Academic Adjustments - Studying with equal opportunities

Academic Adjustments

Students with a disability or chronic illness, no matter if physical or mental, are often directly disadvantaged during their studies.  Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses are entiteld to claim adjustments to needs-based adaptation of study and examination conditions. Legal Provisions for Academic Adjustment According to the Higher Education Act of the State of Bremen in  § 31 of the Bremen Higher Education Act and in § 11 of the General Parts of the Bachelor's and Master's Examination Regulations.

Forms of reasonable accomodation include: 

• Extension of processing time for coursework 
• Writing time extension for exams 
• Rest periods between exams 
• Use of technical aids 
• Writing assistance for the exam 
• Different form of the examination: for example, oral instead of written 

Tips on application procedures and evidence (only available in German)

Application Process

• The student describes in an informal letter or by using the formal application how the concrete impairment hinders their studies. This requires information on the symptoms, but not information on the diagnosis. The application should clearly indicate in a way that is comprehensible to a medical layperson which restrictions – related to the course of study – exist. In addition, proposals for solutions should be made regarding what academic adjustments might look like in the specific case.
• A medical certificate must be enclosed.
• The application is to be submitted to the chairperson of the examination board
• The examination board decides on the application in a timely manner and notifies the examination office of its decision.
• The examination board will send a written decision to the applicant.
• The applicant contacts the lecturer in good time with the notice of approval.

Do you want to apply for academic adjustments?

Then you are welcome to download our online application form). You also have the option of submitting an informal application - just as you wish!
Not sure if you've taken all the right steps on the way to reasonable accomodations in your exams and/or studies? Our checklist will help you keep track!

In any case, you should first arrange a counselling appointment (see checklist for more information).