ULB is committed to making education accessible for everyone. As part of its dedication to inclusive higher education in Belgium, the university provides tailored support through the ULB Student Welfare Office and ULB accessibility services. Students with specific needs, including those with disabilities, can benefit from practical measures that ensure equal access to academic programmes. ULB also offers specialised support for high-level athletes, student entrepreneurs, and student artists, helping them balance their personal paths with their studies. The goal is simple: to promote inclusive education at ULB while maintaining the high standards that guarantee the value of its degrees.

Depending on their situation, a student can be recognised as having Specific Needs (SSN) for inclusive education ULB aid. This allows them to access tailored support and measures that make inclusive higher education Belgium more accessible.

For Whom?

Students with Disabilities or Suffering from Disabling Diseases, Documented Deficiencies, or Learning Disabilities
Missions:
  • Make sure the applicant student is heard, and help them obtain information.
  • Examine the application, analyse the student’s needs in consultation with them, and submit their application to the academic authorities.
  • Develop an individualised support strategy in consultation with the student.
  • Ensure the individualised support strategy is implemented and reasonable accommodations are made.
  • Provide help and support accessing the University’s infrastructures: car park, housing, libraries, etc.
  • Recruit teaching support staff, manage administrative records (contracts, payments, etc.), coach, train, and supervise.
  • Provide information and assistance with administrative procedures, and forward student case files to the public entities in charge of integrating people with disabilities. 
  • Collaborate with external parties if necessary, to offer specific support resources (e.g. interpretation, transcription, etc.)
  • In accordance with the General Study Regulations, examine and assist with the student’s applications for reduced programmes, postponement for legitimate reasons, open sessions of exams, etc.
  • Take part in information and orientation initiatives for students in the final years of secondary school.
  • Coordinate awareness and information initiatives, as well as training initiatives for people involved in individualised support strategies.
  • Coordinate the actions of ULB staff members and the people involved in individualised support strategies.
  • Conduct ongoing evaluations of individualised support strategies and adapt them to the needs of specific students, if necessary.
  • Put the student in touch with the relevant ULB departments: Medical Centre (general and specialised medicine [at minimum out-of-pocket cost], infirmary, sports medicine, sports physical therapy), PsyCampus, sports facilities, InfOR-Études, and financial aid from the Student Welfare Office. 
High-Level Athlete Students

The following initiatives and resources are offered:

  • Year-long individual support and coaching from ULB Sports, based on the student’s needs and requests, to facilitate their integration into the University and succeed in their studies.
  • Help with administrative procedures: enrolment, reduction in registration fees, financial aid, etc.
  • Help with sports activities: contact with coaches, clubs, or federation authorities, physical conditioning, preparation for competitions, evaluation of the goals set, etc.
  • In accordance with the General Study Regulations, the possibility to apply for a programme reduction, a postponement for legitimate reasons, an open session of exams, etc. The solutions to be implemented and their feasibility are left to the faculty’s discretion.
  • Adjustments to teaching activities: justified absences from classes and practical work sessions, seminars, assignment deadlines, exam dates, etc.
  • Access to the ULB Medical Centre (general and specialised medicine [at minimum out-of-pocket cost], infirmary, sports medicine, sports physical therapy) and PsyCampus.
  • Access to ULB’s sports facilities outside of their regular opening hours.
  • Access to specific off-campus facilities: athletic track, swimming lane, etc.
  • Participation in national university championships, university games, and inter-university world championships.
  • Access to InfOR-Études.
  • Financial aid: SWO, dedicated SWO funds.

Procedure for obtaining EBS - High-level athlete status

Student Entrepreneurs

The following initiatives and resources are offered:

  • In accordance with the General Study Regulations, the possibility to apply for a programme reduction, a postponement for legitimate reasons, an open session of exams, etc. The solutions to be implemented and their feasibility are left to the faculty’s discretion.
  • Adjustments to teaching activities: justified absences from classes and practical work sessions, seminars, assignment deadlines, exam dates, etc. The solutions to be implemented and their feasibility are left to the faculty’s discretion.
  • Help with administrative procedures: enrolment, reduction in registration fees, financial aid, etc.
  • If the entrepreneurial project is supported by Start.LAB (2 selections per year in February and September. See https://startlab.be:
    • Follow-up and individual support from the Start.LAB throughout the year, based on the needs and requests of the student to facilitate his/her integration into the university and to carry out his/her study project.
    • Support and guidance in setting up the company, networking, help with collaborations, etc.
    • Access to the ULB Start-Lab.
  • If the entrepreneurial project is not supported by the Start-Lab, possibility of a six-month follow-up of the project's progress by a member of the Solvay Business School faculty.
High-Level Artist Students
The following initiatives and resources are offered:
  • Year-long individual support and coaching from ULB Culture, based on the student’s needs and requests, to facilitate their integration into the University and succeed in their studies.
  • Help with administrative procedures: enrolment, reduction in registration fees, financial aid, etc.
  • In accordance with the General Study Regulations, the possibility to apply for a programme reduction, a postponement for legitimate reasons, an open session of exams, etc. The solutions to be implemented and their feasibility are left to the faculty’s discretion.
  • Adjustments to teaching activities: justified absences from classes and practical work sessions, seminars, assignment deadlines, exam dates, etc.
  • Access to ULB’s cultural and artistic facilities outside of their regular opening hours.
  • Access to InfOR-Études.
  • Financial aid: SWO, dedicated SWO funds.
Incarcerated Students
Through partnerships with non-profit associations supporting prisoners and collaboration between prisons and ULB, students can start, continue, or resume their university studies. This initiative reflects ULB’s commitment to inclusive higher education in Belgium and highlights the role of ULB student services in making education accessible to all. 
Learn more
Expectant Students, (Future) Young Parents

Le vice-rectorat aux affaires étudiantes et sociales, The Vice-Rectorate for Student and Social Affairs via the address ebs.parents@ulb.be is the gateway to individual support for expectant mothers and student parents. Thanks to this status, the faculties can make reasonable arrangements while guaranteeing the quality of their education. This status offers:

  • Help and support students before and after childbirth by offering curriculum arrangements (taking into account various factors such as severe fatigue, possible medical complications, and the breastfeeding period).
  • In the event of a GP-mandated leave, communicate the necessary information to the pregnant or breastfeeding student in the context of internships and/or laboratory practices regarding alternative assessment methods or the possibility of rescheduling, for example.
  • For curricula that require it, to plan with the student or young parent another form of mobility, compatible with her/his status or to discuss a new plan of her/his stay.
  • To ensure that, for doctoral students who are most often under a work contract and therefore protected by a legal framework, the strict application of the latter does not prejudice them in any way.
  • Students who are future parents can apply for a place at the ULB crèche or enrol their children at ULB on Wednesday afternoons and/or during the school holidays (ULB crèche).

The status of Student with Specific Needs (SSN) is granted by a committee of experts based on the student’s profile. Faculties can then implement reasonable accommodations for these students, while ensuring the quality of education provided. Each faculty has contacts for SSNs who can provide support and guidance for inclusive education ULB.

Other Situations

Please contact the Student Welfare Office.

Information and Contacts

Documents

Resources
Updated on October 1, 2025