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Disadvantage Compensation for Biomedical Science students with chronic illnesses, disabilities or family duties

Who can apply for a disadvantage compensation?

In practical terms, that could for example mean, that...

• You have to take performance reducing medication or have to attend regular time-consuming medical appointments (e.g. Dialysis, radiation therapy) due to a chronic illness. 
• You are dependent on assistance or significantly limited in your work speed due to sensory or motor limitations. 
• You need a quiet surrounding during exams because of a psychological disability. 
• You take care of a child under the age of 12 in your household. 
• ...

The following disadvantages cannot be compensated for:

• Disadvantages resulting from an acute and short-term illness (in such cases, a medical certificate of incapacity for examinations applies, which may lead to an extension of the processing time or to a withdrawal from the examination).
• Performance deficiencies that are directly relevant to the type and extent of aptitude and competence being assessed by the examination in question.
• Disadvantages that are claimed after the examination has already commenced. By attending an examination, you declare that you are fit to be examined under the given conditions.

How does a request for disadvantage compensation work? 

You must contact the Examinations Office as early as possible, but no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course, in order to arrange further organizational steps. Please note that a medical certificate issued by a specialist physician is required for this purpose; make sure to plan accordingly. It is not sufficient merely to state the existence of an impairment/disability. It is particularly necessary to provide evidence of how the impairment affects your studies and examination performance. We would also like to draw your attention to the specific requirements of laboratory work. For the practical components of the program, we can develop an individual concept with you.

In the case of parental leave an official certificate from the parental allowance office (Elterngeldstelle) must be submitted, clearly indicating the period of parental leave requested.

If your application is approved by the Examination Board, you will receive an official confirmation of the granted compensation for disadvantages (Nachteilsausgleich). During the course of your studies, we will inform the instructors about the granted compensation.

It is strongly recommended that you seek advice in advance, from both the Examinations Office and the Service Center for Students with Disabilities (SBS) before obtaining a medical certificate.