Academic adjustment is a formal arrangement that modifies the general conditions for examinations or studying, for example by allowing additional time for an examination. It is intended to compensate for limitations caused by illness or disability. The academic requirements and quality standards for the examination remain unchanged. This is intended to enable students to participate equally in their studies.

To be eligible for academic adjustments, students must provide evidence of a long-term impairment that meets the criteria of a disability.

This includes, among other things, impairments affecting mobility or the senses, long-term chronic physical or mental health conditions, specific learning difficulties, autism and other long-term impairments. This also includes chronic conditions with an episodic course, such as rheumatism, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis or allergies.

The following list gives examples of possible exam adjustments. It is not a complete list.

Possible adjustments for written exams:

• Extra time for written exams, coursework and dissertations or theses
• Extra time to allow for breaks during an exam
• Taking the exam in a separate room
• Adapted exam papers or materials
• Spelling mistakes not being taken into account when marking the exam
• Adjustments to the exam date, location, seating arrangements or supervision
• Permission to use technical aids or support from assistants

Possible adjustments for oral exams:

• Extra preparation time
• Extra time to allow for breaks during an exam
• Adapted exam papers or materials
• No audience during the exam
• Permission to use technical aids or support from assistants

Other possible adjustments:

• Changing the type of exam
• Adapting practical exams
• Dividing coursework or other assessed work into smaller parts

Important: There are limits to exam adjustments.

Exam adjustments can change the conditions under which you take an exam. However, you must still meet the academic requirements of your degree programme and demonstrate your knowledge and skills through examinations.

Students with a disability or a long-term health condition can apply for adjustments to exams. They must submit their application to the Chair of the Examination Board in their faculty.

You do not need to use a special form. Please submit your application to the Examinations Office or Student Office of your faculty during the exam registration period. The office will forward your application to the Examination Board. The Examination Board will make a decision and inform the Examinations Office or Student Office.

Important information for students at the Central Campus and Campus Velbert/Heiligenhaus

If you study at the Central Campus or Campus Velbert/Heiligenhaus and have been approved for exam adjustments, you must contact your Student Office during every exam registration period. You can do this by email or telephone. This allows the Student Office to inform all examiners about the adjustments you need for your upcoming exams.

This requirement does not apply to students at the Health Campus.

Examiners are responsible for making the necessary arrangements to ensure that the approved adjustments are provided.

Do I need to apply more than once?

If you have a disability or long-term health condition that is not expected to change significantly, you only need to submit your application for exam adjustments once for your entire degree programme. However, you must still inform the Examinations Office or Student Office which exams you plan to take.

You are welcome to book an advice appointment by emailing inklusion(at)hs-bochum.de 

You can download the application form here.

Here you can find the application form for academic adjustments

The certificate can be issued by a treating specialist or general practitioner, or by a licensed psychotherapist.

The following information should be included:

• Name and date of birth of the patient
• Diagnosis according to ICD-10 or, in future, ICD-11 (optional)
• Description of the impairment and its impact, particularly on the student's studies
• Specific recommendations for the academic adjustments required to ensure equal opportunities
• Period of validity of the certificate
• The certificate must be issued on official letterhead and include a stamp, name and signature.
  A certificate issued on a prescription pad is not sufficient!

This must be a medical or psychotherapeutic certificate, not a medical or psychotherapeutic statement. As a rule, 3–5 sentences or 5–10 lines are sufficient.

For further information, please see our letter for doctors and psychotherapists.

Any adjustments approved by the university must also be requested separately from the Public Health Office for the state examination.

You must apply for these adjustments at least six months before the state examination begins. 
Please submit all required documents to the Examinations Office. The Examinations Office will forward them to the Public Health Office and the relevant district authority (Bezirksregierung).

All information provided in the application for academic adjustments will be used exclusively to assess and determine academic adjustments for the specific study or examination requirement stated in the application.

The persons involved in deciding on the application are subject to confidentiality.

Examiners will not be informed of the reasons for the academic adjustment.

Academic adjustments will not be noted on certificates.