Regulations and Rules of Education and Examinations

See also:

Examinations Board

The education and examination regulations (EER)

The full regulations regarding the evaluation and standardization are described in the education and exam guidelines (EER). The EER of each individual programme is established in accordance with the rules of the law on higher education and scientific research (WHW). The examination board is responsible for the regulation of exams. In the EER all regulations concerning education and exams are described in detail. For example:

About exams: the examination timetable (date and time at which the reading material for exams is known and will be available), the way and frequency on which the exams are taken, the assessment strategies and the time lag between the exams, the procedure of participation in the exams, the house regulations before, during and after an exam, publishing and the register of the exam results.

About the education program: the objectives and competences of the programme, the composition of educational units that make up the curriculum, the requirements which must be fulfilled to pass an exam, the course load (in EC) of each educational component.

The full version of the EER is available from the examination board or at the Student Affairs Service.

Way of Examinations and Assessment

Each teaching unit is completed with an exam and this exam has several ways: oral examination, written examination and skill examinations. For each education component or unit, the examination ways are described in advance. In the chapter "description of the modules in the study guide of each programme is indicated how an educational unit is tested.

In the EER there is detailed information about the regulations regarding the examination matters. In an assessment, the knowledge level of the student is tested in the relevant subject. This includes the knowledge of the student to test about the contents of the topics covered during the lectures and seminars that are discussed. During a written exam, the students need to answer open, multiple choice and essay-type questions depending on the subject and objectives.  Another way of examination such as a written report or participation in lessons can also be part of an assessment. In addition, a large number of subjects are closed with a written exam whether or not in combination with an obligation of presence in the class. Especially for lessons with little numbers of candidates is often chosen for an oral exam (of course depending on the objectives of the subject).

Skill examinations (home works, assays, theses, training or participation in special seminars, presentations) are primarily applicable when assessing research assignments and theses. These have been extensively dealt with in “the rules and procedure of Bachelor's and Master’s thesis”. Although in the chapter "description of the modules” of the study guide of each programme or in the teaching material itself it is shown how the education component is assessed, the lecturer has the rights to adapt the assessment way when the objectives of skills are changed. In the course material is often written how the assessment is carried out, for example, first a written examination and then an oral examination. In an oral exam, the teacher (examiner) makes individual appointments with the students.

Frequency of assessments

The exams are taken at the end of each block period. In addition, there is opportunity per school year two times for re-takes: one at the end of the second block and another at the end of the fourth block. There are, in principle, changes of examination for all educational units at least four times per school year. In the descriptions of a module is often referred to as the method of assessment. If the student has not passed the examination, he/she can participate in the re-takes. For the same module there can be a maximum of three attempts (if the examination board decides otherwise). In exceptional situations, in the opinion of the examination board, there can be a fourth opportunity. If the student fails at multiple modules after three attempts to achieve an adequate result, the examination board, as a general rule, gives no other opportunity and the student will have to stop that study.

Criteria for admission for exams and final exams

To be admitted to the examinations and tests, the student must meet the following criteria:

• registered for the academic year in which the exam and/or certification exam must be passed,
• the requirements for that exam and/or final exam,
• If applicable, the required prior exams and/or final exam have to be taken.

In the description of the educational units it is indicated on which of the above criteria an educational unit can be completed. As already mentioned above, if there is an exam has not passed, the student can participate in the re-takes. For the same educational unit there can be a maximum of three attempts.

Assessment Remarks

In the assessment of the exams and tests the following scale is used: