FAQ

FAQ on BSR (or Binding Study Recommendation)
Please refer to the OER (PER in English) for all the details. All questions below have a reference to the applicable article. Please note that only the OER is legally binding. This FAQ is a starting point to find that information, but has no legal status.
Additionally, please refer to the general page about the BSR for continuation of your studies and the BSR infographic.

Who receives a Binding Study Recommendation BSR?
First year students who started their program before February 1 and students who are restarting their first year after stopping before February 1 in the previous year. (Art 7.5.1).

Will I receive my BSR if I de-enroll before March 1?
No. (Art 7.5.3)

When is the pre-recommendation issued?
The pre-recommendation is issued no later than twenty working days after the exam period of the second quarter. (Art 7.5.4)

When is the BSR issued?
The (intended) BSR is issued no later than ten working days after the end of the exam period of quarter four. (Art 7.5.8)

What are the conditions to get a positive BSR?
The condition is to have at least 45 credits in the first year phase of your Program. (Art 7.5.5.a). Please read the question about adapted BSR if you have 40 credits.

When do I get a negative BSR?
When you have less than 45 credits in the first year phase of Program and you do not meet the conditions to receive any of the special BSR’s. (Art 7.5.5.a)

What happens if I get a negative BSR?
You will not be able to re-enroll in the same bachelor’s program for three years. However, it is possible to enroll in a different bachelor’s program at TU/e. (Art 7.5.5.b). It is also possible to enroll in the same program at a different institution.

What special BSR’s are there?
Amended BSR, Adapted BSR, and Postponed BSR. Please refer to the relevant questions below.

When is an amended BSR given?
Amended BSR is given when at least one of these conditions apply. (Art 7.5.7a)

• An external transfer student who has been granted exemptions for one or more first year courses.
• An internal transfer student who has obtained credits in his/her previous program.
• The student has started the bachelor’s program after September 1 but before February 1.
• The student has switched to a different degree program after Q1 but before Q4.
• The student is a top-level athlete.
• The student has received a postponed BSR with associated amended BSR standard for year two (Art. 7.6). Please refer to the question about postponed BSR.

The amended BSR may be subject to further conditions. Ask the academic advisors for more information.

Do credits for exemptions count towards a positive BSR?
No. (Art 7.5.7.a). Contact your academic advisor as soon as possible if you would like to request an exemption for a course.

When is an adapted BSR given?
An adapted BSR is given when all of the conditions below apply. (Art 7.5.7b)

• The student has 40 credits.
• There is one course for which there is no more re-sit available, and for which the student scored at least a 6.0 for the exam.
• The student has not passed the above mentioned course due to another requirement not being met. This can be an assignment or midterm or similar.

When is a postponed BSR given?
The postponed BSR is given when you have recognized personal circumstances. A postponed BSR is also given when you enrolled after 1 February and thus could not get 45 credits before the end of the academic year. The exam committee may determine an amended BSR standard for these individual cases (Art 7.6). Please refer to the question about amended BSR as well.

Which circumstances count as a recognized personal circumstance? (Art 7.7.2)

• Illness, physical, sensory or other forms of functional impairment, or pregnancy;
• Exceptional family circumstances;
• Membership of the board certain student or university organizations.

What should I do if I have one of these above mentioned circumstances?
Firstly, you will have to report these circumstances to the academic advisor(s) as soon as possible. Then you will need to provide proof of these circumstances to the ESA Student Counselor. The academic advisor will report your circumstances to the exam committee which handles your BSR.  (Art 7.7.3)

I do not have 45 credits yet (after the Q4 exams) but I am able to get 45 credits if I pass my re-sit(s) during the interim period. Will I still get a negative BSR?
You will get an intended negative BSR. Your BSR is reevaluated after the interim period. You can request to be heard by the exam committee (see the OER/PER for the details) (Art 5.7.10 and 5.7.11)).