When you sign up for courses, you are automatically signed up for the examination. You can change courses up to two weeks after study start, if the course schedule overlaps.
As a rule, you cannot cancel your course or examination registrations afterwards (unless exceptional circumstances come into apply).
Some exams are graded by Pass/Fail, while others are graded in accordance with the 7-point grading scale - See the Overview of the Danish Grading Scale.
In the course descriptions, you can find information about the type of exam, the second examiner, grading etc. for each course.
You have 3 examination attempts for each course.
If you fail, are absent or sick at the 1st examination attempt (ordinary examination), it is your own responsibility to sign up for the 2nd or 3rd examination attempt (re-exam). This may be different for elective courses – check out the re-exam descriptions in the course descriptions.
Please note that the re-exam may differ from the ordinary exam. You may read about types of exams in your course descriptions.
If you do not pass the exam in the 3rd examination attempt, you do not have any more attempts. However, you may be granted a deviation from the regulations, i.e. be granted a 4th examination attempt if exceptional circumstances have been the reason for you not having passed the exam.
Remember, that exceptional circumstances must be documented when you apply for exemption.
There are various ways of cancelling an examination registration if you are prevented from attending an exam because of illness or due to other exceptional circumstances. It is important that you understand the difference between acute and long term conditions/circumstances.
Read more about what you should do if you are prevented from attending an exam.
Perhaps exceptional circumstances make passing exams more challenging for you?
If that is the case you may apply to your Study Board to be exempted from the examination regulations.
Exemptions may vary. You may have a permanent physical disability or mental disorder and need additional time at the exam or to change the type of exam.
If you need help, you are welcome to contact the Student Guidance Service at the Humanities.
Do you get nervous before an exam to the extent that it affects you negatively? - Find out who may help you.
The majority of students have no intentions of cheating at the exams. Still, occasionally, students are caught cheating. Sometimes the intention has been to make it through a difficult exam that way, other times it is because the students are simply not familiar with the principles for academic integrity and formalities concerning good academic practices.
Read more about cheating at exams.
You can also look at relevant courses and events at SDU Library about proper academic writing.
It is not a good feeling to have participated in an exam where you feel that the way in which the exam was conducted or the grading was not fair. Sometimes it results in a need to or a wish for filing an appeal on the conduct of the exam or the grade.
Considerations before filing an appeal
However, before writing an actual appeal, we recommend that you consider what you expect to gain from it - and whether it is the right solution. Take time to reflect on the matter.
You should also note that in the event of a re-examination or re- assessment, you may risk getting a lower grade. And finally, writing an appeal takes time.
Please note that should you decide to appeal, it must be submitted within a two-week deadline from the time of publication of the examination results.
Guidance on examination appeals
Before writing and submitting an examination appeal, please read these guidelines. It may also be a good idea to contact your examiner and ask for the reasons for your assessment. Sometimes a talk can help clear things up.
Use this form for Examination Appeals at the Humanities.
Appealing because of a failed exam?
If you failed an exam and filed an appeal, you should still register for the re-exam. That way you’ll avoid lagging behind in your studies, should the appeal not be judged in your favour.
Under the Student Self-Service you'll find an overview of which subjects you have passed, how many examination attempts you have used etc. You may also make a transcript of your examination results.
When you have completed your programme, a diploma will automatically be sent to you personally.
- General Examination Regulations at SDU
- Joint provisions for the Bachelor's and Master's Degree programmes in the Humanities – applies to students at the Humanities only.
- General Examination Regulations and Good Advice
- Read about conditions for written examinations and digital submission at the Humanities