Advice and support for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses
The University of Passau offers students with disabilities one-on-one advice and support at any stage of their student career. According to the latest social survey by the German National Association for Student Affairs, conducted in academic year 2016–17, 11% of students at German universities have a health impairment that affects their ability to study. These include:
- mental illnesses (53%)
- chronic somatic diseases (e.g. chronic inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatism, chronic pain) (20%)
- other long-term illnesses/impairments (e.g. tumours, autism spectrum disorder) (6%)
- impaired movement (4%)
- partial performance disorders (e.g. dyslexia)
- hearing/speech impairments (3%)
- visual impairments (3 %)
This means you are not alone if you have an impairment that makes your studies more difficult. In order to support you in successfully completing your studies, we have compiled helpful information for you on these pages.
Personal consultations
Dr Ulrike Bunge, the Student Disabilities Officer, will gladly advise you on any and all questions related to your studies and academic adjustments/exam access arrangements. If you have any special needs, please contact us. Together, we will try to find a solution tailored to your personal needs.
To make an appointment, call +49 851 509 1154 or send an e-mail to ulrike.bunge@uni-passau.de.
Please take care of your and our health!
Please do not come to personal consultation appointments if you have symptoms of illness. We will be happy to arrange a telephone consultation or online via Zoom at short notice. Thank you for your understanding!
Your contacts
Student Disabilities Officer

Office hours
Appointments by arrangement:
+49 851 509 1154
Open consultation hours:
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Deputy Student Disabilities Officer

Other advice services
You can also find more advice and counselling centres in the Health and wellbeing section.
All students can access the Psychological Counselling Service for support with personal problems, family difficulties, or academic stress.
- Maria Zessin and Dr. Lisa Huber-Flammersfeld (University of Passau)
- Martina Nigl and Johanna Zechmeister (Student Services Association / Student Union)
If you require exam access arrangements due to a disability or chronic or mental illness (e.g. extra time), please contact the Student Disabilities Officer, Dr Ulrike Bunge or the Examinations Office in good time.
Contact person at the Examinations Office
The Welfare Office of the Student Services Association will gladly help you with questions about financing your studies, applying for additional needs and finding accommodation.
Ms Carina Schropp
Phone: +49 851 509 1916
Library Building, room 238
Innstrasse 29
Office hours:
Tuesdays 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Wednesdays 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 12 noon
and by appointment
Ms Zsofia Schnelbach
Central Library Building, Room 238
Innstrasse 29
Phone: +49 851 509 1900
schnelbach.z@stwno.de
Office hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Thursdays 2 to 3:30 p.m.
and by appointment
Ms Sophia Nebenführ can advise you from a student perspective and support your initiatives.
E-mail: sophianebenfuehr@yahoo.com
In addition to the regional counselling services in Passau and Bavaria you can make use of the information and advice centre for studying with disabilities (IBS) of the German National Association for Student Affairs. This counselling centre publishes a detailed handbook on studying with disabilities [German content], which contains a wealth of practical tips and information for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses and is also available from the Academic Advice Service.
If you require special additional assistance for your studies, such as (human) readers, accompanying persons, sign language interpreters etc., please apply to the competent social welfare agency, which in this case is the district government of Lower Bavaria in Landshut, for cost coverage.
District of Lower Bavaria
Gestütsstraße 10
84028 Landshut
sozialverwaltung@bezirk-niederbayern.de
The Welfare Office of the Student Student Services Association will also be happy to help you with questions related to your finances.
The "Supplementary Independent Participation Counselling", or EUTB for short, is available in Passau and Freyung. They are a counselling centre for people with disabilities or people at risk of disability as well as their relatives and for anyone who has questions about the topic of participation. The EUTB offices were created as part of the Federal Participation Act 2018. Their objective is to find optimal solutions for the concerns of those seeking advice, with the aim of enabling a self-determined life. This service is available for anyone and everyone.
This counselling service is complementary to other services and independent of agencies that pay for or provide services, on all questions related to the area of participation. Counselling is confidential, free of charge and at eye level.
The topics are diverse:
- Work and occupation
- Assistance services
- Accommodation
- Financial benefits
- Disabled pass (Schwerbehindertenausweis)
- Leisure activities
- Application support
Contact
EUTB Passau
Obere Donaulände 8
94032 Passau
Germany
Phone: +49 851 5018 763
www.caritas-pa-la.de/hilfe-und-beratung/eutb/eutb
Your contacts at EUTB Passau
Ms Maria Ranzinger
eutb.ranzinger@caritas-pa-la.de
Ms Sarah Axinger
eutb.axinger@caritas-pa-la.de