Individual arrangements – information for students

Individual arrangements are different practical solutions to support students with special needs in their studies. They can apply to teaching, supervision, or examination.

The content and implementation of individual arrangements is determined by your individual needs and your situation. Individual arrangements are, for example:

• Additional time to complete an examination or to submit assignments
• Use of a computer in examination
• A smaller or separate examination room
• Alternative completion methods

Individual arrangements do not entail compromising on learning goals – they are intended to help you reach your goals. Examinations and performance of all students are assessed with the same assessment criteria, and any individual arrangements employed have no bearing on the assessment.

Studies required for a degree can only be waived for extremely compelling reasons (e.g., if a deaf student has a compulsory listening comprehension examination). The primary means of handling such cases is to agree on an alternative form of completion with the teacher.

The goal is for you to receive the individual arrangements you need while ensuring that the goals required for the degree as a whole are met. For example, you cannot complete an entire degree as distance learning, as you would not have the opportunity to practice the working life and interaction skills included in the degree. Similarly, it is not recommended for most of your degree to be completed orally even if you have difficulty writing, because then you would not develop as a writer.

Students may need individual arrangements for many different reasons. Some of the most common reasons for the need for individual arrangements include:

• Dyslexia
• Nervousness
• Attention problems (ADHD)
• Mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety (e.g., panic disorder, social anxiety)
• The autism spectrum
• Visual or hearing impairment
• Other physical impairment

Other reasons for the need for individual arrangements are also possible. However, individual arrangements must always be based on sufficient and documented reasons as well as a genuine need for them. If you think you may need individual arrangements, you can contact Hanken's contact person for individual arrangements to discuss your needs.

Individual arrangements can be granted for different teaching situations, such as assignments, group work and oral presentations. Individual arrangements may also be needed during examinations. Individual arrangements for examination can be granted for centrally organized on-site exams, exams in class, exams in Examinarium, and online exams, such as exams in Moodle. Individual arrangements also include accessibility of course literature and the premises.

Below is a summary of the individual arrangements that Hanken can grant you as a student. Other individual arrangements are also possible if needed. Individual arrangements are always granted based on your individual needs.

Here is how you should go about applying for individual arrangements. The figure below shows the different steps of the process and who to contact.

Statement of need for individual arrangements

To be granted individual arrangements, you must have a statement from a doctor or an equivalent expert, such as a psychologist, speech therapist, or physical therapist. If you have dyslexia, it can also be written by a special education teacher. For a statement from a psychologist, you can contact Hanken’s study psychologist Opens in new window . Alternatively, you can submit a corresponding decision by the Finnish matriculation examination board.

The statement needs to include the grounds for individual arrangements. It must indicate the student by name and social security number or date of birth as well as the illness or impairment that is the basis for the application for individual arrangements. We recommend that the statement specifies what concrete arrangements you need. If the statement does not specify individual arrangements, you will be granted arrangements according to Hanken's general principles. Arrangements beyond this require a statement specifying your need for the arrangement in question. You can contact Hanken's contact person for individual arrangements if you have questions about the statement of need.

Hanken grants the right to individual arrangements

To be granted the right to individual arrangements in your studies, you need to submit the expert statement to Hanken's contact person for individual arrangements. Submit your statement with this form Opens in new window .

You can discuss which individual arrangements you wish to be granted with the contact person for individual arrangements. You will receive a certificate of which individual arrangements you are entitled to, which you can show your teachers. The certificate does not contain information about your possible diagnosis, but only the information the teacher needs to have access to in order to arrange individual arrangements.

Access to individual arrangements in your studies

When you have received your certificate of right to individual arrangements, you can request individual arrangements in different teaching situations. Below is information about who you should contact to request individual arrangements.

Individual arrangements in teaching

When you need individual arrangements on a course, contact the course examiner no later than one week after the start of the course. This applies to individual arrangements for assignments, group work, presentations, and exams not centrally organized (exams in class, exams in Examinarium, online exams).

Show your certificate to the teacher and agree on individual arrangements for the course. If needed, you can consult Hanken's contact person for individual arrangements.

Individual arrangements for centrally organized exams

You can request individual arrangements for centrally organized on-site exams when you register for the exam. More information about this can be found here Opens in new window .

Accessibility of course literature

If you need course literature as talking books you can contact the library. Do this as soon as you start your studies so that the library has enough time to ensure access to the books you need. Read more on the library’s pages Opens in new window .

Accessibility of premises

Hanken’s premises are accessible. If you have questions about the accessibility of Hanken’s premises, you can contact Hanken’s property services.