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Information on rights and obligations of educational institutions and students

If you study with a disability or special needs, schools must do their best to make adjustments and provide extra guidance. You also have obligations as a student. This is laid down in various laws and regulations. Below we explain these, supplemented with tips.

Help guide

There are also organisations that can advise you and/or represent your interests, for example. Check the help guide for this.

Nationwide schemes

  • Constitution: it states that everyone in the Netherlands must be treated equally. Discrimination because of religion, belief, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation or on any other ground is not allowed (article 1 2)
  • Schools in higher education are required to make accommodations for students with disabilities. The Equal Treatment on the Basis of Disability or Chronic Illness Act (Wgbh/cz) states that reasonable adjustments must be provided to students with disabilities (Articles 2 and 4). When assessing the accreditation of a program in higher education, accessibility for students with disabilities is included as an aspect (WHW, Article 5.12 and Article 5.23 paragraph 3d).
  • The UN Convention on Disability, which came into force in the Netherlands in 2016, also states that all parts of the education system must be accessible to students with support needs. This therefore also applies to assessments and exams (UN Committee on Disability, CRPD/C/GC/4, §22).

Definition of disability

What we all mean by the term "disability" is not clearly reflected in the legislation. The UN Convention defines persons with disabilities as "persons with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments. The Wgbh/cz states that disabilities and chronic illnesses can be physical, mental or psychological in nature. The Human Rights Board says "all long-term physical, mental and psychological impairments that may prevent persons from participating fully, effectively and on an equal basis with others in society.

Schemes provided by educational institutions

  • Study choice (check) and admission: : students who apply for their studies by May 1 are entitled to a study choice check. Everyone with the necessary diploma is entitled to admission to higher education. In some cases a selection takes place, or there are additional admission requirements. 
  • Apply or switch studies: read the frequently asked questions and answers on the study choice123 website.
  • Student statute (Article 7.59. Student statute): a collection of rights and obligations of the student, partly about the entire educational institution and program-specific. You will be referred to this when registering for a programme. 
  • OER: the education and examination regulations contain rules and practical information about your program. You will receive this when you start your programme.
  • Free curriculum in academic education: as a student in academic education you can compile your own curriculum.  

Should you have problems with the school, you can also contact:

Are you interested in what you can get for extra guidance?

Check out the facilities, accommodations or arrangements that may be able to help you.

Where can I get help at my educational institute?
Find my school
Sharing experiences and tips with experience students?
Check out the possibilities