Disabilities and special needs

If you have a disability or other special needs, you can apply for individual adaptation of your studies. Then there are possibilities available concerning examinations, teaching, learning materials, and the teaching environment.

The purpose of the accommodation is to compensate for the disadvantages caused by your disability, while at the same time ensuring, to the greatest extent possible, that all candidates are tested equally. The accommodations must not lead to a reduction in the academic standards set for the individual program of study. To pass, you must achieve the learning outcomes required for the program.

Please contact us a disability and special needs office for any questions.

How to apply for special arrangements

• Application form and deadlines

  Application form

  You can apply for accommodations of teaching and exams in the same application. Remember that you must provide documentation for your need for accommodation, and the documentation must confirm the types of accommodations you are applying for.

  Application form for special arrangements

  Deadline

  • August block - as soon as possible after semester start and no later than two weeks prior to the exam date.
  • 1 October - exams/tests in autumn semester, re-examination (konte) autumn and exams/tests in January block.
  • 1 March - exams/tests in spring semester, re-examination (konte) autumn and exams/tests in June block.

  Acute Illness or Injury

  After the application deadline, accommodations for the upcoming exam period will only be granted in cases of acute illness or injury.

  Known allergies are generally not considered an acute condition, and you must apply for accommodations for these within the standard semester deadline.

  Do you have questions or would you like a meeting about special arrangements?

  If you have any questions or would like a meeting about special arrangements, you are always welcome to send us an e-mail to tilrettelegging@nmbu.no (please do not send us any sensitive information).

• Documentation - requirements

  When applying for special arrangements you must present a certificate e.g. a medical certificate, specialist report, or equivalent documentation, issued by a medical professional or other documentation of the need for special arrangements.

  If you have not yet seen a doctor/specialist for your disabilities/special needs please contact us prior to making an appointment with a doctor/specialist and we will let you know what kind of documentation we require.

  Please make sure that the documentation contains:

  • Your name and date of birth and security number
  • For how long the documentation applies (if applicable) is the requirement for special arrangements chronic or acute.
  • What accommodation does the expert believe is necessary to compensate for the disadvantages caused by your disability.
  • The documentation must be dated and signed by a doctor or other specialist.

  Allergi

  The documentation must confirm that the allergy symptoms are severe enough that extra exam time is necessary to compensate for the discomfort. It must also specify the exact months during which you require these accommodations.

  Dyslexia / Reading and Writing Difficulties

  If you have previous documentation of reading and writing difficulties, a new assessment is normally not required. This documentation typically grants accommodations such as extended time and the use of a computer with spell-checking software (e.g., the program Lingdys).

Special arrangements for examination and tests

• Extended time

  Extended time will be added to the ordinary exam time.

  For written exams the following extensions are usually granted:

  • 15 minutes extra are granted for examinations with an examination time of up to 1.5 hours.
  • 20 minutes extra are granted for examinations with an examination time of more than 1.5 hours and up to 2 hours.
  • 30 minutes extra are granted for examinations with an examination time of more than 2 hours and up to 4 hours
  • 1 hour extra is granted for examinations with an examination time of more than 4 hours.

• Seperate room

  You can apply to be placed in a room with few other students for exams and tests on campus. Only in exceptional cases may you be granted a private room (single room) with an exam invigilator. A private room is only granted for compelling reasons and by further agreement with the individual student.

  For partial tests and shorter tests during the teaching period, it will not always be possible to sit with few others or alone.

• Lingdys - program for reading and writing difficulties

  Lingdys is a digital reading and writing support tool for people with dyslexia or other reading and writing difficulties.

  Own Lingdys license

  If you already have your own Lingdys license on your personal computer, you can apply to use it during the exam.

  Borrowing a PC with Lingdys

  If you do not have your own license, you can apply to borrow an NMBU PC with a Lingdys license for the exam. It is important that you familiarize yourself with how Lingdys works prior to the exam. Under the heading Lingdys - applying for your own license further down the page, you will find a link to a demo version of Lingdys that you can use. We also encourage you to apply for your own license; see how to do this under the heading Lingdys - applying for your own license further down the page.

  Other programs

  If you need to use a reading and writing support program other than Lingdys, you must apply to use it.

  Reading out the exam text

  If you need to have the exam prompt and/or your own response read aloud, Lingdys is used for this purpose. Remember to bring your own wired earphones/headset without Bluetooth.

  Device Monitor - when you are using Lingdys

  The need to use Lingdys during an exam or test requires changes to your exam setup in order for you to be granted access to Lingdys. If you are going to use Lingdys, you cannot use Lockdown Browser at the same time for exams on campus. Therefore, you must use the program WISEflow Device Monitor.

• PC - exam on paper

  Paper exams are usually used for exams involving calculations or other tasks where a PC is not suitable. If you need the exam questions read aloud using Lingdys, this can be arranged for individual exams. You may also be granted the use of a PC for a paper exam if a physical disability makes hand writing difficult.

  • If you need Lingdys text-to-speech / audio reading of the exam questions during exams, you must remember your own wired earphones/headset without Bluetooth.
  • You will be given the exam prompt in paper format. If you need to have the prompt electronically, you must notify the accommodations service at least 2 weeks before the exam.
  • You will be allowed to use Word during the exam, but you will not be able to use programs such as Excel for calculations.

• Height-adjustable desks or a chair with extra support

  If you have a documented need to alternate between standing and sitting, we have some height-adjustable desks available. These desks will usually only be available for exams or tests of longer duration.

  If you need a chair with extra support for exams or tests of longer duration, you can apply for this.

• Nursing Break / breastfeeding Break

  If you need to nurse your child during an exam, accommodations will be made for this. The time you spend nursing will be added to your regular exam time.

  Remember to notify us well in advance so that we have enough time to arrange for you to be placed for the exam in a building with suitable seating for nursing, as well as to ensure an exam invigilator is available to stay nearby while you nurse.

  • You must have pre-arranged times for the nursing break(s) with the person bringing the child. Please inform the invigilator of the scheduled time(s) for the break(s) when you arrive for the exam.
  • Please note that you may only nurse the child during this time. Changing diapers, etc., must be handled by the person bringing the child.

• Alternative exam format

  You can apply for accommodation in the form of an alternative exam format, e.g., an oral exam instead of a written one, or vice versa. An alternative exam format must be clarified for each individual exam, as not all exams can be accommodated in this manner.

• WISEflow digital examination on campus

  • Extra time for exams is automatically added to the regular exam time in WISEflow.
  • You must use your own PC for the exam unless you have been granted a loaner PC with Lingdys; see further down.
  • If you experience problems with your own PC, you can contact IT.

  Printout of the Exam Question

  You will receive the exam question in WISEflow. If you need to receive the exam questions on paper, you must contact the accommodations service at least 2 weeks before the exam so we can check if it is possible to arrange. For some exams—such as certain types of multiple-choice tests—it will not be possible to provide a paper copy, in which case we will try to find alternative solutions.

• Having a tests on campus during the teaching period?

  In many courses, shorter tests are conducted on campus during the teaching period, so-called partial tests.

  Accommodations you usually receive for an exam (during the exam period) do not apply in the same way for partial tests. You might also not have the same need for accommodations for these tests as you would for a longer final exam.

  The reason accommodations for partial tests differ from those for exams during the exam period includes, among other things:"

  • fewer rooms are available since most rooms are occupied for teaching. As a result, more students may have to sit in a room than during a final exam, and auditoriums must sometimes be used. Sitting in a partitioned/shielded space is less feasible.
  • equipment is less available, e.g., access to height-adjustable desks, loaner PCs, etc.
  • different exam systems may be used for partial tests than for final exams, which means accommodations are not always applied automatically.

  What to do?

  If you need accommodations for a partial assessment in the form of:

  • Extra time - see the section on Extra Time
  • Shielded seating, a height‑adjustable desk, use of Lingdys, use of a PC (for tests conducted on paper), or other types of accommodations, you must contact the accommodation office.

  It is important that you contact us as soon as you know the date of the test, so we can determine whether it is possible to arrange the accommodation. If you wait too long, you may not receive the support you need for that particular test.

  Extended time

  WISEflow

  If the partial assessment is conducted in WISEflow, the extra time will automatically be added to the regular time in the system.

  On paper or in Canvas

  If the test is on paper or in Canvas, you must ensure that you receive your extra time by contacting your study advisor or the course responsible. The accommodation office can also assist you, just get in touch. Unfortunately, extra time is not added automatically.

  If you need to document that you have been granted accommodations at NMBU, you can show the confirmation email you received from the accommodation office.

Useful resources

• Digital resources

  SiÅs offers useful digital resources and self-help

• Resting lounge with daybed

  If you due to health reasons need to lay down/relax during the day there is a room provided for this purpose, located in the clock building (Urbygningen). Contact the Student Information Center (SIT) to sign in if it is vacant. Durability: one hour at a time.

  SIT is located on the ground floor of the clock building (Urbygningen) and is open Monday-Thursday 10:00-15:00.

• Handicap (HC) parking

  Do you need access to a HC-parking at campus for a shorter or longer periode?

  Apply for HC-parking via the application form for special arrangements or contact the disability and special needs office. Remember to attach documentation from a doctor or specialist supporting your need for HC-parking. 

  PS: Please note that the HC-parking only apply to parking at NMBU campus.

  Remember to include the following in your application: 

  • Your mobile number
  • Car registration number
  • What periode you need the HC-parkering for. Must be verified by doctor notice.

  Please contact the disability and special needs office for any questions.

• Talking books and braille

  Do you know Tibi - The Library for Accessible Literature (former NLB) that produces and lends out talking books and braille books? All students with documented reading and writing difficulties can also borrow curriculum literature such as audio books. As a student, you must apply to become a personal user.

• Lingdys

  NMBU has a limited number of licenses for Lingdys (a tool for spelling support and text‑to‑speech) for use during exams, but we recommend that you obtain your own license. The software is adapted to each individual user, and the spell‑checker improves based on your personal language use.

  Contact your local NAV office to find out whether you may be eligible for financial support.

  Your wired headphones

  Bring your own wired headphones if you plan to use the text‑to‑speech function in Lingdys. On Lingit’s website (in Norwegian), you can download a demo version to test the software.

  WISEflow Device Monitor

  If you are going to use Lingdys, you cannot use Lockdown Browser at the same time on exams on campus. Therefore, you must use the program WISEflow Device Monitor instead.

• Grant from Lånekassen

  Lånekassen offers additional grant to to students in higher education who due to reduced functional ability and are unable to work beside your studies.

  If you have reduced functional ability and are unable to work beside your studies, you may be eligible for an additional grant. You might also apply for additional grant in the summer on a separate form.

  In order to be entitled to the grant, you must be able to study but unable to work besides your studies, because this will have a negative impact on your academic progress. A physician or specialist must confirm this in the application.

  You may not have any salaried employment at all as long as you receive the additional grant. If you are doing voluntary or unpaid work beside your studies, you can still receive the grant. 

  Find more information about additional grant and application form at lånekassen.

  Please note that the application form that must be submitted to lånekassen requires a signature from a doctor/professional. The disability and special needs office at NMBU has an agreement with the Health Center for students in Ås and they can sign the form. Remember to bring your doctor/expert documentation confirming that you have a disability.

• Writing your theses

  If you have any questions regarding accommodation options in connection with writing your thesis or submission deadlines, please contact us at the the Disabilities and special needs office by email at tilrettelegging@nmbu.no

Read more about

• Mobility impairement

  MazeMap can be used to find directions to rooms and buildings if you have to avoid using stairs. The easiest is to download the MazeMap app, but you can also also find MazeMap on the net. Search for the relevant room, then select directions and tick "Avoid stairs and obstacles"

  Below is a list of the most important buildings for student activity on campus. Please contact the disability and special needs office if you find that your class is in a room not accessible for you.

  Aud Max (AM)

  Teaching and exam venues, concerts and more - closed for renovation 2026
  Entrance area with ramp and lift inside. No permanent ramp down to the main floor of the concert venue.

  Bikuben

  Canteen, teaching and exam venues, group rooms. 
  Accessible.

  Teaching and exam venues, laboratories, group rooms, open reading areas. Offices KBM
  Accessible. Step-free access and lift in the building.

  Boksmia

  Studentsamskipnadens book shop
  No step-free main entrance. Access via backdoor to the housing office.

  Cirkusbygningen (CIR)

  Offices Landsam
  No step-free access or lift in the building.

  EIKA sports center

  Sport center for students and employees
  Step-free access and lift in the building.

  Husdyrfagsbygningen (H)

  Teaching venue, offices Biovit.
  A step-free access is available at the east side of the building. Lift in the building. Some teaching venues might not be so accessible. 

  Jordfagsbygningen (J) og mellombygget

  Teaching venue, laboratories, computer labs. Offices MINA  
  Step-free access via lift. Lift in the building.

  Kassa Nova (KA)

  Drawing labs, group rooms. Landscape architecture
  Step-free access and lift in the building.

  Meieribygningen (MU)

  Teaching and exam venue, laboratories, open reading areas. Offices KBM
  Accessible. Lift in building.

  Parkgården (P)

  Master study area REALTEK
  Accessible. Step-free access via ramp and lift in the building.

  Planteskolen (PL)

  Teaching venue and VR-lab
  Step-free main entrance. Step-free access to VR-lab and room for wheelchair. No lift to teaching venues om the second floor.

  Studentsamfunnet

  The studentenes own building for student activities. Canteen.
  Accessible, lift inside.

  Sørhellinga (S)

  Canteen, teaching and exam venues, group rooms, library bibliotek, open reading areas, computer labs. Offices MINA
  Accessible.  Step-free access via main entrance and lift in the building.

  TF-bygningen fløy I og II (TF)

  Teaching and exam venues, laboratories and open computer lab. Offices Realtek 
  Accessible main entrance. Lift in building.   

  TF-bygningen fløy III (TF3)

  Teaching and exam venues, computer labs
  Accessible. Step-free access and lift in the building. Some areas only accessible via stairs.

  Tivoli

  Offices Landsam
  No step-free access or lift in the building.

  Tårnbygningen (T) (Tower building)

  Teaching and exam venues, open reading area, group rooms, computer labs. Offices HH and the university administration.
  Accessible. Step-free access and lift in the building.

  Urbygningen (U) (Clock building)

  Students information office (SiT), teaching and exam venues, reading area, group rooms, computer labs.
  Accessible. Step-free access to the left of the main entrance and lift in the building.

  Veterinærbygningen

  Teaching and exam venues, reading area, group rooms, computer labs, laboratories, clinic. Library, service office, Learning center and writing center. Offices VET. 
  Accessible.

  Økonomibygningen (Economy building)

  Meeting rooms. Offices Landsam. Former canteen now reading area.
  No step-free access or lift in the building.

• Impaired hearing

  If you have impaired hearing or are dependent on a teleloop, we ask you to contact the facilitation office so that we can ensure that, among other things, course responsible uses a microphone and that lectures and classes are carried out in the best way possible for you (repeat questions from the audience, speak to the audience and not to the blackboard, etc.).

  Fire alarm

  NMBU does not have a visual warning system or warning with special sound adaptations for people with impaired hearing. NMBU's notification system can, however, be linked to a telephone number, and if you notify the operations and service department you can have your telephone linked to the fire warning system.

  Language interpreter

  Students in need of a sign language interpreter make an agreement with the Interpreter Service themselves. We recommend that you contact the interpreting service immediately after admission, as the demand for sign language interpreters is high. The facilitation office would also like to be in contact with those of you who need a sign language interpreter to ensure information to the interpreters, give them access to Canvas etc. We can also prepare the course responsible that interpreters will be present in the lessons.

Contact us

You are always welcome to contact us if you have any questions regarding special arrangements.
Send us an e-mail to tilrettelegging@nmbu.no (please do not send us any sensitive information).