Compensations for Disadvantages intend to ensure equal opportunities and to address existing barriers.

Possible accommodations include, for example, extended time limits, separate exam rooms, assistive technology, or modified exam formats. The specifics are determined on an individual basis; however, there is no entitlement to a specific form of accommodation.

Academic and exam performance must be of equivalent quality, but the format is flexibly adapted. The specifics are determined on an individual basis, are situation-dependent, and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Note: There is a legal right to accommodations, but there is no legal right to a specific type of accommodation. There is room for negotiation here. The examination committee makes the decision, and ideally, the student’s needs resulting from their disability should be the determining factor.

Note: Many students forgo their rights out of shame or fear of discrimination. Studies show, however, that students who seek qualified counseling are better than average at having their needs met. If you are unsure, it is worth contacting the Disability Coordinator early on.

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If a disability creates barriers to studying, students can apply for accommodations by submitting a request for reasonable accommodation. Any difficulty in studying resulting from the disability must be documented and presented in a plausible and understandable manner.

Note: Not every disability necessarily leads to barriers. These depend on the individual nature of the disability, how the person manages their own disability (such as through individual study techniques), and the chosen field of study. The overall picture must be clearly outlined in the application.
Note: An accident, an injury, or a sudden illness does not qualify as a “disability.” A disability requires that all criteria of the legal definition be met. Regardless of this, students may speak with their faculty and inquire about solutions for acute situations. In such cases, we do not refer to these accommodations as “compensation for disadvantage” due to a disability.

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The application process is standardized, but there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.

Students at KIT submit an informal request to their faculty’s examination board. This request must be accompanied by a medical certificate or a similarly informative document, which may be a disability ID card, if available. The request for necessary accommodations pertains to the general conditions, not the content to be examined.
The request should explain barriers in a way that is clear and understandable to those without medical training.

The designated offices within the faculty provide guidance on faculty-specific requirements and details regarding the application process. Contact persons and information vary; therefore, it is best to check the faculty websites for the most up-to-date information.

The Examination Board reviews each application individually and makes a decision. A written notification is sent to the student. You must personally inform the examiners of this decision as early as possible before an exam so that the faculty’s examiners can organize the necessary arrangements and thus implement the accommodations. (*Exception: Faculty of Economics: There, the Examination Office centrally coordinates the approved accommodations with the examiners based on the information you provide.)

Note: All departments are required to treat applicants’ information and data confidentially. Therefore, you should always proactively follow up if there are any delays or issues. 

The request for accommodation must include the student’s name and student ID number, field of study, semester, description and justification of the need, and an explanation of the symptoms and their impact on studies or the completion of exams. Specific suggestions for implementing the accommodation are helpful, as those affected know their needs best. It is not necessary to state the diagnosis, but the effects of the disability or chronic illness on studies must be described in such a way that medical laypeople can understand the need. Students with disabilities submit the application, supplemented by a medical certificate or expert opinion from a specialist, to the respective faculty examination board.

For more detailed information, please read this information leaflet.

 

The medical certificate is issued by a specialist and includes:

• Personal information (name, date of birth, address)
• Diagnosis or description of the health impairment (chronic illness or disability).
• Confirmation that the impairment is long-term.
• An explanation of how the impairment specifically affects studies and exams (e.g., concentration, stress tolerance, time required).
• A description of the resulting disadvantages compared to other students.
• Recommendations for possible accommodations, e.g., additional time, breaks, or an alternative exam format.

The medical certificate must confirm that a long-term impairment exists and explain why specific accommodations are therefore necessary during exams.

ACCESS@KIT is the Center for Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technologies. For many years, it has been supporting students and prospective students with visual impairments or blindness in all degree programs at KIT. The interdisciplinary team continuously develops customized and innovative solutions to enable barrier-free study, particularly in STEM fields such as mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and engineering.

Students can access a wide range of modern assistive devices there and also gain access to networks and opportunities to exchange ideas with others in similar situations. The goal is to enable self-determined and inclusive studies and to support the transition into professional life.

In addition, ACCESS@KIT collaborates with the Chair of “Computer Science Systems for Visually Impaired Students” on the development of new assistive technologies and research into barrier-free access in higher education. The knowledge gained is also regularly shared with external institutions through events, the website, and various projects.

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A personal student assistant provides support with note-taking, getting around campus, and organization. This assistance is funded through the Integration Assistance Program and is organized and applied for by the students themselves.

The purpose of the Integration Assistance Program is to enable an independent lifestyle that respects human dignity and to promote equal participation in social life.

For students, depending on the type of disability, this includes, among other things, technical equipment, hourly compensation for support staff, transportation costs, and learning materials. Applications for these services should be submitted as early as possible so that they are available at the start of the academic year. The Social Welfare Office or regional social welfare agencies are generally responsible for this.

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A leave of absence from your studies may be requested for valid reasons and must be submitted online via Campus Management along with supporting documentation. The application should be submitted during the re-registration period or, at the latest, before the start of the lecture period (within two weeks if the reason arises later). As a rule, a leave of absence lasts for a maximum of two semesters.

Possible reasons include illness, a voluntary internship, studying abroad, voluntary service, maternity leave/parental leave, caring for relatives, founding a startup, or other important reasons.

Semester fees must still be paid during the leave of absence. Students on leave of absence are generally not permitted to attend courses or earn academic credits, though they may be allowed to take exams in some cases (exceptions include parental leave or caregiving).

A leave of absence may affect BAföG, child benefits, or residency status.

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STEM courses offer opportunities to overcome barriers to studying at KIT. Taking these courses, for example, allows students to set aside more time for orientation exams. This makes them particularly beneficial for students with disabilities, as they help make the transition into university more flexible from the very beginning.

Information and Registration

Yes. You have the option to extend your studies. Studying with a disability usually takes more time.

A well-thought-out, self-directed, and individualized study plan helps make your studies more flexible. This allows you to adapt them to your disability-related needs. All students have the option to submit a hardship application to their faculty after reaching the maximum study period. Based on a documented disability and a positive prognosis for completing the degree, the study period is generally extended.

Background: According to the nationwide student survey “Studying with a Disability (best3)” conducted by the German Student Services (2023), students with disabilities earn an average of 17 ECTS credits per semester, while students without disabilities earn 19 ECTS credits. This means that students with disabilities structurally take longer to complete the same course load. In addition, over 20% of students with disabilities have interrupted their studies at least once, compared to only 9% of students without disabilities."

 

Studying with a Disability – best3 recognizes the following types of disabilities:

• Mental illness (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders)
• Chronic illness (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
• Multiple disabilities of equal severity
• Specific learning disability (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD)
• Mobility impairment
• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment

Important: 31% of students with disabilities have multiple disabilities simultaneously. Furthermore, in 56% of cases, the disability is not apparent to others.

Students with disabilities or impairments often face the question of whether they need to “come out” about their condition during their studies. The general answer is: no. This is a personal decision. When applying for support, the answer is: yes—you must disclose your condition to the relevant offices, such as the Registrar’s Office or the representatives for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Disclosure is a prerequisite for applying for accommodations. To do so, you must explain in detail the barriers caused by your impairment and their effects. The individual barriers must be understood in order to adapt the framework conditions in a helpful way. The benefit for you during your studies is that you can receive support, exercise your rights, and have accommodations implemented. Note: Your data must be treated as strictly confidential.

You do not have to “come out” to fellow students or instructors, for example. However, it can be helpful and a relief; consider this for yourself, for example, using the tool “Should I tell them, or shouldn’t I?”

It is advisable to reflect on your own position and develop a strategy, which will certainly depend on the specific nature of your disability and its impact on your studies and career.