FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

"People are disabled if their physical function, mental ability or mental health is likely to deviate from the typical state for their age for more than six months and their participation in social life is therefore impaired. They are at risk of disability if the impairment is to be expected." (Section 2 Paragraph 1 SGB IX; Section 3 BGG)

All students who meet this definition are generally entitled to compensation for disadvantages. This can apply to people who have physical impairments (e.g. limitations in motor, language, visual or acoustic skills), chronic illnesses (e.g. gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases), mental illnesses (e.g. depression, trauma, schizophrenia) or learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia).

As a student with disabilities, you have the same rights as your fellow students. The Disability Equality Act(BGG) and the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG, colloquially also known as the Anti-Discrimination Act) in Germany ensure that you are not denied educational opportunities due to your disability. Since 2009, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-BRK 2008), which covers the rights of people with disabilities, has also been in force in Germany. It states that people with disabilities "have access to general higher education [...] and lifelong learning without discrimination and on an equal basis with others".

We offer you free, independent and confidential advice on the topic of "studying with a disability and/or chronic illness" - from compensation for disadvantages and accessibility at the University of Bayreuth to overcoming your individual challenges in your studies. At the same time, we see ourselves as mediators for disabled and chronically ill students. This usually means that we show you the institutional paths and, in exceptional cases, represent your specific interests to examination offices, administration, etc. Together we see what we can do to enable you to study at the University of Bayreuth with equal opportunities.

On the pages of the Student Union's information and advice center "Studying and Disability" (IBS) as well as on the becks homepage and Facebook page, you will find a wealth of up-to-date information. The becks newsletter will keep you up to date on the topic of "Studying and Disability" at the University of Bayreuth.

You should contact us as soon as possible so that we can discuss your needs and possible support options such as study assistance, compensation for disadvantages or a hardship application. Even if you do not want to make use of compensation for disadvantages or something similar for the time being, it is certainly helpful if we can show you your options.

First, talk to the lecturers and explain how they can improve teaching or take your needs into account, e.g. by using sufficiently large font. If lecturers do not take this into account even after a personal conversation and this results in significant disadvantages for you, you should contact us and we will clarify together how we can resolve the situation together with you and the lecturer.

Yes, the Room of Silence offers this possibility. You will find it in the former seminar room 4 in the Student Union building. It is accessible from the outside and offers space to breathe and regenerate. You can find further information about the Room of Silence here. In summer and winter, the Ecological-Botanical Garden also offers peace and quiet and opportunities for retreat.

A medically certified illness that makes it impossible to study properly for the time being is accepted as a reason for a leave of absence. The Student Office of the University of Bayreuth is responsible for semesters off.

Yes, if you expect to exceed the maximum period of study, you should contact the relevant examination office or dean of studies - or becks for advice. Extensions to study periods are usually granted, but not preventively; instead, an additional semester is approved in each semester of the planned maximum period of study.

No. Despite severe disability and chronic illness, you must always submit an application for compensation before the exam, ideally right at the start of the semester or course of study.

If you have general questions about a study-related stay abroad, the International Office of the University of Bayreuth will advise you. Information on the accessibility of universities in (non-)European countries as well as tips, links and reports and forums for exchange can be found in the guide.

The “Studying Without Restrictions” working group not only advocates for the interests of students with disabilities, but also aims to provide a platform for exchanging experiences, advice and friendly support during studies. New faces are always welcome!

The city of Bayreuth has published a comprehensive guide for people with disabilities, which is available online as a PDF download (only available in German) and in print at the town hall. Here you will find information and contact addresses for offices and authorities as well as advice centers, assisted living, transport services, nursing and outpatient services, leisure, sport, culture, mobility, public disabled parking spaces, traffic lights, the blind guidance system, Euro keys and disabled toilets.