Study impediments

A study impediment is a broad term for anything that might delay or interfere with your academic progress. This could include a disability, chronic illness, learning difficulty, psychological condition, challenging family circumstances, pregnancy or combining your studies with elite-level sport.  

If you’re enrolling at ArtEZ, please register your study impediment with a  student counssellor as early as possible. This gives us time to organise the facilities you need and help you stay on track. 

ArtEZ can offer extra support and adaptations to programmes. However, you must still reach the final attainment level. Whether a programme is suitable depends on the nature of your impediment, the content of the programme, and your future career prospects.  

For example:  

• If you’re studying music, you will need good hearing.  
• If you’re studying dance, you will need strength and stamina.  
• If you’re studying theatre, you will need resilience both physically and mentally.  

Whichever programme you choose, you must be able to reflect on your actions and work independently. We are happy to discuss support and programme adaptations with you, but you must still be able to meet the final attainment level and realistically enter the profession you are training for.  

As an ArtEZ student, you will be assigned to a study career coach. You can discuss both your academic progress and your personal well-being with them. If your studies aren’t going to plan, your study career coach can help you create a new study plan. This always happens in consultation with the student counsellor, and the exam board must approve your request. 

You can ask for confidential support from a student counsellor at any time. How often you meet depends on your needs. Student counsellors can also put you in touch with external support services. They can help administrative tasks, such as applying for additional student finance (if your studies are delayed) or extra financial support from the Student Support Fund (formerly Profiling Fund) for graduates.  

If you have dyslexia or an attention deficit disorder, you can request extra time for tests and exams or exam papers with larger font. We also have experience with dyslexia software.  

If you are autistic and starting your programme without support from a supervisor, we recommend you arrange an autism coach as soon as possible. You may also need facilitiessuch as adapted furniture or specialist coaching later on. In consultation with your student counsellor, your programme may cover the costs of these facilities in some cases. 

Check the facilities and support schemes for students in higher education

ArtEZ in Enschede is fully wheelchair accessible. Our academies in Zwolle and Arnhem are housed in listed buildings, so not all areas are fully wheelchair accessible. If you are enrolling in Zwolle or Arnhem, please arrange an interview with us before you start.

If you are hard of hearing, please note that ArtEZ does not have loop systems. However, most lessons are taught in small groups, so this should not stop you from joining the programme. Ask your student counsellor for more details.