Explanations and appeals
The explanation process
- Candidates who would like an explanation of their grade are required to fill out and submit the online Request for Explanation of Grade form within one week of receiving their grade. The examiners will then contact the candidate (normally by e-mail) to inform them about how and when they will receive their explanation. NB: The online Request for Explanation of Grade form is the only form of explanation for grade request that will be accepted and processed.
- Candidates must ensure that they are given confirmation (signed and dated) of having received their explanation. This confirmation can either be written directly onto the request for explanation of grade form, or in the case of an explanation in the form of an e-mail, the e-mail itself will constitute confirmation.
- Candidates who request an explanation will normally receive the explanation within two weeks of submitting the online form. If they do not receive the explanation within this time period the candidate is requested to contact the department.
- NB: During vacation periods explanations of grade may be delayed.
Request an explanation of grade in Human Geography
Request an explanation of grade in Sociology
Click here for the Request for Explanation of Grade form for interdisciplinary courses.
How to appeal.
- The deadline for appeals is three weeks after the announcement of the examination grade.
- Candidates who wish to appeal a grade after having received an explanation of grade must fill out and submit the appeals form. The deadline for submitting the appeal is three weeks from the student receiving the explanation of grade. A candidate can appeal a grade without first applying for and receiving an explanation. In this case the candidate is must also fill out and submit the appeals form, which must then be submitted to the department within three weeks of the examination results being announced.
- Only appeals submitted in the form of a completed appeals form will be accepted.
- Candidates who have applied for an explanation will normally have received the explanation within three weeks of the application. If this is not the case the candidate is requested to contact the Department.
Click here for the appeals form.
The appeals process
- An appeal is sent to an appeals commission.
- Two new examiners are appointed to the appeals commission, at least one of which is an external examiner.
- The appeals commission are given access to the candidate's grounds for appealing, the original commission's explanation of grade awarded (if given in writing) and the original grade awarded. The candidate remains anonymous.
- The appeals commission decides whether the original grade should stand or whether to instead award a new grade that may be either higher or lower than the original grade.
- The appeals commission's decision is final and cannot be appealed against, according to the Norwegian Act relating to universities and university colleges, section 5-3(6).
- Appeals are normally processed in three weeks, but during periods when there are many appeals the process may take longer.
- NB: During vacation periods the appeals process may be delayed.
Rules and Regulations
General UiO rules regarding explanations and appeals of grades
You can read about the relevant laws in the Norwegian Act relating to universities and university colleges.
In particular: Norwegian Act relating to universities and university colleges: Section 3-9. Examinations and marking, Section 5-2. Complaints against procedural errors in connection with examinations, Section 5-3. Complaints regarding marks awarded - right to explanation