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Special status and (reasonable) adjustments
As a higher education student, you may be granted a special status based on individual characteristics and/or circumstances.
Inclusive university of applied sciences
Howest aims to open its education to as wide a population as possible and to provide every student with maximum opportunities to flourish .
Every person is unique, Howest recognises and values differences and pursues a diversity policy aimed at evolving from an integrated to an inclusive policy, complemented by a target group policy.
9 inclusive examination adjustments
These are adjustments that apply to all students regardless of whether or not they apply for a special status. We want to organise classical adjustments as universally as possible. It concerns the following nine adjustments:
Extra time for taking written exams (20-30%) This adjustment applies to both paper and laptop exams unless the 'time' factor is part of the evaluation. The extra time is already provided for in the examination block. The agreements on where this adjustment does not apply are included in the adjustment agreements drawn up in consultation with your study department.
Oral explanation of the exam by the lecturer Exam questions will be gone over orally at the start, explained and/or time will be provided to ask additional questions.
Language errors do not count in evaluation moments, unless language is a learning outcome of the course. Not applicable if the student is given time and (digital) opportunities to check the language. Also not applicable for scientific reporting and the spelling of subject-specific terms.
Taking prescribed medication Only medication prescribed by a doctor and stored in a clear plastic bag is allowed.
Use of scrap paper in written exams During every written exam, the programme provides scrap paper to be used freely during the exam. The scrap paper will be submitted with the official exam.
Use of simple earplugs Only simple earplugs are free to use. An alternative to earplugs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, can only be provided on request from the study coach attached to the study programme, unless offered inclusively within the programme.
Drinking water This is water in a transparent, sealable bottle.
An inclusive format which enhances the readability and accessibility of an exam Exams are prepared using a sufficiently large, sans-serif font.
Use a concentration screen The cardboard concentration screen can be collected from the reception desk on your campus. After the exam, please return the screen to the reception desk.
Which statuses are possible?
1. Status student with disabilities
Hearing impairment
Chronic disease
Physical disability
Developmental disabilities: AD(H)D
Developmental disabilities: ASD
Developmental disabilities: DCD
Developmental disabilities: learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysorthography, dyscalculia)
Developmental disabilities:: developmental dysphasia
Developmental disabilities: developmental stuttering
Developmental disabilities: tic disorders
Psychiatric disability
Visual disability
Other disabilities
2. Status student with enhanced care
You received support as a student in mandatory education from a specific care need, without a specific diagnosis.
3. Status student in specific social or individual circumstances
Transition period transgender
Other specific social of personal circumstances
Recognized religious community: You belong to one of the six religious communities recognised by the federal government(https://justitie.belgium.be/nl/themas_en_dossiers/erediensten_en_vrijzinnigheid/erkende_erediensten).
4. Status student in specific social or individual circumstances: caregiver
You offer extra support to a person in need of care from the immediate surroundings (first-degree relative, cohabiting partner ...)
5. Status student in specific social or individual circumstances: linguistic needs based on a non-native speaking background
Only for students who follow a Dutch-taught study programme.
6. Status student in specific social or individual circumstances: pregnancy and/or parenthood
7. Status (temporary) medical reasons
8. Status working student
You work
At least 80 hours per month or 50% of full-time hours;
At least 50 hours per month as a student worker, to be assessed over the past 12 months preceding the start of the first or second semester.
9. Status student entrepreneur
You are self-employed, you have a company number, you are affiliated to a social insurance fund, ... You can also apply for student-entrepreneur status if you have plans for a business.
Note: this status is different from the student-entrepreneur tax status but is linked to it.
Granting is done by the Howest's entrepreneurship coaches(https://www.howest.be/nl/student-life/ondernemen#ondernemerscoaches)
10. Status student with approved top-level sport activities
You want to study and still keep practising your sport at a high level? You can! To be recognised as a top-level athlete, your sporting level must be sufficiently high. Your application will be assessed based on the recognition conditions for top-level athletes set by the ‘study and top-level sport’ committee within the Ghent University Association. Contact Saar Olivier(https://www.howest.be/en/stuvo/student-life/sport) for more information.
11. Status of intensive competitive sports participant
If you do not meet the requirements to obtain top-level sports status, you can apply for accommodations via 'student in specific social or individual circumstances', provided they meet the necessary criteria. This is only possible based on an individual file in which the student's motivation is supported by documents from the sports federation or club. Granting is done by Saar Olivier
12. Status sporter United Spurs
You are a member of one of the United Spurs sports teams and you are playing for the first team (in a match or training session).
13. Status student representative or student with a mandate
You take up a political mandate or you are a student representative in the university college, the association UGent, the VLOR or VVS and you take up the mandate of effective member.
Student representative
Political mandate
14. Status practitioner of the arts
You practice an art form at semi-professional/professional level and/or participate in exceptional domestic and/or international performances, tours, exhibitions ...
You can additionally link adjustments to this status through the application process(https://www.howest.be/en/stuvo/special-circumstances-and-provisions#the-application).
What (reasonable) adjustments are possible?
If for some reason you need adapted teaching and/or examination formats, you can apply to the study coach(https://www.howest.be/en/stuvo/contact#special-status-and-reasonable-adjustments) for a special status and a combination of associated (reasonable) adjustments. In addition to the inclusive adjustments(https://www.howest.be/en/stuvo/special-circumstances-and-provisions#inclusive-university-of-applied-sciences) , it is also possible to request customised adjustments. This is always done in dialogue with you, possibly your environment and the study coach.
Tailored adjustments are granted by considering the following criteria:
Necessity : without these adjustments, the student cannot fully participate in educational and examination activities