What you need to know about compensation for disadvantages
Compensation for disadvantages for students with family responsibilities is part of the central study and examination regulations of the HU (ZSP-HU) (§ 109). It applies in cases where family obligations make it difficult to complete coursework and examinations as planned and allows, for example, extensions of deadlines or the completion of substitute work.
Family reasons include pregnancy, the care and upbringing of a child up to the age of 14 or the care of close relatives in need of care within the meaning of the Caregiver Leave Act.
There are many reasons for this - daycare centre closures, a child's illness or pregnancy complaints can be taken into account, as can caring for a relative in need of care. Close relatives according to the Caregiver Leave Act include Grandparents, parents, parents-in-law, step-parents, spouses, life partners, partners in a marriage-like or life partnership-like relationship, siblings, spouses of siblings and siblings of spouses, life partners of siblings and siblings of life partners, children, adopted or foster children, the children, adopted or foster children of the spouse or life partner, children-in-law and grandchildren.
Compensation for examination achievements can be an extension of the deadline or (in justified individual cases) an alternative form of examination or an alternative examination date.
Compensation for academic achievements can be, for example, a short literature summary (if the attendance requirement is not met) or, if a presentation is not given, an additional assignment or a postponement of the presentation date.
Students who are unable to fulfil the required 75% of course attendance for family reasons can also apply to compensate for absences by completing another course (Section 93 (1) ZSP-HU).
Examinations
As soon as it becomes apparent that you will not be able to take part in a scheduled examination or submit a seminar paper or thesis within the specified deadline due to family reasons, you can submit a written application for compensation for disadvantages to the relevant examination board. An email is sufficient as a written form.
Depending on the type of examination, you can propose compensation yourself.
Extension of processing deadlines
Family reasons may mean that you are unable to complete a term paper or your final thesis within the specified deadline. Depending on how much time has been lost due to your family responsibilities, you can propose a postponement of the deadline by this period.
Admission to another form of examination
In justified individual cases, a form of examination other than the one planned can be agreed, but it must be of equal value. If, for example, an examination in the laboratory conflicts with maternity protection regulations, the responsible examination board must decide whether an equivalent examination is possible without endangering mother and child. This may include theoretical work or a practical examination using harmless substances.
Arrangement of an individual examination date
In justified individual cases, an individual examination date can be arranged, but the decision on this must always be made individually and by the respective examination board. Please note that arranging an individual examination date involves a great deal of organisational effort and is an exception.
Applications for compensation for disadvantages relating to coursework should be submitted directly to your lecturer. In addition to an oral agreement, you should record the agreement in writing by e-mail.
How do I justify the request?
Requests for compensation for disadvantages must always be well and clearly justified. Describe specifically why you are unable to complete the course in the required time or form and, if possible, submit supporting documents.
What can such an application look like?
Applications can be informal. An application for an extension of the processing time can be formulated as follows, for example:
Request for compensation for disadvantages - deadline extension
During the processing period for homework XY, my child's daycare centre was closed for a week and no other childcare was available. I am applying for an extension of my deadline by one week in accordance with § 109 ZSP-HU. Please find attached the birth certificate and the information from the daycare centre about the closing times.
Please note
Submit your application as early as possible, processing can take up to six weeks.