Rules on special accommodations in studies

1. Objectives and purpose of special accommodations

Students at Reykjavik University who are disabled or have specific learning difficulties are entitled to special support in accordance with the Higher Education Act no. 63/2006 and the Act on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The goal of special accommodations is to enable them to pursue their studies without discrimination, offering them comparable opportunities as others to use their educational talents. The support does not entail reducing normal study requirements or arranging them in a different way than generally applies.

2. Definitions and students' right to special accommodations

People with disabilities are people with long-term physical, mental or intellectual impairments or sensory impairments who are exposed to various obstacles that can prevent full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others if assistance is not provided.¹ When a disability or impairment is permanent, a student applies for special accommodations at the beginning of their studies and is registered with special accommodations for the duration of their studies at RU.

Specific learning disabilities refer to learning difficulties or disabilities that can be traced to accidents, chronic or serious illnesses or other causes. Students who have another native language than Icelandic can also apply for special accommodations on this basis, if language is considered to affect study progress or assessment. Those students who struggle with disabilities that can be seen as temporary and can be worked with, cured or made more manageable, apply for special accommodations for each semester or for the school year. Resources are reassessed with each application.

Special accommodation is assistance aimed at meeting the needs of students, equalizing their opportunities for studying, and ensuring fair and reasonable consideration in course assessment due to disabilities or special needs.

3. Scope

These rules apply to students who have been formally accepted to study at Reykjavik University in accordance with the admission requirements of the faculty/department in question. 

4. Services for students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties

The RU Student Counselling Centre oversees services for students with disabilities and students with special learning difficulties. The service supports the objectives of the special accommodations system and shall aim to ensure students have realistic access to education and the opportunity to achieve success on their own terms. The service is provided in collaboration with the student in question and may include personal advice, support, and follow-up in accordance with the needs of each individual.

5. Application Process

Applications for special accommodations must be submitted to the RU Student Counselling Centre electronically through the University's request system before the advertised deadline. (1 October in the autumn semester and 1 March in the spring semester) The application must be supported by relevant documentation, such as a diagnosis from a recognised professional who works with disabilities or other obstacles, a medical certificate or other substantiated information that sheds light on the student's circumstances.

The RU Student Counselling Centre reviews applications and decides on the granting of special accommodations. Applications are processed in such a way that the student receives a response by email to the RU email address. The email specifies the accommodation that the university undertakes to provide as well as their validity period, i.e. whether the accommodation is provided temporarily or permanently for the duration of the study. An application may also be rejected, or additional supporting documents requested.

6. Decisions and implementation

Accommodations can be temporary or permanent and are implemented in collaboration with the student Register- and Assessment office, teachers and departments. It shall be ensured that the implementation of the measures is in accordance with the approved agreement. Examples of special accommodations are; longer exam times, adapted test environments and the use of special software, such as speech synthesis. This is not an exhaustive list of the special accommodations available, and efforts are made to meet the needs and wishes of the student to the best of their ability and in accordance with current rules.

It is mandatory to provide approved solutions during the final assessment of a course. ² Teachers must also consider students with approved special accommodations in other course components as far as possible.

If there is a choice between different solutions that provide a student with comparable support, the university is authorized to decide which solutions will be provided. Special accommodations provided based on these rules are free of charge for students. However, the cost of the certificates or diagnoses requested from the university must be paid by each student.

7. Reassessment and appeals

Students who believe that special accommodations are inadequate, or who have had their application rejected can request a review in consultation with the Student Counselling Centre. If a student is not satisfied with the solutions offered by the Student Counselling Centre according to these rules, or is dissatisfied with the outcome of the application, the student is permitted to appeal the matter to the Head of RU Student Services.

8. Handling and protection of personal data

The Student Counselling Centre preserves applications and accompanying confidential data on disabled students and students with special learning difficulties, in accordance with laws and regulations that apply to the University. When processing sensitive personal data, the utmost security is maintained, and information is processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the University's internal rules. The Student Counselling Centre only disseminates the information necessary for staff to be involved in the implementation of special solutions for the students in question.

9. Revision

These rules shall be reviewed every three years from their effective date, or more frequently if needed. The review shall assess whether there is a need for changes considering existing experience or changes in laws that affect the University's operations.

_{[1] Based on the definition according to Article 2(1)(2) of the Act on Services for Disabled People with Long-Term Support Needs}
^{[2] Teachers can obtain information about their student’s approved special accommodations in the SA-system.}

These rules were approved by the RU Executive Council on January 6, 2026