Who is entitled to modified adjustments during their studies?
a) Prospective students with disabilities or health/mental impairments: At BOKU, prospective students are exempt from the admission or aptitude procedure for Bachelor's programs (if it takes place) due to disabilities or health-related illnesses. Further information can be found on the website of the Student Services. See link to the BOKU Student Services: Admission procedure /Exemptions
b) Students with disabilities or health/mental disabilities
For which exams can compensation for disadvantages be claimed?
Alternative examination methods (compensation for disadvantages) can be agreed for any form of performance assessment. This applies to lectures as well as to courses with examinations, such as
- oral exams, written exams, multiple-choice exams
- Seminar papers, presentations (e.g. extension of deadlines)
- Exercises, laboratory activities, excursions
Which deviating method will be used for you personally must be clarified individually in prior consultation with you and the respective course/examination leaders. Furthermore, different examination methods can only be guaranteed in coordination with the learning objectives of the respective curriculum and feasibility.
Procedure for claiming
At BOKU, the Coordination Office for Equality, Diversity and Disability (Disability Officer) is responsible for the official processing of deviating examination/teaching methods. To claim compensation for disadvantages, proceed as follows:
1) Contact (by telephone, e-mail) the Disability Officer (link Contact the Disability Officer)
2) Make an appointment for further consultation, clarification and examination of the required evidence (disability pass, specialist/clinical psychological/psychotherapeutic certificate or letter of recommendation)
3) Get Information about support options for individual compensation for disadvantages due to the impairment
4) Coordination of alternative examination methods: To do this, contact the Disability Officer - PLEASE as early as possible – and announce for which course/examination you would like to apply for a different examination method. The Disability Officer will then coordinate the procedure in consultation with you and the responsible course/examination supervisors. As some impairments are intermittent or phased, there is not always the same need at all times.
Students can also choose to communicate directly with the course/examination leaders at any time and discuss their situation;
This is particularly recommended in case of short-term impairments. In case of longer-lasting health impairments, lecturers will refer students to the Coordination Office for further clarification.
The proof of the impairment is available from the Disability Officer during the time of your active studies. The information for claiming compensation for disadvantages is sent to the responsible lecturers/examiners; there is no note in the data system or in the transcript!
You will need the following documents to use different examination methods:
- Specialist/clinical psychological/psychotherapeutic proof of a study-relevant functional impairment. This can be for example a document on which a diagnosis (e.g. ADHD, blindness) is stated
- A disability pass, proof of receipt of increased family allowance
Under the following link you will find further information regarding: FAQ specialist medical certificates as well as a template for proof of a study-relevant impairment for medical specialists.
If you have any questions, please contact the Disability Officer, Ruth Scheiber-Herzog.
contact e-Mail: ruth.scheiber(at)boku.ac.at
