Before studying
In the brochure “Information for prospective students”, you will find information that is relevant to anyone interested in studying.
You can also find important offers on the homepage:
The most important topics for prospective students with a disability
It is particularly important for those with disabilities and health considerations to carefully prepare for their studies.
Before deciding to study at a university - preferably two years prior to your anticipated start of studies - you should explore the following questions to be able to successfully begin your studies with realistic expectations:
- What are my career plans, and are they realistic considering my handicap?
- What are the degree programs that prepare me for this career, and which abilities are essential when pursuing such a program? Do I have theses abilities? What is important for organizing university life and do I believe I am capable of handling it?
- Which universities offer these degree programs? Do these universities provide the conditins and services I need with regard to my handicap? What equipment and facilities are available on campus and inside the university buildings (e.g., barrier-free access)? Does the university offer support services for students with disabilities?
- What are the policies and experiences at this university in terms of special accommodations in admissions and examinations?
- Is the university accessible for me? What about accommodation (e.g., housing designed to meet the needs of disabled students)? More generally, does the campus have the kind of infrastructure I need because of my disability or illness (e.g., assistance/nursing, medical services)?
The following institutions can help you answer these questions:
- Representative for students with disabilities and chronic/mental illnesses
- Central Student Counselling Center (for general questions)
- Specific academic advising for the degree program you're interested in (for subject-specific questions)
- Counselling on accommodation and social issues by Student Services
- Student interest groups such as AStA and departmental student representatives
- Local associations, social institutions, government offices and agencies
General information valid for all applicants can be found here on the homepage:
- Applying
- General information on the allotment of spots in degree programs with local admission restrictions
For applicants with health problems, there is for example the possibility to submit a hardship case request or an affirmative action request. These special applications may not lead to preferential treatment; they ensure that the disadvantage that would otherwise arise from the disability or illness is negated.
Examples for special applications
In the Baden-Württemberg State Higher Education Act, it is regulated that up to 5% of the university places must be given to “hardship cases.” This is a so-called “pre-quota” that disabled and chronically ill applicants can take advantage of.
The recognition of a hardship case request leads to direct admission without consideration of merit or waiting time. Still, even these applicants must fulfill the admission requirements such as a university entrance qualification (Abitur) and an orientation test and, for agricultural degree programs, the pre-study internship.
In order to receive a university place with a “hardship case request,” applicants must note the following:
- When submitting the online application, check the box that you would like to submit a “special application” and, when the online application is concluded, print out the “Application for admission”
- Add to and sign the “Application for admission”
- Submit proof of disability or chronic illness (severely disabled ID, specialist doctor’s evaluation)
- Send the documents via post to the University of Hohenheim before the application deadline: Studiensekretariat, Universität Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart
Often the average grade of the Abitur is an important factor in the selection process or is even the most important selection criterion in the application. With this request, applicants can make note of circumstances that have prevented them from achieving a better average grade in their Abitur. Here usually longer illness-related absences from lessons or an interruption of school attendance during the last years before the Abitur are recognized.
This request must be made just as the hardship case request.
Within the waiting time quota, the selection is done using the number of half-years that have passed since the person obtained a university entrance qualification without being enrolled at a German university.
With this request, applicants can make note of circumstances that have prevented them from completing their Abitur sooner. Here usually longer illness-related absences from lessons or an interruption of school attendance during the last years before the Abitur are recognized.
This request must be made just as the hardship case request.
You can find further options for submitting a special application when applying in the brochure "Studying and Disability" from Student Services.
