Grades must be published no later than two weeks after the exam, but no later than three weeks after an autumn semester exam in December. Assessment other than written or oral examination, is based on the submission date of the dissertation / project or the day the assessment takes place.

If a student who has not passed an examination does not like the teacher’s assessment, they can turn to the relevant dean. An examiner shall then be appointed in each case. In the case of special conditions, a teacher or the majority of students in a course may also request the appointment of an examiner for an individual examination. The result of an examiner appointed after a teacher’s grade has been published may lead to a decrease or increase in the published grade when it is weighed against the teacher’s assessment.

Explanation/test exhibition

A student has the right to receive an explanation from a teacher of the assessment of his or her written solution, if they send a request within fifteen days of the publication of the grade. Teachers are allowed to hold a test exhibition for all course students where the assessment of written solutions is explained.

Old tests

Students have the right to access old exams on the basis of Information Act no. 140/2012. It is not sufficient to only have part of the exam library or only part of the exams themselves published. All old exams should be published if students ask for it. However, the teacher decides where the tests are published, and does not have to publish them on Ugla or Canvas. However, as a main rule, students must be given unrestricted access to the data and permission to make copies.

Language

As a rule, exams are conducted in the same language as teaching. In courses taught in English, the faculty may however permit students to submit assignments and sit examinations in Icelandic. In courses taught in Icelandic, the faculty may permit students who are not native speakers of Icelandic to submit assignments and sit examinations in another language.

Exam number

Written exam results must be marked with students’ exam number. However, departments can set rules for exemption.

Makeup exams

A student who falls ill and therefore cannot take an examination must submit a medical certificate to Háskólatorg’s service desk within three days of the examination date. The same applies if a student’s child falls ill. Students who fall ill during an examination are required to notify an invigilator, who shall note it in the examination paper. A medical certificate must be submitted the same day to the service desk.

Makeup exams are held following general exam periods in December and May, for 4 – 5 days according to further decision by the director of examinations. Faculties are authorised, having consulted with the director of examinations, to use the period in the spring for makeup examinations for both semesters.

Complaints and grievances process

All decisions of the school authorities can be appealed according to administrative law. Article 50 of the Rules for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009 applies to student complaints. If a student finds that their rights regarding teaching, examinations, assessment, grading, assessment of academic progress or anything else related to teaching and examinations have been violated, they shall send a written request to the faculty office. It shall clearly state what the issue is and the justification for it. The head of faculty shall address the issue as quickly as possible, generally ruling on it within two months of receiving notification at the latest.

If the matter is extensive and expected to take longer to resolve, those parties involved shall be notified and informed of when to except a ruling. If a student does not agree with the faculty´s decision, they can refer their case to the he or she may refer the matter to the Complaints Committee for student issues. Such submissions shall be sent to the office of the relevant school. The schools do not re-evaluate exam solutions or the professional conclusions of teachers or examiners.

An applicant for a postgraduate program may refer a rejection to the Complaints Committee. In the case of interdisciplinary studies, school that oversees the study, will make a decision, unless otherwise decided in the rules on the study.

Matters will not be referred to the board of the school until a decision has been reached by the faculty, according to the first and second paragraphs above, or three months have elapsed since the complaint was first submitted in writing to the faculty. The head of the faculty has a secondary role in the discussion and handling of such matters in the board of the school.

Rulings of the Complaints Committee for student issues may be referred to the Board of Appeal to deal with higher education institution student complaints, cf. Article 20 of the Higher Education Institutions Act no. 63/2006. The Board does not reassess examination papers or the professional conclusions of teaching staff, evaluation committees or external examiners. Cases cannot be referred to the Board of Appeal before the University of Iceland Complaints Committee has issued a ruling, or three months have passed since the complaint was first submitted in writing to the Committee. Students shall be instructed of their right to appeal when rulings are issued.