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Rules for oral exams

Read here about the general rules and guidelines for oral examinations - both those that take place on campus and those that take place digitally.

The exam rules are not the same for physical and online oral exams. Familiarise yourself with the rules for both, so that you know the differences before you take the exam. 

Oral exams are quite common in the Danish education system. They may seem intimidating at first, but they are really just a conversation between you and one or two examiners. Your lecturer is usually one of the examiners.

Usually, you start the examination with a short presentation, and the lecturer will guide you through the rest of the exam with relevant questions and discussion points to help you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the course curriculum.

An oral exam usually takes 20-30 minutes, and when you leave the room after the exam, the examiner(s) will decide on your grade which you will receive when you are called back in a few minutes after the examination.

Physical oral exam

  • You must bring your student identity card and show up no later than the time stated on the exam order/schedule. There may be changes in the exam order on the day, and if some students do not show up, your examination time may be brought forward. 

    Physical Oral Exams in Engineering Programmes

    In the course description, itslearning, and the Digital Exam system, you can find details about your oral exam, including whether it requires preparation. 


  • It is important that you stay informed in the Digital Exam system or on itslearning where information about the room, date and time of the exam is published.

    If the exam requires preparation, you may bring your computer unless otherwise specified in the course description. You can also check if additional aids are allowed for the preparation. Only notes produced during the preparation may be brought into the examination room. During preparation, you are not allowed to communicate or exchange files with others.

  • The duration of the oral exam varies depending on whether the exam is individual or in groups. The duration is always stated including the deliberation.

    You will usually receive your grade immediately after the oral exam when the assessor(s) have deliberated the assessment of your exam.


Online oral exam

Online oral exams are rare. The oral exams almost always take place on campus. 

The main difference between the online and on-campus oral exam is that you are not in the same room as your examiner(s) for the online oral exam.

During online oral exams, you will typically be sitting in your own home or another place of your choice.  

You will receive guidelines for your online exam well in advance of the exam, including:  

  • When the exam takes place. 
  • How to access the virtual exam room.  
  • What the requirements are for the programmes you will use during the exam.  

As a rule, you must use your own computer when participating in the online oral exam. If this is not the case, it will be stated in the course description, on itslearning, or in the guidelines you receive regarding your exam.  

The program used for the online oral exam can be:  

  • Microsoft Teams 
  • Zoom 
  • Adobe Connect  

It will be stated in the supplementary guidelines for the exam in question which programme you have to use. 

  • Before the start of the exam, you must provide proof of your identity with your student identification card. 

    If you are going to take an online oral exam, the supplementary guidelines for the online oral exam in question will state when you must be ready for the exam. 

    During the exam, the assessor(s) may ask you to pan your camera and you may be asked to share your screen. 

    You are not allowed to exchange information or in any other way be in contact with anyone other than the assessors, neither during the preparation nor during the exam itself. 

    The exam may not be recorded under any circumstances, neither by you nor by the examiner. If the University learns that you have recorded your exam, you will be reported for breach of disciplinary measures. 

    During the exam, you are responsible for your own IT equipment and for continuously saving any notes. 

    If technical problems occur during the exam, the supplementary guidelines for the exam state what you should do. 

    Digital Oral Exams on Engineering Programmes

    As a general rule, all exams in engineering programmes are held physically. Conducting digital oral exams requires special permission from the Faculty Management.



  • It is important that you stay informed in the Digital Exam system or on itslearning where information about the room, date and time of the exam is published.

    In the course description, itslearning, or the Digital Exam system, you can find details about your exam, including whether it requires preparation. You can also check if additional aids are allowed for the preparation. Only notes produced during the preparation may be used for the oral presentation. During preparation, you are not allowed to communicate or exchange files with others.

  • For the online oral exam, you must have the following equipment ready:  

    • Your own computer (unless otherwise specified). 
    • Web camera: You are allowed to use the computer’s integrated webcam.  
    • Microphone: Feel free to use an external headset, as it improves the sound.  
    • Internet access.  

    It is your own responsibility to make sure that your video and audio are working and that your internet connection is of sufficient quality during the exam. Familiarise yourself with the technology and your equipment well in advance of the exam.  

  • The duration of the oral exam varies depending on whether the exam is individual or in groups. The duration is always stated including deliberation. 

    You will usually receive your grade immediately after the oral exam when the assessor(s) have deliberated the assessment of your exam.


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Last Updated 24.04.2026