What study support is available to me?

If you find it difficult to take notes whilst you are listening, help is available.

Note-taking assistance is when a coursemate takes notes for you during lectures and other forms of tuition. You will then receive the notes by email or as a hard copy, depending on what you prefer.

You are welcome to suggest a person you would like to be your note-taker, but this must always be agreed with the contact person on campus. The contact person can also help arrange note-taking assistance. A person who assists with taking notes receives payment from the university.

Read more about taking notes for somebody else.

It may be possible to use SmartPen for note-taking support. This is a special pen you can use to record the class, but you must ask the course coordinator for permission to record. The recording can be compared against lecture notes. A limited number of SmartPens can be borrowed from the SLU libraries in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala. They can also be sent to Skinnskatteberg and the sites where equine science is taught. We recommend SmartPen for students who have been granted study support for disabilities.

There are several forms of adapted examination. They may include using computers during exams, being given extra time or sitting written examinations in smaller groups.

The examiner will always decide what is possible for an adapted examination based on the course objectives. If a lack of resources means that the approved adaptations cannot be made in full, the exam services team has the power to arrange the most suitable alternative. Talk to the campus coordinator or contact person about the different adaptations available when you apply for support. They will be able to provide recommendations for adaptations.

Read more about what you need to do to receive an adapted examination.

You can receive extra supervision from a teacher when you carry out independent projects (bachelor’s degree project/degree project). Discuss how the study support can be structured with your contact person on campus.

If you have a mental health problem or a neuropsychiatric condition, you may in some cases be given a mentor who can help you structure and plan your studies. The mentor acts as a discussion partner and can help you concretise and prioritise your study assignments.

The amount of mentor support is about one hour per week. The mentor will receive an hourly payment from the university to compensate them for their work.

Read more about working as a mentor.

If you have a hearing impairment or are deaf, you can receive help from a notetaker, sign language interpreter or deafblind interpreter.

Sign language interpretation is offered only to Swedish sign language.

Submit your application in good time, as it takes time to arrange.
You can contact a coordinator as soon as you have submitted your application to SLU.

• On the support for all students page you can find out about what you can do to make studying easier.
• If you have difficulties with reading or writing, you might benefit from listening to your course literature or the texts you write. Read more about listening to course literature and texts.

Adjustable desks are available at some SLU libraries. These desks are available to all students, but are especially useful for those who have problems with their back or other pain.

Many of our campuses also have adjustable desks at the back of lecture halls.

Do you need adapted furniture during lectures or moderated exams on campus? Contact your coordinator to find out more about what applies where you are.