Special Needs Support

If you have special needs and you are planning your exchange at SDU, it is important that you reach out to us as soon as possible, so we can help you prepare for a successful stay.

We cannot guarantee to offer the requested support, but the earlier we get information, the more time we have to guide you in the right direction and hopefully offer a suitable solution to your needs.

We recommend that you:

• Inform us of your special needs as early as possible
• Coordinate with your home university’s international office for additional support
• Prepare relevant documentation from your home university and/or healthcare provider

If you have any questions before you apply, please feel free to reach out to incoming@sdu.dk.

Exchange students are not eligible for the full range of Special Educational Support (SPS) available to degree-seeking students, but we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Possible support options include:

• Extended time for exams
• Accessible course materials
• Facilitation of contact for external service providers

Who to contact when?

SDU International Office:

• Functions as a facilitator to help you get in contact with the relevant entity at SDU.
• Cannot pre-assess documentation or make decisions regarding academic support.

The Faculty / Study Board:

• Processes applications for special exam conditions.
  •  As an exchange/guest student, your courses may be offered by more than one study board. If so, you must send an application to all relevant study boards.
  • Please include documentation of your disability in the application.

All decisions regarding academic support are made by the faculty based on the application. Specific outcomes are not guaranteed.

SDU does not offer financial support or funding for incoming exchange students. If you require any aid, assistance, or support services for your stay, you must bring this/these with you from your home country, as SDU does not provide these resources directly.

We strongly encourage you to contact your home university and relevant support organizations in your home country before your arrival to ensure you have everything you need during your exchange.

Erasmus+ Funding: Fewer Opportunities

A key aspect of the Erasmus Scholarship is its dedication to ensuring that everyone has equal access to educational development opportunities. This means that if you are an Erasmus+ exchange student, you could be eligible for additional grants to help cover some of your travel, accommodation, or living expenses while studying abroad.

Note: SDU does not fund or provide grants for incoming students. Potential grants are provided by your home university. To find out if you are eligible for any (additional) grants, please reach out to the international office at your home university.

SDU does not provide insurance coverage for students. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately insured throughout your stay.

Once you have received your Danish CPR number (you will get information about this after your admission to SDU), you will be covered by the Danish public health insurance system.

In addition, with a documented disability you might be entitled to receive relevant assistance from the municipality. We can help connect you with a relevant municipal contact, but SDU does not fund or cover any costs in relation to external support.

Health insurance

Until you have received your Danish CPR number and are covered by the Danish public health care system, it is your responsibility to secure adequate health insurance from another provider to cover any medical needs. In addition, it is entirely your responsibility to make sure that you are sufficiently covered throughout your stay.

Are you an EU citizen or a citizen in one of the countries of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland or the UK?
We recommend that you get your blue European health insurance card before traveling to Denmark.

Additional Insurance Coverage

You are strongly advised to obtain:

• Liability insurance
• Accident insurance
• Home insurance

These can typically be arranged through Danish banks or insurance companies.

Motor Vehicle Insurance

If you bring a motor vehicle to Denmark, you:

• must have valid insurance for the vehicle
• are required to register the vehicle with The Danish Motor Vehicle Agency

Easy-access student housing may be available upon request. Please indicate your special needs in your housing application or contact SDU Accommodation Office for further assistance.

At SDU, we want you to succeed in adjusting to a new environment, and there are plenty of opportunities for support during your stay if you need it.

A good place to start would be our counselling and study support team. Whether you have personal or academic uncertainties or just want to have a talk about adjusting to student life in a new country, you can get support during your stay.

All SDU’s campuses are equipped with elevators, accessible entrances, and designated parking spaces.

Getting to and around SDU’s campuses is generally straightforward, and there are several accessible options available.

• Campus Odense has its own tram stop, “SDU University”, right outside the main entrance.
• Campus Sønderborg is located right next to the train station “Sønderborg Station”.

Airports

Copenhagen Airport (CPH)

• Trains depart frequently from Terminal 3 connecting to all SDU’s campus cities.
• Direct trains to Odense
• Connecting flight to Sønderborg Airport (small airport)

Billund Airport (BLL)

• Travel to/from SDU’s campuses involves a combination of bus and train.

Sønderborg Airport (SGD)

• Small airport mostly used for domestic flights to/from CPH Airport. Only relevant to students at Campus Sønderborg.

Train

The train service provider DSB connects most of Denmark and Europe, and you can go to/from all SDU’s campus cities with DSB.

If you depart from Europe, you might be able to plan your entire trip with DSB. Read more and plan your journey with DSB

DSB also offers information on accessibility and support for people with special needs. The page is currently only in Danish, but you can use an online translation tool to translate the information.

Bus

The bus service provider Flixbus connects most of Denmark, and you can go to/from all SDU’s campus cities except Esbjerg with Flixbus.

If you depart from Europe, you might be able to plan your entire trip with Flixbus. Read more and plan your journey with Flixbus.

Flixbus also offers information on accessibility and support for people with special needs.

In general, public transport in Denmark is easily accessible with level access or ramps. Use www.rejseplanen.dk (Journey Planner) to plan your trip – (possibility of ticking an accessibility search option).

If you are unsure whether you can bring your wheelchair or any other facility on a bus, train or metro, you can call “Your Public Transport” on +45 7015 7000.