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Regulations for academic studies at the University of Tromsø
Adopted by the University Board on 24.11.05 (case S 64/05) in accordance with Norwegian Universities’ Act (01.04.05), sub sections 3-3 and 3-8.
Chapter I: General regulations
Section 1 Scope of regulations
These regulations apply for education at the University of Tromsø.
However, these regulations do not apply for doctoral degree programmes at the University of Tromsø.
Forskriften gjelder for studier ved Universitetet i Tromsø.
Section 2 Supplementary regulations
The faculties/NFH can adopt supplementary rules in addition to these regulations for educational programmes under their jurisdiction. In the event of educational programmes being taught in more than one faculty/NFH, any such supplementary rules must be approved by all faculties involved. The University Director shall be notified as soon as practicably possible of the adoption of such supplementary rules or amendments to supplementary rules which are already in effect.
Section 3 Terminology
Right to study:
| Rights connected to a programme of study, for example the right to organised advising, small group teaching, laboratory courses and assignments.
Admission is confirmed following the university’s offer of a study place and the student’s acceptance of this. |
Individual education plan:
| A plan entered into by the university and the individual student. The plan contains regulations about the university’s responsibilities and obligations to the student, and the student’s obligations to the university and his/her fellow students. |
Curriculum:
| A plan containing teaching objectives, academic components, programme structure and implementation of the education. |
Programme of study:
| A complete programme of several years’ duration which culminates in a degree. |
Discipline:
| A collection of related courses within the same subject/discipline. |
Course:
| The smallest component of a subject/discipline or programme of study. All courses shall have a dimension expressed in credits (ECTS). |
Course group:
| A collection of courses from one or more subjects/disciplines, which is defined in an individual education plan as constituting a combined academic unit. |
Academic studies:
| A programme of study, course or course group offered at the University of Tromsø, and which is published as an individual option for potential applicants. |
Major:
| A group of courses defined in an individual education plan as belonging academically together, and which can supplement each other in such a manner that they expand on a subject’s basic level. |
Independent
work:
| A piece of written work within specified guidelines which comprises part of the Master’s degree examination and which should show independent understanding, reflection and maturity. |
Credits (ECTS):
| A measurement of the quantity of work completed. Sixty (60) credits constitute one year’s full-time study. |
Examination:
| A test of the student’s knowledge and skills, which results in a grade stated on the diploma or which forms part of the basis of calculation for a grade stated on the diploma. |
Degree:
| An education of a determined dimension and competition, which leads in the awarding of a diploma from the University of Tromsø. |
Chapter II: Curriculum
Section 4 Stipulation of curriculum
There shall be stipulated curricula for all education options offered at the University of Tromsø, for which students can gain credits.
The relevant faculty/NFH stipulates the curriculum for education under its jurisdiction. The University Director shall be notified as soon as practicably possible about new curricula or amendments to existing curricula.
In the event of courses being taught by more than one faculty/NFH, curricula shall be approved by all faculties involved. The board will determine which faculty will have administrative responsibility if the faculties involved have not reached prior agreement.
The Faculty of Social Science stipulates the curriculum for examen faculatum, the introductory course in philosophy.
Students have an obligation to understand the curriculum for the courses/programmes they are taking.
Section 5 Programmes of study
Education at the University of Tromsø is organised in programmes of study. All programmes of study shall be described in a curriculum. A programme of study can have more than one field of study/discipline. Programmes of study comprise various courses or modules. Each courses offered at the University of Tromsø shall have a course description.
The University Board establishes and terminates programmes of study and fields of study in the programmes of study. The faculty/NFH can adopt minor amendments to the programmes of study they manage.
The University Board determines whether extension education is available.
The University Board determines the fees which apply for specific courses and course groups.
Section 6 Curriculum
A curriculum shall determine:
| 1. | the objective(s) and academic content of the education |
| 2. | an academic description of each individual course which forms part of the education |
3.
| the course’s dimension in credits (ECTS). Courses shall normally equate to 10 or 20 credits. |
4.
| prerequisite knowledge or recommended knowledge for the education |
5.
| stipulations on work capacity, including compulsory courses, supervised professional training or similar where such requirements exist |
6.
| which courses shall be compulsory, option within an academic scope or completely optional in the programme of study, including the possibility to take courses abroad which equate to a minimum of 30 credits |
| 7. | which course groups or disciplines meet the requirements for a major |
| 8. | the teaching dimensions and format for each course |
9.
| examination arrangements, test and assessment forms, including assessments stated on the diploma or which form part of the basis of calculation for a grade stated on the diploma and the access to re-sit examinations |
10.
| other stipulations of significance for the participation in, quality assurance of and assessment of the education |
In the event that admission requirements for a Master’s degree programme stipulate specific subjects/disciplines, courses or course groups, this shall be stipulated in the relevant curriculum. This also applies in the event of specific minimum academic requirements.
Curricula for Master’s degree programmes shall contain stipulations on regulations for the independent work, including dimension, form of assessment and whether the work can/shall be completely individually or as a group task.
Chapter III: Bachelor and Master degrees
Section 7 Managing and awarding of Bachelor and Master degrees
The University of Tromsø awards Bachelor degrees (180 credits), Master’s degrees (120 credits), Master’s degree (300 credits) and experienced-based Master’s degrees (90 or 120 credits).
The degrees of Bachelor and Master are awarded by the rector or by a faculty/NFH in accordance with the University Board’s regulations for the relevant programme of study. General Bachelor degrees are awarded by the rector.
Students who commenced a postgraduate degree in the autumn semester 2002, or prior, can complete the degree programme in accordance with the old degree structure and be awarded a degree up until 01.07.2007.
Section 8 Bachelor degree
In order to be awarded a Bachelor degree, the candidate must have passed the examination and courses, which total the equivalent of 180 credits. Students who are following a programme of study must have passed the examination and courses which comprise the programme of study.
The 180 credits shall normally contain the first semester courses comprising examen facultatum (10 credits) and examen philosophicum (10 credits) examen facultatum (10 credits) and one discipline course (10 credits). In stead of the examen facultatum and one discipline course (10 credits), the student can complete one discipline course (20 credits). During the first semester courses, students should receive tuition and advice on information literacy. In order to be awarded a general Bachelor degree, the student must have passed examen facultatum and examen philosophicum.
The 180 credits shall also contain a major discipline, course or course group equivalent to a minimum of 80 credits. Each programme of study defines the major requirements. In order to be awarded a general Bachelor degree, the student must in addition to a major (80 credits) complete a course group equivalent to a minimum of 30 credits.
A minimum of 90 credits qualifying for the Bachelor degree shall not come from previous degrees or professional training. The candidate must provide information about any diplomas issued by other universities or university colleges.
Section 9 Master's degree
In order to be awarded a Master’s degree (120 credits), Master’s degree (300 credits) or an experienced-based Master’s degree (90 or 120 credits), the student must meet the requirements stipulated in the regulations for requirements for a Master’s degree issued by the Ministry of Education and Research.
The candidate must also have passed the examination and all courses stipulated in the programme of study.
A Master’s degree programme equivalent to 300 credits shall normally contain the first semester courses comprising the examen facultatum (10 credits) and examen philosophicum (10 credits), examen facultatum (10 credits) and one discipline course (10 credits). In stead of the examen facultatum (10 credits) and one discipline course (10 credits), the student can complete one discipline course (20 credits). During the first semester courses, students should receive tuition and advice on information literacy. In order to be awarded a general Bachelor degree, the student must have passed examen facultatum (10 credits) and examen philosophicum (10 credits).
A minimum of 90 credits qualifying for the Master’s degree shall not come from previous degrees or professional training. The candidate must provide information about any diplomas issued by other universities or university colleges.
Section 10 Requirements for independent work in a Master’s degree
The Master’s degree programme shall contain a piece of independent work. The student can define the work’s content himself/herself within the guidelines stipulated in the individual education plan or it can be an assignment determined by the faculty/NFH.
Master’s degree programmes of 120 credits and experience-based Master’s degree programmes of 90 or 120 credits shall include a piece of independent work equating to a minimum of 30 credits.
Master’s degree programmes of 300 credits shall include a piece of independent work equating to 20 credits.
The independent work shall not exceed the equivalent of 60 credits.
Section 11 Diplomas
The academic content of the Bachelor’s degree is stated on the diploma as ”Bachelor of Science”, ”Bachelor of Philosophy” or ”Bachelor of marine fag”.
The academic content of Master’s degrees equivalent to either 120 or 300 credits is stated on the diploma as “Master of the programme of study”. In stead of using the title of the programme of study, the Norwegian College of Fishery Science can use the title of the programme of study/ Fisheries Candidate.
The academic content of experience-based Master’s degrees is stated on the diploma as “Experience-based Master of title of programme of study”.
The academic content of Master’s degree programmes replacing the former civil engineering studies shall be stated as ”Master of Technology”.
The academic content of a Master’s degree integrated with a teacher’s education shall be stated on the diploma as ”Master of the title of the programme of study” with the addition ”integrated with teacher training”.
Candidates who have attained a Bachelor degree with a programme of study or a general Bachelor degree will receive a diploma.
Candidates who have passed examinations worth the equivalent of less than 60 credits will not receive a diploma from the University of Tromsø.
A diploma supplement is attached to diplomas providing a more detailed description of the candidate’s education and of the Norwegian higher education system.
Chapter IV: cand.med. and cand.psychol. degrees
Section 12 The cand.med. degree
The Faculty of Medicine awards the degree candidatus/candidata medisinae, which gives the right to the equivalent title. This degree is awarded to candidates who successfully complete the integrated programme of study in medicine of six years’ duration.
This degree course must include the examen philosophicum (10 credits).
Section 13 The cand.psychol. degree
The Faculty of Social Science awards the degree candidatus/candidata psychologiae, which gives the right to the title This degree is awarded to candidates who successfully complete the integrated programme of study in psychology of six years’ duration.
The programme of study must contain the first semester courses comprising the examen facultatum (10 credits) and examen philosophicum (10 credits), examen facultatum (10 credits) and one discipline course (10 credits). In stead of the examen facultatum (10 credits) and one discipline course (10 credits), the student can complete one discipline course (20 credits). During the first semester courses, students should receive tuition and advice on information literacy.
Chapter V: Exemptions and reduction of credits
Section 14 Exemptions
Exemption from a course that forms part of a programme of study can be granted when it has been shown that a corresponding course has been taken at the university or another institution. Documentation of prior learning and work experience can also provide a basis for exemption. The Faculty of Social Science shall handle all applications for exemption from the examen philosophicum.
Section 15 Reduction of credits
Students who pass an examination in a course and/or discipline which academically overlap in full or part and which is at the same level receives a reduced combined credit sum for the courses in question. The dimension of the reduction is determined by the faculty with academic responsibility.
Chapter VI: Right to study, leave of absence, individual education plan and teaching terms
Section 16 Right to study
Students who are admitted to a programme of study or singular course(s) gain the right to study. The right to study applies from the day the University of Tromsø receives the student’s acceptance of the offer of admission. For student admitted to a programme of study, the right to study applies to the courses specified in the individual education plan in accordance with the nominal length of study approved by the faculty/NFH. For other students, the right to study applies to the course(s) to which they have been admitted.
Students who have accepted the offer of a study place retain the right to study for a period of one year over and above the normal study term for either full-time or part-time study unless the faculty/NFH has determined that the right to study may be retained for more than one year over and above the normal progress for the respective programme of study/course. The calculation of study term does not take into account delayed study starts, leaves of absence, exclusions from the university and academic delays. In the event that students lose the right to study, they may submit a new application for admission.
To retain the right to study, all students with individual education plans must each semester confirm their individual education plan and pay the semester fee within the stipulated deadline. The term confirmation of individual education plan refers only to the part of the plan relating to the current semester.
To retain the right to study for the relevant course(s), all students admitted to education with an equivalent of less than 60 credits must each semester register and pay the semester fee within the stipulated deadline.
The right to study ceases in all instances when the student gains the degree the programme of study culminates in. For students admitted to singular course(s), the right to study ceases when the student passes the course(s). Students who later wish to re-sit examinations in courses they have already passed must apply to sit the examination as an external candidate. In semesters following the termination of the right to study, such students are exempted from paying the relevant fees for external candidates.
Section 17 Leave of absence
A student who gives birth during her studies shall be granted maternity leave during the pregnancy and to care for their baby, as set out in the Norwegian Universities’ Act, sections 4 and 5. Leave of absence is also granted for students who must serve compulsory military service.
Leave of absence can also be granted to enable the doctoral degree student to participate in international defence operations or work related to student politics, protracted illness and for other important academic, social or personal reasons. Such decisions are made by the relevant faculty board. Leave of absence under this clause may not be granted for a period of more than two years during the study period. Faculties/NFH have the authority to adopt supplementary rules expanding the opportunities for leaves of absence.
Applications for leave of absence from one-year basic level subjects received prior to March 1 or October 1 the semester the student is admitted is treated as an application for delayed study start. The right to delayed study start is regulated by guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education and Research.
Students retain the right to appeal rejected applications for delayed study starts. Such appeals are handled by the university’s Central Appeals Committee.
Section 18 Individual education Plan
The University of Tromsø shall, during the first semester, enter into an individual education plan with students admitted to programmes of study worth the equivalent of 60 credits or more.
The Individual Education Plan shall be structured in such a way that the student can complete the planned studies or programme of study culminating in a degree within the nominated term as a full-time or part-time student.
Section 19 Teaching terms
The spring semester begins in early January and concludes in Mid-June. The autumn semester begins in mid-august and concludes in late December.
Chapter VII: Exclusions
Section 20 Exclusions
A student who behaves in a manner which seriously disturbs the work of fellow students or other activities at the university may receive a written warning from the University Director that his/her exclusion will be referred to the university’s Central Appeals Board in the event that the behaviour does not cease.
If a student after receiving a period of suspension from the Central Appeals Committee continues not to respect such exclusion, the student may receive a written warning from the University Director stating that a proposal for exclusion from studies will be referred to the Central Appeals committee.
Chapter VIII: Taking effect
Section 21 Taking effect
These regulations take effect from 01.01.2006.
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