Section 1-1.Scope of application

The regulations apply to all applicants for admission to Noroff Higher Vocational College, to all those who have been offered a study place and to all those who have student status at the college.

The regulations provide provisions for admission, completion of studies and assessment at Noroff Higher Vocational College. They also describe the students' rights and obligations and provide the framework for the entire study at the Higher Vocational College.

Certain provisions in the regulations will be further elaborated through associated guidelines for each chapter.

Section 1-2.Relationship to other legislation

In the event that these regulations conflict with Norwegian law or central regulations laid down by the legislator or NOKUT, the law and central regulations shall take precedence. The provisions of the Vocational Colleges Act and associated regulations apply to matters not mentioned in these regulations.

The Public Administration Act's rules on impartiality in sections 6-10 and on the duty of confidentiality in sections 13-13e apply to case processing under the Vocational Colleges Act.

Section 1-3.The student's duty to investigate and provide information

The student is obliged to familiarise himself/herself with the applicable regulations and guidelines at the vocational school. This includes the Vocational Colleges Act, central and local regulations, the curriculum and specific provisions that apply to the educational programme the student is following.

The student is obliged to follow the information provided in the Higher Vocational College's communication channels, especially related to assessment situations, important deadlines and completion of the study.

The student is obliged to keep his/her contact details up to date, including name, postal address and e-mail address. Any changes must be reported to the Higher Vocational College immediately. The responsibility for this lies with the student. If the student fails to update his/her information, the Higher Vocational College is not responsible for important information or diplomas not being received.

Section 1-4.Use of the student's work (Intellectual Property Rights)

Noroff reserves the right to archive and utilise material prepared by students in connection with assignments and projects as part of the learning activities and for marketing purposes.

The student has the right to object to reuse under the first paragraph by written notice. For more information about intellectual property rights, see the Higher Vocational College's IPR policy.

Section 1-5.The Higher Vocational College's responsibility

The Higher Vocational College is responsible for ensuring that all education and assessment is carried out in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and good professional practice. The Higher Vocational College must ensure that the student's rights are safeguarded through clear information, sound case management and legally secure assessment practices. It is the Higher Vocational College's responsibility to offer relevant services and support functions that promote student learning and completion.

The board may decide to close classes or educational programmes if, in the board's opinion, it is no longer academically, financially or organisationally justifiable to maintain the programme. The decision must be made before a new semester and followed up by the study administration.

Section 1-6.Definitions

Section 2-1.General information about admission

The Higher Vocational College has continuous admission, and applications are processed continuously during the application periods leading up to the start of the programme. The applicant submits an application for admission in Noroff's application portal via the website.

The board itself must make a decision that, in the board's judgement, it is justifiable to admit new students. The decision must be made before the start of the programme.

The Rector may decide to stop admission when the capacity for the number of students has been reached or extend it as required. If there are more applications than available places, the applicant may be placed on a waiting list in the order in which the applicant is qualified.

Section 2-2.Formal admission requirements

The formal admission requirement for tertiary vocational education programmes is a pass in upper secondary education or prior learning assessed as equivalent, cf. the National Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (NKR), level 4.

Special admission requirements are additional requirements to the formal admission requirements. Such requirements may include specific subjects, vocational certificates, journeyman's certificates, grades, points, entrance exams, work experience, authorisations, certifications or other professional approvals.

Admission requirements, including formal and special requirements, must be clearly described in the curriculum for the programme in question.

Section 2-2-1.Admission on the basis of upper secondary study or vocational qualifications

Formal education is a relevant trade certificate, journeyman's certificate or diploma from vocational upper secondary education or general study competence with a diploma from preparatory upper secondary education.

Applicants with a passed upper secondary education from other countries will be assessed on the basis of the GSU list established by the Norwegian Agency for Higher Education and Skills.

Admission decisions are made by Noroff's admissions department.

Section 2-2-2.Admission on the basis of prior learning

Applicants who do not fulfil the formal admission requirement of having passed upper secondary education may be admitted to a tertiary vocational education programme on the basis of prior learning if the applicant is 23 years of age or older in the year of admission.

Prior learning must be documented and assessed against and be equivalent to level 4 of the NKR and must be relevant to the programme to which admission is sought.

Prior learning can be acquired through work experience, voluntary work, courses, incomplete upper secondary education, foreign education or other relevant experience.

Documentation of other foreign education must be available in the form of authorised translations in English where the documentation is not already in English or a Nordic language and must be uploaded to the application portal by the set deadline.

If necessary, the Admissions Department may stipulate that an interview, an assignment or both must be conducted to demonstrate any tacit knowledge.

Decisions on admission after prior learning assessment are made by Noroff's Admissions Department, following the necessary professional assessments.

Section 2-3.Conditional admission and conditional offer of a study place

Where conditional admission has been granted, the Higher Vocational College shall, as far as possible and reasonable, facilitate that the student can take a vocational or journeyman's examination or deferred examination in upper secondary education at the same time as the programme. If this is not possible, the conditional admission will be extended until the next time a deferred test or exam is organised.

Students who have been admitted on conditional admission must upload their diploma or confirmation of passing the programme in the Higher Vocational College's application portal by the deadline.

Students admitted on conditional admission who do not fulfil the admission requirement by the end of the first semester will lose their place and right to study. Exams taken before the admission requirements have been documented will not be recognised as passed.

Section 2-3-1.Conditional admission in the event of a late vocational or journeyman's examination

Applicants who have not passed a vocational or journeyman's examination at the time of admission, and thus do not fulfil the admission requirements, may be granted conditional admission if the student documents that the examination will be completed during the first semester.

Section 2-3-2.Conditional admission under other conditions

Applicants who, due to special circumstances such as illness, accidents or death in the immediate family, have not been able to take the upper secondary school examination and thus do not fulfil the admission requirements, may be granted conditional admission if the following conditions are met:

Section 2-3-3.Conditional offer of a study place

A conditional offer of a study place may be made to applicants who need time to obtain the necessary documentation. Such conditions must be met by the start of the programme.

Section 2-4.The Higher Vocational Colleges language requirements

Applicants must have sufficient language skills to be able to follow learning activities and complete the programme. For admission to a tertiary vocational education programme, the applicant must formally document the necessary skills in English. For programmes that are completed in person on campus, applicants must also formally document sufficient proficiency in Norwegian or another Nordic language.

All applicants must fulfil the language requirements. If the necessary language skills are not documented in the application documentation, the applicant must submit additional documentation.

If the applicant cannot provide formal documentation of the necessary language skills, a self- declaration may be used. This only applies to admission based on prior learning assessment.

Section 2-5.Appeals in the event of rejection of an application for admission

An admission decision is an individual decision and can be appealed in accordance with chapter 6 on appeals against individual decisions.

Section 3-1.Right to study

The right to study is granted upon admission to a tertiary vocational education and applies from the start of the studies and for the standard period of study. When transferring to a new study at Noroff, a new admission must be applied for or accepted.

The right to study ceases upon completion, in the event of voluntary interruption, exclusion, loss of right to study or lack of progression.

The right to study entitles the student to participate in accordance with the curriculum and course descriptions of the study offer to which the student has been admitted.

Section 3-2.Extended right to study or right to take exams

The student may apply in writing for an extended right to study within three weeks before the studies should normally have ended. An extended right to study can provide up to 12 months of extended right to study and entails an additional cost.

Students who are outside the completion deadline, and who want to complete in order to achieve a passed education plan, can apply for an individual completion plan with extended right to study.

The student is granted the right to take a new postponed exam or a continuation exam within the first calendar year after completing the ordinary exam. Ordinary exam attempts are included in the tuition fee. An examination fee is charged for new attempts, with the exception of students with documented valid absence.

Section 3-3.Education and study progression

Students must confirm their education plan and semester registration at the start of their studies. The student must also register for each semester by the applicable deadlines set in the academic calendar.

The study is offered in accordance with the current study plan or course description and progression plan available on the learning platform.

Section 3-4.Changes to the study programme and courses

The Higher Vocational College may make adjustments to courses and study programmes as part of professional development and quality assurance. Such changes must not result in delays in the student's progression or reduce the learning outcomes. Students who have already been admitted to the study must be informed in writing of any significant changes.

Students enrolled in a study that undergoes significant changes or is terminated are entitled to complete the study according to the original plan within the completion deadline, unless a special agreement is entered into regarding transition to a new study plan.

Students who do not complete the study within the deadline for the old curriculum will normally be transferred to the current curriculum, provided that this is academically and practically possible. The Higher Vocational College determines which courses may need to be retaken, and what can be approved after previously completed education.

Section 3-5.Loss of right to study

If a student's right to study is lost or has expired, the student must apply for a new admission unless there is an individual agreement with the Higher Vocational College. The student is given advance notice before the study administration makes a decision on the loss of the right to study.

The student may temporarily or permanently lose the right to study if:

A decision on loss of study rights is an individual decision and can be appealed in accordance with chapter 6 on appeals against individual decisions.

Section 3-6.Voluntary interruption (termination of study contract)

If a student wishes to terminate the contractual relationship with the Higher Vocational College, a written notice of termination must be sent to the study administration within the deadlines stated in the study contract.

Section 3-7.Leave of absence from education

The student is entitled to leave of absence from the programme in connection with childbirth and childcare or in connection with compulsory military service, positions in student political or elected bodies, and other compelling reasons that make it impossible to complete the programme for a period of time.

If the student is granted leave after the tuition fee has been invoiced, the payment is considered valid for the invoiced period. The tuition fee will be resumed upon return to the programme and will be invoiced according to the agreed terms. The student shall not be charged more than the total tuition fee stipulated for the entire course of study.

Students who continuously pay tuition fees retain the right to take exams during their leave of absence. Students who will be taking exams during the leave period must notify the study administration.

A decision on leave of absence from education is an individual decision and can be appealed in accordance with Chapter 6 on appeals against individual decisions.

Section 3-8.Individualised adaptation

A student who, due to a functional impairment, health condition or special needs, requires facilitation may apply for individual facilitation of learning activities and exams.

The right applies to adaptations that do not lead to a reduction in the academic requirements of the programme and do not entail a disproportionate burden for the Higher Vocational College.

A student who, for medical or other reasons, believes that he/she is entitled to more time to complete an exam and/or needs special aid/assistance measures must apply for this.

A decision on individual facilitation is an individual decision and can be appealed in accordance with Chapter 6 on appeals against individual decisions.

Section 3-9.Facilitation of exams

Students who document illness during the last two weeks before the exam submission deadline may be granted a corresponding extension of the deadline for submitting the exam.

A decision to organise an exam is an individual decision and can be appealed in accordance with Chapter 6 on appeals against individual decisions.

Section 3-10.Credit and exemption

A student may apply to have previously passed accredited tertiary vocational education credited as part of the study offer. Credit is granted on the basis of documented equivalent completed education in accordance with the academic requirements for the course or courses for which credit is requested.

A student may apply for exemption from parts of the study offer. The exemption is granted on the basis of documented attainment of equivalent prior learning achieved in other means than through accredited tertiary vocational education.

An application for credit or exemption must include the necessary documentation that the student wishes to be credited or exempted within the applicable deadlines.

A decision on credit or exemption is an individual decision and can be appealed in accordance with Chapter 6 on appeals against individual decisions.

Section 4-1.Assessment system

The assessment system at the Higher Vocational College shall ensure that the student is assessed in a systematic and fair manner in accordance with the course's learning outcomes. Each course description must describe the course's formal overall assessment of the student's knowledge, skills and general competence. The assessment scheme may include compulsory activities and forms of examination and can only lead to one assessment expression.

The assessment scheme follows the Higher Vocational College's description for learning activities and assessment. See each course description for the current assessment scheme. The assessment scheme in each course will be evaluated externally.

Section 4-2.Assessment terms

The academy uses three formal assessment terms. Compulsory activities that regulate access to exams are assessed as «Approved» or «Not approved». Examinations are assessed according to the national grading system with «Pass» or «Fail», and a graded grading scale from «A-F».

Section 4-3.Basis for assessment and grading

The learning outcome description must be used as the basis for formal assessment of the student's performance in a course. A grading decision is the term for the final assessment of the exam and constitutes the grade the student receives.

Subject-specific assessment criteria can be drawn up on the basis of the course description to ensure coherence between assessment, learning outcomes and academic level.

The grade «Pass» or «Fail» must be an independent expression and not linked to the graded grading scale. In the case of an assessment with the grade «Pass», the student must have achieved learning outcomes related to the exam in question. If the learning outcome has not been achieved, the grade «Not passed» will be used. The requirements for a passing grade shall not be made dependent on changes in the student's ability to complete the course.

The Higher Vocational College uses its own general qualitative description as a basis.

When using the graded grading scale «A-F», the grades «A» to «E» will be used to indicate the extent to which the student has achieved the learning outcome, where «A» represents outstanding achievement, «C» represents fair, and «E» represents the lowest level of passing performance. The grade «F» is used when the learning outcome has not been achieved.

The academy uses a national description of the grading scale as a basis for grading.

Section 4-4.Grading and examiner

Grades in the form of «A-F» or «Pass» «Fail» must be available no later than three weeks after the exam date or deadline, unless special reasons make a longer period necessary.

If the grading cannot be completed by the deadline, the student must be informed of the delay and when the grading is expected to be completed.

The result of the assessment is considered to have been communicated when it has been made digitally available to the student.

Grading decisions are made by an external examiner or examiners appointed by the head of programme with responsibility for the relevant curriculum or course.

Examiners must have the necessary academic expertise and knowledge of the learning outcomes for both the course and the programme, and must be able to assess the student's performance against set learning outcome descriptions.

The external examiner may be internal, external or a combination of both, depending on the nature of the assessment and applicable requirements.

If more than one examiner is used, an overall assessment must be given. If there is disagreement between the examiners, the final decision will be made by an examiner with special expertise and experience in the subject area appointed by the programme manager.

A decision on grading is a grading decision and can be appealed in accordance with Chapter 6 on justification or appeal of grading decisions.

Section 4-5.Compulsory activity

Compulsory activities are defined to regulate access to exams in the course. The purpose of the activities is to ensure that the student has achieved a sufficient academic level to be able to take the exam. Assessment of compulsory activities is «Approved» or «Not approved» and is an independent assessment.

Compulsory activities can be carried out in groups, but the assessment must be individual.

The activity must be formative and cannot count towards the assessment of an exam.

Compulsory activities must be assessed as «Approved» or «Not approved» before the exam is held or submitted. In the Higher Vocational College, compulsory activities are divided into two categories:

A student with a compelling reason may be offered an alternative compulsory activity if this is stated as an option in the course description and it is academically feasible within the time frame for ordinary completion. The aim is to document equivalent learning outcomes.

The result of the compulsory activity is registered immediately, but no later than two weeks before the last day of the examination, unless otherwise stated.

If the student fulfils the conditions for the compulsory activity by the specified deadline, the student will be given approval for the activity and admission to the exam.

If the student fails to fulfil the conditions for the compulsory activity by the specified deadline, the student loses the right to take the exam, regardless of the reason, including illness or other circumstances that may occur during the activity. The study administration must notify the student and deregister the student from the exam if the conditions for taking the exam are not approved.

The assessment of compulsory activity is considered an individual decision as the student is either granted or loses the right to take the exam and can be appealed in accordance with chapter 6 on appeals against individual decisions.

Section 4-6.Types of examination

Examinations are defined as written, oral or practical tests of knowledge, skills or general competence. Examination grades are «A-F» or «Pass» or «Fail», each of which is an independent assessment.

Section 4-7.Registration and deregistration for assessment

The student is registered for the ordinary assessment scheme in the course in accordance with the approved education plan and semester registration.

The student may withdraw from an examination in a course by the stipulated withdrawal deadline.

If the student has not received a passing result for a compulsory activity or ordinary exam, it is the student's responsibility to register for a new attempt within the specified deadlines.

Section 4-8.Number of attempts for assessment

The student is entitled to two opportunities to complete a compulsory activity by repeating it if it is not approved, unless otherwise stated in the study plan.

Attempts at compulsory activities are counted as counting when they are registered as:

Students have the right to sit for an exam in the same course up to three times. In the event of documented valid absence, the exam attempt is not considered to have been used. In special cases, the Higher Vocational College may grant a fourth examination attempt upon written application from the student.

An exam attempt is considered valid when it is registered as:

A student who fails to obtain approval for a compulsory activity or fails to pass an exam within the number of permitted attempts will lose the right to study the course.

Section 4-9.Examination rights

A student who fulfils all the conditions below has the right to take an examination:

The content, form and assessment criteria for compulsory activities must be announced to the student at the start of the course.

A complete examination paper text must be submitted in writing to the student at the start of the course or at the start of the examination period.

Section 4-10.Continuation exams, postponed exams and repetition of compulsory activities

A continuation exam is a new exam given to students who have failed a course, have an invalid result or wish to improve a grade. A fee is charged for continuation exams in accordance with current rates.

Postponed exam is a new free exam that is given to students who have a valid absence at the exam. The documentation covers the day(s) of the exam:

Documentation must be submitted to the study administration no later than one week after the exam date.

Continuation exams, postponed exams and repetition of compulsory activities are normally carried out in repetition periods organised by the Higher Vocational College each semester. For some courses, it will be necessary to wait until the next ordinary examination period.

Section 4-11.Return of practical assignments after assessment

Practical assignments that have been subject to assessment or included in an examination situation can be collected by the student after the appeal deadline has expired.

The papers must be collected in person or by a proxy with written authorisation from the student. Practical papers will not be returned by post.

The Higher Vocational College will provide information about the time and deadline for collection. Papers that are not collected by the specified deadline will be destroyed.

Section 4-12.Diplomas and documentation of results

The study administration produces a digital diploma for a student who has completed and passed a diploma-granting programme. Diplomas are only issued once per achievement.

The student can request a postponement of the diploma if they wish to improve their exam results after completing the standard period of study, but before the current completion deadline.

Examinations that are retaken for grade improvement after the student has been issued a diploma are documented with a transcript of records.

The diploma must state all courses included in the programme, with associated credits, grades and overall learning outcome descriptions as stated in the applicable study plan.

Students who do not have access to the diploma portal will be sent a paper diploma at no extra cost.

Students who have access to the diploma portal can order a paper diploma on request. A fee may be charged for such an order in accordance with current rates.

In the event of documented loss of a paper diploma, a duplicate can be issued for a fee. This version of the diploma must be clearly labelled «DUPLICATE». This assumes that the vocational college has a history of issuing the same diploma version as previously issued. If a duplicate cannot be issued, a confirmation of the qualification achieved may be issued instead.

Students who have completed parts of the programme are entitled to a transcript of records and can order this.

Section 5-1.Prohibition of cheating and attempted cheating

Cheating includes actions or circumstances aimed at giving a student, or a fellow student, an unjustified advantage during the assessment. This also includes actions that result in the student's or fellow student's knowledge and skills not being tested and assessed in an impartial and professionally satisfactory manner.

Attempted cheating occurs when a student intentionally or grossly negligently acts in contravention of the Higher Vocational College's regulations or guidelines for examinations, where the performance is assessed with the letter grade «A-F» or «Pass» «Fail». This means that the action was intentional or clearly reprehensible.

The list is not exhaustive. Examples of cheating are:

Section 5-1-1.Plagiarism control

As part of the grading process, the Higher Vocational College may carry out plagiarism checks on submitted exam papers and other student work. The Higher Vocational College may store copies of such work and use these for control purposes in subsequent plagiarism assessments, in accordance with applicable data protection rules.

Section 5-1-2.Oral hearing as a control measure in the event of suspected cheating

If it is suspected that a submitted assignment or other assessment basis is not the student's own work, an oral hearing may be held as a control measure to assess ownership and independence.

The hearing is not a formal notification of cheating but can help to clarify the student's connection to the work. The hearing must be conducted after the grading has been determined and the result cannot affect the grade. The study administration is responsible for convening, organising and conducting the hearing. The assessment from the hearing forms part of the basis for any further processing as a cheating case.

Section 5-1-3.Duty to report suspected cheating

If an examiner, course teacher or other employee at the Higher Vocational College suspects that a student has cheated or attempted to cheat, they are obliged to report the matter in writing without undue delay.

The report must contain a specific description of the circumstances that give rise to the suspicion, as well as relevant information, and must be sent to the study administration.

Section 5-1-4.Processing of suspected cheating

When the study administration receives a report of suspected cheating, it must be assessed as soon as possible whether the conditions for further processing are met. The study administration is responsible for assessing whether there are grounds for further processing in accordance with the Higher Vocational College's regulations.

Section 5-2.Prohibition against the use of false documents for admission

The use of false diplomas or other false documents in connection with admission to the Higher Vocational College programme is prohibited. The same applies to documents issued by false institutions.

Offences mentioned in the first paragraph will be reported to the police.

Section 5-3.Prohibition on the use of face-covering clothing

Students and employees at the Higher Vocational College must not wear garments that fully or partially cover their face in situations where they are participating in learning activities or exams and are interacting with others. The exception applies when such use is justified for climatic, educational, teaching, health or safety reasons.

Section 5-4.Disciplinary sanctions

The study administration handles case management and does preliminary work in cases involving disciplinary sanctions. The student has the right to be heard before a decision is made.

The Higher Vocational College's local appeals committee will process and make decisions in cases involving cancellation, expulsion and exclusion.

Decisions on cancellation, expulsion and exclusion may be appealed by the student to the national appeals board for higher vocational education.

Section 5-4-1.Cancellation

The Higher Vocational College's local appeals board may annul grading decisions if a student has deliberately or grossly negligently cheated, or deliberately attempted to cheat, in connection with the conduct of an examination.

The Higher Vocational College's local appeals committee may annul decisions on admission, exemption from or crediting of education and competence if a student has used a false diploma, other false documents or documents issued by a false institution.

The right to cancellation does not expire.

After a decision on cancellation has been made, any diplomas or transcripts must be returned to the Higher Vocational College.

Section 5-4-2.Expulsion

If a student repeatedly breaks the dress code, exhibits grossly disruptive or unacceptable behaviour that harms the learning environment or the school's activities, the study administration will give the student a written warning.

The written warning must contain a description of the incident for which the warning is given, the rules that have been broken, expectations of future behaviour and the consequences if the warning is not heeded.

As a general rule, expulsion must be limited to the areas or situations where disruptive behaviour has occurred. This may mean that the student is temporarily denied access to the academy's physical areas or access to the academy's online platforms associated with the programme. The right to take exams is not cancelled by expulsion.

The Higher Vocational College's local appeals committee may, with at least a two-thirds majority, make a decision on expulsion if the student does not heed the warning. Expulsion shall not last longer than necessary to fulfil its purpose, and for a maximum of one year. The rector may temporarily and until the appeals board has been convened, decide to expel a student if a decision on expulsion cannot wait.

Section 5-4-3.Expulsion

The Higher Vocational College's local appeals board may, by a majority of at least two-thirds, decide to exclude a student from all study offers at the Higher Vocational College for up to one year if:

Exclusion means that the student loses the right to participate in exams and other activities at the academy for a specified period. Exclusion is used as a sanction in the event of serious or repeated breaches of the Higher Vocational College's regulations.

Section 6-1.Appeals against individual decisions

Students have the right to appeal against individual decisions made by the Higher Vocational College. Individual decisions must be in writing and contain a justification. If the reasons are not included in the decision, the student may request a written explanation from the body that made the decision.

The appeal must be made in writing and sent to the body that made the original decision (first instance). The deadline for appeals is three weeks from the time the student was made aware of the decision or should have been made aware of it. If the student has requested reasons for the decision, the appeal period of three weeks applies from the time the reasons were received, or the student was otherwise made aware of them.

If the first instance does not find reason to uphold the appeal, the appeal, together with relevant documents and statements, must be forwarded to the appeal body for final consideration (second instance).

The appeals body at the Higher Vocational College is the local appeals committee when the individual decision is made by the Higher Vocational College in the first instance. If the decision is made by the local appeals committee in the first instance, the national appeals committee is the appeal body.

The appeal body must be independent of the first instance. Appeals decisions in the second instance are final and cannot be further appealed.

Section 6-1-1.Support, content of the appeal and guidance

In connection with all individual decisions, the Higher Vocational College must inform the student of the right to appeal, the deadline for appeals, the appeals body, the right of access to the case documents and how the appeal should be submitted.

The student's appeal must be in writing, authenticated and dated, and must clearly state which individual decision is being appealed. The complaint should contain a justification for the request for change. Incomplete appeals or appeals received after the deadline may be rejected without further processing.

Students who wish to do so can receive practical help and guidance in formulating their complaint from the study administration or the student ombudsperson.

Students may be assisted by a lawyer, student ombudsperson or other trusted person as a proxy in cases concerning individual decisions. The Higher Vocational College is not obliged to appoint or cover the costs of such assistance.

Section 6-2.Complaints about formal errors in assessment situations that are assessed with a grade

Formal errors include errors in the exam paper, errors in conducting the assessment, or objective errors in grading that may have affected the student's grade.

Appeals must be submitted in writing and addressed to the academic school's study administration (first instance), which makes an initial assessment. The deadline for appeals is three weeks from the time the student should or became aware of the error. If a student has demanded reasons for or complained about the grading, the appeal period runs from the time the student has received the reasons, or until the appeal against the grading has been finally decided.

If the first instance does not find that errors have been made that have had an impact on the student's performance or assessment of this, the appeal is forwarded to the appeals body that is the local appeals board for final consideration (second instance).

If the first or second instance in its handling of the appeal reveals that formal errors have been made that may have had an impact on the student's performance or assessment, the grading decision must be cancelled.

If the grading decision is cancelled, assessment situations that can be verified must be resubmitted for grading by one or more new examiners appointed by the head of education, at least one of whom must be an external examiner. In the case of assessment situations that cannot be verified, a new examination must be held free of charge for the student within a reasonable time after the error has been identified.

Section 6-2-1.Formal errors that affect several students

If a formal error is discovered in an assessment situation that may have affected one student's grade, the academic school must assess whether the error may also have affected other students.

If the error is deemed to be of such a nature that it may have affected the grades of several students, the academic school must implement the necessary measures on its own initiative. Measures must be implemented in accordance with the principles of equal treatment and legal certainty in the Public Administration Act.

Section 6-3.Reasons for or appeal against the grading decision (determination of grades)

The student is entitled to receive an explanation for the grading when the grading decision has been made. If written guidelines have been issued for the assessment, these must be available to the students after the grade has been determined.

If the justification is not given at the same time as the grade, the student must submit a claim for justification within one week of the grade being announced. In the case of an oral examination or assessment of practical skills, the student must submit a request for justification of the grade immediately after the grade has been announced.

The examiner must provide reasons for the grading within two weeks of the student's request. If the explanation cannot be provided within two weeks, the student must be notified of this and at the same time be told when the explanation can be expected. The justification must contain an account of the general assessment criteria used and the examiner's assessment of the student's performance against these. The reasons may be given orally or in writing.

The student may appeal in writing against the grading within three weeks of the grading decision being made for assessment situations that can be verified. If the student has requested an explanation or complained about formal errors, the deadline for appealing runs from the time the student has received the explanation, or until the appeal on formal errors has been finally decided. Oral or practical assessment situations that by their nature cannot be verified cannot be appealed.

In the event of an appeal against the grading, the head of education must appoint one or more new examiners, at least one of whom must be external. The appeals process must be completed within three weeks of receipt of the appeal, unless special reasons indicate otherwise. The new examiners must not be aware of the original grade, any justifications or the complainant's comments.

Appeals result in a new grading decision that may lead to a higher (favourable), lower (unfavourable) or unchanged grade. The grading decision following an appeal is final and cannot be further appealed.

If the grade being appealed has been determined on the basis of both a written and an oral test, and the grade is changed after a re-scoring of the written test, a new oral test must be conducted before the final grade is determined.

Section 7-1.More detailed rules

The study administration has the authority to adopt amendments to the guidelines associated with these regulations in accordance with the Higher Vocational College's management document for document categories.

The board of Noroff Higher Vocational College adopts changes to the regulations. The study administration administers revision and change work related to these regulations.

Course descriptions and study plans that were approved before these regulations entered into force remain unchanged and follow the previously applicable provisions in the event of conflict with the current regulations. Adjustments to the provisions of these regulations will not take place until the next revision of the course or study programme in question.

Section 7-2.Entry into force

The regulations enter into force on 01 September 2025. From the same date, the Regulations of 1 August 2024 No. 1856^​1 concerning Regulations on Admission, Studies and Examinations at Noroff Higher Vocational College will be repealed.