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Apply for special examination arrangements

You can apply for special examination arrangements if you have a disability, illness or special needs. 

Who can apply?

Students with disabilities and students with special needs can apply for individual adaptation. The right applies to the organization of the institution, teaching, teaching materials and exams.

Students caring for children may also apply for individual adaptation. 

Disabilities can be impairments, such as loss or damage to a body part or one of the body's functions. 

Special needs involve physical, psychosocial and / or learning challenges. The special need may be temporary or permanent, but must be of a significant nature.

Application deadlines

      • September 1 for the autumn semester
      • February 1 for the spring semester
      • July 17 for The International Summer School

      If the deadline expires on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, it will be extended to the next working day.

      What can you apply for?

      For school exams

      Extra time

      Extended exam time that can be used to answer the assignment. Granted as needed.

      Extra time for rest or breastfeeding

      Rest time
      Extra time that can be used to rest during the exam. Rest time cannot be used to answer exam questions and can only be used for the purpose it has been granted.

      Extra time for breastfeeding
      Extra time that can be used to breastfeed during the exam. Extra time cannot be used to answer exam questions and can only be used for the purpose it has been granted.

      Read more about how rest time and extra time for breastfeeding are used during the exam. 

      Assistive technology

      It is expected that the student is familiar with the software(s) before the exam.
      University of Oslo offers the following programs.

      What Description
      Infovox4

      Speech synthesis that reads text on screen. Speech synthesis is software that decodes digital text and reads it aloud. This program does not have a glossary, and are available in all languages.

      Lingdys Pluss

      A reading and writing tool designed to help people with dyslexia or other forms of reading and writing difficulties. Contains glossary in Norwegian and English. Speech synthesis for written text, that decodes digital text and reads it aloud. 

      To secure a good exam experience, you should bring your own Lingdys Pluss licence on the exam day. If you do not have a licence, please specify this in the application. 

      Download demo version of Lingdys Pluss

      MS Word Correction and writing program for candidates where the correction program in Inspera is not sufficient.
      Windows Magnifier Built-in magnifier in Windows 10. Enlarge part or all of the screen so you can see the words and pictures better.
      ZoomText Magnifying the screen and reading text on the screen. Used mainly by the visually-impaired.

      Assistive equipment

      University of Oslo offers the following assistive equipment.

      Equipment Description
      Table lamp with dimmer

      A table lamp with dimmer.

      Contour Unimouse (Vertical Mouse) Vertical mouse. Can be adjust in different angles.
      Foot stool Adjustable foot stool.
      Adjustable height desk Adjustable desk so the candidate can stand or sit during the exam.
      Wrist support A wrist support in gel that gives the candidate a natural support while writing.
      Mousetrapper An ergonomic alternative to original mouse. Have a steering mat with click- og scroll function.
      Mousepad with wrist support A mouse mat to support the wrist.
      Screen wall Screen wall that can be moved around, and to specific places within 
      Adjustable chair An ergonomic chair that can be adjusted in different heights. 
      Forearm support A support board the candidate can rest their arm. 
      Dictaphone Can be used by candidates that can not write notes on a normal keyboard/by hand, or need their own dictation read out loud. 
      Different keyboards Alternatives to normal keyboards. 
      Adjustable LED lamp Adjustable LED lamp with dimmer. 
      Roller mouse An alternative to original mouse. 

      Smaller examination room / private seating

      University of Oslo also offers smaller examination room and / or private seating.

      What Description
      Screening in regular examination room Screen wall on each side of the space to reduce noise and interference.
      Smaller examination room Smaller examination room (room 4C).

      Scribe or reader in examinations

      Reader can be applied for in cases where help is needed to read all or part of the examination paper / answer out loud during the examination.

      Scribe in examinations can be applied for in cases where help is needed to write the exam paper on the exam.

      For home exams

      Extra time/deferred submission

      Extra time on home exams is in practice deferred submission. 

      For other exam forms

      If you need accommodation for other forms of examination, you must specify the type of accommodation you are applying for in free text under the point "Other" in the application form.

      Documentation

      When applying, you must attach or send documentation from a doctor/expert on your disability, illness or special needs. You are responsible for informing your case as best as possible so that UiO can assess it.

      The documentation must:

      • contain information about how your difficulties affect the exam.
      • be applicable for the period for which you are applying for adaptation.
      • be in English or a Scandinavian language.

      If you do not have the documentation available now, you can send it within 3 weeks after the application deadline.
      The application form must be used for both forwarding and submission of documentation.

      If you do not already have a valid documentation, you can print out this doctor's form to be filled in by a doctor/expert:

      Different types of documentation

      Documentation of own health/condition
      Documentation of your disability, illness or special need can be documented via a doctor's certificate or equivalent.

      Reading and writing difficulties
      In the case of reading and writing difficulties, a statement or assessment report from PPT/speech therapist/specialist must be attached. Examples of reading and writing difficulties can be dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia.

      Birth and care of children
      Documentation of birth or confirmation of parental responsibility can be a birth certificate, or confirmation from the Norwegian Tax Agency of parental responsibility.

      Pollen allergy

      Documentation for pollen allergy must be submitted no later than two weeks before the first exam date. The documentation must contain information about:

      • what specific challenges you face as a result of pollen allergy and/or the use of medication.
      • how the challenges affect the examination.
      • period/date for when these challenges are prominent.

      Application form

      If you are enrolled in courses at more than one faculty, you must send an application and documentation to each faculty.

      If you are unsure of which faculty or department your course belongs to, look up the course on the course page and check the bottom of the page under "Contact". You can also ask the information centre at your faculty.

      Individual adaptation in everyday study

      Questions?