Studying with an impairment

What do I need to know?

A report on experience with tips and assistance

Timo Pass (B.Sc. Business Administration and Economics)

Abi, then what? How did you decide on the University of Hohenheim?

I went to an economics Gymnasium and wanted to study business somewhere close to where I lived. The University of Hohenheim was therefore one of my top choices. My father also studied Agricultural Sciences here, and my former assistant studied Biology. Both of them spoke very positively about the University of Hohenheim.

Was there anything in particular you needed to pay attention to when you were applying, being admitted, or before you started studying?

I first got information about application and admission on the homepage and looked at the handicapped accessible campus map. When applying, I submitted a hardship case request.

I enrolled together with my assistant. He had studied Biology at the University of Hohenheim and was therefore very familiar with it. I took a campus tour with him. 

We especially looked at the entrances to the lecture halls and libraries. Before studying, I made sure to get the mobile aids I needed. To do that, I contacted the representative for students with disabilities, and the responsible facility manager was also able to help.

You’re in the middle of your program and have had time to settle in. What has changed from the beginning of your studies until now?

In the first semester, I often didn’t know where my wheelchair could be placed in the lecture halls. The facility manager then got a key for the elevator. When a table was missing, the facility manager took care of it. There are beautiful and old buildings here, and so I’m willing to accept that I need to take a longer route to get to the lecture hall.

Since I don’t live on campus, I didn’t have much contact with my fellow students at the beginning. Now we have a study group, we study together in the library, and we’re in frequent contact with a WhatsApp group.

What hasn’t changed is that people remember me because of my disability. That means I can’t come to late to the lectures because 200 students and the lecturer are watching.

What is great is that the lecturers often come up to me on their own and really put in an effort.

What tips would you give other students?

I recommend that everyone is active and open, that they get information and use the University’s advising services.

I feel like I get good support from the Central Student Counselling Service (ZSB) and the Examinations Office - they always answered my questions or helped me with organizational matters.

I didn’t submit a request for an extended exam time until the 2nd semester. My recommendation is to do that right from the start of your studies. You just have to submit an informal letter with a doctor’s note.

Use the possibilities you have to make your studies more flexible and e.g. make use of both examination periods. It is a great relief to have the freedom that all Bachelor’s students have that you are not required to complete your program in the standard period of study but you have a total of 9 subject-related semesters to finish your degree.