Change format of exams
For teachers
In exceptional cases, students may ask for a change of the format of an exam. For examiners the following rules are also relevant:
Legal framework
EER (BSc & MSc) art. 3.6 Description of modules and assessment schedule
6. The programme director may modify the assessment schedule during the module orstudy unit:
a) The assessment schedule may only be changed in consultation with the module coordinator and the examiner of the study unit.
b) The programme director will consult the examination board before any changesto the form or manner of administering an examination or one or more tests. If the change only involves moving tests to a timeslot other than as shown in the timetable, the programme director will inform the examination board of the decision as soon as possible.
c) Students are to be informed immediately of the change.
7. Changes to the assessment schedule may not put students at an unreasonable disadvantage. The examination board may take special measures in individual cases.
Extensive information about changing the public nature of oral tests or exams, or the format of tests or exams can be found on the page for students.
Exemption
For teachers
Students who think they should be given an exemption for a specific study unit or part of a study unit based on courses taken previously can submit a request to the examination board.
The student fills out an exemption form with all requested information about the study unit(s) and then asks the examiner of the (part of the) study unit to assess whether an exemption is justified.
If the examiner can confirm that the student has the correct knowledge to qualify for an exemption, he or she will sign the exemption form. If the student wants exemption for part (study unit) of a module, the module coordinator will also have to sign the exemption form.
The examination board finally decides whether to grant or not to grant an exemption.
Please note:
- An examiner does not have to decide immediately (=sign the exemption form) and can therefore ask the student to come back later to collect the signed exemption form.
- If necessary, the examiner can personally inform the BMS examination board about specific matters regarding the exemption.
Extra exam opportunity
For teachers
Please note that ONLY the EXAMINATION BOARD can GRANT an extra exam opportunity!
Students who think they deserve an extra exam or test opportunity for a specific (part of a) study unit must submit a request to the examination board, motivating their request. The examination board can grant a request for an extra exam opportunity in two situations:
- The student failed a (part of a) study unit because of personal circumstances directly and uniquely related to the failing of or the impossibility to sit the test;
- The completion of the studies depends on one single exam of test and the next regular exam or test opportunity is more than six months after finalising the last but one (penultimate) test or examination has been graded.
If the examination board grants an extra exam opportunity, the student preferably uses a regularly scheduled exam or test opportunity in the next academic year. Sometimes it is necessary to extend the validity of positive results of other parts of the study unit to the next academic year.
Starting a thesis
For teachers
When a student does not meet the criteria, but nevertheless wants to be allowed to start, he must contact the programme management. The examination board has given a mandate to the programme director to judge requests from students in this matter.
The requirements according to the EER for BSc and MSc are cited below:
EER BSc Art 2.1.3
The programme consists of 180 credits.
a) The programme consists of a core programme of 120 credits, a minor phase of 30 credits and a graduation phase totalling at least 15 credits.
d) Before the start of a study unit, the student must meet the prior knowledge prerequisites for that study unit, as described in the Osiris Course Catalogue.
h) In principle, the second semester of the third year of studies is devoted to the graduation phase, which comprises a minimum of 15 credits.
i) The student must have completed the core of the bachelor’s programme to be admitted to the graduation phase.
j) The examination board[1] is authorised in individual cases to deviate from paragraph d, f, h and i, if strict adherence to those provisions would result in an unacceptable delay in study progress. In consultation with the study adviser, the student may submit a proposal to the examination board for this.
EER MSc Art. 2.1
2. The standard study load of each programme is specified in the programme-specific part.
3. Before the start of a study unit, the student must meet the prior knowledge prerequisites for that study unit as described in the Osiris Course Catalogue.
4. In the programme-specific part, the programme director can set requirements as to which and/or the number of study units the student must have completed in order to be admitted to the graduation phase.
5. The examination board[1] is authorised in individual cases to deviate from paragraphs 3 and 4 above, if strict adherence to those provisions would result in an unacceptable delay in study progress. In consultation with the study adviser, the student may submit a proposal to the examination board.
[1] It is important that the student is still able to achieve the final attainment levels of the programme. In light of this consideration, this authorisation has been formally conferred to the examination board, as they are the ones to ensure that a student who achieves the final attainment is able to graduate.