Approved by the Board of Oslo University College 2 June 2005 in accordance with Act no. 15 of 1 April 2005 relating to universities and university colleges, sections 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 3-8, 3-9, 3-10, 3-11, 4-5, 4-7, 4-8, with amendments approved by the Board 1 December 2005, and amendments approved by the Board 22 March 2007 which entered into force 1 August 2007.

This document is a translation of a legally binding document originally written in Norwegian. If a dispute arises as to the interpretation of this document, the Norwegian version takes precedence.

Chapter 1 General regulations

§ 1 Scope and extent

These regulations apply to studies and examinations at Oslo University College. The regulations do not apply to doctoral programmes.

§ 2 Discrepancy with national curriculum

In the case of discrepancy between these regulations and the national curriculum for a given study programme, the national curriculum takes precedence before these regulations.

§ 3 Definitions

Student

Person enrolled in a subject or a study programme at Oslo University College in accordance with Act relating to universities and university colleges sections 3-6 and 3-7.

Study privileges (“studierett”)

Privileges linked to being enrolled as a student in a study programme and having student status. This entails the right to participate in all organized education, academic supervision (individual or in groups), exercises and assignments, laboratory courses, practical training, field work, etc. in the study programme in which the student is enrolled.

Private student (“privatist”)

Person who sits an examination in accordance with Act relating to universities and university colleges section 3-10 without being enrolled in the study programme.

National curriculum (“rammeplan”)

A national curriculum is a framework plan describing objectives, contents and organization of study programmes or parts thereof, that is plans for an individual subject or study programme. National curricula are laid down by the Ministry of Education and Research.

Programme curriculum (“fagplan”)

A programme curriculum is the individual institution’s plan for a study programme regulated by a national curriculum. The programme curriculum describes in more detail the objectives, contents and organization of a subject/study programme/education regulated by a national curriculum.

Study plan (“studieplan”)

A study plan describes the objectives, contents and organization of a subject/study programme/education not regulated by a national curriculum.

Programme of study (“studieprogram”)

A study programme with a duration of one year or several years leading to a final examination or degree and with a defined content according to programme curriculum or study plan.

Credit

Measurement for the extent of a study programme, where one full academic year equals 60 credits.

Subject (“fag”)

A collection of related courses offered under one common subject designation.

Course (“emne”)

The smallest unit carrying credit value which can be part of a subject, course group, programme of study or degree.

Course group (“emnegruppe”)

Combination of courses from one or several subjects/subject areas which through programme curriculum or study plan is defined to constitute one unit.

Individual education plan (“utdanningsplan”)

Individual plan for the implementation of a study programme formulated between the university college and the individual student. The plan contains regulations concerning the university college’s responsibility and obligations to the student, and the student’s obligations to the university college and fellow students.

Examination (“eksamen”)

Term for an examination with assessment when the result is included in the diploma/transcript of records or taken into a mark in the diploma/transcript of records.

Postponed examination (“utsatt eksamen”)

Examination arranged for candidates who have handed in a medical certificate or otherwise has documented legitimate absence from the ordinary examination.

New examination (“ny eksamen”)

Examination arranged for candidates who have not passed the ordinary examination.

Chapter 2 General academic regulations

§ 4 Degrees and professional training programmes. Supplementary education / Further education / Study programmes of shorter duration. Transitional rules.

Oslo University College awards the following degrees and professional training programmes:

Degrees:

College candidate, nominal length of study 2 years

Bachelor, nominal length of study 3 years

Master, nominal length of study 1 ½ or 2 years

Professional training programme:

General teacher education, nominal length of study 4 years

The general requirements for the Bachelor and Master degrees are laid down in separate regulations. In addition, the requirements for the individual degree or professional training programme are laid down in the programme curriculum or study plan for the individual study programme / education.

Supplementary education / Further education / Study programmes of shorter duration

Oslo University College can offer supplementary education / further education based on completed basic study programmes with nominal length of 2, 3 or 4 years. OUC also offers study programmes of shorter duration on the basis of higher education entrance qualifications.

Transitional rules

Reasonable transitional rules concerning degrees about to be replaced must be guaranteed. Transitional rules are laid down in the programme curriculum or study plan.

§ 5 Laying down programme curriculum or study plan

(1) Programme curriculum or study plan are to be laid down for all studies / study programmes offered at Oslo University College and which are accredited to the student.

(2) The faculty board lays down the programme curriculum for studies / study programmes regulated by national curricula.

(3) The academic affairs committee or rector, depending on nominal length of study and way of funding, lays down the study plan for all other subjects/courses/course groups/ study programmes.

§ 6 General regulations relating to programme curriculum or study plan

The programme curriculum or study plan describes the assessments taking place during the study programme which are to be included in the diploma/transcript of records or taken into a mark in the diploma/transcript of records, and which marks are used pursuant to Act relating to universities and university colleges section 3-9 subsection 6.

§ 7 Changes in programme curriculum or study plan

Changes in programme curriculum or study plan are not to take effect before the following academic year. Smaller changes in syllabus may be made during the study programme.

§ 8 Recognition of other qualifications. Exemption

(1) The faculty board decides upon applications concerning recognition of qualifications awarded by an institution subject to Act relating to universities and university colleges which are to be granted the same number of credits at Oslo University College.

(2) Correspondingly, the faculty board decides upon applications from individuals concerning recognition of qualifications awarded by foreign higher education institutions or Norwegian institutions not subject to Act relating to universities and university colleges as equivalent to education given at Oslo University College.

(3) The faculty board decides upon applications concerning exemption from an examination or test.

(4) The board of Oslo University College may lay down supplementary rules concerning procedures and demands for documentation when it comes to applications concerning recognition of Norwegian or foreign education and applications concerning exemption from an examination or test, including rules concerning such exemption on the basis of prior learning and work experience.

Chapter 3 Study privileges, individual education plan, leave of absence, academic year

§ 9 Study privileges (“studierett”)

(1) Individual who has accepted an offered study place, has a right to study in accordance with the nominal length of the full time or part time study programme he/she has been enrolled in. The study privileges are normally kept for up to two additional years, if the student is delayed in his/her studies compared to nominal length. In the stipulated two years postponed study start, temporary exclusion from the university college and leaves of absence are not included in accordance with section 11 subsection 1.

(2) The student has to pay semester fee and fill in an individual education plan and/or register every semester within stated deadlines to keep the study privileges.

(3) Students may loose the study privileges in the study programme he/she is enrolled in given the following cases:

1. The student has exceeded the stated limit added to the nominal length of study.
2. The student has used all his/her attempts at examination or practice in accordance with programme curriculum or study plan and regulations relating to studies and examinations.
3. The student has not taken and passed examinations during the last two academic years, and does not have a leave of absence.

(4) The study privileges cease when:

a. The student confirms that he/she withdraws from the study programme.

b. The study programme is completed and diploma/transcript of records awarded.

(5) Conditions for the loss of study privileges must be described in the individual education plan.

(6) The faculty board decides cases concerning the loss of study privileges. Decisions concerning the loss of study privileges may be appealed.

(7) An individual who has lost his/her study privileges in accordance with subsection 3, may reapply for admission to the study programme at Oslo University College after 3 years, if superior rules allow it.

§ 10 Individual education plan (“utdanningsplan”)

(1) Between the university college and student enrolled in a study programme of 60 credits or more, an individual education plan shall be prepared. The individual education plan shall contain provisions concerning the university college’s responsibilities and obligations to the student and the student’s obligations to the university college and fellow students.

(2) The individual education plan shall be formulated in such a way that the student is able to complete the planned study programme within the nominal length of study as a full time or part time student.

(3) The individual education plan may be changed in agreement between faculty and student.

§ 11 Leave of absence

(1) A student who gives birth while being enrolled in a study programme, is entitled to leave of absence from the study programme during maternity leave and care for children, cf. Act relating to universities and university colleges section 4-5. Leave of absence may also be granted in the case of initial military service, sickness and other weighty reasons.

(2) To be granted leave of absence for other reasons, the student should have completed studies within his/her study programme corresponding to at least one semester. Normally, leave of absence is given for up to one year.

(3) The faculty board decides applications concerning leave of absence.

§ 12 Academic year

The academic year starts medio August and ends ultimo June, cf. Act relating to universities and university colleges section 3-8.

Chapter 4 Registration and conditions for examination. Supervised practical training

§ 13 Conditions for registration for examination

The faculty board may lay down rules relating to working requirements, obligatory assignments, examinations or tests that must be passed, obligatory participation or completed practical training, which the student must meet to be allowed to sit an examination or continue the study programme. The conditions are laid down in the programme curriculum or study plan.

§ 14 Registration (“oppmelding”)

(1) The student must normally register for ordinary examinations by confirming the individual education plan. Students without an individual education plan are, within the nominal length of study, automatically registered for ordinary examinations.

(2) Students sitting for new or postponed examinations are themselves responsible for registering within stated deadlines.

(3) The student is responsible for knowing the date and place of examination.

§ 15 Number of attempts to sit an examination

A student is not allowed to present himself for examination in the same subject or course more than three times. The faculty board itself or appointed members from the board may in extraordinary cases grant an exemption for a fourth and last attempt to sit an examination.

§ 16 Supervised practical training and number of attempts

Concerning study programmes where practical training is subject to academic assessment, the following apply:

a. The student is entitled to continuous supervision and feedback, in such a way that he/she is informed of how he/she is functioning in relation to the objectives of the practical training period.

b. If, at a given time in the supervised practical training period, there is any doubt as to the likelihood of the student fulfilling the objectives and passing the assessment, the student shall take part in a meeting with the involved parties (student, representative for the education/study programme / supervisor, practical training teacher / representative for the place of practical training). During the meeting the student shall be presented with written notification/warning as to there being doubt as to the likelihood of the student fulfilling the objectives and passing the practical training period. This meeting shall be held at the latest three weeks before the end of the practical training period, and at a time which enables the student to show satisfactory practical training during the remaining practical training period to pass the assessment. When it comes to practical training periods lasting five weeks or less, the meeting shall be held halfway through the period.

c. For each practical training period there shall be a final assessment relating to the objectives of the practical training period. The assessment shall be based on continuous assessments and, if applicable, practical tests. The assessment result and the description of what has been assessed shall be signed by the student, representative for the education/study programme / supervisor, and practical training teacher / representative for the place of practical training. The student shall be given a copy of the written assessment.

d. The faculty board appoints a practical training committee to make the final decision whether the practical training period is failed.

e. If a student is given the mark “fail” for a supervised practical training period, the practical training period or parts of it must be repeated before the student is allowed to continue the study programme. If the student is given the mark “fail” for the same practical training period a second time, he/she must normally discontinue the study programme, cf. section 9.

f. If there are particular reasons, the student may apply to the faculty board itself or a committee consisting of members of the faculty board about having a third and final practical training period arranged, providing the national curriculum allows this.

g. If, after the time of warning/notification, cf. subsection a, conditions of such a nature arise that they would undoubtedly result in the practical training period being assessed as “failed” had they arisen earlier, the practical training period may still be assessed as “failed”.

Chapter 5 Administration of examinations

§ 17 Ordinary examinations

Ordinary examinations are executed with the form of assessment and in the semester which is specified in the programme curriculum or the study plan.

§ 18 New or postponed examinations

(1) Students who have legitimate reason for absence from ordinary examination, is entitled to postponed examination. Legitimate reasons for absence include sickness or other documented compelling reason for absence. The faculty board decides whether the reason for absence is considered legitimate.

(2) Entitled to postponed examination are also students who due to student exchange/part time studies abroad have been prevented from taking ordinary examination.

(3) Students who have failed ordinary examination are entitled to sit for new examination.

(4) A student who is suspected of academic misconduct or attempt at academic misconduct is not entitled to sit a new examination while the case is being processed. If the appeals committee concludes that there has been no academic misconduct, the student is entitled to a new examination.

(5) On condition that new and postponed examination in the subject/course is arranged for students pursuant to first, second and third subsections, students who have not had legitimate reasons for absence from ordinary examination or who wish to improve the mark, are also admitted to new and postponed examination.

(6) New and postponed examinations are normally arranged together and shall take place within reasonable time after the ordinary examination.

(7) Students who do not sit or do not pass new or postponed examination, are not entitled to sit for an examination again before the next ordinary examination. This also applies to students with legitimate reasons for absence from new or postponed examination.

(8) When programme curriculum, study plan or syllabus is changed, students are entitled to sit for new or postponed examination according to old regulations. This examination shall be arranged within one year after the last ordinary examination was arranged. For subject or course which is discontinued, the following apply: If, after the last ordinary examination and one new or postponed examination there are still students who have not passed or have had legitimate reason for absence, a third and final examination may be arranged upon application. Such third examination shall be arranged within one year after the last ordinary examination.

(9) The rules concerning new and postponed examination also apply to home examinations, portfolio assessment and similar forms of examination, as far as possible. The faculty board may lay down other arrangements for taking new or postponed examinations in these cases.

§ 19 Absence from examination under invigilation, withdrawal during examination and the handing in of empty examination answer paper

(1) If sickness prevents the student from sitting an examination, medical certificate covering the day of examination must be presented to document legitimate reason for absence. In such a case, this will not be counted as one examination attempt. If it is not possible to present a medical certification on the day of the examination, it must be presented or posted within one week after the day of examination.

(2) A candidate who does not present him-/herself for examination at the given time, will be registered as “not attended”. This will be counted as one examination attempt.

(3) Candidates who choose to discontinue an examination without submitting an examination answer paper, shall fill in a form for withdrawal during examination by the head inspector and submit the examination question paper and other material handed out. Withdrawal during examination is counted as one examination attempt.

(4) A candidate who gets sick during an invigilated examination, can choose to withdraw. If the candidate chooses to withdraw, a form for withdrawal during examination shall be signed, and the candidate has used one examination attempt if medical certificate is not submitted, cf. subsection 1.

(5) For candidates who submit an empty examination answer paper, the examination answer paper is considered as withdrawal and the candidate has used one examination attempt. An examination answer paper is considered a withdrawal when the candidate has signed the form for withdrawal.

§ 20 Absence from written examination without invigilation (home examination, portfolio assessment and similar forms of examination)

(1) A candidate who does not submit the examination answer paper within the stated deadline, is registered as “not attended”. This counts as one examination attempt.

(2) If sickness prevents the student from submitting an examination answer paper within the stated deadline, a medical certificate covering all of or parts of the examination period must be presented to grant the student legitimate reason for absence. Then this will not be counted as one examination attempt. If it has not been possible to present a medical certificate on the day of the deadline, the medical certificate must be submitted or posted within one week after the deadline. Acute sickness during the examination period does not grant the right to extended time.

§ 21 Learning aids

(1) The faculty board lays down supplementary rules as to which learning aids can be used during examination. Learning aids may include written and printed learning aids, calculator and drawing equipment. It must be stated in advance and clearly expressed on the examination question paper which learning aids are allowed used during the examination.

(2) In some subjects special rules concerning legal types of calculators apply. This must be stated in advance.

(3) It is permitted to use ordinary orthography dictionaryand bilingual dictionaries in all examinations and tests unless otherwise is laid down by the faculty board.

§ 22 Administering written examinations under invigilation

(1) The candidate is not admitted to the examination room before the examination invigilators are present.

(2) Entering the examination room, bags and outdoor clothing must be placed as indicated. Only writing equipment and permitted learning aids may be taken to the student’s appointed seat. It is the responsibility of the candidate to have the permitted learning aids. Borrowing learning aids from other candidates is not allowed.

(3) The candidate must be in the examination room no later the 15 minutes before the examination begins. Candidates who are late may be denied sitting the examination. Candidates arriving after the handing out of the examination question paper have started, will be refused access. If the delay is caused by conditions beyond the candidate’s control, the candidate is to be granted entrance to the examination room until 30 minutes after the examination has started.

(4) The candidate shall present student identification or other valid identification with a photograph and sign the candidate list when the candidate number is assigned. Candidates without valid identification are not admitted to the examination.

(5) The use of mobile telephones or other communication equipment is not permitted during the examination, nor bringing such equipment to assigned seat.

(6) No kind of communication between the candidates is permitted during the examination. If the candidate has a question, the question is directed to one of the examination invigilators.

(7) During the first 30 minutes after the examination question paper has been handed out, the candidates are not permitted to withdraw from the examination or leave the examination room.

(8) When the candidates have been assigned a seat for the examination, they are not permitted to leave this seat without permission from the examination invigilator.

(9) The candidates have at their disposal the stated time for the examination. Additional time is not given to complete any work. Candidates, who continue working after the time is up, will be reported to the examiners.

(10) The examination answer paper is to be written on special copy sheets. The candidate is responsible for filling in the candidate number on each sheet. If self copying examination sheets are used, the candidate is responsible for separating the copies from the original. Ballpoint pen must be used on self copying examination sheets.

(11) The candidate must remain seated till the examination answer paper has been submitted and checked. Submitted examination answer papers can not be returned to the candidate regardless of reason. After submission of the examination answer paper, the candidate must leave the examination room.

(12) The examiners decide whether drafts, as an exception, can be accepted as examination answer paper.

§ 23 Submission of examination answer paper at home examination, portfolio assessment and similar forms of examination

(1) The examination answer paper must be submitted to the person in charge of the examination within the stated deadline. Candidates with address more than 100 kilometres from the university college may send the examination answer paper by post. Documentation from the postal service must be presented as proof of submission within the deadline.

(2) The examination answer paper must be submitted in the requested number of copies. The candidate is responsible for keeping a copy for him-/herself. The examination answer paper is normally without name, but with candidate number.

(3) The candidate must normally show valid identification, semester card and sign at the submission of the examination answer paper.

(4) Candidates are not entitled to get back enclosures to the examination answer papers.

§ 24 Special examination arrangements and alternative forms of assessment

(1) Candidates who due to medical or other reasons need special arrangements or alternative forms of assessment at the examination, must apply for this within stated deadlines. The need must be documented by medical certificate or certificate from other relevant experts. The certificate must contain a specification of the need for special arrangements or alternative forms of assessment in the examination situation. Applications for special examination arrangements are decided by the executive director of the university college and applications for alternative forms of assessment are decided by the faculty board.

(2) Special examination arrangements can be:
extra examination time, more frequent breaks, separate room and the use of aids like interpreter for the deaf, PC, etc.

(3) The executive director of the university college may lay down guidelines for the consideration of application for special examination arrangements.

(4) Alternative forms of assessment
Alternative forms of assessment may be used for candidates who due to chronic sickness are not able to sit the examination using ordinary forms of assessment.

§ 25 Examination in other languages than Norwegian

The faculty board may decide that some examinations may be arranged in other languages than Norwegian. Rules concerning this must be stated in the programme curriculum or study plan. The faculty board may also decide that candidates, upon application, may answer the examination in another language than Norwegian if the programme curriculum or study plan permits this.

Chapter 6 Grading, appeals, diplomas, private students

§ 26 Grading

(1) At examination or test where the result is to be included in the diploma or taken into a mark in the diploma, the faculty board, or upon delegation the dean, appoints examiners after suggestions from programme coordinator in cooperation with teaching staff.

(2) How examiners are used shall appear in the programme curriculum or study plan.

(3) At examination where there are more than one examiner and agreement as to deciding the grade is not attained, a new examiner is to be appointed to decide the grade.

§ 27 Appeal concerning examination result – right to explanation

The student is entitled to an explanation as to the examination result pursuant to Act relating to universities and university colleges section 5-3. Accordingly, the grading may be appealed pursuant to section 5-3. In the case of continuous assessment, the faculty board decides when an appeal may be put forward, for the individual test, assignment or other assessment or only when the result from the subject, course or course group has been announced.

§ 28 Appeal concerning procedural errors

Procedural errors may be appealed pursuant to Act relating to universities and university colleges section 5-2.

§ 29 Academic misconduct

(1) Academic misconduct or attempt at academic misconduct related to home examination, portfolio assessment or similar forms of examination can be copying or transcription of literature without source reference. This also applies if the examination answer paper is characterized by lack of independence in the presentation, for instance because the paper is very similar to one or more other papers, or because it is obviously done by someone other than the student.

(2) The consequences of academic misconduct or attempt at academic misconduct are regulated in Act relating to universities and university colleges and are decided by the appeals committee, cf. sections 4-7 and 4-8. The board of the university college may lay down guidelines for deciding on academic misconduct / attempts at academic misconduct.

(3) Annulment of examination or test pursuant to Act relating to universities and university colleges section 4-7, counts as one examination or test attempt, cf. sections 15 and 16.

§ 30 Private student (“privatist”)

(1) Person who meets the entrance requirements, but is not enrolled in the study programme, may apply to the faculty to be admitted to the examination in a subject, course or course group as a private student. The rights of the private students are limited to access to participating in public lectures and sitting examinations. The faculty responsible for the subject or course may decide whether a private student is also to be given access to other forms of teaching.

(2) Private students must pay an examination fee in accordance with the practice established by the board of Oslo University College and a semester fee.

(3) Application for the status of private student, examination registration and payment of examination fee and semester fee must be presented within stated deadlines. Documentation of general and, if applicable, special entrance requirements must be enclosed the application.

(4) Regulations relating to studies and examination also apply to private students insofar as the rules are not in conflict with the content of this section.

§ 31 Diploma

(1) The faculty awards diploma upon completion of degree, professional training programme or study programme in educational theory and practice.

(2) Supplementary education, further education, study programmes of shorter duration, uncompleted degree programmes or professional training programmes are documented by transcript of records.

(3) Diploma supplement is issued to students who are awarded diploma.

(4) In the diploma and transcript of records the examination semester shall be stated. If a student after completing a professional training programme or degree resits an examination in a course or subject which is part of his/her examination or degree, new transcript of records is issued. If the new grade is part of a main grade, new diploma may be issued upon application.

(5) If a student has been granted exemption from examination or test pursuant to section 8, this shall be stated in the diploma.

(6) If a private student has had his/her knowledge and skills tested in a different way from students enrolled in the study programme, this shall be stated in the diploma.

§ 32 Supplementary rules

The Board of Oslo University College may lay down supplementary rules within the framework of these regulations.

Chapter 7 Implementation

§ 33 Implementation

These regulations go into effect 1 August 2005.

From the same date regulations relating to examinations at Oslo University College dated 29 August 2002 and regulations relating to studies at Oslo University College dated 12 June 2003 are abolished.