Individual arrangements support studies | Open University

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Students at the Open University who have dyslexia, mobility limitations or sensory impairments may request special support for study-related situations and arrangements.

Individual arrangements do not entail compromising on learning objectives. They are intended to help you reach them. For example, the examinations and studies of all students are assessed with the same assessment criteria, and any individual arrangements employed have no bearing on the assessment. 

What kind of certificate do I need for individual arrangements?

To be granted individual arrangements, you must have a certificate from a doctor or an equivalent expert, such as a psychologist, speech therapist or physical therapist. A certificate of dyslexia can also be written by a special education teacher. Recommendations written by other universities are not accepted.  

The statement must include the following points:

  • to whom the certificate is written (student's name and social security number)
  • motivation for individual arrangements: what kind of illness, disability or challenge is involved and what effect it has on the studies

It is also good if the certificate indicates what kind of concrete arrangements you could benefit from.

If you need healthcare aids, a personal assistant or a guide dog during your studies, you can use them in teaching situations without a separate recommendation. However, clarification is necessary if you need a small group room or a separate examination room and you use aids or a personal assistant there.

Teaching

Teaching-related special arrangements may include using an accessible teaching space, assistive tools or a personal assistant for the student.  
 
If you need special arrangements in order to participate in teaching, please contact the Open University’s study advice no later than 14 days before the beginning of the course: avoin-student@helsinki.fi

What individual arrangements can be made in examinations?

Individual arrangements for examinations implemented on the basis of medical certificates or similar specialist statements can include the following: 

- Additional time to complete an examination
- Using a computer or other aids in an examination
- A smaller or separate examination room
- Alternative completion methods
 

The individual arrangements expert panel recommends 30 minutes of additional time for examinations whose duration is less than three hours, and 60 minutes of additional time for examinations whose duration is three hours or more. For well-grounded reasons, exceptions to this recommendation can be made.

The organiser of the examination session decides whether the additional time to complete the examination under individual arrangements is offered by bringing forward the start of the session or extending its duration (Rector’s Decision No HY/5740/00.00.06.00/2022).

If you need individual arrangements at an examination

  • Contact specialneeds@helsinki.fi to agree how the expert statement or doctor’s certificate should be submitted to the University. NOTE! For reasons of information security, do not attach your doctor’s certificate or expert statement to this message.  
  • In addition, notify us of the additional time granted no later than 10 days before the examination: specialneeds@helsinki.fi . Your message must contain at least the following details: 
     

    • Unit responsible for/organising the examination (Open University)
    • Name, identifier and time of the examination
    • Name of the examiner
    • Your name and student number

Processing of data at the University of Helsinki

Information on individual arrangements is confidential and processed by the university only by persons who need information for the planning and/or implementation of individual arrangements. Read more about the information security practices of the University of Helsinki and about the processing of students' personal data on the Data Protection website.

Accessibility in University facilities

Information about accessibility at the University of Helsinki’s teaching facilities: University of Helsinki’s teaching facilities