REGULATIONS RELATING TO ADMISSION, STUDIES AND EXAMINATION AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOUTHEAST NORWAY

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1 REGULATIONS RELATING TO ADMISSION, STUDIES AND EXAMINATION AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOUTHEAST NORWAY Authorisation: Passed by the Joint Board at the University College of Southeast Norway on 18 December 2015 pursuant to the Act of 1 April 2005 No. 15 relating to Universities and University Colleges, Regulations of 31 January 2007 No. 173 concerning Admission to Higher Education and Regulations of 1 December 2005 No concerning Requirements for Master s Degrees. Chapter 1. General provisions Section 1-1. Applicability Section 1-2. Relationship to other legislation Section 1-3. Supplementary provisions Section 1-4. Definitions Chapter 2. Admission Section 2-1. Admission requirements Section 2-2. Application for local admission Section 2-3. Ranking of applicants Section 2-4. Prior learning and work experience Section 2-5. Minimum requirements for admission to master s degree programme Section 2-6. Conditional admission Section 2-7. Reserved place Section 2-8. Certificate of good conduct Chapter 3. Degrees Section 3-1. Degrees and vocational training programmes Section 3-2. Requirements for scope and composition of the bachelor s degree Section 3-3. Requirements for scope and composition of the master s degree Chapter 4. Studies and admission to a course or a study programme Section 4-1. Admission to a course or study programme Section 4-2. Course student and external candidate Section 4-3. Semester registration Section 4-4. Semester fee Section 4-5. Individual education plan Section 4-6. Requirement for progress of study Section 4-7. Academic leave of absence Chapter 5. Internationalisation and part-time studies abroad 1

2 Section 5-1. Studies abroad and international students Section 5-2. Prior approval Section 5-3. Criteria for part-time studies abroad Chapter 6. Scope of work, courses and work requirements Section 6-1. Scope of work Section 6-2. Course size Section 6-3. Work requirements Section 6-4. Recognition of previous education (specific recognition) Section 6-5. Overlapping course content Chapter 7. Teaching practice Section 7-1. Teaching practice Section 7-2. Postponed teaching practice Section 7-3. Repetition of teaching practice report Chapter 8. Forms of assessment and grading system Section 8-1. Forms of assessment Section 8-2. Grading system Chapter 9. Examination Section 9-1. Conditions for taking examination Section 9-2. Examination fee Section 9-3. Registration for assessment Section 9-4. Withdrawal from assessment Section 9-5. Time for examination Section 9-6. Number of examination attempts Section 9-7. Regular examination Section 9-8. Postponed examination Section 9-9. New examination (re-sit examination) Section Language and form of Norwegian Section Examination support materials Section Special examination arrangements Section Examination location Section Digital examination Chapter 10. Examiner arrangements and examination result Section Appointment of examiners Section Examiner arrangements Section Examination result Section Explanation for determination of grade Chapter 11. Diploma, diploma supplement and transcript Section Diploma and transcript 2

3 Section Diploma supplement Chapter 12. Annulment, exclusion, loss of admission to a course or a study programme and expulsion Section Cheating Section Suitability Section Loss of admission to a course or a study programme Section Expulsion Chapter 13. Appeal Section Appeal regarding admission Section Appeal regarding grade Section Appeal regarding procedural error in examination Chapter 14. Other provisions Section Transitional provisions Section Enter into force Chapter 1. General provisions Section 1-1. Applicability The regulation applies from 1 January 2016 for admission, studies and examinations at the University College of Southeast Norway. Special provisions which apply to doctoral degree education are described in the Regulations for the Philosophiae Doctor Degree (ph.d.) at the University College of Southeast Norway. Section 1-2. Relationship to other legislation (1) If the regulation conflicts with an act and/or a national curriculum, the provisions of the act and the national curriculum will apply. (2) Universities and university colleges are regarded as administrative organs with special powers and follow the rules for administrative procedure in the Norwegian Public Administration Act and the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act, including when individual decisions are taken, cf. the Norwegian Universities and University Colleges Act section 7-6. Section 1-3. Supplementary provisions The Rector may lay down supplementary provisions for the regulation. The purpose is to explain and clarify the content of the various provisions. Section 1-4. Definitions Work requirement: Compulsory requirement which, according to the course plan, must be approved in order for the student to be assessed in the course. 3

4 Course: Smallest credit-awarding unit included in a study programme or course group. Course student: Student who has not been admitted to a study programme but who has been granted admission to one or more courses. Learning outcome: Description of knowledge, skills and general competence the student has acquired after a completed course or study programme. National curriculum: Plan in which national frameworks have been prescribed for a study programme. External candidate: Person who takes an examination under the provisions in the Universities and University Colleges Act section 3-10 without being accepted as a student in a study programme or a spesific course. Grade awarded: Assessment of the student s knowledge, skills and general competence. Individual education plan: Plan for completion of a study programme, agreed between the University College and the individual student. The plan contains provisions regarding the University College s obligations to the student and the student s obligations to the University College and fellow students. Assessment: Assessment of the student s knowledge, skills and general competence in a course which encompasses all forms of assessment that provide a basis for determining a grade in the course. Chapter 2. Admission Section 2-1. Admission requirements (1) For education that is not governed by a national curriculum, minimum requirements apply for admission according to the programme description. (2) For self-financed and specially commissioned studies, minimum requirements apply for admission according to the course plan or special commission agreement. Section 2-2. Application for local admission (1) Application deadlines for local admission will be determined by the University College. (2) Applications, plus all necessary documentation, must be submitted using the University College s electronic application system. Section 2-3. Ranking of applicants 4

5 If there are more qualified applicants than the number of available places, applicants will be ranked according to ranking rules provided in supplementary provisions. Section 2-4. Prior learning and work experience (1) For admission to further education programmes and master s programmes on the basis of prior learning and work experience, necessary academic prerequisites must be met as minimum requirements for admission. (2) A decision on approved prior learning and work experience applies only in the academic year in question, and only to the course of study to which an applicant is granted admission. Section 2-5. Minimum requirements for admission to master s programme For admission to a master s programme, an applicant must have a grade average of C or better. Section 2-6. Conditional admission For admission to bachelor s and master s programmes, further education and an educational theory and practice programme, conditional admission may be granted, cf. the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education section 5-1. Section 2-7. Reserved place (1) An application may have an offer of admission reserved for one year, or until the next regular admissions to the study programme or course. This is subject to the study programme being started in the following year. (2) An application for reservation of an offer of admission may be granted when unforeseen and compelling circumstances have arisen resulting in the applicant being unable to use the offer of admission. Approved grounds may be illness, pregnancy, responsibility for care of another, call-up for initial military service or the like. (3) Applicants who are granted conditional admission under section 2-6 may not apply for a reserved place at the next admission. Section 2-8. Certificate of good conduct For study programmes requiring a police certificate of good conduct, such certificates must be submitted within the deadlines set upon admission and possibly during the period of study, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act section 4-9 and the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education sections 6-1 to 6-9. Chapter 3. Degrees Section 3-1. Degrees and vocational training programmes 5

6 (1) The University College of Southeast Norway may award the following degrees and vocational training programmes: Degrees: a. Bachelor s b. Master s c. Philosophiae Doctor (ph.d.) Vocational training programmes: a. primary and lower secondary teacher education programmes for grades 1-7 and grades b. subject teacher training programme c. one-year undergraduate teacher training programme (2) Students who have completed a three-year education of 180 credits in scope before 1 January 2003 will not be awarded a diploma for a bachelor s degree. Section 3-2. Requirements for scope and composition of bachelor s degree (1) The basis for the degree shall include one of the following: a. education governed by a national curriculum, integrated and vocationallyoriented, of at least 180 credits in scope b. three-year study programme of 180 credits in scope, with a concentration in courses with a scope of at least 80 credits, which, under a decision by the Board of the University College of Southeast Norway, results in a bachelor s degree c. vocationally-oriented course of study of at least 120 credits in scope, plus a study programme or course groups of 60 credits in total d. self-composed course of study with a concentration in courses or course groups of at least 80 credits in scope within an academic area offered by the University College of Southeast Norway, combined with courses or course groups of at least 30 credits in scope within another academic area. The remaining credits may be taken within free-standing courses e. completed in the first three academic years (180 credits) of four-year primary and lower secondary teacher education according to the National Curriculum Regulations (2) A bachelor s thesis shall normally be included in the basis for the degree. All students are entitled to academic supervision in the work on 6

7 the bachelor s thesis. The extent of mandatory academic supervision will be indicated in the course plan. (3) For bachelor s degrees governed by a national curriculum, no requirements will be imposed other than those stated in the national curriculum. Section 3-3. Requirements for scope and composition of master s degree (1) The general requirements for the master s degree are laid down in the Regulations concerning Requirements for Master s Degrees. (2) The scope of the credits that must be completed before the student may start with the master s thesis will be indicated in the programme description. (3) All students are entitled to academic supervision in the work on the master s thesis. The extent of mandatory academic supervision will be indicated in the course plan and shall be governed in a supervision agreement for master s degree students. Chapter 4. Studies and admission to a course or a stury programme Section 4-1. Admission to a course or a study programme (1) Admission to a course or a study programme is established when an applicant accepts an offer of admission. (2) For degree study programmes, up to two years of extended admission may be granted after expiry of the nominal period of study. The time limitation of two years does not include postponed start of a study programme, temporary exclusion or leaves granted. (3) For one-year programmes, up to one year of extended admission may be granted. Extended admission will not be granted for study programmes of shorter duration. (4) The right to continue a study programme may be governed by particular requirements for each individual study programme. (5) Admission to a course or a study programme ceases when the student confirms having withdrawn from the study programme in writing, when the study programme has been completed and a diploma or transcript has been issued or upon loss of the right to admission to a course or a study programme, cf. section Section 4-2. Course student and external candidate 7

8 (1) A person who meets the admission requirements but has not been granted admission to a study programme at the University College may apply for admission to individual courses. (2) Minimum requirements for admission to individual courses will normally follow the study programme to which the course belongs, cf. sections 2-1 and 2-5. Admission to one or more individual courses does not grant a right to a completed degree. This requires admission to the study programme of which the course is a part. (3) Persons who meet the admission requirements and other conditions for taking an examination, but who have not been granted admission, may apply for permission to take the examination in a course as an external candidate. The rights of external candidates are limited to permission to participate in public lectures and to take examinations. (4) External candidates do not have permission to take examinations in courses which have work requirements or in courses where they have used up their examination attempts. (5) Students who have been excluded from the University College pursuant to the Universities and University Colleges Act sections 4-7 and 4-8 do not have permission to take an examination as an external candidate during the period of exclusion. Section 4-3. Semester registration The student shall confirm the individual education plan each semester by the deadline set, including confirmation of course and assessment registration in StudentWeb for courses during the semester in question. Section 4-4. Semester fee (1) Students and external candidates shall pay semester fee each semester within the deadline set, cf. Lov om studentsamskipnader section 10 ( Act relating to Student Welfare Organisations (currently available only in Norwegian)). (2) During part-time studies abroad, a student still has a right to admission and shall pay semester fee according to established rates. Section 4-5. Individual education plan (1) All students accepted for study programmes of 60 credits or more in scope shall have an individual education plan. The individual education plan is designed according to the programme description and set up so that the student will be able to complete the planned study within the nominal period. The University College may decide that students attending study programmes with a scope of less than 60 credits shall also have an individual education plan. 8

9 (2) The individual education plan shall be confirmed by the student each semester in order to apply. Upon confirmation of the individual education plan, the student will be automatically registered for teaching and assessment in compulsory courses. The student must personally register for teaching and assessment in elective courses to which the student has been admitted. (3) The individual education plan may be modified as agreed between the faculty and the student. Section 4-6. Requirement for progress of study (1) Admission to a study programme entitles the student to admission to the study programme and courses included in the study programme. In order to retain the right to admission, the student must normally show progress equivalent to at least 50 per cent of nominal progress per academic year. (2) The student may apply for a modified individual education plan with reduced progress. Reasons may include functional impairment, particularly burdensome care responsibilities, pregnancy, illness, injury, initial military service or other particular grounds that are an obstacle to participation. Section 4-7. Academic leave of absence (1) A student must submit a written application for academic leave, including grounds for this, to the faculty. A documented application must be submitted using the University College s form. (2) A student is entitled to academic leave in the event of pregnancy, adoption and childcare, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act Section 4 5. (3) Leave will be granted in the event of compulsory military service, as well as for illness and other compelling grounds. (4) Leave will normally be granted for up to two semesters. In special cases, leave may be granted for more than two semesters. (5) Leave will not be granted in the first semester after admission, except for legallyrequired parental leave, compulsory military service or other compelling grounds. (6) Students who have been granted leave continue to have a right to admission at the University College. A student is entitled to resume studies as soon as possible and at a level equivalent to that before the leave, if this is practically feasible under the programme description. 9

10 (7) Leave for reasons other than parental leave, compulsory military service or other compelling grounds does not entitle a student to special arrangements for teaching or examination. Chapter 5. Internationalisation and studies abroad Section 5-1. Studies abroad and international students A student shall have an opportunity to complete three to twelve months of education abroad at the University College s partner institutions as a part of his or her bachelor s or master s degree. International students who have been nominated by University College s partner institutions shall similarly be offered part-time studies at the University College. Section 5-2. Priliminary approval (1) Prior to leaving the country, the student shall have assessed whether the studies can be credited in the individual education plan. Final recognition will be granted when the studies have been completed and the preliminary approved courses or practical learning have been passed. (2) Preliminary approval of studies abroad applies only for studies completed in cooperation with the University College s partner institutions. (3) While studying abroad, the student must immediately inform the University College of changes in the study arrangements and possibly request new preliminary approval. Section 5-3. Criteria for part-time studies abroad The student must fulfil the following minimum requirements: a. have at least one year of education equivalent to 60 credits at the University College of Southeast Norway or another educational institution b. should have maintained nominal progress of study c. must fulfil the requirements at the recipient institution d. fulfil other requirements prescribed in the programme description and course plan Chapter 6. Scope of work, courses and work requirements Section 6-1. Scope of work 10

11 An academic year is standardised at 60 credits and corresponds to about 1600 hours of work. The scope of work in the individual course is standardised at 27 hours of working time per credit. Section 6-2. Course size Courses shall normally have a scope of a minimum 7.5 credits and a maximum of 30 credits, unless otherwise stated in a national curriculum, other national provisions or cooperation with other institutions. Master s theses may have a scope of 30 to 60 credits. Section 6-3. Work requirements (1) It may be required in the programme description and course plan that a work requirement must be approved before the student may take an examination and/or continue the studies. Requirements for attendance shall be stated in the course plan. (2) Work requirements will be assessed as approved/not approved and may not be appealed. Section 6-4. Recognition of previous education (specific recognition) (1) Applications for recognition of passed courses, examinations or documented prior learning and work experience will be assessed according to the Universities and University Colleges Act section 3-5. (2) Applications for recognition of passed courses will be assessed by the faculty in cooperation with the academic environment that is responsible for the course. (3) Recognition of examinations and courses included in the degree shall appear on the diploma. (4) A bachelor s or master s thesis that has previously been included in a degree may not be included in a new degree. Section 6-5. Overlapping course content (1) For courses with content which wholly or partially overlap each other and are to be included in a degree, the number of credits shall be reduced. The faculty will decide the scope of the reduction. (2) A reduction will be granted in the course which has the poorest grade. Chapter 7. Teaching practice Section 7-1. Teaching practice 11

12 (1) An external supervisor or practical training supervisor at the practical training site and the University College s lecturer will assess the student s practical training period as passed / failed. The University College s lecturer shall comment on the student s qualifications for passing/failing the practical training period. The student is entitled to academic supervision for the entire period of practical training. (2) If there is doubt whether the student will achieve the learning outcome and pass the practical training period, the student shall be notified with a written explanation as early as possible in the practical training period. (3) The practical training period may be assessed as failed in the event of failure to fulfil work requirements and attendance. (4) A student who has been assessed with fail twice in the same practical training period will lose the right to admission to the study programme, cf. section Section 7-2. Postponed teaching practice (1) Students who have valid absence from practical training, may apply to the faculty for permission for postponed teaching practice. (2) Postponed teaching practice may be granted when it is practically feasible with respect to assignment of practical training places and does not result in a change in other students progress of study. (3) The faculty will decide whether students with valid absence from practical training must take the entire practical training period over again and when postponed teaching practice may be completed. Section 7-3. Repetition of practical training report A student is permitted to hand in a new or reworked practical training report once if the report has been assessed as failed. Chapter 8. Forms of assessment and grading system Section 8-1. Forms of assessment (1) The form of assessment shall measure the student s knowledge, skills and general competence according to the learning outcome for the course. (2) The following overall forms of assessment may be used: a. written examination with invigilation b. written examination without invigilation 12

13 c. oral examination d. practical examination (3) Specifications for applicable forms of assessment are provided in supplementary provisions. (4) The form of assessment for the course, any weighting if the course consists of several sub-assessments, and the duration of a written examination shall be indicated in the course plan. (5) Courses of 10 credits or less in scope shall not have sub-assessments, unless otherwise indicated in national curricula or external collaboration. (6) It shall be indicated in the course plan if sub-assessments are required to be passed in a particular sequence. (7) A written examination with invigilation shall not exceed six hours. The duration for a written examination without invigilation shall be indicated in the course plan. (8) All written examinations, both with and without invigilation, shall normally be handed in with candidate number. (9) The group assessment as a form of assessment, except for the bachelor s and master s thesis, shall not constitute more than 50 per cent of the basis for assessment in a study programme. (10) Oral examination shall be public unless regard for its completion indicates otherwise. Exceptions to the rule regarding public examination may be made if compelling reasons so indicate, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act section 3-9 subsection 3. (11) Upon agreement with the student, the University College may use the answer paper for teaching and research purposes. The answer paper may not be published or used for other purposes without an agreement between the University College and the student. Section 8-2. Grading system (1) When assessing an examination, normally grades shall be used according to a scale with five steps from A to E for pass and F for fail. 13

14 (2) The graduated grade scale entails the following general, not subject-specific, descriptions: Symbol Designation General, not subject-specific description of assessment criteria A Excellent Excellent performance that clearly distinguishes itself. The student demonstrates excellent judgement and a high degree of independent thinking. B Very good Very good performance. The student demonstrates very good judgement and independent thinking. C Good Consistently good performance that is satisfactory in most areas. The student demonstrates good judgement and independent thinking in the most important areas. D Satisfactory An acceptable performance with some significant shortcomings. The student demonstrates a certain degree of judgement and independent thinking. E Sufficient The performance satisfies the minimum requirements, but no more. The student demonstrates little judgement and independent thinking. F Fail Performance which does not satisfy the minimum academic requirements. The student demonstrates an absence of both judgement and independent thinking. (3) Alphabetical grading shall be used to an extent encompassing at least three fourths of the number of credits for the study programme as a whole. (4) Weighting of sub-grades when calculating final grade shall be indicated in the course plan. The usual rules for raising a grade apply. The final grade will be determined as an alphabetical grade. (5) After oral examinations that modify the grade for bachelor s and master s theses, the course grade may be adjusted by a maximum of one grade. (6) Sub-assessments included in the basis for final grade determination shall have the same form of grade, and each sub-assessment shall consist of one form of 14

15 assessment. If a final grade is determined on the basis of several sub-assessments, these shall have the same form of grade. The weighting of the individual subassessment shall be indicated in the course plan. (7) Sub-assessments included in a combined grade will normally not result in the awarding of credits until all sub-assessments in the course have been passed. (8) The grade form pass / fail may be used in courses where another grade determination is inappropriate. In the theoretical part of the study programme, pass / fail may be used for up to one fourth of the credits. Grade form shall be indicated in the course plan. Chapter 9. Examination Section 9-1. Conditions for taking examination (1) Conditions for taking an examination shall be indicated in the course plan and may be requirements for completed examinations and approved work requirements which must be completed, approved and/or passed. (2) Students who have not paid the semester fee by the deadline are not entitled to take an examination. Section 9-2. Examination fee External candidates and students who take an examination in a tuition-based programme or course must pay an examination fee. Section 9-3. Registration for assessment (1) Students who have confirmed their individual education plan within the deadline set will be automatically registered for assessment. External candidates and course students will be registered for an examination when an application has been approved. (2) The student is personally responsible for verifying in StudentWeb that the registration for assessment is correct, no later than the registration deadline. Section 9-4. Withdrawal from assessment (1) A student may withdraw from an examination in a course before the announced withdrawal deadline, or no later than two weeks before the examination date. Withdrawal is done in StudentWeb. (2) For bachelor s and master s theses, the withdrawal deadline is four weeks. The student must inform the faculty of the withdrawal in writing. Section 9-5. Time for examination 15

16 (1) The examination date will be announced in StudentWeb. (2) A list of examination dates shall normally be available at the start of each semester and no later than 1 October and 1 March. (3) An examination will normally be held in the semester in which teaching in the course ended, according to the course plan applicable at any one time. Section 9-6. Number of examination attempts (1) A student may take an examination in the same course up to three times. (2) The number of attempts applies similarly for work requirements that are a condition for taking an examination, unless otherwise indicated in the course plan. (3) After a written, explained and documented application, exemption may be granted in special cases for a fourth examination attempt. The circumstances used as grounds for the exemption must have been present at, or immediately prior to, the time for the examination, and the student must have had reasonable grounds for not having made use of the opportunity for withdrawal or a medical certificate for valid absence. (4) In the event of several attempts at an examination, the best grade will count. (5) An examination attempt will be counted if the student: a. has passed the examination b. withdraws after the expiry of the withdrawal deadline c. does not appear for the examination d. does not hand in a written examination without invigilation within the stated deadline e. receives the grade of F/ fail f. has his or her examination annulled because of cheating or attempted cheating (6) A bachelor s thesis and other major project work may be repeated only once in a new or reworked form. (7) A student may hand in a new or reworked master s thesis once if the master s thesis has been assessed as F/ fail. A new or reworked master s thesis in the same 16

17 study programme may not be assessed when the master s thesis has been assessed with the grades A to E/ pass. Section 9-7. Regular examination (1) A regular examination will be conducted in the semester indicated in the programme description and course plan. (2) For handing in an examination without invigilation the University College may grant a postponement for up to 48 hours if the student immediately can document by a written physician s statement or other verifiable documentation that the delay is due to the student s own acute illness or illness, death, accident or similar involving a close relative, or other circumstances that are beyond the student s control. Section 9-8. Postponed examination (1) A student who because of valid absence does not take a regular examination is normally entitled to take the examination in the following semester. (2) Students who fail to appear for an examination, or who do not complete another assessment within the deadline set, must submit written documentation for valid absence to the University College within one week after the date for an examination or the deadline set. The documentation must indicate the examination date and shall generally be dated no later than the day of the examination or the date for handing in an examination. (3) Valid absence is the student s own illness, or a serious illness, death or accident in the student s immediate family. Absence due to the student s own decisions will not be approved. Absence which is approved will not count as an examination attempt and will be recorded as valid absence. (4) Students who meet but become ill during an examination may choose whether they will hand in or withdraw the answer paper. If it is handed in, the answer paper will be graded. When the answer paper is withdrawn, a physician s statement indicating the reason for absence must be delivered to the Examinations Office within one week after the examination date in order to avoid using up an examination attempt. The physician s statement shall normally be issued on the day of the examination. (5) A postponed examination will normally be conducted with the same course plan as at the last regular examination. Section 9-9. New examination (re-sit examination) (1) For students who did not pass the regular examination, a new examination will normally be arranged in the following semester if at least five of these students so request. For study programmes with progress provisions, a student may take a new 17

18 examination within the same examination period or as early as possible in the following semester. (2) For a new examination in the following semester, the same course plan will apply as for the last regular examination. It is then the student s own responsibility to check which course plan applies. That means that the form of assessment and grade form may be changed. Special requirements may be imposed in the course plan for taking a new examination. (3) When a course is removed from the teaching offered, the University College is obligated to arrange a new examination in the following semester. If there still remain students with the grade F/ fail or valid absence in a course that is no longer offered, a new examination will be arranged one last time in the subsequent semester. Section Language and form of Norwegian (1) The examination question paper shall be worded and answered in the language of instruction indicated in the course plan. This applies for all forms of assessment. (2) Examination question papers will be worded in the form(s) of Norwegian corresponding to the form of Norwegian for the registered students. (3) A student may apply for permission to answer an examination or other written work included in the basis for assessment in a language other than the language of instruction. An application must be submitted on the University College s form for special arrangements before the deadline set, cf. section Section Examination support materials (1) Information shall be provided regarding permitted examination support materials at the start of each course, and it shall be clearly indicated in the course plan and at the front of the examination question paper. (2) The student is personally responsible for bringing permitted examination support materials, as well as making himself or herself familiar with how these work. (3) The student is obligated to make all examination support materials available for inspection. (4) It is not permitted to use electronic equipment at the examination, or to communicate on the examination premises or with the outside world, unless otherwise is indicated in the course plan. (5) Use or possession of unlawful examination support materials in connection with the completion of an examination will be considered cheating or attempted cheating, cf. section

19 Section Special examination arrangements (1) A student may apply for special examination arrangements within the deadline set. The University College s form must be used. Exceptions to the deadline will be made only if it can be documented that the need for special arrangements arises after the expiry of the deadline. (2) The application must contain documentation from a competent authority, such as a physician, psychologist, speech therapist or other specialist. Normally, an application shall be made for each semester, unless the need for special arrangements is permanent. The documentation must contain a description of the functional impairment and the need for special arrangements. (3) The special arrangements must not lead to a reduction in the academic requirements imposed for assessment of the achieved learning outcome. (4) Other rules on special arrangements are provided in supplementary provisions. Section Examination location (1) The examination location is normally the premises of the University College at the campus to which the student belongs. (2) Students who will be completing parts of their studies abroad and who wish to take an examination in the University College s courses must normally do this while they reside in Norway. (3) In special cases, a student may apply for an exemption to take an examination at a different examination location. An application, with the external examination location s contact information, must be received by the Examinations Office by the deadline for applying for special arrangements. (4) The student will be charged a fee which covers the additional expenses and must personally cover any expenses which the external examination location requires. The student must personally make an agreement with the external educational institution. (5) Students at other educational institutions who wish to use the University College as an examination location may apply to take an examination at the University College. If this is granted, a fee shall be paid per examination per student according to applicable rates, plus any remuneration for an invigilator. Section Digital examination (1) The University College may hold an examination by use of digital examination equipment. 19

20 (2) When a written examination with invigilation is held digitally, the student may be required to bring his or her own equipment, such as a personal computer. (3) If the student has not prepared the equipment for a digital examination by the deadline set, the student may lose the right to complete the examination. Chapter 10. Examiner arrangements and examination result Section Appointment of examiners (1) The faculty appoints and approves examiners. (2) The examiner at a regular examination will normally also grade a new examination. (3) An external examiner must have at least one of the following qualifications: a. be employed at the level of university college assistant professor ( høyskolektor or amanuensis ) or higher at a university, university college or other research institution b. have documented academic competence within the subject area in question which qualifies for employment at a minimum as a university college assistant professor ( høyskolektor or amanuensis ) or higher at a university, university college or other research institution c. in special cases be qualified in the subject through relevant work experience (4) An external examiner may not be employed at the University College or be responsible for teaching in the course at the University College in the same academic year in which assessment takes place. Section Examiner arrangements (1) There shall be an external evaluation of the assessment or the assessment arrangements, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act section 3 9 subsection 1. (2) Two examiners shall be used, of which at least one shall be external in the following cases: a. when assessing bachelor s and master s theses b. when re-grading under the Universities and University Colleges Act section 5 2 regarding an appeal in the event of procedural errors in the examination, 20

21 and when re-grading under the Universities and University Colleges Act section 5 3 regarding an appeal of grade determination c. when grading an elective course or a specialised syllabus selected by the student d. when grading a new course for the first time (3) Two internal examiners will be used for examinations which do not require an external examiner. (4) In the event of disagreement between the examiners, the grading shall be supplemented with a third, external examiner. The third examiner s assessment shall be decisive. (5) When assessing an oral or practical examination, and when the student is not legally entitled to appeal, two examiners shall be used. Section Examination result (1) Deadline for grades and examination result will be announced in StudentWeb. The student is personally responsible for making himself or herself familiar with the announcement of grade deadline and examination result. (2) For oral and practical examinations, the examination result shall normally be made known to the student the same day as the examination is completed. (3) An examination result shall be available within three weeks from the date of an examination. The Board may decide that the deadline for grades shall be extended if there are particular grounds. (4) In the event of a new examination result as a result of an appeal, replacement of examiner in the event of an unforeseen event, or disagreement on a joint grade awarded, the deadline for announcement of grades will run from the time when a new examiner/new examiners is/are appointed. (5) Grades for master s theses and equivalent major written work with a scope of 30 credits or more shall be available no later than six weeks after the submission deadline. Section Explanation for determination of grade (1) A student is entitled to an explanation of the determination of his or her grade, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act Section 5-3 and the Public Administration Act section 25. The examiner will decide whether an explanation shall be given in writing or orally. 21

22 (2) A request for an explanation must be submitted in writing within one week after the student has been notified of the examination result. The University College s form must be used. (3) A request for an explanation for an oral or practical examination must be submitted immediately after a grade has been awarded. (4) An explanation shall normally be provided within two weeks. The explanation shall describe the general principles used as the basis for the assessment. (5) If written guidelines have been provided for the assessment, these shall be available to the student after a grade has been determined. (6) An examiner s explanation for a grade may not be appealed. (7) The deadline for appealing a grade determination runs from when the explanation for a grade has been made known to the student. Chapter 11. Diploma, diploma supplement and transcript Section Diploma and transcript (1) Diplomas will be issued in Norwegian for degrees and vocational education achieved. Diplomas will be issued in English for study programmes conducted in English. (2) At least 60 of the credits to be included in the basis for the degree must be taken at the University College of Southeast Norway. (3) Diplomas will be issued automatically to those students who meet the requirements after the nominal period of study. A student may reserve the right to have a diploma issued for up to two semesters. (4) Students who do not complete the education in the nominal period of study must submit an application for issuance of a diploma themselves. (5) A diploma for a self-composed or vocationally-oriented bachelor s degree will be issued upon application. The applicant must personally document that the requirements have been met at the time of application, cf. section 3-2. (6) For recognition of education previously included in the calculation basis for a degree, or as a part of a degree or vocational education, the student must also have taken at least 60 new credits before a new diploma may be issued or a new degree 22

23 awarded, cf. forskrift om godskriving av høyere utdanning section (( Regulations relating to Recognition of Higher Education ) currently available only in Norwegian). (7) Students who have a diploma for education with a scope of 180 credits or more may not be awarded a new bachelor s degree in the same subject area. A student must provide information about diplomas issued from other educational institutions. (8) A diploma for a degree achieved will be issued in one copy. If it shown to be probable that the diploma has been lost, a duplicate will be issued in exchange for a fee. (9) Other studies will be documented with transcripts. Section Diploma supplement A diploma supplement is an international diploma addendum that provides a supplementary description in English of the qualifications the student has achieved. Chapter 12. Annulment, exclusion, loss of admission to a course or a study programme and expulsion Section Cheating (1) Cheating or attempted cheating may result in annulment of an examination, work requirement or course, exclusion from the University College and loss of the right to take an examination at all educational institutions subject to the Universities and University Colleges Act, for up to one year. (2) Among other things, the following are regarded as cheating or attempted cheating: a. use of examination support materials other than those permitted in the course plan The same applies if the student has such examination support materials available when completing an examination, even if it cannot be shown that the examination support material has been used b. cooperation with other persons beyond what is permitted in the course plan c. plagiarising, copying, quoting, duplication of academic literature, internet pages and the student s own work or that of others without sufficient attribution of sources d. use of previously handed in assignments or examinations written by the student himself or herself, or by others without sufficient attribution of sources 23

24 e. if the answer is characterised by a lack of independence, is extremely similar to another answer, or it has obviously been prepared by others f. contribution to cheating g. gaining access to an examination by having cheated on work requirements or the like which are a condition for taking an examination, or having obtained approval for participation in compulsory teaching or other compulsory activities on a false basis (3) When suspicion of cheating or attempted cheating arises, the student shall be made aware of this immediately. The student will decide himself or herself whether the examination shall be completed. (4) The provisions regarding cheating encompass both work requirements and examinations and will be judged on equal terms. (5) The University College may give a written warning to students who have displayed ordinary negligence in actions defined as cheating. The written warning shall indicate which circumstances are the basis for the assessment. (6) A student may be assisted by a representative at any stage of the administrative procedure. If the University College initiates a case for exclusion, the student is entitled to assistance from an attorney and coverage of attorney s fees, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act section 4-8 Subsection 5. Section Suitability (1) In study programmes subject to a suitability assessment, the University College shall assess whether the student is suited for the occupation with respect to the study programme to which the student has been admitted. A student who is not regarded as suited for the occupation may be excluded from the study programme, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act section 4-10 and the Regulations relating to Suitability Assessment in Higher Education. (2) The Suitability Committee will make a recommendation to the University College s Appeals Committee, which will pass a final decision. Section Loss of admission to a course or a study programme (1) The right to admission to a course or a study programme ceases when: a. the student has not passed the same examination in the same compulsory course after three examination attempts, and has not been granted an exemption for a fourth examination attempt 24

25 b. the student has twice not passed the same practical course, practical training period, bachelor s thesis, major project work requiring individual or group supervision or a master s thesis c. the student has not registered for the semester d. the student has not paid the semester fee or other fee set in accordance with forskrift om egenbetaling ved universiteter og høyskoler (( Regulations relating to Tuition Fees at Universities and University Colleges ) currently available only in Norwegian) by the deadline set e. the student fails to furnish original documentation or diploma when this is requested f. the student has been granted admission through a forged diploma or other invalid documentation g. the student does not confirm and update his or her individual education plan, cf. section 4-3 h. the student has not obtained credits according to requirements for progress, cf. section 4-6 (2) The student shall be notified in writing according to the rules in the Public Administration Act before a decision is passed on the loss of his or her right to admission, cf. the Public Administration Act section 16. Section Expulsion (1) Where a student behaves in such a manner that he or she grossly disrupts the activities of fellow students and the University College, the student may be given a warning pursuant to the Universities and University Colleges Act section 4-8 Subsection 1. (2) A case may be brought before the University College s Appeals Committee for expulsion of a student who does not respect the warning, and for exclusion and loss of the right to take an examination for a student who does not respect such expulsion. Chapter 13. Appeal Section Appeal regarding admission An appeal regarding a decision not to grant admission must be lodged in writing, including the grounds for the appeal, with the body that has made a decision to deny 25

26 admission. The applicant shall be provided a written explanation for the denial and may pursue an appeal when a written explanation has been received. Section Appeal regarding grade (1) A student may appeal the grade on his or her performance within three weeks after the grade award is announced or from the time an explanation for a grade has been provided, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act sections 5-2 and 5-3. The appeal must be submitted using the University College s form. (2) Assessment of oral performance or practical assessment that cannot be verified or redone may not be appealed, cf. of the Universities and University Colleges Act section 5-3 subsection 5. (3) The student may lodge an individual appeal against the grade in a group examination. A change in grade after an appeal of a grade may only affect students who have signed a written appeal. (4) In the event of an appeal regarding a grade, a new grade will be awarded, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act section 5-3 subsection 4. A new assessment will be made by two examiners, of which at least one examiner shall be external, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act section 3-9 subsection 5. (5) The student s answer paper shall be submitted to new examiners who shall award a new grade. The examiners shall not have information about the grade, the explanation for the grade, or any grounds given by the student for the appeal. (6) A new grade may be determined to both the advantage and the disadvantage of the appellant. A new grade awarded may not be appealed, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act section 5-3 subsection 6. (7) If the appeal involves a course included in a diploma that has been issued, the diploma must be returned to the University College while awaiting a new grade. Section Appeal regarding procedural error in examination (1) A student who has taken an examination may lodge an appeal regarding procedural errors that may have had significance for the assessment of one or more of the students performances. (2) An appeal including its grounds must be submitted within three weeks after the student is aware, or should have been aware, of the circumstance that is the grounds for the appeal. 26