Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities who are enrolled at the University of Copenhagen and suffer from a documented disability that requires special support in order to undertake their studies can apply for Special Educational Support (SPS).
Please contact us as soon as possible whether you want to be enrolled in a master's degree program, as a guest student or as an exchange student. Find out if you are eligible to receive Special Educational Support below and see what kinds of support are available.
Who can apply for SPS?
- Danish citizens enrolled in a full degree programme at UCPH
- EU citizens enrolled in a full degree programme at UCPH
In order to get SPS support as a non-EU citizen you will need to apply for equal right status according to either Danish rules or EU law (please contact the Agency (SU) if you have any questions).
However, as a non-EU student interested in a full degree programme at UCPH, you should contact the faculty where you would like to be enrolled. Then they inform you of your options.
Exchange students, guest students at UCPH
As an exchange or guest student at UCPH you are not covered on the same terms as a full degree student. But you can still apply for special conditions in your classes and at exams. See information regarding SPS for exchange students and guest students (studying at UCPH for one - two semesters). The rest of the information on this page is for students who are enrolled in a full- degree programme at UCPH.
Special Educational Support at UCPH from a student's perspective
How to apply for SPS?
How to apply for SPS
The support is known as SPS. It stands for Special Education Support (specialpædagogisk støtte, SPS in Danish) and can be anything from physical aids to personal support, however, not financial support or academic support for a subject you are struggling with.
To obtain SPS, you must have a diagnosed functional impairment. You can apply for SPS throughout the duration of your studies. You should be prepared to wait for up to three to six weeks.
Contact information and interviews
Book an interview or contact us to apply for SPS
Please book an interview with one of our SPS-counsellors. At the interview, we will help you get an overview of your needs and opportunities for support. The meeting will be the same everywhere. The most important thing is that you book the earliest time available. You are also welcome to send us an email or drop by the South Campus.
Please state your full name, KU username (if you are already enrolled) and a brief description of what your enquiry concerns. During busy periods, typically around the start of the semester, there can be up to a five days response time.
Besides, we recommend that you also contact the faculty of your programme before applying in order to discuss your situation as a student with a disability. You can ask about what kind of special conditions that the faculty can offer you in classes and at exams.
Please contact us if you have any questions. We are here to help.
SPS support
What kind of support is available?
The target group for Special Educational Support is broad and the kinds of support available depend on your type of disability. Find out more below. To learn about the options available to you, please contact the University of Copenhagen’s SPS unit at sps@adm.ku.dk.
However, to apply for SPS, you must meet the following requirements:
- Your impairment must be diagnosed.
- You must have formal documentation (for example from a medical specialist or psychiatrist).
- You must be enrolled and actively studying
- You must be a Danish citizen, be covered by an international agreement or be comparable to a Danish citizen.
Physical functional impairments
As a student with a physical disorder, you may experience limitations in your study skills or efficiency. In order to be able to study on equal terms with other students, you may need support or aids.
What is a physical functional impairment?
Examples of study difficulties
- Concentration difficulties in relation to studying
- Stamina issues
- Missing overview of studies
- Difficulties in structuring and planning your course of study
- Difficulties in carrying out certain exercises or tasks
- Pain in the musculoskeletal system and rapid exhaustion.
What kind of support can I get?
- Dictaphone for note-taking
- Ergonomic chair and desk
- Ergonomic mouse and keyboard or other adapted equipment
- Reading rack or other compensatory equipment
- Computer with word prediction programme or tailored adaptations
- Secretarial assistance
- Practical help
Hearing or visual impairment
As a student with a hearing or visual impairment, you may experience limitations in your study skills or efficiency. In order to be able to study on equal terms with other students, you may need support or aids.
What are hearing and visual impairments?
Hearing and visual impairments are a collective term for deafness and impaired hearing, as well as blindness and low vision, which limit your options in everyday life compared to other students without these impairments.
How can hearing and visual impairments affect your studies?
- Concentration difficulties
- Stamina issues
- Missing overview of studies
- Difficulties in structuring and planning your course of study
To the extent that hearing and visual impairments affect your studies, you can receive special educational support in the form of aids or other services.
What support can I get for visual issues?
- Assessment of the need for support at the Danish Institute for the Blind and Partially Sighted (IBOS)
- Aids, such as IT starter pack for the blind or visually impaired, blackboard camera, CCTV and cold lights
- Mobility hours
- Digital teaching materials
- Secretarial assistance according to need
- Fellow student at the University of Copenhagen, possibly from the same programme
- Study support hours for reading graphs or other visual material.
Find more information about hearing or visual impairment at KUnet (the link is only accessible for students who are already enrolled in UCPH)
Reading and writing difficulties, dyslexia
When you take higher education and have reading and writing difficulties, you are highly likely to be dyslexic. If you receive the right aids, you will be able to study at the same level as other students.
If you suspect that you are dyslexic, you can make an appointment with an Functional Impairment Counsellor. Here, we can discuss, for example, whether you want to be tested for dyslexia.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific difficulty in processing written language (reading, spelling and writing proficiency). There can be many different degrees of dyslexia. Dyslexia is not due to low intelligence. It is a congenital difficulty in the same way as, for example, colour blindness.
Examples of study difficulties
As a dyslexic, your study difficulties could take the form of, for example:
- Slower reading speed than your fellow students
- Difficulties in acquiring new content through reading
- Difficulties in keeping sentences in your head while writing them down
- Difficulties in formulating complicated contexts in writing
- Major differences in written and oral formulation
- Difficulties in reading and writing in a foreign language
- Uncertainty of spelling.
If the reading and writing difficulties affect you as a student, you can apply for SPS in the form of exam aids or other services.
What kind of support can I get?
- A dyslexia test
- IT starter pack with dyslexia programs or a program package with dyslexia
- programs for installation on your own computer
- Instructions on how to use the IT starter pack or the program pack
- The speech recognition program Dictus*
- Support hours**
- Dictaphone for note-taking
- Scanner
- Digital teaching materials
I am dyslexic and need support and aids
If you already know that you are dyslexic, you can apply for support and aids. In order for us to be able to apply for support and aids for you, you must:
- Fill in the consent form for the Danish Agency for Education and Quality at KUnet. In the drop-down menu, select all the aids that you want us to apply for. Click ' Add AIDS ' if you want to add more aids. (You can change language to English in the upper right corner of the document)
- Fill in the consent for UCPH on KUnet. (You can change language to English in the upper right corner of the document)
- Fill in an information form so we know what aids and support you need (You can change language to English in the upper right corner of the document)
For each form you complete, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of the form to your KUmail.
PLEASE NOTE! If you have not previously received SPS (e.g. in upper secondary school), you must also send your dyslexic test to us at sps@adm.ku.dk. If you have a functional impairment other than dyslexia, you must book time for an interview with an SPS supervisor.
Special exam conditions
Mental functional impairment, ASF, ADHD
As a student with one or more mental impairments, an autism spectrum disorder (ASF) or an attention disorder like ADHD, you may experience limitations in your study skills or efficiency. In order to be able to study on equal terms with others, it may therefore be necessary to get support.
The university are aware of that ASF and ADHD are neurological functional impairments, however students with ASF and/or ADHD are offered the same forms of support as students with psychological impairments.
What are mental impairments?
Mental impairments comprise different diagnoses which initially affect the mind and consciousness. Mental impairments include everything from simple phobias, mild depressions and anxiety to more serious diseases such as schizophrenia, paranoia and bipolar diagnoses (manic-depressive disorders).
Examples of mental impairment study difficulties
Students with psychological challenges experience study difficulties in different ways, and the challenges vary from person to person.
Examples of mental impairment study difficulties based on conversations with students
- Lack of drive and energy for studying
- Difficulties with concentration and memory, for example in connection with reading
- Problems with stamina and keeping to the schedule
- Difficulties with structuring everyday student life, for example in connection with major assignments
- Lack of overview of the programme, syllabus, major assignments and exams
- Difficulties to get started, for example in connection with writing processes
- Feeling of confusion and discomfort in relation to study pressures
- Problems with social isolation
- Finding it difficult to be in social contexts, including challenges of attending a degree programme and being in teaching situations with many people
- Finding it difficult to be in focus, for example in connection with giving presentations or doing group work
- Challenges in contacting lecturers, counsellors and fellow students
- Uncertainty about own study skills and academic skills.
What are mental impairments?
Mental impairments comprise different diagnoses which initially affect the mind and consciousness. Mental impairments include everything from simple phobias, mild depressions and anxiety to more serious diseases such as schizophrenia, paranoia and bipolar diagnoses (manic-depressive disorders).
Examples of mental impairment study difficulties
Students with psychological challenges experience study difficulties in different ways, and the challenges vary from person to person.
Here are some examples based on conversations with students:
- Lack of drive and energy for studying
- Difficulties with concentration and memory, for example in connection with reading
- Problems with stamina and keeping to the schedule
- Difficulties with structuring everyday student life, for example in connection with major assignments
- Lack of overview of the programme, syllabus, major assignments and exams
- Difficulties to get started, for example in connection with writing processes
- Feeling of confusion and discomfort in relation to study pressures
- Problems with social isolation
- Finding it difficult to be in social contexts, including challenges of attending a degree programme and being in teaching situations with many people
- Finding it difficult to be in focus, for example in connection with giving presentations or doing group work
- Challenges in contacting lecturers, counsellors and fellow students
- Uncertainty about own study skills and academic skills.
Neurological functional impairment, concussion, etc.
As a student with a neurological disorder, you may experience limitations in your study skills or efficiency. In order to be able to study on equal terms with other students, you may need support or aids.
What is a neurological functional impairment?
- Concussion (post-concussive syndrome)
- Brain hemorrhage and stroke
- Migraine and other forms of headache
- Neuritis
- Cerebral palsy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Brain tumors
- Sclerosis
- Certain pains and disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Examples of neurological study difficulties
- Concentration and memory problems
- Difficulties with starting, planning, structure and overview
- Sensitivity to light and sounds
- Speech disorders
- Binocular vision disorders
- Dizziness and gait disturbances
- Severe migraine attacks
- Constant feeling of fatigue and hypersomnia
- Pain
What kind of support can I get?
- Concentration and memory problems
- Difficulties with starting, planning, structure and overview
- Sensitivity to light and sounds
- Speech disorders
- Binocular vision disorders
- Dizziness and gait disturbances
- Severe migraine attacks
- Constant feeling of fatigue and hypersomnia
- Pain
Student Counselling Service
How do I get the support? (students with autism)
Remember to prepare for the interview by reading everything on the page about neurological functional impairments, so we can talk about what is important for you.
Three to six weeks later, you will be notified via e-Boks when your application has been processed.
The SPS counsellor sends your application to the Student Counselling Service.
3. The Student Counselling Service contacts you
The Student Counselling Service will contact you within 10 days to arrange for an interview, which is known as a clarification interview.
4. Assessment
The Centre for Brain Injury and/or IBOS will contact you within 10 days to arrange for an interview.
The Centre for Brain Injury will assess your functional level and need for support. If you suffer post-concussive symptoms, IBOS - the Institute for the Blind and Partially Sighted -will make an assessment and recommend physical aids that suit your needs.
5. You receive a report
The Student Counselling Service, the Centre for Brain Injury (and IBOS, if you have a concussion), will each draw up a report describing the recommended aids and support.
These reports can be used as documentation for dispensation applications and applications for additional support.
6. UCPH applies for the recommended support for you
The SPS Counsellor at UCPH will apply for the recommended support.
Examples of aids and support
Aids or support may include:
- Clarification and study support hours at the Student Counselling Service
- Dictaphone
- Secretarial assistance
- Student mentor
- Academic support teacher
- Miscellaneous physical aids
7. Notification in your e-Boks
Three to six weeks later, you will be notified in your e-Boks when your application has been processed.
8. Your aids are ready
You must make an appointment to pick up your aids from the UCPH Student Centre.
Please note that when using a dictaphone, you must obtain permission from the lecturer and your fellow students before you can use it in the teaching.
Find more information about Neurological functional impairment, concussion, etc. at KUnet (the link is only accessible for students who are already enrolled in UCPH).
What is the process?
How do I get my study aids and my support?
We will contact you as soon as we have received the aids you need. Then you can make an appointment to pick up you aids. You will get the details when we contact you when you are already enrolled in UCPH.
See what happens from booking an interview to receiving Special Educational Support (SPS) in the timeline below:
SPS interview at UCPH
Start by booking an interview with a SPS-counsellor at the University of Copenhagen. You can do this as soon you are offered admission to UCPH. We will help you get started with support.
Remember to prepare for the interview by reading everything on this page. Then we will talk about what is important for you and your needs.
The suppliers will contact you
The suppliers will contact you within 10 days to arrange for aids/an interview or assessment, if relevant. It may be that we recommend more assessments.
UCPH applies for the recommended support for you
Any aids and materials are ready
You must make an appointment to pick up your aids from the UCPH Student Centre.
Message in your e-Boks after 3-6 weeks
Your SPS-counsellor at UCPH applies for the support and/or aids that you have discussed during the interview. 3-6 weeks later, you will be notified via e-Boks when your application has been processed. The SPS-counsellor at UCPH sends the application to the suppliers.
If you have been given an assessment
The suppliers prepare a report with descriptions of the recommended aids and support. The report can be used as documentation for dispensation applications and application for additional support.
Notification in your e-Boks
SPS interview at UCPH
Start by booking an interview with a SPS-counsellor at the University of Copenhagen. You can do this as soon you are offered admission to UCPH. We will help you get started with support.
Remember to prepare for the interview by reading everything on this page. Then we will talk about what is important for you and your needs.
Message in your e-Boks after 3-6 weeks
Your SPS-counsellor at UCPH applies for the support and/or aids that you have discussed during the interview. 3-6 weeks later, you will be notified via e-Boks when your application has been processed. The SPS-counsellor at UCPH sends the application to the suppliers.
The suppliers will contact you
The suppliers will contact you within 10 days to arrange for aids/an interview or assessment, if relevant. It may be that we recommend more assessments.
If you have been given an assessment
The suppliers prepare a report with descriptions of the recommended aids and support. The report can be used as documentation for dispensation applications and application for additional support.
UCPH applies for the recommended support for you
Notification in your e-Boks
Any aids and materials are ready
You must make an appointment to pick up your aids from the UCPH Student Centre.
What will we do?
At UCPH, we do not have our own team of psychologists, doctors, mentors, nurses etc. In fact, the only support that we have on campus is the local student counselling services, who can help you to apply for special conditions on your education (e.g. extra time for exams).
Our process
The SPS-counsellors apply for a grant for you from the state of Denmark (the Agency of Education and Quality).
If they approve your grant, UCPH will ask external suppliers (like the Student Counselling Service, in Danish: Studenterrådgivningen) to help you.
Waiting time
You must be prepared to wait for up to two to three months upon your arrival in Denmark before the support is fully established. This is because we can only apply for a grant for you once you have a Danish CPR number. You must arrive in Denmark and find a place to live before you can file an application for a CPR number.
So, as an international student with disabilities, you must be prepared for some waiting before the support is established due to waiting time with case processing at the Agency and at the suppliers.
Education, exams and study environment
Contact the right faculty or institure
Contact persons at the faculties can help and guide you regarding specific facilities and academic matters such as:
- Classrooms and accessibility
- Specific limitations that may restrict your possibility for completing a specific educational programme
- Dispensations relating to exams, study activity requirements, completion time, choice of study and alternative study plans academic supportive persons once you have been granted SPS.
Faculty of Humanities
Please contact the institute, which your educational programme belongs under. There is a list (in Danish) of student counselling at each institute.
Faculty of Science
Forest and Landscape College
Faculty of Law
Student and Careers counselling, studiekontakt@jur.ku.dk.
Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Theology
Student counselling, +45 35 32 39 61 / studentcounsellor@teol.ku.dk.
School of Oral Health Care
Housing for students with disabilities
Housing Foundation Copenhagen offers special attention to people with disabilities. Students with special needs applying for housing through Housing Foundation Copenhagen will be asked to provide information in regard to their disability in the online booking system and to provide documentation. For further information please contact Housing Foundation Copenhagen at: contact@housingfoundation.ku.dk.
Advice and assistance for students with disabilities outside the university
At the University of Copenhagen we will do all we can to help and assist you, but there are some situations for which we cannot provide solutions at this time. If you need a helper/assistant, the University can help connect you with a relevant entity. However, the University cannot cover the costs of the support. As a rule, prepayment is required.
Special educational support for exchange and guest students
As an exchange or guest student at UCPH, you can apply for special conditions in class and/or exams, apply for permission to use aids from home, or you can receive guidance regarding purchasing relevant aids through private companies in Denmark.
Usually, students can apply for financial support through their home university. Please contact your home university coordinator about financial funding.
How to apply for special conditions in class or permission to use aids
- Contact International Education at UCPH at int-admission@adm.ku.dk as soon as possible (preferably before you apply and before you have been accepted).
- Make sure that you can document your impairment or illness.
- International Education will help you get in touch with the right people at the relevant faculty/faculties so that you can receive the support you need.
How to receive guidance regarding purchasing relevant aids through private companies in Denmark
Please contact the Special Educational Support Office at sps@ku.dk and let them know what type of aid you will need to purchase.
Want to know more?
You will be able to get more information about deadlines and documentation after you have been accepted to UCPH.
Read more about student support, student counselling and well-being.
The rest of the information on this page is for students who are enrolled in a full degree programme at UCPH.