What is ISU?

ISU is a support service offered by the University of Vienna for disabled and neurodivergent students as well as for students with chronic and mental illnesses.

Students with impairments can receive individual support from students enrolled on the teacher education programme who are specialising in Inclusive Education (focus on impairments) and from students enrolled on the master's programme in Psychology. All students providing individual study support can also complete a range of accompanying courses at the same time.

What is the goal of ISU?

The big goal of ISU is to ensure equal opportunities in higher education and at the same time, ISU aims at strengthening social interaction and the sense of community at the University. 

ISU-Sujet: Mehrere Hände, die im Kreis einander an den Handgelenken greifen.

ISU-Sujet

Target group

Students of the University of Vienna, 

  • who encounter barriers in their studies despite accessibility measures. 

and/or

  • who experience a disadvantage in their studies due to e.g.:
    • mental impairments
    • physical and/or motor impairments
    • sensory impairments
    • chronic illnesses
    • autistic perception
    • randing and/or spelling difficulties
    • ADD/ADHD
    • acute health conditions

How can ISU help?

Examples

ISU offers the following three support services, which you can use independent of each other: 

What does ISU not offer?

Examples

  • Basic care
  • Recreational support
  • Professional supervision or coaching
  • Clinical psychological counselling or psychotherapy

 Procedure

Participation in the ISU study café is possible without an application. Simply register via the freely accessible Moodle course.

To participate in the ISU study buddy programme and/or to make use of the ISU peer counselling, please take the following steps:

  1. Application form

    Send us the completed application form. 

    o    ISU buddy programme: Participation is possible if you apply within the application deadline. If you miss the application deadline you receive a spot on the waiting list.

    o    ISU peer counselling: You can apply and participate at any time.

  2. Application check by the ISU coordinator:
    After we have checked the information you have provided, we will notify you if you have been accepted to the ISU programme. Please note: Due to organisational reasons, we can give you a final confirmation of the persons providing individual study support (ISUs) after the end of the course registration period. The final allocation depends on the needs of the applicants as well as on the competences of the students providing individual study support. 

  3. Participation in the matching event:

    During the matching event, students participating in the ISU study buddy programme can get to know each other, receive more detailed information and exchange contact details. Moreover, you have the opportunity to exchange ideas and ask questions to the ISU coordinator.

    Planned Dates:

    In-person matching meeting for the ISU-study-Buddy Program:

    September 23rd, 2024 - 5:45 - 7:00
    Seminar Room 6, Kolingasse 14-16, EG00


The matching event serves the purpose of quality assurance and aims to enable a smooth beginning of the individual study support. Therefore, participation in this matching event is mandatory. 

Exceptions: In case of an acute health problem (such as an illness, episode, treatment), please inform us as early as possible by sending an e-mail to isu@univie.ac.at.

Please note: If the ISU study buddies accompany you to a course or an exam, please inform the lecturers/examiners about it. This is very important, because it is the only way to guarantee that sufficient seats/workplaces are available in accordance with the maximum capacity of the room and to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

 

Information: If you are interested in providing individual study support, you can find information for (prospective) teacher education students on the Inclusive Education website.

Medical certificate

To participate in the individual study support (ISU) programme, the University of Vienna requires a medical certificate issued by a medical specialist, psychotherapist or clinical psychologist specifying how your impairment manifests and how it affects your studies.

Please note the general information about medical certificates (in German) required by the University of Vienna.

Dates and deadlines

  • Application deadline for the wintersemester 2024/25:  
    • 15th of September 2024, 11:59 p.m.
    • Registration is currently only possible on the waiting list.

    • Q&A-Event: 
      • ISU Peer Counseling: 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (Zugangslink)
      • ISU Study Buddies: 4:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (Zugangslink)

    • Matching event date for the wintersemester 2024/25
      This is for the ISU-study-buddy-program only!
      The allocation will be made on September 18th via email.

     Application

    Please note the following steps for the application form: 

    • Complete the application forrm. 
    • If you have difficulties completing and/or uploadinng the application form or if you have general questions about ISU, please contact us at isu@univie.ac.at.

    Waiting list

    You can also apply after the end of the application period. In this case, you receive a spot on the waiting list and are notified as soon as the individual support becomes available. 

    Please note:

    We strive to organise the best possible individual study support for you. However, there is no legal claim to individual study support. 

     Koordination

    Mag. Christina Lipp
    Team Barrierefrei 
    Koordination Studienservices 
    Mail: isu@univie.ac.at