The primary purpose of assessment is to provide students with information regarding their academic performance. It also provides the Academy with verification that students have gained knowledge and competence in specified areas.
Organisation and responsibility
Examinations and/or other forms of assessment shall take place during the teaching period or during the examination period at the end of each term. Teachers are responsible for the assessment of students’ achievements. Each department sets policy for examinations and assignment or project deadlines within the limits of these rules.
Examinations may be oral, written or practical. Projects and assignments can include essays, reports, concerts, art creation and related research work. Methods of assessment and requirements are determined by the teacher in collaboration with the Dean and must be stated in the course description given to students at the start of the course. Regarding responsibility and assessment of final projects, specific clauses in the Academy’s Rules and policies apply.
Student obligations and course withdrawal
Upon enrolment in a course, a student is automatically registered for the examination or is bound by the course’s assignment deadlines, as applicable. Upon withdrawal from a course, a student is no longer obliged to fulfil the assessment requirements. If a student withdraws from a mandatory course, s/he must register for the course again at a later date. Withdrawal from a course must be made known in writing to the relevant Department Secretary before a 1/3 of the total course time has passed.
Student illness
A student who is not able to take an examination or is unable to meet an assignment deadline due to illness must notify the Academy before the examination begins or the deadline expires. A medical certificate must be submitted to the Academy office no later than three days after the exam date or assignment deadline in order for the absence to be recognised. If a medical certificate is not submitted, the student is considered to have taken the exam or completed the assignment. By submitting a medical certificate, the student earns the right to resit the exam at a later date.
Study break
A student may take a break from study within the framework of the Academy´s rules on study progression. Students must announce a study break on a special form no later than October 1 for the autumn semester and before February 1 for the spring semester. Study breaks can be a maximum of one year and must fit within the four year continuous maximum study period allowed
Grading marks
Marks range from 0 to 10 within units of 0.5. The minimum mark necessary to pass an examination is 5.0. The Rector issues standardised assessment guidelines to the teachers. In courses of six credits or less, the Dean can permit assessments of ‘S’ for ‘Pass’ and ‘F’ for ‘Fail’.
Assessment results and appeals
Assessment results shall be made available to the student no later than two weeks after the assessment took place. Students who have not met the set requirements are entitled to an explanation of the assessment within 5 days of the results having been announced. Students may appeal the teacher´s decision to the Dean of the Department and, in cases other than final projects, an external examiner shall be consulted if possible. The examiner’s decision is final.
Examination absences
A student who does not take a registered exam and fails to notify the Academy in advance forfeits his/her right to a re-examination.
Re-examinations and repeating assignments
If a student fails an exam or assignment s/he may re-sit the exam or request a special assignment. A student is only entitled to re-sit an exam or request a special project when failing a course or part of a course if s/he has fulfilled attendance requirements. Special application must be made to the Dean of the department or the relevant Programme Director within five days of the publication of the result. If re-examination is not practical, the Dean may decide on an equivalent form of assessment. If a student fails a repeat examination/project, s/he must re-sit the course to pass it.
A student who has passed an examination/assignment may, under special circumstances, request to re-sit an examination. Upon approval by the Dean, the student may retake the examination the next time it is held or resubmit the assignment the next time it is set. The grades from the latter exam/assignment will apply.
Dates for re-examinations and repeating of assignment
Re-examinations and examinations due to illness shall be held before January 15 for the autumn semester and before June 1 for the spring semester.
Recording and posting of marks
The Academy office is responsible for recording and posting students’ marks. Written examinations shall be held for six months from the examination date and then be destroyed.