Compensation for disadvantages

Students who wish to apply for compensation for disadvantages in examinations must submit an application for compensation for disadvantages (NA) to the relevant examination office and enclose the relevant evidence. This includes, above all, a corresponding (specialist) medical certificate, a severely disabled person's pass if applicable, as well as a statement from the Disability Officer.

Compensation for disadvantages can only be applied for, justified and granted on an individual basis. This means that the person concerned must document physical and health restrictions and apply to the examination office for compensation for disadvantages. In consultation with the Disabled Persons Representative, the person concerned applies to the responsible examination office for an appropriate modification of the examination performance. The modification of the examination performance specifically takes into account the individual limitations of the applicant, i.e. measures to compensate for disadvantages must be clearly related to the applicant's limitations. Compensation for disadvantages can therefore only be granted on an individual basis and in relation to specific health problems. Possible forms of compensation for disadvantages would be, for example

• Time allowance for written exams

• Conversion of written examinations into oral examinations (or vice versa)

• Interrupting examinations with breaks for recovery

• Splitting examinations into partial examinations

• Own processing room with, if necessary, appropriate equipment

• Use of aids

In any case, the type and scope of the compensation for disadvantages should also be discussed with the attending physician and named by him/her in a medical certificate.

The application for compensation for disadvantages must be submitted to the relevant examination office in good time, so it should ideally be prepared in the first few weeks of the semester and agreed in advance with the representative for students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses.

Compensation for disadvantages is not about making exams, term papers or oral examinations easier, but rather about specifically reducing disadvantages. Since a general and binding regulation of examination modalities for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses is hardly possible, compensation for disadvantages can only be a targeted compensatory measure that is decided on a case-by-case basis. Those affected should therefore always get in touch with the respective examiners in good time, discuss the existing difficulties and clarify the desired conditions with them. If necessary, you can find advice and support from the representative for students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses.

There is a local selection procedure for some subjects and degree courses at the University of Siegen, as the number of places available is lower than the number of prospective students. People with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses have the opportunity to increase their chances of gaining a place by submitting a hardship application or an application to improve their average grade or waiting time. In addition to the informal application, you will need corresponding medical and school reports to apply. As obtaining the necessary documents usually requires some preparation time, it is advisable to obtain the required documents at an early stage and to seek advice from the representative for students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. This will improve your chances of gaining a place on a subject or degree course with restricted admission. There can be no guarantee of admission.