Student rights and responsibilities

Students are always assessed based on the educational goals stated in the course syllabus. These goals determine the grading scale for each examination. Grading is carried out by an examiner appointed by the University. 

Examination schedules

Exam schedules will be published no later than four weeks prior to the start of the course. It is the student’s responsibility to register for examinations. Resits cannot be scheduled at the same time as ordinary examinations for the following semester.

Written examination at a different location

In special circumstances, it might be possible to take a written examination at a different location. For instance, you have medical or social reasons, or are on an exchange semester. You must submit a written application, including a confirmation of the reason, to your examiner. It is your responsibility as a student to arrange for an examination location, invigilator and contact person at an institution, school or similar.

Examination of internships

If a programme or course includes an internship, specific rules may apply regarding the total number of examination opportunities.  If a student is at risk of receiving a failing grade for their placement/internship, they should be made aware of this at the earliest opportunity. 

Notification of results and post-exam reviews

You will be notified of the results of an exam as soon as possible: no later than fifteen working days after the examination and ten working days before re-examination. The results may be posted on Canvas or sent to you by email. Reporting in Ladok must be completed no later than five working days after you have been notified of the result. An oral and/or written review of the examination is to be carried out no later than ten days prior to re-examination.

Written examinations will be returned to students or archived. Examination results will be archived by the University for a period of two years. Once the results of an examination have been posted, examination papers, as well as written comments by supervisors or examiners, become public documents and can be released upon request. The return of written examinations may only happen once the examination results have been registered in the University's student administration system, Ladok.

Re-examination

Students who receive a passing grade for a course or a module are not permitted to resit examinations in order to improve their grade. There are certain exceptions to this rule in Swedish-taught programmes.

Limitations on total examination sessions

The University may only decide to limit the number of re-examinations if an unlimited right would lead to an unreasonable waste of resources. If the number of examination sessions for a certain course is to be limited, there are to be two opportunities to retake the examination in addition to the three sessions mentioned above. This offers each student at least five examination sessions in total.

Replacement of examiners/supervisors

If you have failed the same examination twice by the same examiner, you have the right to have a different examiner appointed for your next exam, unless there are specific circumstances preventing this. In the event of a failing grade for a placement or internship, you also have the right to change examiner/supervisor. 

Previous examination papers

Students are entitled to view previously-used examination papers/assignments. The examination forms/assignments are public documents and may never be classified

If you need special support

Exceptions from the assessment methods stated in the syllabus may be granted in special circumstances, for example, if you are a student with functional variations or disabilities. Students with disabilities should be informed of these special circumstances at the start of each course or programme.

If required, you can submit an application for an individually adapted examination to the examiner. You can do this together with the University’s disability service. They can then recommend an individually-adapted examination, but ultimately it is up to the examiner. 

Learning support at Malmö University

Exams at Malmö University 

Review and justification of grades

Your examiner is obliged to provide a written justification of your grade if you request one. You can also request a review of the grade you receive. If the examiner reaches the conclusion that the initial decision was incorrect, then the grade will be changed. If the examiner independently discovers that a grade is incorrect, the grade will be changed regardless of whether or not the student requested a review. An examiner is never permitted to lower an already issued grade except in the case of cheating, plagiarism or administrative errors. 

There is no time limit on when you can request a review; however, the sooner you make a request, the easier it is for the University to deal with the matter.

Students who are citizens of an EEA country or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. However, studying does involve other expenses such as purchasing course literature, study materials, travel in connection with placements/internships and the cost of living and accommodation.

The University is not permitted to charge fees or expenses for compulsory activities, such as study trips, unless an equivalent, free-of-charge alternative is also offered. If specific course activities are to take place at a different university, Malmö University is responsible for any fees charged by that institution, while students are responsible for the cost of transport and accommodation.

Course certificate

If you request a course certificate after successfully completing a course, you have the right to receive the document within ten working days. The department or school offering the course is responsible for issuing the certificate. If your request for the certificate is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Higher Education Appeals Board

Degree certificate

Read more about general rules and information about degree certificates.

More about degree certificates and how to apply

The deferment period – leave from studies – cannot exceed 18 months unless special grounds exist. Applications for leave from studies should be submitted to the appropriate function at the University. A decision to grant a leave of absence from studies with guaranteed readmission shall be for a fixed period, after which the student has the right to retake their place in the course or study programme.

An admitted student who has been granted a deferment is responsible for notifying the University when they intend to recommence their studies. The student shall give notice of their wish to resume studies in the upcoming term no later than 15 April or 15 October respectively.

Students may appeal against any decision to reject a request to defer studies to the Higher Education Appeals Board. 

If the University makes an error that prevents a student from taking an examination or obtaining a degree, the University is required to rectify this error without delay. 

As a student, you have the right to exercise influence over your education. Malmö University has established a separate policy for student influence that you can download below. 

Policy for student influence at Malmö University

Course evaluation

Students have the right to give feedback through course evaluations, which are carried out at the end of all courses. Course evaluations are a useful tool for influencing and developing your studies. As a student, you are an important stakeholder in the University’s activities and therefore have a responsibility to participate in course evaluations. 

Malmö University offers access to counsellors and nurse. University clerics are also part of the student health and welfare network.

Student Health Service

University Chaplains

As a student at Malmö University, it is your responsibility to keep yourself informed about your programme. You can get updates on events and news on the University's website, and important information such as schedule changes will be communicated to you through the learning platform Canvas. Your teacher is obliged to notify you at the start of the course about how and when you can contact them. They are also required to reply to any questions from students in a timely manner. 

Syllabus and compulsory activities

Course syllabi will be published when the programme opens for online applications. This is where you will find information about the educational aims of the course, as well as how you will be assessed and graded. If a course contains compulsory activities, these will be stated in the syllabus.

Compulsory activities

In order to pass the course, you are required to complete certain obligatory activities (such as exams or projects) which are outlined in the course syllabus. However, it is possible to request an exemption from a specific activity, providing that there are valid grounds. If your request is rejected by your examiner, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Higher Education Appeals Board. 

Internship

You have the right to complete an internship if this is included in your programme syllabus. 

Finding your course literature

The syllabus includes a list of all the literature you are required to read during the course. Newly-published articles and additional readings can only be added to the list in exceptional circumstances, and only if it does not interfere with students' ability to reach the course's learning outcomes.

When is the schedule published and what happens if it is changed?

Schedules for courses shall be available to students no later than four weeks prior to the start of the course in question. Alterations to course schedules are only permitted when special grounds exist.  Non-compulsory and unassessed course elements may, however, be added to the schedules. All schedule alterations shall be notified to affected students in an unambiguous manner, preferably on the university’s learning platform Canvas.

Study and career guidance

As a student, you are entitled to get guidance about your studies and career opportunities. This support is available both through the University's study and career advisors, as well as from your teachers. 

Studying with a disability

You can apply to defer your studies providing you demonstrate special grounds. If you do not intend to complete your programme, you are required to notify the University. Find out more by clicking on the following link: 

Withdrawal and leave from studies

Involuntary leave from studies

A student who fails a course examination that forms part of a programme may be placed on ‘involuntary’ leave from studies, with a passing grade in the course as a precondition for beginning another course. The student can be offered a place on the next course once they have fulfilled the requirements and passed the examination for the course that constitutes the prior-knowledge requirement. In such a situation, however, there is no guarantee of admission, which is dependent on available places.

As a student, you should feel that the study environment is adapted to you and your needs. At Malmö University, we work to obtain a good study environment and prevent any risks of ill health among students. The head of your department is responsible for the students' work environment and safety at the department. 

Make a fault report or report an incident on campus

All students have the right to the necessary equipment to be able to complete their studies, including computers, libraries, study areas, and break rooms. As a student, you are obliged to comply with the University regulations, use protective equipment when necessary, and take precautions to prevent ill health and accidents. 

Comments on the study environment

There are several ways for you to influence your study environment, for instance by contacting the Study Programme Board or giving feedback during the course evaluations. You are also welcome to contact the head of your department or your student ombuds, who participates in the University's work environment work.

Student Ombuds (Student Union Malmö's website)

Sexual harassment is defined in The Discrimination Act as a conduct of a sexual nature that violates someone's dignity.

No matter of gender, an individual can be exposed to sexual harassment. Examples of sexual harassment can be unwanted suggestions, unwanted touching, gazing, language that is sexually alluring and experienced as offensive. It is the victim who decides what is perceived as offensive. An act can thus be considered offensive by one person but not by another.

Sexual harassment is particularly serious when a person in a superior position, such as a teacher, supervisor or examiner, sexually harasses someone dependent, such as a student.

The Swedish Discrimination Act defined harassment as:

"Conduct that violates a person’s dignity, and that is associated with one of the following grounds of discrimination: sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation, or age (SFS 2008:567)."

Examples of harassment may be receiving derogatory, ridiculing or generalising comments. That includes text, images and gestures that allude to any of the grounds of discrimination. It is the victim who decides what is perceived as offensive. An act can thus be considered offensive by one person but not by another.

Harassment is particularly serious when a person in a superior position, such as a teacher, supervisor or examiner, harasses someone dependent, such as a student.

The Swedish National Board of Occupational Safety and Health define victimisation as:

"Recurrent reprehensible or distinctly negative actions which are directed against individual employees in an offensive manner and can result in those employees being placed outside the workplace community (AFS 1993:17)."

This may involve downgrading behaviour from a teacher or a fellow student; it may involve targeted insults, whether those insults are conscious or not. It can also cover withholding information, slanderous or intimidation, and persecution.

Individuals and groups can be affected negatively in both the short and long term. The victim may suffer from reduced self-esteem and discomfort and suffer mental and/or physical health problems. 

As a student, you can turn to your lecturer, programme coordinator, head of department or any other staff member if you have been subjected to harassment or sexual harassment.

All employees at the University have an obligation to act and investigate the circumstances as soon as they receive information about, or recognise that a student may have been subjected to harassment or abuse. Please note that the Student Health Service and Student Counselling are exempt from this obligation due to the confidential nature of their services.

The University is therefore obliged to undertake an investigation, even in cases where the suspicion of harassment or violations is based solely on rumour, anonymous statements or other circumstances. The same requirements also apply to clients, internships and equivalent.

It is the victim who decides what is perceived as offensive. If the University neglects to act in a suspected case of harassment or abuse, it may be held liable. It is, therefore, the University’s responsibility to have a system that, as efficiently as possible, captures any cases of harassment and abuses that may occur at the University.