Explanation of grades and appeals

Before you decide to appeal against an exam result, you should request an explanation of the grade so that you can assess whether it is relevant for you to request a new assessment.

• Deadline for requesting an explanation: within a week after the grade has been announced.
• If you request an explanation, the deadline for appealing against the grade is three weeks after receiving the explanation.
• You can also request an explanation after you have received the result of an appeal against a grade.
• If you want an explanation for a result of an oral exam, you need to ask for this right after you receive your grade from the examiners.
• The explenation must be available no later than two weeks after requested.

You can request an explanation in Studentweb

If you appeal against a grade, the exam paper will be sent to new examiners. The grade they agree on is final and cannot be appealed against. The grade can be adjusted up, down or remain the same.

An additional review shall be conducted in cases where the revised grade following an appeal differs by two or more grade levels from the original grade assessment (Section 11-10 of the Universities and University Colleges Act). In the event of such a grade discrepancy, the grade awarded through the appeal assessment is not considered final. The appellant shall be informed that a grade discrepancy exists and that an additional review is being carried out.

• Deadline for appealing against a grade: within three weeks after the announcement of the grade. 
• If you request an explanation, the deadline for appealing against the grade is three weeks after receiving the explanation.
• It is not possible to appeal the grade of an oral examination, as the performance is non-verifiable.

You can appeal against a grade in Studentweb

Processing of appeals

Appeal review shall be conducted without undue delay. Information about the expected processing time will be provided for each individual case.

In the case of an appeal review, two new examiners will be appointed, at least one of whom must be external. In accordance with Section 11-11 of the Universities and University Colleges Act, the appeal is processed through a blind review procedure. This means that the two new examiners do not have access to the original grade or its justification, nor to the student's grounds for appeal. The purpose of this arrangement is to ensure a completely independent and impartial reassessment.

Witheld diploma during pending appeal

If you have completed your degree but have appealed a grade, the degree certificate will be withheld until the appeal assessment has been completed.

If the appeal assessment has not been completed and you need your diploma to apply for further studies, you may contact the Examinations Office.

If you believe that an error occurred during the administration, assessment, or processing of an examination, you may submit an appeal against fromal errors.

Academic disagreement with the examiner's assessment does not constitute a formal error. If you disagree with the grade awarded, you must use the procedure for appealing a grade.
 

Some examples of formal errors

• Exam questions covering material outside the prescribed course content.
• Significant disruptions in the examination room, that haven't been compensated for.
• The use of internal examiners only, where an external examiner is required by the course description.
• Significant disruptions in the examination venue or interruption of the examination due to technical problems in the university college's systems that have not been compensated for (e.g. through extended time or similar measures).
• Assessment that does not follow the marking guidelines or assessment criteria.

NB! In the event of major disruptions affecting multiple candidates (such as a power outage, fire, or similar incidents), where it is not possible to provide adequate compensation during the examination, the university college will normally arrange a new examination. In such cases, you do not need to submit a separate appeal concerning procedural errors.
 

Individual Circumstances

It is important to be aware that individual circumstances such as stress, nervousness, or personal challenges are not usually regarded as formal errors. An appeal concerning formal errors must be based on specific issues related to the administration of the examination, the assessment process, or the handling of the case.

If you have documented challenges or medical conditions, you may apply for exam accommodations ahead of time.

Please note: SiØ Advice & Health Services offers a variety of services and counselling for students.
 

Deadline

The deadline for appealing against formal errors is within three weeks after the exam date.

Complaint against formal errors

Processing of appeals

Appeals against formal errors are initially processed and decided by the Examination Office. If your complaint is not upheld, it will be forwarded to HiØ’s Student Appeals Board for further consideration.

If your appeal is upheld, your grade will be annulled, and a new exam may be arranged (normally in the following semester), provided there are grounds for doing so.

Decisions made by the Student Appeals Board are final and cannot be appealed.

Cases are processed without undue delay. However, as they often need to be handled at several levels, the processing may still take some time. Information about the expected processing time will be provided for each individual case.