Accessibility and individual study arrangements for student

The term “accessibility” refers to an environment that affords everyone an equal opportunity to work or study regardless of their personal characteristics. The obligation to promote accessibility is based, among others, on the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014).

Tampere Universities are committed to taking accessibility into consideration in all our activities. For example, our Facilities Management staff develop the accessibility of physical facilities and our IT Services staff develop the accessibility of web content and electronic services. 

If you need individualised support because of a learning difficulty, an illness or disability, you are eligible for individual study arrangements (former special arrangements). Tampere Universities will start using the term 'individual study arrangements' as of 1.8.2022, instead of the term 'special arrangements'. The proposals for special arrangements that have been issued before that will remain in force as such according to the validity period mentioned in the proposal.

Individual study arrangements may not undermine academic standards or the integrity of assessments. They are provided to help students, who would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage by their condition, achieve the expected learning outcomes. The policy promotes equality of opportunity by enabling reasonable adjustments to be made to help all our students undertake and demonstrate learning.

Here you can find information on the support available for Tampere university students regarding accessibility.

• Flexibility and diversity in the curriculum
• Individual study arrangements (former special arrangements)
• Support for Sisu users
• Support for Harri users
• Accessibility services offered by the library
• Campus accesibility

Flexibility and diversity in the curriculum

Tampere University promotes accessibility in learning by embedding diversity in the curriculum and offering flexible opportunities for students to complete their studies. For example, we offer all our students alternative options for undertaking and demonstrating learning. These options are described in more detail in our study guides. They are offered to promote the effective academic progress of all our students.

Individual study arrangements (former special arrangements)

If you have a diagnosed learning difficulty or an illness, disability or other condition that affects your ability to demonstrate and undertake learning, you are eligible for individual study arrangements.

To obtain individual study arrangements, book an appointment with our student counselling services in our online calendar: (on-campus appointment or online appointment), or ask for an appointment by email studentcounselling.tau [at] tuni.fi (Please note that the online calendar only shows available times in the next three weeks. If you can't see any available times, try again the next day). The appointment will be conducted confidentially to discuss your studies, needs, plans for the future and possible individual study arrangements. Read more about obtaining individual study arrangements.

Teachers may grant adjustments on a case-by-case basis to students who do not have a University-issued proposal for individual study arrangements but have for example a (visible) injury or illness that they are expected to recover from in a few weeks’ time. Also students who use a wheelchair or other mobility aid and don’t need other individual arrangements except a barrier-free access to teaching facilities, don’t need a proposal for individual arrangements. In these cases the students is not required to present a medical certificate. The purpose of these adjustments is to support the academic progress and wellbeing of the student.

Individual study arrangements in cross-institutional studies

Students of Tampere University may be provided with individual study arrangements while pursuing studies at TAMK, and vice versa.

Tampere University student who completes courses at TAMK:

If you have a university-issued proposal for individual arrangements (a proposal for special arrangements), please book an appointment with TAMK's special needs teacher to get TAMK instructions (email: erityinentuki.tamk [at] tuni.fi). The scope of support that may be available to you at TAMK depends on the number of credits that you will complete at TAMK (typically 2 hours of personal arrangements / 5 credits).

TAMK student who completes courses at Tampere University:

If you have been granted TAMK’s proposal for individual arrangements, you can use it at the university as such.

Individual arrangements in exams

You can find information on how individual arrangements can be put into place in different kind of exams here: Individual arrangements in exams.

Individual arrangements for entrance examinations

About individual arrangements for entrance examinations, please contact the Admissions office: admissions.tau [at] tuni.fi

Support for Sisu users

On the Sisu study information system, students draft their personal study plan (PSP), sign up for courses and monitor the progress of their studies.

Severe accessibility issues have been found in Sisu. They are recorded in a university-specific accessibility statement. Until the issues in Sisu are resolved, students will be given individual support to overcome Sisu’s accessibility barriers. Students who need accessibility support are kindly asked to contact the guidance and counselling services of their own faculty for assistance in making a personal study plan (PSP) and registering for courses and examinations.

Support for Harri users (MAB)

Severe accessibility issues have been found in Harri. They are recorded in a university-specific accessibility statement. Until the issues in Harri are resolved, students will be given individual support to overcome Harri’s accessibility barriers. Students who need accessibility support are kindly asked to contact the guidance and counselling services of their own faculty for assistance.

Accessibility services offered by the library

If you have a proposal for individual study arrangements, you can borrow course books with an extended loan period, 4 weeks. If you are print-disabled, you can borrow textbooks free of charge from Celia, the national centre for accessible literature and publishing in Finland. Please read more about our Library’s accessibility services and Celia audio books.

Campus accessibility

Read about campus accessibility (intranet).

More information

studentcounselling.tau [at] tuni.fi

Accessibility contact person Elisa Sinikallio, elisa.sinikallio [at] tuni.fi

Guidance and counselling services