Need for support
Students and prospective students who require support are welcome to contact the Disability Officer. (contct: ruth.scheiber@boku.ac.at, Tel.: +43 1 47654-19401

Right to deviating examination methods (compensation for disadvantage)

Students with long-term disabilities have the right to alternative examination methods in accordance with §59 (1) Z 12 UG if the disability makes it impossible to take the examination using the prescribed method and the content and requirements of the examinations are not affected by an alternative method.

That means: The exam will be completed with the same content and the same performance, but in a different mode.

With regard to deviating examination methods, this includes all students who can prove a physical or mental impairment by means of a specialist medical certificate (certificates from general practitioners do not count; certificates, recommendations or statements from clinical psychologists or psychotherapists are accepted). The impairment can be permanent, but also temporary (e.g. plaster hand), but should last longer (at least 2 months in the semester including vacation periods).

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

When making use of the compensation for disadvantages, the aim is not to simplify the content of the examination requirements, but rather to enable and create equal study and examination conditions for everyone. If deviating examination methods or other modified compensation for disadvantages are used, these may neither affect the assessment of study and examination achievements nor be documented in certificates!

 

Information on entitlement, application and supporting documents

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.


Process for Requesting Alternative Exam Methods

According to BOKU’s new guidelines on alternative exam methods (effective June 1, 2025), students are encouraged to contact the course instructors or exam administrators directly to discuss their situation and request alternative exam methods.
Students are welcome to contact the Coordination Office for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (Disability Officer) for advice on arranging alternative examination or teaching methods. The Disability Officer will assist with communication with the instructors; the procedure would then be as follows:

 

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 ID-Card, 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

The change in the examination mode is always related to the form of impairment, which has a direct impact on the specific study and examination conditions. It is therefore not possible to make general specifications regarding compensation for disadvantages in the case of certain impairments or illnesses. Decisions must always be made on an individual basis according to the requirements of each individual case. Depending on the requirements of the curriculum, this can require different adaptations.

Examples

- Extension of submission deadlines for time-dependent examinations (e.g. seminars, written examinations, term papers and theses)

- Exams can be taken in a separate room with separate supervision

- Changing the type of examination: replacing written examinations with oral examinations or vice versa; individual examinations instead of group examinations

- Adaptation of assignments (e.g. in terms of font, font size or enlarging the exam assignment to DIN A3)

- Reduction of regular attendance requirements for courses or exercises through digital participation (if possible)

Further possible adjustments:

For written exams
  • Extended time (e.g. for students with dyslexia)
  • Oral exam or use of aids (e.g. for blind students)
  • Taking the exam in a seperate room (e.g. for students with concentration problems)
For oral exams
  • An assistant comes along (no interference in the exam allowed)
  • Translation by a sign language interpreter
  • Taking a written exam (e.g. for students with hearing impairment or deaf students)
At field trips / excursions
  • If active participation is not possible students can provide a substitute work (agreement with the head of the field trip is obligatory)
FAQ - studying with a disability
Answers to questions about studying at BOKU with a disability and/or chronic/mental illness.
FAQ - Specialist medical certificate
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions (in german) about the type of medical evidence of a physical or mental impairment.