Arrangements for courses and/or exams for students with disabilities

To let the Commission make a decision, arrangement applications must be submitted as following:

Spring semester 2022-2023:

• at the latest on February 27, 2023 for midterms and exam session
• at the latest ont May 1^st, 2023 for exam session only

Autumn semester 2023-2024:

• at the latest on September 17, 2023 for midterms and exam session
• at the latest on November 19, 2023 for exam session only

Only complete requests will be processed by the Commission. The following documents will be needed:

• An application form (student or PhD) filled in and signed.
• A report* and/or recent assessments (less than 2 years) of a specialist
• Decisions from educational institutions previously attended (if provided)

*The report of a specialist (doctor, neuropsychologist, psychotherapist or DYS specialist) must be recent (less than 2 years), written in one of the official Swiss languages (French, German, Italian) or in English and provide the following informations:

1. Diagnosis (according to ICF or DSM) and its foreseeable evolution (permanence, progression or decrease).
2. Functional limitations and their impact on exams and/or courses.
3. Effectiveness of care and/or measures taken.
4. The requested arrangements (e.g. 20% or 33% additional time, being in a quiet place in the exams room, use of a tablet with keyboard, etc.).

The request (form and documents) should be sent to  [email protected]

Collecting all the necessary documents can take some time, students should create their application request well in advance.

Twice a semester, an EPFL Commission examines the arrangement requests and sends its decisions to students about fifteen days after the submission deadline.

Students needs to confirm they accept the arrangement decided by the Commission. 

Once confirmed, the arrangement: 

• is communicated to the teaching staff
• is valid for the entire current curriculum (except in special cases or for temporary arrangements for which a semestrial or annual reassessment is necessary)

In the case of

• an accident
• sudden chronic illness
• sudden incapacity

reducing the ability to take the exams, temporary arrangement can be arranged where possible. For organizational reasons, the EPFL cannot guarantee the implementation of these emergency arrangements.

Only complete requests will be processed by the Commission. The following documents will be needed:

• An application form (student or PhD) filled in and signed.
• A report* of a specialist

*The report of a specialist must be very recent, written in one of the official Swiss languages (French, German, Italian) or in English and provide the following informations:

1. Diagnosis (according to ICF or DSM) and its foreseeable evolution (permanence, progression or decrease).
2. Functional limitations and their impact on exams and/or courses.
3. Effectiveness of care and/or measures taken.
4. The requested arrangements (e.g. 20% or 33% additional time, being in a quiet place in the exams room, use of a tablet with keyboard, etc.).
5. The date until which the recommended accommodation is valid.

The request (form and documents) should be sent to  [email protected]

In the event that the exam commission authorizes the use of computers to take exams, please note that EPFL only uses its secure tablets. These are equipped with Notability software, a pen and a keyboard. No other software or functionality can be added. The use of a secure device adapted to the visually impaired or blind people is also possible.

An arrangement request can also be submitted by candidates enrolled in the Euler course or for an admission exam.

Support measures involving costs may be charged to the students.

Students should present their claim for reimbursement to the invalidity insurance (for Swiss students) or other relevant authorities (for international students).