The aim of the Counselling and Support Centre is to provide special pedagogical support (SPS) to students with physical, mental or neurological disabilities (incl. dyslexia), so that they can complete their studies on equal terms with other students. Special pedagogical support may include aid tools, a mentor, a sign language interpreter, or practical help.
As an international student, you are eligible to receive SPS only if:
· You have a documented disability that requires extra support in order for you to complete your studies
· You are an EU/EEA citizen
· You are a full-degree student (i.e. not an exchange student)
Exchange students and full-degree students from non-EU countries are not eligible to receive SPS. This does not mean that you cannot receive any support, but that you have to finance it from home and apply for it yourself. Contact the Counselling and Support Centre to find out more about your options.
If you are an international student with special needs, please contact the Counselling and Support Centre at sps@au.dk. Even if you are not eligible to receive SPS, the Counselling and Support Centre can still offer guidance and provide contact to relevant suppliers.
In Denmark, university students with disabilities are supported by a national special educational support program (SPS). However, exchange students are not covered by this program.
This means that you will need financing from your home university or from your home country to pay for special support services. Financing may come from a grant program such as Erasmus+, Nordplus or Nordlys, or other local or national programmes in your home country.
The Special Educational Support (SPS) Unit at AU can guide you to relevant support services and help you acquire the support services needed.
Examples of special support services that can be arranged through the SPS Unit:
We recommend that students with disabilities bring all assistive hardware and software required for daily academic tasks.
We do our best to find housing for students with special needs. AU does not, however, have rooms specially designed for wheelchair users. Some dorms have elevators and wheelchair-accessible rooms, but kitchens may not be fitted to accommodate wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities. Likewise, laundry rooms and other common facilities may not be accessible for a wheelchair user.
Please send an email to housing@au.dk to explain the particular need of the student as early in the process as possible.
Aarhus University is able to provide a limited amount of technical aids to students. Below you’ll find some of the things we can offer:
Aarhus University does not provide any other assistive technology for exchange students, but recommends that exchange students with disabilities bring all the assistive hardware and software that they use for daily academic tasks.
Teaching practices at AU are not adapted to disabled students, which means that all students engage in exactly the same study programmes.
If you suffer from physical or psychological impairments such as dyslexia, mental disorders, neurological disorders, physical disabilities, visual difficulties or hearing difficulties, or if your mother tongue is not Danish, you may apply to your departmental Board of Studies for permission to take an exam under special conditions. You may, for example, apply for extra time or for permission to use special aids in the exam.
To be granted special conditions, you are normally required to document your special need; e.g. via a statement from the Counselling and Support Centre, a doctor’s certificate or a statement from a psychologist. This documentation is a significant prerequisite, but does not guarantee you permission to take the exam on special conditions. Ultimately, the Board of Studies decides whether you require special exam conditions in order to be on an equal level with other students taking the same exam.
How to apply for a dispensation
Please note that the processing time for an application for dispensation may be up to eight weeks.
Students at universities in Europe and the Nordic countries may be eligible for a special needs grant from Erasmus+, Nordplus or Nordlys, depending on their home university.
A person with special needs is a participant whose individual physical, mental or health-related condition is such that his/her participation in the exchange would not be possible without extra financial support.
Please contact the Erasmus / Nordplus / Nordlys coordinator at your home university for more information.
Examples of special needs that may make you eligible to receive extra funding:
The grants for special needs are organised by your home university. Please contact your home university to find out if you are able to apply for a special needs grant.
Healthcare:
There are no on-campus healthcare services or healthcare centre. Exchange students who have received his/her temporary Danish civil registration number (CPR-number) have full access to comprehensive and free public health services.
Student Counselling Service
The Student Counselling Service offers personal guidance that focuses on your problems. They can help you handle any mental problems that may be preventing you from enjoying student life. You can meet with one of the counsellors, or contact one by phone. Both types of counselling are anonymous, and all matters discussed with the counsellors are held in strict confidence.
Note that the Student Counselling Service is located off-campus.
https://studerende.au.dk/en/boost-your-student-life/help/student-guidance-counsellors
University Chaplains
Need to talk with someone?
You are always welcome to contact a chaplain for a talk – regardless of the kind of crisis you have in your life.
It could be about relationships, grief, worries, stress, finding your path, loneliness, or religious and spiritual issues.
You decide what you want to talk about during the session. The chaplain is bound to professional secrecy. The counselling offered by the chaplain is available to all students, regardless of religious beliefs, and free of charge. You can text, call or send an email to make an appointment.
For more information, contact:
Special Educational Support (SPS) Office
