Accessibility and individual study arrangements for student

The term “accessibility” refers to an environment that affords everyone an equal opportunity to work or study regardless of their personal characteristics. The obligation to promote accessibility is based, among others, on the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014).

Tampere Universities are committed to taking accessibility into consideration in all our activities. For example, our Facilities Management staff develop the accessibility of physical facilities and our IT Services staff develop the accessibility of web content and electronic services. 

If you need individualised support because of a learning difficulty, an illness or disability, you are eligible for individual study arrangements (former special arrangements). Tampere Universities started using the term 'individual study arrangements' as of 1.8.2022, instead of the term 'special arrangements'. The proposals for special arrangements that have been issued before that will remain in force as such according to the validity period mentioned in the proposal.

Individual study arrangements cannot alter the key learning outcomes set for a degree or course. Instead, they are intended to support the achievement of these outcomes when there is a specific need. The policy promotes equality of opportunity by enabling reasonable adjustments to be made to help all our students undertake and demonstrate learning.

Here you can find information on the support available for Tampere university students regarding accessibility.

• Flexibility and diversity in the curriculum
• Individual study arrangements (former special arrangements)
• Accessibility services offered by the library
• Support for Sisu users
• Support for Into users
• Campus accesibility

Flexibility and diversity in the curriculum

Tampere University promotes accessibility in learning by embedding diversity in the curriculum and offering flexible opportunities for students to complete their studies. For example, we offer all our students alternative options for undertaking and demonstrating learning. These options are described in more detail in our study guides. They are offered to promote the effective academic progress of all our students.

Individual study arrangements

Individual study arrangements are based on the obligation of education providers, as set out in Section 15 of the Finnish Non-Discrimination Act, to offer reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. In this context, disability is understood according to the broad definition in Article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and thus includes, for example, physical and sensory impairments, long-term mental health challenges, dyslexia, ADHD, and autism.

All groups of students may receive study arrangements, and they can apply to teaching, examinations, internships, and student exchange. Examples of arrangements include additional time for exams or assignment submissions, a quiet examination room, support for presentations and group work, or extended loan periods for course books. At Tampere University, a document called a Proposal for Individual Study Arrangements is prepared to support agreeing on such arrangements. You can read more about study arrangements and who can receive them, and how, on the page Obtaining Individual Study Arrangements.

Certain arrangements for exams can also be granted without a Proposal for Individual Study Arrangements. For more information on individual arrangements in exams, see the page Individual Arrangements in Exams.

Individual arrangements in entrance examinations

About individual arrangements in entrance examinations, please contact the Admissions office: admissions.tau [at] tuni.fi (admissions[dot]tau[at]tuni[dot]fi)

Accessibility services offered by the library

If you have difficulty reading, you can borrow course books with an extended loan period, 4 weeks. You can also borrow textbooks free of charge from Celia, the national centre for accessible literature and publishing in Finland. These forms of support will be included in the Proposal for Individual Study Arrangements.

Please read more about our Library’s accessibility services and Celia audio books.

Support for Sisu users

On the Sisu study information system, students draft their personal study plan (PSP), sign up for courses and monitor the progress of their studies.

Accessibility issues have been found in Sisu. They are recorded in a university-specific accessibility statement. Until the issues in Sisu are resolved, students will be given individual support to overcome Sisu’s accessibility barriers.

Students who need accessibility support are kindly asked to contact the guidance and counselling services of their own faculty for assistance in making a personal study plan (PSP) and registering for courses and examinations.

Support for Into users

At Tampere University, the Into internship application was introduced in 2023. The application is not yet available for all degree programs. Please check the internship practices with your own faculty.

Into -internship management system is a service for students and defined members of staff to manage the internship contract process and receive reports about internships that students are planning and have completed.

There are still some accessibility issues with Into, which are documented in the accessibility statement within Into. Until the issues are resolved, students will be given individual support to overcome Into’s accessibility barriers.

Students who need accessibility support are kindly asked to contact the guidance and counselling services of their own faculty for assistance.

Campus accessibility

Read about campus accessibility (intranet).

More information

Accessibility contact person (for students) Stefanie Kohlhoff, studentcounselling.tau [at] tuni.fi (studentcounselling[dot]tau[at]tuni[dot]fi) 
Questions on individual study arrangements: studentcounselling.tau [at] tuni.fi (studentcounselling[dot]tau[at]tuni[dot]fi) 

Guidance and counselling services