Regulations governing studies and examinations at the University of Oslo

Introduction

Issued by the Board of the University of Oslo on 20 December 2005, pursuant to Act No. 15 of 1 April 2005 relating to Universities and University Colleges, and last amended on 8 March 2022.

This English translation is for information purposes only. For all legal purposes, the original document in Norwegian is the authoritative version. This document relates to the Norwegian grading system and structure of education.

Section 1. Scope

The Regulations shall enter into force on 1 January 2006 for degrees, studies and examinations at the University of Oslo. The Regulations for the Degree of Philosphiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo adopted by the Board of the University on 22 June 2010 shall apply to the organized research training. See section 10 for transitional rules.

The Regulations apply to students who have been admitted to and participate in studies lasting several years, one year or of short duration or to individual courses, including different types of further education and periods of study abroad associated with exchange agreements.

The Regulations also apply to people who take examinations pursuant to Act No. 15 of 1 April 2005 relating to Universities and University Colleges (Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005) without having been admitted as a student.

Section 2. Degrees

Issued pursuant to section 3-2 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005, the Regulations relating to Degrees and Vocational Training, Protected Titles and Nominal Length of Study at Universities and University Colleges of 16 December 2005 and the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Degree of Master of 1 December 2005.

Section 2.1 Awarding of degrees

(1) The Faculty awards the degrees of Bachelor and Master for the study programmes managed by the Faculty.

(2) The Faculty awards the degree of Bachelor for individually combined degrees with a course group of at least 80 credits' scope within the Faculty's subject area.

(3) The Faculty of Theology awards the degree of candidata/candidatus theologiae (cand.theol.).

(4) The Faculty of Law awards the degrees of Master of Laws [for the five year integrated programme] and Master of Laws (LL.M.).

(5) The Faculty of Medicine awards the degree of candidata/candidatus medicinae (cand.med.).

(6) The Faculty of Social Sciences awards the degrees of candidata/candidatus psychologiae (cand.psychol.) and Master of Arts (M.A.).

Section 2.2 Additional designations for the degree of Bachelor

(1) When the degree of Bachelor is awarded on the basis of a three year study programme, the additional designation for the degree shall be ?Bachelor i (programnavn)? / ?Bachelor in (programme name in English)?.

(2) When the degree of Bachelor is awarded on the basis of a three year study programme with academic weight in mathematics and the natural sciences, the additional designation for the degree shall be ?Bachelor i (programnavn)? / ?Bachelor of Science in (programme name in English)?.

(3) When the degree of Bachelor is awarded on the basis of three years of studies (individually combined bachelor's degree), the additional designation for the degree shall be one of the following, depending on the academic weight of the studies:

?Bachelor i kultur- og samfunnsfag? / ?Bachelor of Arts?
?Bachelor i realfag? / ?Bachelor of Science?

(4) When the degree of Bachelor is awarded on the basis of partly-completed secondary education teacher studies, the additional designation for the degree shall be one of the following, depending on the academic weight of the studies:

Bachelor i kultur- of samfunnsfagutdanning / Bachelor of Arts and Education
Bachelor i realfagsutdanning / Bachelor of Science and Education

Section 2.3 Additional designations for the degree of Master

(1) The additional designation for the degree of Master based on a two-year study programme with academic weight in culture and social sciences shall be ?Master i (programnavn)? / ?Master of Philosophy in (programme name in English)?.

(2) The additional designation for the degree of Master based on a two-year study programme with academic weight in mathematics and the natural sciences shall be ?Master i (programnavn)? / ?Master of Science in (programme name in English)?.

(3) The additional designation for the experience-based master's degree based on a study programme with a scope of 1 1/2 years shall be ?Master i (programnavn)? / ?Master of Arts in (programme name in English)?.

(4) The additional designation for the degree of Master based on a five-year study programme shall be ?Master i (programnavn)? / ?Master in (programme name in English)?.

(5) The additional designation for the degree of Master based on the Teacher Education Programme shall be one of the following, depending on the academic weight of the studies:

?Master med lektorkompetanse i humaniora og samfunnsfag? / ?Master of Philosophy and Education?
?Master med lektorkompetanse i realfag? / ?Master of Science and Education?

(6) The additional designation for the degree of Master of Laws based on a study programme with a 1 ?-year scope at the Faculty of Law shall be ?Master of Laws in (programme name)?.

(7) The additional designation for the degree Master of Arts shall be ?Master of Arts in (programme name)?.

(8) The degree "Master i rettsvitenskap" (Master of jurisprudence) shall be translated into English as ?Master of Laws?.

Section 2.4 Requirements regarding the composition of a Bachelor's degree

(1) At the University of Oslo, the degree of Bachelor may be achieved based on a 3-year study programme, corresponding to 180 credits, including:

examen philosophicum (10 credits)
examen facultatum (10 credits)
programme-defined courses (at least 120 credits)
or courses (up to 40 credits) that may be selected freely

when the study programme's academic weight is in subject areas at the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Faculty of Education.

(2) At the University of Oslo, the degree of Bachelor may be achieved based on a 3-year study programme, corresponding to 180 credits, including:

examen philosophicum (10 credits)
programme-defined courses (at least 120 credits)
or courses (up to 50 credits) that may be selected freely

when the study programme's academic weight is in subject areas at the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences or the Faculty of Dentistry.

(3) At the University of Oslo, the degree of Bachelor may be achieved based on a 3-year study programme, corresponding to 180 credits, including:

examen philosophicum (10 credits or more)
examen facultatum (10 credits or more)
one course group (at least 80 credits)
one course group (at least 40 credits)
other courses (up to 40 credits) that may be selected freely

when the study programme's academic weight is in subject areas at the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Faculty of Education.

(4) At the University of Oslo, the degree of Bachelor may be achieved based on a 3-year study programme, corresponding to 180 credits, including:

examen philosophicum (10 credits or more)
one course group (at least 80 credits)
one course group (at least 40 credits)
other courses (up to 50 credits) that may be selected freely

when the study programme's academic weight is in subject areas at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

(5) At the University of Oslo, the degree of Bachelor may be achieved based on three years of studies, corresponding to 180 credits, including:

examen philosophicum (10 credits or more)
examen facultatum (10 credits or more)
one course group (at least 80 credits)
one course group (at least 40 credits)
other courses (up to 40 credits) that may be selected freely

when the studies' academic weight is in subject areas at the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Faculty of Education.

(6) At the University of Oslo, the degree of Bachelor may be achieved based on three years of studies, corresponding to 180 credits, including:

examen philosophicum (10 credits or more)
one course group (at least 80 credits)
one course group (at least 40 credits)
other courses (up to 50 credits) that may be selected freely

when the studies' academic weight is in subject areas at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Dentistry.

(7) The Board of the University may stipulate that certain study programmes for the degree of Bachelor may have dedicated study units whose content covers examen philosophicum (10 credits) or examen facultatum (10 credits).

Section 2.5 Requirements regarding the composition of a master's degree

(1) At the University of Oslo, the degree of Master with a 2-year scope may be achieved based on the study programmes offered by each Faculty to achieve this degree.

(2) At the University of Oslo, the degree of Master with a 5-year scope may be achieved based on the study programmes offered in pharmacy, informatics, clinical nutrition, dentistry, economics and the teacher education programme. Examen philosophicum shall be part of the foundation for the degree, except for the study programme in pharmacy. Examen facultatum shall be part of the foundation for the degree when it is achieved based on the economics study programme.

(3) At the University of Oslo, the degree of experience-based Master with a 1? or 2-year scope may be achieved based on the study programmes offered by each Faculty to achieve this degree.

(4) At the University of Oslo, the degree Master of Laws with a scope of 1 ? years may be achieved based on the study programmes offered at the Faculty of Law.

(5) At the University of Oslo, the degree Master of Arts may be achieved based on the study programmes offered at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

(6) At the University of Oslo, the degree Master of Laws may be achieved based on the study programmes offered at the Faculty of Law. Examen philosophicum and examen facultatum shall be part of the foundation for the degree.

(7) At the University of Oslo, the master's thesis is the independent work required to achieve the degree of Master. The scope of the master's thesis shall comply with the requirements in the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Degree of Master. Supervision of the master's thesis is compulsory. The Faculty shall appoint or approve the supervisor.

(8) The Board of the University may stipulate that certain study programmes for the degree of Master with a 5-year scope may have dedicated study units whose content covers examen philosophicum (10 credits) or examen facultatum (10 credits).

Section 2.6 Requirements regarding the composition of the degrees cand.theol., cand.med. and cand.psychol.

(1) At the University of Oslo, the degree candidata/candidatus theologiae (cand.theol.) may be achieved based on the study programmes offered at the Faculty of Theology. Examen philosophicum and examen facultatum shall be part of the foundation for the degree.

(2) At the University of Oslo, the degree candidata/candidatus medicinae (cand.med.) may be achieved based on the study programmes offered at the Faculty of Medicine. Examen philosophicum shall be part of the foundation for the degree.

(3) At the University of Oslo, the degree candidata/candidatus psychologiae (cand.psychol.) may be achieved based on the study programmes offered at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Examen philosophicum shall be part of the foundation for the degree.

Section 2.7 Requirements regarding degrees in terms of the scope taken at the University of Oslo

(1) Courses with a total scope of at least 60 credits must have been taken at the University of Oslo for the degree of Bachelor. Courses taken at a foreign institution as part of an exchange agreement with the University of Oslo normally cannot help meet the requirement. Each Faculty may still stipulate in the programme description that courses with a scope of up to 30 credits from a foreign university, taken as part of an exchange agreement with the University of Oslo, may help meet the requirement.

(2) Courses with a total scope of at least 60 credits, including the master's thesis, must have been taken at the University of Oslo for the degree of Master and Master of Laws. In the programme description, each faculty may still stipulate that the master's thesis may be submitted in connection with a cooperation agreement with another institution.

(3) Courses with a total scope of at least 60 credits must have been taken at the University of Oslo for the degrees of cand. theol., cand med. and cand. psychol.

Section 2.8 Requirements regarding degrees associated with reconferral of a degree or of several degrees

(1) When the degree of Bachelor is reconferred or awarded on a foundation that in full or in part includes a previously-awarded degree, courses with a scope of at least 60 credits must have been taken in addition to the previous degree. The new degree must have a different academic weight than the previous degree. This means a course group with a scope of at least 80 credits or programme-defined courses with a scope of at least 120 credits within a different subject area than the previous degree.

(2) When the degree of Master is reconferred or awarded on a foundation that in full or in part includes a previously-awarded degree, courses with a scope of at least 60 credits must have been taken in addition to the previous degree. The new courses must include a different master's thesis than the previous degree.

(3) When the degree of Master of a 5-year programme is reconferred or awarded on a foundation that in full or in part includes a previously-awarded degree, the Faculty may stipulate in the programme description that courses with a scope of at least 90 credits must have been taken in addition to the previous degree. The new courses must include a different master's thesis than the previous degree.

(4) When the degrees of cand.theol., cand.med. and cand.psychol. are reconferred or awarded on a foundation that in full or in part includes a previously-awarded degree, courses with a scope of at least 90 credits must have been taken in addition to the previous degree.

Section 2.9 Requirements regarding content and composition of degrees in collaboration with other institutions

(1) Degrees awarded in collaboration with other institutions (joint degrees) ordinarily have the same requirements regarding content and composition of the degree as degrees issued by the University of Oslo alone.

(2) The Rector shall approve cooperation agreements with other institutions when establishing a joint study programme and when establishing a study programme that leads to a joint degree.

Section 3. Studies and study units

Issued pursuant to sections 3-3 and 3-5 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005.

Section 3.1 Terms relating to studies and study units

(1) Studies at the University of Oslo shall be organized as study programmes. A study programme may be organized into programme options, course groups and courses.

(2) A course at the University of Oslo shall be the ordinary study unit. Normally, a course can not have a scope of less than 1 credit.

(3) A course group at the University of Oslo shall be a combination of courses from one or more subject areas where the courses are defined as making up a total unit. The same course may be part of several course groups.

(4) The study programmes of the 5 and 6-year degrees may use other terms for their course groups and courses, but they shall still be covered by the Regulations' provisions regarding course groups and courses.

(5) At the University of Oslo, the programme description for the studies shall be presented in:

a programme description for the study programme
or descriptions of the programme options in the study programme
a description of the course

Section 3.2 Establishment, changes and closing down of study programmes and study units

(1) At the University of Oslo, plans to establish and close down an education offered will be dealt with as follows:

Plans for a 60-credit or more study programme shall be reviewed by the Board of the University.
Plans for a 60-credit or less study programme shall be reviewed by the Faculty.
Plans for programme options shall be reviewed by the Faculty.
Plans for course groups shall be reviewed by the Faculty.
Plans for courses shall be reviewed by the Faculty.

(2) The Faculty may alter study programmes, programme options, course groups and courses. The Rector may nevertheless review changes to examen phiosophicum.

(3) Plans that entail establishing or closing down subjects or other major changes to the education offered shall be reviewed by the Board of the University, independently of the rules in paragraphs 1 and 2.

(4) Plans that entail fees from students, with the exception of further education offered of less than 60 credits, shall be reviewed by the Board of the University, independently of the rules in paragraphs 1 and 2.

(5) When closing down study programmes, programme options, course groups and courses, the decision-making body shall stipulate a transition period for teaching and examinations.

(6) The University Director may stipulate provisions regarding the decision-making process and administrative procedure when establishing, changing or closing down study programmes, programme options, course groups and courses in detailed rules to section 3.2.

Section 3.3 Descriptions of programmes and programme options

(1) All study programmes shall have a programme description. When a study programme has been established, the Faculty shall set the programme description for the study programme managed by the Faculty. Other participating faculties must approve their part of the programme description.

(2) All study programmes shall have a description of the programme options. When a study programme has been established, the Faculty will set the description of the programme options managed by the Faculty. Other participating faculties must approve their part of the description of the programme options.

(3) The Faculty may change programme descriptions and descriptions of programme options.

(4) The University Director may stipulate provisions regarding the content and design of the programme descriptions and the descriptions of programme options in more detailed rules to section 3.3.

Section 3.4 Course descriptions

(1) All courses shall have a course description. The Faculty shall set the course description for each course in the Faculty's subject area. The Rector shall nevertheless set the course description for examen phiosophicum.

(2) The Faculty may change course descriptions. The Rector shall nevertheless change the course description for examen phiosophicum.

(3) The University Director may stipulate provisions regarding the content and design of the course descriptions in more detailed rules to section 3.4.

Section 3.5 Recognition, exemption and approval

(1) The Faculty shall make decisions regarding applications to use other/prior education from the University of Oslo as part of the education provided at the Faculty.

(2) The Faculty shall make decisions regarding the recognition of education from other institutions that are covered by the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005 as part of the education provided at the Faculty.

(3) The Faculty shall make decisions regarding applications for exemption from part of the education offered at the Faculty based on other suitable examinations or tests. Documentation of prior learning and work experience may also provide a foundation for an exemption.

(4) The Faculty shall make decisions regarding applications to recognize other higher education as academically equivalent with education provided at the Faculty.

(5) In special cases, the Faculty may grant recognition pursuant to the fourth paragraph in full or in part on the basis of knowledge documented in other ways than by examination. Applicants may be required to take a test to check the documented knowledge or to take a supplementary test. The Faculty may also demand that such tests be taken to check knowledge documented with non-verifiable documents.

(6) The Faculty may stipulate provisions regarding recognition, exemption and approval of certain degrees, study programmes, course groups or courses at the Faculty in more detailed rules to section 3.5.

Section 3.6 Examen philosophicum and examen facultatum

(1) Examen philosophicum without a quantified nominal length of study or with a nominal 7 credits in the old system shall correspond to 30 credits of a degree at the University of Oslo in the present system. Examen philosophicum and examen facultatum taken as part of degrees at the University of Oslo shall otherwise correspond to the number of credits in the examinations taken.

(2) For degrees at the University of Oslo where examen philosophicum corresponds to 30 credits, an exemption shall be granted from any requirements regarding examen facultatum. Previous exemptions granted from the requirement of examen facultatum will continue to apply.

(3) Only one of the courses stipulated as making up examen philosophicum may be included with credits in a student's degree or course list on a transcript. Accordingly, only one of the courses courses stipulated as making up examen facultatum may be included with credits in a student's degree or course list on a transcript.

(4) Every University of Oslo version of examen facultatum will meet the requirement for degrees at the University of Oslo that require examen facultatum.

(5) For master's degrees with a 5-year scope and for the degree of cand.theol. at the University of Oslo, the Faculty may grant an exemption from the respective degree's requirement of examen philosophicum or examen facultatum if the candidate has had a Bachelor's degree incorporated or a corresponding educational pathway of at least 3-years' scope where examen philosophicum or examen facultatum are not required.

(6) The University Director may stipulate provisions regarding recognition and exemption from examen philosophicum and examen facultatum in more detailed rules to section 3.6.

Section 4. Teaching

Issued pursuant to sections 3-7 and 3-8 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005.

Section 4.1 Semester duration

(1) The semesters at the University of Oslo have the following duration:

Autumn semester, 19 weeks: approx. 13 August �C approx. 21 December
Spring semester, 21 weeks: approx. 7 January �C approx. 15 June

Teaching and ordinary examinations shall be held within these periods. See section 10.1 for details on the annual stipulation of the exact start and end date of the semester's duration.

(2) The study programmes in pharmacy, clinical nutrition, medicine, dentistry and psychology (cand.psychol.) may have different start and end dates for the semester. They must be announced prior to the beginning of studies or the semester to the relevant students, see section 10.1.

(3) During the spring semester, there will be no teaching on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Maundy Thursday. The public holidays that take place in the months of March, April, May and June, and 1 and 17 May entail annual adaptation of the teaching plans.

(4) Re-scheduled examinations, new examinations and special examinations may be held after the end of the autumn and spring semesters to follow on from the semester that has ended.

(5) Different types of courses and tests that are necessary in order to begin the teaching will be held before the beginning of the autumn and spring semesters.

(6) The following shall apply to the period between the spring semester and the autumn semester:

Different types of field courses that are part of the study programme, course or study unit may be held during the summer for academic reasons.
Supervised professional training stays may take place during the summer.
The International Summer School at the University of Oslo offers education that is mainly provided during the summer.
Different educational offerings can be provided as further education during the summer or during part of it.
The master's thesis and associated courses or syllabus may be taken/submitted during the summer on a 1�C1?-year study programme for the degrees of Master of Arts and Master of Laws.

(7) If required, the period between the autumn and spring semesters may be listed on diplomas and transcripts as the winter term and summer term.

Section 4.2 Teaching venue

(1) The teaching venue is the University of Oslo, including the University of Oslo's computer network and the hospitals, with university teaching.

(2) Each Faculty may stipulate a different teaching venue in the course description for certain courses.

Section 4.3 Teaching offered

(1) The Faculty shall stipulate the scope of the teaching for courses based on the Board of the University's specification of admission capacity for each study programme.

(2) The specification of the scope of the teaching may entail restricted access to compulsory courses during a semester when there is a delay to the study programme and to non-compulsory courses during a semester.

(3) The Faculty may cancel teaching on a course if there are not enough applicants / people who have registered for the course. The Faculty must ensure that programme students for whom the course is compulsory are still able to complete their course of study within the nominal period of study.

(4) The Faculty may make free places on courses available to course students �C see section 7. free places on courses will be awarded to qualified applicants in the order in which they register until the course is full.

(5) The rules in the Health Personnel Act shall apply to educations in healthcare, in addition to the University of Oslo's rules regarding organization of teaching �C see section 4 of the Act on responsible conduct and section 5 on use of assistants. A supervisor/instructor who is authorized pursuant to the Health Personnel Act may with immediate effect remove the student from the teaching situation if there is a risk of a breach of the provisions of the Health Personnel Act.

Section 4.4 Compulsory activities

(1) In the programme or course description, the Faculty may stipulate the requirement of a compulsory activity (including compulsory participation in teaching) as part of the completion of the studies. The Faculty may also stipulate how long approval of compulsory activity shall be valid.

(2) Approved compulsory activity normally shall not be repeated. The Faculty may grant an exemption subject to a more detailed assessment.

(3) Non-approved compulsory activities give the right to a new attempt, but only when such is possible on the basis of capacity considerations. If capacity is limited, students who have had a legitimate absence from the activities shall be given priority over students without a legitimate absence.

(4) The same requirements that apply to documentation of legitimate absence from a compulsory activity shall normally apply to documentation of legitimate absence from examinations. However, subject to further assessment, the Faculty may accept self-certification in the event of absence from compulsory activities.

(5) The follow-up of a lack of approval of a compulsory activity must be conducted as far as possible in a way that entails that the examination can be taken in connection with the semester.

(6) Compulsory activities are covered by the provisions on cheating in the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005, cf. �� 4-7 and �� 4-8 third paragraph. This document �� 5-7 fourth paragraph and �� 7-6 sixth paragraph apply as far as suitable also to compulsory activities.

Section 5. Examinations

Issued pursuant to section 3-9 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005.

Section 5.1 Forms of examination and required prerequisite knowledge

(1) The following forms of examination may be used at the University of Oslo separately or together for each course:

home examination
clinical examination
portfolio examination
master's thesis
individual oral presentation
group oral presentation
individual oral examination
group oral examination
supervised professional training
practical examination
report
individual written assignment
group written assignment
individual written examination
participation (only for compulsory activities)
exercises (only for compulsory activities)

(2) In the programme and course description, the Faculty may stipulate that certain compulsory activities shall be approved or that certain examinations must have been passed before registering for or taking the examination in question.

Section 5.2 Scheduling of the examen philosophicum examination

The examen philosophicum examination must normally be on a fixed day of the week, and as close to a fixed week of the semester as possible. Other examinations normally cannot be set at this time.

See section 10.1 regarding annual stipulation of the examination date for examen philosophicum for the coming academic year's autumn and spring semesters.

Section 5.3 Examination venue

(1) The examination venue is normally the University of Oslo, including the University of Oslo's computer network and the hospitals, with university teaching.

2) The Faculty may stipulate another examination venue in the course description. In special cases, the Faculty may grant a dispensation from the examination venue stipulated.

Section 5.4 The form of Norwegian used in examination question papers and the language used in answer papers

(1) Examination question papers that are given in Norwegian must be available both in Norwegian Bokm?l and Norwegian Nynorsk, in accordance with the form of Norwegian chosen by the examinee upon registration for the examination. Exceptions may be made, in accordance with the Regulations regarding the Form of Norwegian used in Examination Question Papers.

(2) The answer papers may be submitted in Swedish or Danish instead of Norwegian.

(3) The Faculty may stipulate rules in the course description on the use of English in examination question papers and answer papers.

(4) The Faculty may stipulate rules in the course description for courses linked to each study programme in languages, including Norwegian, regarding the language of examination question papers and answer papers.

Section 5.5 Re-scheduled examinations, new examinations, new periods of supervised professional training and special examinations

(1) The Faculty shall hold a re-scheduled examination for examinees with a legitimate absence from an ordinary examination if no ordinary examination will be held in the subsequent semester. Re-scheduled examinations shall be held as soon as possible after the ordinary examinations. The Faculty may otherwise hold re-scheduled examinations, new examinations, new periods of supervised professional training and special examinations as required.

(2) The Faculty shall make decisions on the right to take a re-scheduled examination, new examination, new period of supervised professional training and special examination, and state how to register and withdraw from such examinations.

(3) For re-scheduled examinations, an examinee who had a legitimate absence from an ordinary examination may waive the re-scheduled examination if he or she does not have a legitimate absence from it. No further re-scheduled examinations will normally be held when there is a legitimate absence from a re-scheduled examination.

(4) The Faculty shall hold a re-scheduled examination for the study programmes in clinical nutrition, medicine and dentistry after every ordinary examination for students with a legitimate absence from the ordinary examination. However, students who cannot attend the ordinary joint final written partial examination in the last semester of the medical study on module 8, will not be admitted to a new written examination before the ordinary examination in the following semester.

(5) The Faculty shall hold a new examination for the study programmes in clinical nutrition, medicine and dentistry after every ordinary examination for students who received the grade of "Fail" on the ordinary examination. However, students who do not pass the ordinary joint final written partial examination in the last semester of the medical study on module 8, will not be admitted to a new written examination before the ordinary examination in the following semester.

Section 5.6 Number of examination attempts

(1) The normal number of examination attempts at the University of Oslo is three.

(2) A master's thesis that has received the examination result "Fail" may only be resubmitted once as a new examination attempt, and then by the agreed date and in reworked form. A master's thesis that has received the examination result "Pass" cannot be resubmitted in reworked form. It is not normally possible to write a new master's thesis within the same subject area (discipline). This point also applies to the final assignment in the study programmes in psychology (cand.psychol.) and theology (cand.theol.) and to the project assignment in the study programme in medicine (cand.med.).

(3) The Faculty may stipulate in the course description that a semester assignment or corresponding work that has received the examination result "Pass" may not be resubmitted in reworked form.

(4) If several examinations build directly on each other, the Faculty may stipulate in the course description that examinations passed previously no longer can be repeated after the subsequent examinations have been passed.

(5) The restriction on the number of examination attempts applies in total for one course, also if the course changed its course code, has a different code as part of several study programmes or in a new form is part of a study programme associated with a transitional scheme. The restriction on the number of examination attempts shall also apply to new admission to the same or another study programme that incorporates the course.

(6) The Faculty shall make a decision on applications for an exemption regarding the number of examination attempts, and out of concern of repetition of examinations.

(7) For examinations in the Master's programme in jurisprudence, an examinee has a quota of a total of four repetitions of a passed examination. The quota also includes "Fail", withdrawal from an examination and failure to attend the examination. The examinee shall decide when during the studies to use the repetitions. Repetitions during the spring of 2008 or earlier are not part of the quota. For students admitted to the master's degree programme who are granted recognition of year courses within the programme, the quota is reduced by one attempt for each year course which is recognised. It counts as one attempt of the quota if the student wishes to take a year course which is already recognised. See section 10 for transitional arrangements.

(8) If a student does not pass a period of practical training in the Teacher Education Programme or in the Practical Pedagogical Education, the student may attend the same period of practical training only one more time. The faculty decides what constitutes a period of practical training.

(9) If an examination is annulled on the basis of cheating, it will be registered as an examination attempt, cf. the first paragraph. An annulled master's thesis or equivalent cannot ordinarily be resubmitted in reworked form, cf. the second paragraph.

Section 5.7 Organization of examinations

(1) The Faculty is responsible for organizing examinations in courses which are managed by the Faculty. The Faculty may stipulate provisions regarding organization of the Faculty's examinations in more detailed rules to section 5-7.

(2) For clinical examinations, the Faculty may make exceptions from the rule that oral examinations shall be public.

(3) The rules in the Health Personnel Act shall apply to educations in healthcare, in addition to the University of Oslo's rules regarding organization of examinations �C see section 4 of the Act on responsible conduct and section 5 on use of assistants. An examiner who is authorized pursuant to the Health Personnel Act may with immediate effect remove the examinee from the examination situation if there is a risk of a breach of the provisions of the Health Personnel Act.

(4) The faculty should provide students with information on the permitted use of support materials and sources during exams, and on the faculty's control systems for support material and sources, so that the students are aware of how to act in order not to be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.

Section 6. The grade system and grading

Issued pursuant to sections 3-9 and 5-3 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005.

Section 6.1 The grading system

(1) The University of Oslo may stipulate the following general, qualitative descriptions in Norwegian Bokm?l for the grading scale of the Universities and University Colleges Act:

Symbol	Description	General qualitative description of valuation criteria
A	Excellent	An excellent performance, clearly outstanding. The examinee demonstrates excellent judgement and a high degree of independent thinking.
B	Very good	A very good performance. The examinee demonstrates sound judgement and a very good degree of independent thinking.
C	Good	A good performance in most areas. The examinee demonstrates a reasonable degree of judgement and independent thinking in the most important areas.
D	Satisfactory	A satisfactory performance, but with significant shortcomings. The examinee demonstrates a limited degree of judgement and independent thinking
E	Sufficient	A performance that meets the minimum criteria, but no more. The examinee demonstrates a very limited degree of judgement and independent thinking
F	Fail	A performance that does not meet the minimum academic criteria. The examinee demonstrates an absence of both judgement and independent thinking.

(2) The University of Oslo may stipulate the following general, qualitative descriptions in Norwegian Nynorsk for the grading scale of the Universities and University Colleges Act:

Symbol	Designation	General qualitative description of valuation criteria
A	Excellent	An excellent performance, clearly outstanding The examinee demonstrates excellent judgement and a high degree of independent thinking.
B	Very good	A very good performance. The examinee demonstrates sound judgement and a very good degree of independent thinking.
C	Good	A good performance in most areas. The examinee demonstrates a reasonable degree of judgement and independent thinking in the most important areas.
D	Satisfactory	A satisfactory performance, but with significant shortcomings. The examinee demonstrates a limited degree of judgement and independent thinking
E	Sufficient	A performance that meets the minimum criteria, but no more. The examinee demonstrates a very limited degree of judgement and independent thinking.
F	Fail	A performance that does not meet the minimum academic criteria. The examinee demonstrates sound judgement and a very good degree of independent thinking.

(3) The University of Oslo may stipulate the following general, qualitative descriptions in English for the grading scale of the Universities and University Colleges Act:

Symbol	Description	General, qualitative description of valuation criteria
A	Excellent	An excellent performance, clearly outstanding. The candidate demonstrates excellent judgement and a high degree of independent thinking.
B	Very good	A very good performance. The candidate demonstrates sound judgement and a very good degree of independent thinking.
C	Good	A good performance in most areas. The candidate demonstrates a reasonable degree of judgement and independent thinking in the most important areas.
D	Satisfactory	A satisfactory performance, but with significant shortcomings. The candidate demonstrates a limited degree of judgement and independent thinking.
E	Sufficient	A performance that meets the minimum criteria, but no more. The candidate demonstrates a very limited degree of judgement and independent thinking.
F	Fail	A performance that does not meet the minimum academic criteria. The candidate demonstrates an absence of both judgement and independent thinking.

(4) When the grading scale Fail/Pass of the Universities and University Colleges Act is used at the University of Oslo, this should be an independent assessment without relation to the grading scale.

Section 6.2 Assessment

(1) When assessing the master's thesis and performing a reassessment following an appeal against the grading, and the Universities and University Colleges Act requires at least two examiners, the external assessment examiner must come from outside the institution.

(2) The University of Oslo must usually have at least two assessment examiners for oral examinations. The Faculty may make exceptions for certain types of ongoing assessments/examinations when this may be difficult in practice. The Faculty may otherwise in the course description stipulate the number of examiners and use of external assessment examiners for each examination for the course.

(3) The Faculty shall appoint examiners.

(4) The assessment for the master's thesis and corresponding large written works shall be made known within 8 weeks of the deadline for submission of such work.

(5) The assessment shall be made known at latest on 31 August for the spring semester and at latest on 31 January for the autumn semester. However, the assessment for a re-scheduled or new examination may be made known later. The Faculty may stipulate a different time for studies with a different semester structure.

(6) If the same examination is taken several times, the best grade will apply as the final grade.

Section 6.3 Anonymity of assessment and appeals against the grading

The examinee's anonymity shall be secured as far as academically or practically possible during the ordinary assessment as well as during reassessment following an appeal against the grade.

Section 6.4 Appeals against the grading for ongoing assessment/examinations

(1) For continuous assessment that will or may be part of an examination in a course, any appeals procedure associated with the grading shall first take place once the overall results of the course have been announced.

(2) The Faculty may stipulate in the course description that the appeals procedure may take place already after a separate examination when the result is an obstacle to further study progression during the semester.

Section 6.5 Calculation of the average of letter grades

(1) To calculate the average of the letter grades for the different courses in a course group, the grades from each course will be applied in relation to the number of credits for a course. Any average calculated earlier for courses in a small course group cannot be used to calculate the average grade for a larger course group. The number shall only be rounded up once.

(2) To calculate the average of letter grades, the following numerical values have been stipulated for the letter grades: A = 65, B = 64, C = 63, D = 62, E = 61, F = 60.

(3) The average shall be calculated with one decimal. Following ordinary rules for rounding up, numbers will be rounded up to whole numbers that yield a letter grade in accordance with the numerical value in point 2.

(4) Based on the existing Regulations, there will not be any conversion between previous grading systems with numerical grades and the current grading system with letter grades.

Section 7. Programme students, course students and external candidates

Issued pursuant to sections 3-6, 3-7 and 3-10 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005.

Section 7.1 Requirements for programme students concerning admission

(1) An individual must apply for admission to a study programme in the prescribed manner and by the deadline stipulated in order to receive an offer of admission. The applicant must confirm acceptance of the offer of admission by the deadline stipulated in order to gain admission to the study programme, thereby becoming a programme student.

(2) A programme student is required to deliver the documentation stipulated (for example certificate of good conduct or tuberculin skin test) and/or in stipulated manner participate by means of compulsory attendance by the start of studies / beginning of the semester, when this is required.

(3) A programme student must in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated pay the semester fee and any other stipulated fees each semester �C see the Regulations concerning Student Welfare Organizations and the Regulations relating to Fees at Universities and University Colleges.

(4) A programme student must in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated register for the semester with teaching and examination registration.

(5) A programme student must normally follow the study progression of the courses set for each semester of the study programme. Nevertheless, see section 7.2 on leave, changes to study progression and adaptation and section 7.3 on loss of admission and readmission.

(6) A programme student on a study programme with student fees must in the manner stipulated and within the deadline stipulated pay the amount set for the study programme's fees, see the Regulations relating to Fees at Universities and University Colleges.

(7) A programne student must, on request, submit the originals of the documentation that formed the basis for the application for admission.

Section 7.2 Requirements for programme students regarding leave, changed study progression and adaptation

(1) A programme student may in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated apply for a reserved place or postponed start of studies for up to two years.

(2) A programme student may in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated apply for leave from the study programme.

(3) A programme student may in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated apply for part-time studies, postponed submission of the master's thesis or changes to the study progression in the event of a delay in the completion of the studies.

(4) A programme student who requires special teaching arrangements due to a disability, health condition or other special reasons, may apply for special teaching arrangements in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated. A programme student who requires special teaching arrangements after the deadline stipulated, and can document that the need arose after the deadline, must send the application as soon as possible after the need arose.

(5) A programme student on parental leave may decide to pay the semester fee and any other fees and to confirm the individual education plan during the period of leave, see section 7.1. A programme student who resumes his or her studies after parental leave shall be given first priority for entry to a year with limited capacity.

(6) A programme student on a study programme that is organized into years may in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated apply for transfer to a lower year in the event of a delay to completion of the studies. The transfer to a lower year is dependent on there being free places in the year.

(7) A programme student who has had extensive leave from the study programmes in pharmacy, clinical nutrition, medicine, dentistry or psychology (cand.psychol.) may be ordered by the Faculty to take stipulated examinations that must be passed before the programme student may continue his or her studies.

(8) The university director may stipulate own provisions for leave of absence in more detailed rules to section 7.2. The Faculty may stipulate own provisions regarding grounds for application and documentation for other cases associated with this section in more detailed rules to section 7.2.

Section 7.3 Requirements for programme students regarding loss of admission and readmission

(1) A programme student shall lose admission to a study programme if the programme student:

fails to meet the requirements regarding admission and study progression stipulated in sections 7.1 and 7.2
has used the maximum number of examination attempts without having passed a compulsory activity or passed the examination in a course which is compulsory for the study programme �C see sections 4.4 and 5.6
has achieved a degree or final examination, and the Faculty has not granted an extension of admission

(2) A programme student may keep admission to a study programme in the event of a delay to the nominal length of study if the programme student has passed courses of at least:

30 credits after 1 year of a one year or longer study programme
60 credits after 2 years of a one year or longer study programme
90 credits after 3 years of a programme lasting several years
120 credits after 4 years of a programme lasting several years
150 credits after 5 years of a programme lasting several years
180 credits after 6 years of a programme lasting several years

The provision shall apply accordingly for 5 and 6-year study programmes and for study programmes containing courses greater than 30 credits. Leave that has been granted and other approved extensions of the period of studies shall be taken into consideration when calculating delays �C see section 7.2.

(3) For the study programme in medicine, the following provision shall apply instead of the provisions in the third paragraph:

A programme student who is delayed by more than four semesters in the study programme in medicine, shall normally lose admission to the study programme.

(4) A programme student who loses admission to a study programme and wants readmission to the same programme or another study programme must reapply in the manner stipulated.

(5) A programme student who has achieved the degree of Master or corresponding higher degree at the University of Oslo may normally not be admitted to a master's degree programme or a naster's degree programme option within the same subject area (discipline) again.

Section 7.4 Requirements for course students

(1) A person who wants admission to a course without valid admission to a study programme in which the course may be part, must:

meet the course's entrance qualifications.
meet any special admission requirements and other required prerequisite knowledge for the course.
in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated apply for admission to the course for the semester in question.

If the applicant receives admission to the course, the applicant will become a student of the course for the semester.

(2) Each semester a course student must in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated pay the semester fee and any other stipulated fees for the semester �C see the Regulations concerning Student Welfare Organizations and the Regulations relating to Fees at Universities and University Colleges.

(3) Each semester a course student must in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated register for the semester through teaching and examination registration.

(4) A course student on a study programme with student fees must in the manner stipulated and within the deadline stipulated pay the amount set for the course's fees �C see the Regulations relating to Fees at Universities and University Colleges.

(5) A course student must, on request, submit the originals of the documentation that formed the basis for the application for admission. The course student loses the right to be a course student if the requirement is not met.

Section 7.5 Requirements for external candidates

(1) A person who wants to take an examination in a course without having been admitted to the course and without valid admission to a study programme in which the course may be part, must:

meet the course's entrance qualifications.
meet any special admission requirements and required prerequisite knowledge for the course.
in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated report the desire to take the examination for the course.

As long as it is possible to take an examination for a course without having been admitted to it, the person will be an external candidate on the course for the semester.

(2) Each semester, external candidates must in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated pay the semester fee for the semester �C see the Regulations concerning Student Welfare Organizations.

(3) Each semester, external candidates must in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated register for the semester through examination registration.

(4) Each semester, external candidates must in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated pay the examination fee �C see section 10.

(5) A programme student who takes an examination in a course without having been admitted to it shall not be considered an external candidate when the programme student has been admitted to a study programme in which the course may be part.

Section 7.6 Requirements for examinees regarding withdrawal, special arrangements and absence from an examination

(1) Examinees may withdraw from an examination in the manner stipulated. If the examinee's examination registration is not to be registered as an examination attempt, the withdrawal from the examination must take place within 2 weeks of the following date for commencement of the examination:

the examination date in question
the first day of the examination if the examination takes several days
the deadline for the submission of a semester paper or equivalent
the date on which a home examination is handed out
the deadline for final submission of portfolio or of other form of examination or assessment during the teaching period

(2) An examinee who requires special examination arrangements must in the manner stipulated and by the deadline stipulated apply to the Faculty for special arrangements. An examinee who requires special examination arrangements after the deadline stipulated, and can document that the need arose after the deadline, must send the application as soon as possible after the need arose.

(3) Examinees must present themselves at the examination in the manner stipulated. An examinee is deemed as having presented him/herself at an examination with invigilation when the examinee is present at the examination venue at the time that the first assignment is made known.

(4) An examinee desiring to withdraw after the deadline for withdrawal or during the examination must do this in the manner stipulated. An examinee who withdraws after the deadline for withdrawal or during the examination without an approved legitimate absence is deemed to have used an examination attempt.

(5) An examinee who must withdraw after the deadline for withdrawal or during the examination, on account of illness or for any other valid reason, must submit a medical certificate or corresponding documentation in order to have the non-appearance at the examination approved as a legitimate absence in the manner stipulated. The medical certificate must state whether it was issued in connection with absence from an examination at the University of Oslo, and must be delivered or postmarked at latest three days after the examination. For withdrawal from an examination with invigilation, the medical certificate must also be issued on the examination date.

(6) An examinee who has submitted an examination answer paper cannot avoid grading.

(7) An examinee must familiarize him/herself with the support materials that can be used for each examination, the arrangements to check such support materials for each examination, and what is considered as cheating/attempted cheating in respect of the use of support materials or sources. The examinee may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating if the examinee for example:

does not provide information about sources or give up fictitious sources
does not provide information on reuse of his/her own previous work
gives the impression that the answer paper is more independent than it actually is
has access to or uses aids that are not allowed
collaborates with others in ways that are not allowed
delivers the same answer paper for several exams without it being allowed
has unauthorized access to the examination material outside the examination

(8) There is no deadline for withdrawal from an examination for the study programmes in clinical nutrition, medicine and dentistry. Not attending an examination without a legitimate absence is not considered an examination attempt. Neither does it trigger the right to a re-scheduled or new examination.

Section 8. Diplomas, etc.

Issued pursuant to section 3-11 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005.

Section 8.1 Diplomas

(1) Diplomas for a completed degree shall indicate the basis on which the degree was awarded. All of the study units that make up the degree shall be listed on the diploma.

(2) Diplomas for a completed study programme or education that does not result in a degree shall state the basis on which the diploma was awarded.

(3) The University Director may stipulate provisions regarding the design of diplomas in more detailed rules to section 8.1.

(4) The Faculty issues diplomas, and each diploma is only issued once. The Faculty may issue a duplicate in the event of a lost diploma, on application.

Section 8.2 Transcripts

(1) Transcripts must contain a list of all of the courses a person has passed at the University of Oslo. A transcript may contain both courses that are and are not part of a degree or completed education.

(2) The University Director may stipulate provisions regarding the design of transcripts in more detailed rules to section 8.2.

(3) The Faculty issues transcripts.

Section 8.3 Diploma Supplement

The University Director may stipulate provisions regarding the design of Diploma Supplements in more detailed rules to section 8.3.

Section 8.4 Authorization for health personnel

The University Director may stipulate provisions regarding authorization in more detailed rules to section 8.4.

Section 9. Annulment of examinations or tests, expulsion, exclusion etc.

Issued pursuant to sections 3-7, 4-7, 4-8, 4-9 and 4-10 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005.

(1) In cases where the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005 leaves it up to the Board of the University or the Board's appeals committee to make decisions, a decision on the case shall normally be made by the Central Appeals Committee of the University of Oslo.

(2) The University Director or the Faculty may present a case to the Central Appeals Committee in the event of use of false documentation or other academic misconduct in connection with an application for admission to studies or in connection with an application for recognition of / exemption from education at the University of Oslo.

(3) The Faculty may present a case to the Central Appeals Committee at the University of Oslo, with a proposal to annul an examination or test or to recognize a course, and with a proposal to exclude, as a result of an examination offence or attempt at an examination offence.

(4) The Faculty may provide written notification of expulsion of students who repeatedly act in a way that seriously disturbs the work of fellow students or other activities at the institution. The Faculty may present a case to the Central Appeals Committee regarding expulsion of students who do not respect the notification and about expulsion and loss of the right to take an examination for students who do not respect such expulsion.

(5) The Faculty may present a case to the Central Appeals Committee regarding exclusion of students who have behaved in such a seriously censurable manner as to endanger the life or health of patients, clients, children in kindergarten, pupils or others with whom the student comes into contact in connection with clinical teaching or practical training or who in relation to such persons commits serious breaches of the obligation to observe confidentiality or behaves with gross indecency towards them.

(6) The Faculty may present a case to the Central Appeals Committee regarding exclusion from clinical teaching or practical training due to criminal offences (criminal record certificate).

(7) For educations which according to the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005 are required to perform suitability assessment, the Faculty appoints a person responsible for this according to the regulations on suitability assessment.

(8) Following a recommendation from the suitability committee, the University Director may present a case to the Central Appeals Committee regarding exclusion on the basis of a suitability assessment.

(9) When a matter is to be reported to the police, the complaint shall normally be filed by the University Director. The University Director may delegate authority to the Faculty in certain cases.

(10) If information on a matter is to be sent to other institutions or authorization authorities, the information shall normally be sent by the University Director. The University Director may delegate authority to the Faculty in certain cases.

Section 10. Dates and rates. Detailed rules. Transitional rules

Section 10.1 Dates and deadlines

(1) Prior to 1 February every year, the University Director shall stipulate the following in detailed rules to section 10.1:

The exact start and end date for the coming academic year's autumn and spring semesters �C see section 4.1.
The examination date for examen philosophicum for the coming academic year's autumn and spring semesters �C see section 5.2.
The application, payment and registration deadlines for the coming academic year's autumn and spring semesters �C see sections 7.1, 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6.

(2) On application, the University Director may grant an exemption from the deadlines for payment of the semester fee (for programme students, course students and external candidates) and for confirmation of the individual education plan (for programme students). On application, the Faculty may grant an exemption from other deadlines in section 7.

(3) The Faculty shall stipulate the exact start and end date for each semester for the study programmes mentioned in section 4.1, second paragraph.

Section 10.2 Examination fees for external candidates

(1) At the University of Oslo, external candidates must pay examination fees at the following rates:

Courses of less than 30 credits	Courses of 30�C40 credits	Courses of more than 40 credits
NOK 1,800	NOK 3,950	NOK 6,250

(2) Each Faculty shall stipulate which courses are covered by the arrangement with examination fees for external candidates. Examen philosophicum shall not be covered by the arrangement.

(3) The full examination fee shall be waived for external candidates who withdraw from the examination before the deadline for payment of the examination fee. Any fees paid will be refunded in full.

(4) External candidates who withdraw from the examination after the deadline for payment, but before the deadline for withdrawal from the examination, have the right to a partial refund of the examination fee, and shall pay NOK 500 to cover administration costs.

(5) External candidates with a legitimate absence from both the ordinary and re-scheduled examination have the right to a partial refund of the examination fee and must pay NOK 500 to cover administration costs.

Section 10.3 Transitional rules

(1) For studies that began before the spring 2006 semester and subject to further assessment, the Faculty may stipulate a transitional period if certain provisions in these Regulations have unintended consequences for a student as regards provisions in the following former Regulations:

Regulations of 6 May 2003 relating to Studies and Examinations at the University of Oslo
Regulations relating to Studies at the University of Oslo, first laid down on 11 March 1997 and again on 20 December 2006.
Regulations relating to Taking of and Organization of Examinations and Tests at the University of Oslo, first laid down on 11 February 1997 and again on 20 December 2006.

(2) The Faculty of Law stipulates regulations regarding the transition on the Law degree programme from the 1996 etc. programme requirements to the master's degree programme.

(3) On the five-year master's degree programme in informatics, at the end of each semester a programme student may be up to 20 credits behind in relation to the full study progression for the semester in question. If the programme student's delay is even greater than this, the programme student will lose admission unless his/her application to drop down a year is granted. The transition to the year below depends on the availability of free places.

(4) The supplementary rules to sections 7.1.6 and 7.2 in the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at the University of Oslo shall be repealed effective 1 January 2013.

(5) The preliminary course in mathematics for admission to teacher educations may have a shorter deadline for appeals according to �� 5-3 Universities and University Colleges Act of 1 April 2005. The faculty decides the deadline for appeals.

Section 10.4 Further rules

(1) The University Director may stipulate further rules to the Regulations, where specified in each provision in the Regulations.

(2) Each Faculty may stipulate further rules to the Regulations, where specified in each provision in the Regulations.

(3) The University Director may stipulate general administrative provisions for programme students, course students and external candidates.

Section 10.5 Entry into force

These Regulations shall enter into force on 1 January 2006. The Regulations of 6 May 2003 relating to studies and examinations at the University of Oslo shall be repealed on the same date.

Published June 25, 2012 8:49 PM - Last modified Jan. 2, 2023 11:21 AM