FAQ Binding Recommendation (BSA)

In general

  • What does binding recommendation on continuation of study (BSA) mean?

    The binding recommendation on continuation of study (BSA) is the final recommendation which the educational programme gives a bachelor student at the end of the first academic year. It's about the permission to continue the current study programme or not. 
    The recommendation is based on your study results and can be a positive or negative (binding) recommendation. It is also possible for the final recommendation to be postponed to the end of the next academic year at the very latest.

  • To whom does the BSA apply?

    The BSA applies to all first year Bachelor's students.

  • Which are the requirements for the BSA?

    To continue your programme, you need to complete at least 45 EC in your first academic year. Your programme can also have set additional requirements. You can find these requirements in the Education and Examination Regulation (EER) of your programme.
    Exception: ATLAS students need to complete 54 EC in the first academic year.

  • I have a question about the BSA. Who can I contact?

    You can contact your study adviser, tutor or mentor if you have any questions.

  • I'm enrolled for 2 (or more) educational programmes. What is my BSA norm?

    For every programme you must meet the BSA norm. 

Different sorts of Recommendations 

  • A pre-recommendation

    This is a provisional recommendation that you will receive two times in the first year: one based on your study results of module 1 and one based on your study results up until module 2. Pre-recommendations are not binding and can be positive, negative or neutral.

    When you've received a negative or neutral pre-recommendation, you'll be invited by your study adviser for an interview to discuss your study method and to discuss a reconsideration of choice of study. The possibility of still receiving a positive final recommendation will also be assessed. You should notify your study adviser a.s.a.p. if your personal circumstances affect your study progress.

    You'll receive a neutral pre-recommendation:
    - if the programme director is confident that you still may complete the module(s) with additional exams;
    - when you recently have switched to a different educational programme.

    Contact your study adviser if you have any questions.

  • Final recommendation

    This is the recommendation based on all your study results after the additional test week. This recommendation can be positive or negative (=binding) or the recommendation can be postponed.

    You'll receive a positive final recommendation if you have obtained at least 45 EC and have met the programme specific requirements of your first Bachelor's academic year. ATLAS students need to obtain at least 54 EC. Check your Education and Examination Regulation (EER) of your programme to see what the requirements are, or contact your study adviser if you have any questions.

    Please be reminded that you must sign up in time for your second academic year.

  • In which cases will a recommendation be postponed?

    The educational programma director may decide to postpone the final recommendation until your second academic year on grounds of switching studies or when, due to acknowledgement of personal circumstances, no decision can be made about your study capacities. The recommendation will be given no later than the end of the second year of enrolment for the relevant programme, but it can also be earlier. You will be informed about this by your programme.

    Please contact your study adviser if you have any questions.

  • I've received a negative final recommendation. Now what?

    You're not allowed to continue your study programme next year. You need to de-enroll for the second academic year or you will be de-enrolled. You will not be able to enroll for this programme for period of 3 academic years.
    Your can apply for a hearing within 5 working days if you think that the intended final negative recommendation is unjust. 
    Your can lodge an appeal at the UT Complaints Desk if you think that the final negative recommendation is unjust. 

 time Frame of correspondence 

  • When do I receive a first pre-recommendation?

    In your first year of enrollment, you will receive a first pre-recommendation on the 31st of December. This recommendation is based on your study results of module 1 and is not binding. 

  • When do I receive a second pre-recommendation?

    In your first year of enrollment, you will receive a second pre-recommendation no later than week 10. This recommendation is based on your study results up to module 2 and is not binding. 

  • When do I receive the final binding recommendation?

    In your first year of enrollment, you will receive a final binding recommendation mid-August. This recommendation is based on all your study results, after the additional test week (week 30). 

  • When do I get a confirmation of my new (postponed) date?

    Within 6 weeks after the second year of enrolment in the relevant programme, the student receives a letter from the programme management, which states the BSA-standard that the student has to meet and the deadline before which the student has to meet the standard.

  • How do I receive my recommendations?

    You'll receive them by e-mail or via Osiris.

  • I haven't received any recommendation. Now what?

    If you haven't received any recommendation, please contact your study adviser a.s.a.p.  

  • The recommendation I've received isn't correct according to my calculation. Now what?  

    Please contact your study adviser a.s.a.p.

switch or late Enrolment, De-/re-enrolment 

  • I've started late or switched to my current educational programme before the 1st of October. What is my BSA standard?

    If you've started with your programme at the UT before the 1st of October, there is no adjustment of the standard referred to in article 6 of the Education and Examination Regulations.  

  • I've started late or switched to my current educational programme after the 1st of October. What is my BSA standard?

    If you've started with your programme at the UT on the 1st of October or after that date, your final recommendation can be postponed. The recommendation will be given no later than the end of the second year of enrolment for the relevant programme, but it can also be earlier. You will be informed about this by your programme.

    Check the EER of your programme for specific requirements additional to the 45 EC rule (Atlas: 54 EC rule).

  • I've de-enrolled before the 1st of February. What applies to me?

    If you request for de-enrollement before the 1st of February of your first bachelor academic year, you will receive no final recommendation. If you re-enrol a next academic year for the same study programme, you'll receive the final recommendation before the end of that academic year.

  • I've de-enrolled after the 1st of February. What applies to me?

    If you request for de-enrollment after the 1st of February of your first academic year, you'll receive a final recommendation as referred to in article 6 of the Education and Examination Regulations.

  • I've not yet received any recommendation, but expect a positive final recommendation. Do I have to re-enrol?

    Yes, you can sign in via Studielink. As soon as you receive a positive final recommendation and as soon it is processed in the Student Information System Osiris, your re-enrollement will be automatically activated by CSA (provided you also have regulated the payment of tuition fees).

    See https://www.utwente.nl/en/student-services/admission-enrolment/enrolment/ 

  • My final recommendation is postponed. Do I have to re-enrol?

    Yes, you can sign in via Studielink. As soon as the postponement of your final recommendation is processed in the Student Information System Osiris, your re-enrollement will be automatically activated by CSA (provided you also have regulated the payment of tuition fees).  

Study delay 

  • My study is delayed. What now?

    There are various (personal) circumstances which result in difficulties with studying and which can hinder your study progress in such a way that your experience study delay. Study delay in your first academic year can have consequences for meeting the binding recommendation standard. Discuss your situation and the possibility of submitting a request for assessment of your personal circumstances with your study adviser and/or a student counsellor. The Committee Personal Circumstances (CPO) assesses your application

  • In which cases can I apply for an assessment of my personal circumstances?

    It is possible that due to your personal circumstances, your study progress is influenced negatively. When you might not be able to meet the standard of 45 EC (for Atlas: 54 EC) as a result of your personal circumstances, you can apply for an assessment of your personal circumstances

  • What should I do be eligible for the assessment of personal circumstances? 

    Report to your study adviser a.s.a.p. if you have experienced a study delay, or think you will experience study delay due to personal circumstances. Discuss your situation with your study advisor and, if necessary, a study plan will be drawn up. This study plan will be included in your BSA file.  

    If necessary, you can apply (in consultation with your study adviser) at an early-stage (after module 1) for an assessment of your circumstances by the Committee Personal Circumstances (CPO). This is only possible in cases for which non-assessment can have a negative influence on your personal situation. For applications, you need to fill out the online application form.  

    Otherwise, you'll take action (in consultation with your study adviser) when you can't meet the BSA standard. You need to submit the application for assessment of your circumstances before 30th of June of the current academic year at the CPO.

    Your need to make an appointment with a student counsellor, before the CPO will handle your application. The deadline for making an appointment is the 30th of June.

    Experience shows that students find it hard to write a personal statement. The student counsellor can advise and help with formulating your personal statement for the application. The student counsellor can also advise you on other (financial) regulations that might apply.

  • What are the recognized personal circumstances?

    The recognized personal circumstances are:
    - illness or psychological problems;
    - physical, sensory or other impairment;
    - pregnancy/childbirth;
    - special family circumstances;
    - recognized top-level athletes or top-level artists (FOBOS, Top-Level Sports-/Top-Level Arts Scheme);
    - membership of the University Counsil, Faculty Board, Programme Committee;
    - recognized (board-) membership of organizations van organisaties according to Category 3 (FOBOS, Activism Grants Regulation, Appendix B).

  • What are the requirements of an application for assessment of my personal circumstances? 

    - You must report your personal circumstances. This is necessary if you want to apply for facilities and regulations. In case of (impending) study delay your should make an appointment with your study adviser and/or a student counsellor a.s.a.p. (urgent). Discuss the possible consequences for your study planning and possibilities for your study progress.

    - Hand in the application form with the required documents (proof).

    - Before the CPO will handle your application, you must have spoken to a student counsellor. The deadline for making the appointment is the 30th of June. 

  • Which documents (proof) must accompany the application for an assessment?

    Necessary documents (proof) in case of:
    - Illness, psychological problems, disability/impairment: a certificate from a Dutch doctor or Dutch BIG-registered psychologist. If needed use the standard model for a medical form or contact the campus General Practitioner.  

    - Pregnancy/delivery: a certificate from your midwife or gynaecologist stipulating the expected date of birth. With a pregnancy, it is assumed that a student will hardly be able to study (if at all) for a period of four months. If the delay amounts to longer than four months, a reason other than pregnancy/childbirth must be given for the prolongation of this period. In that case a medical form is required.

    - Special family circumstances: add supporting documents. This can be a certificate of your doctor/psychologist or a death certificate/obituary in case of the death of family members.

    - Recognized board positions (membership of University Council, Faculty Council, Programme Committee or board as mentioned in FOBOS, appendix B, Cat. 3): a statement of the association mentioning your position and the period you are/were in the board.

    - Recognized top-level athlete or top-level artist: recognition by the UT.

  • How can I apply for an assessment of my personal circumstances?

    Fill out the online application form for assessment of your circumstances. Via the website www.utwente.nl/en/ces/sacc/regulations/personal-circumstances/ you will be directed to the right form.

  • When should I apply for an assessment of my personal circumstances?

    The application for assessment must be done before the 30th of June of the current academic year by submitting the online application form for assessment of your circumstances, accompanied with proof.  

  • Who will assess my personal circumstances?

    The Committee Personal Circumstances (CPO) assesses the legitimacy, the expected duration and the severity of personal circumstance and sends the result to the Programme Director.

  • What happens with the result of the assessment of my personal circumstances?

    The Committee Personal Circumstances (CPO) assesses the legitimacy, the expected duration and the severity of the personal circumstance and sends the result to both the Programme Director and your study adviser. Your will receive a copy. The Programme Director will take that result into account when deciding on your final recommendation (positive or negative). The Programme Director may also decide to postpone your final recommendation when due to your personal circumstances your study abilities can't be judged. The final recommendation can be postponed to the end of your second academic year at the very latest. 

Hearing

  • When can I request for a hearing?

    If your receive information from your programme director, if he intends to give you a negative final recommendation. You'll be given the opportunity to request a hearing. You need to make an appointment within 5 working days. On the education webpages of your programme you'll find more information about how to request a hearing.

  • For what is the hearing intended?

    You'll get the opportunity to clarify to a respresentative of the Programme Board why the intended negative final recommendation is unjust. 
    Your degree of motivation for this study will not affect the decision. However, the Programme Board will take into account your personal circumstances. Sometimes it can be useful to clarify your circumstances; a hearing gives you the opportunity to do this.

    This hearing is explicitly not intended to report (for the first time) new circumstances that already should have been previously reported to the study adviser and the CPO.

    A hearing can be meaningful in case you want to:
    - Adequately substantiate that it was not possible to report your circumstances to the CPO in a timely manner.
    - Report circumstances that occurred after the deadline of the CPO. You will have to substantiate that not obtaining the BSA standard is a direct consequence of these circumstances.
    - Explain that you believe that the reported circumstances had a greater impact on your study progress than first was expected.

  • I can't attent the hearing. What are the implications?

    The programme director will take the decision based on the available information. Be heard at a later date won't be possible.

Appeal

  • When can I lodge an appeal?

    You can appeal against a negative final recommendation (negative binding recommendation). Before you do so it's advised to consult a student counsellor or your study adviser. They can advise you for the approach and support a mediation attempt. 

  • How should I lodge an appeal?

    Your appeal must be done in writing and signed before handing in at the Complaints Desk UT (only digital filing is not possible). The term for lodging an appeal is 6 weeks after dispatch of the final recommendation. It is advised to lodge your appeal a.s.a.p. after the receipt of your final binding recommendation.

  • What should my appeal contain?

    Your appeal needs to be in writting and signed and should contain:
    - your name, address, student number, phone number, email address;
    - a clear motivation of your circumstances.

    Add relevant documents.

  • Who will handle my appeal?

    The Complaints Desk UT doesn't handle the case itself, but assesses the issue to decide on the follow-up and sends it to the proper (legal) authorities on the UT.
    Also, if you send in your appeal directly to the proper authorities, it will only be handled after intervention of the Complaints Desk. 

  • What is the procedure of the Complaints Desk UT?

    The Complaints Desk UT will send you a conformation of receipt within a few days. Subsequently, your letter will be looked at in more detail and you will be informed about how your complaint will be dealt with.  

  • I've lodged a registered appeal. When do I receive a receipt?

    Ruling follows within 10 weeks after the receipt of your appeal. If you put down in the appeal that it is "urgent", the Complaints Desk will handle the appeal preferentially.