant semesters must be clarified in advance( visitthe academic advisor and allow time for this!) The application for part-time study can be submitted within the re-registration deadlines (28 February/31 July) for the duration of two consecutive semesters. The standard period of study will be extended accordingly; at most doubled. The long-term tuition fee is reduced by half for part-time study. The other amounts (semester ticket, student union fee, etc.) of the semester fee are not reduced.

Please note: Part-time students are not entitled to BAföG!

What else should I bear in mind when studying part-time?

Further sources of information

Further information can be found in the guide for lecturers. Possible compensation for disadvantages due to various forms of disability and illness are explained here.

There is also special information for students with dyslexia, students with mental illnesses and future teachers.

The Deutsches Studierendenwerk also has good information on compensation for disadvantages on its website, as does the University of Oldenburg.

Further information and an application form for compensation for disadvantages (as a download) can be found at the University of Oldenburg in the FAQ of the Examination Office under number 1.6 Compensation for disadvantages.

The Jade University of Applied Sciences has developed its own guidelines for lecturers, which highlight compensation for disadvantages not only for disabled and chronically ill students, but also for pregnant and breastfeeding women and students who are also carers. An application form for compensation for disadvantages can be downloaded here.

Emden Leer University of Applied Sciences provides an application form and an information sheet here. (section "Forms")

It is also highly recommended that you consult the disability counsellor Wiebke Hendeß personally on this extensive topic.

Contact the counsellor