Tasks and powers of the Examination Committee

The Examination Committee must guarantee the quality of the final examination and the degree. To this purpose, legislation gives the following tasks and powers to the Examination Committee:

1. To determine in an objective and expert manner whether a student meets the requirements with regard to knowledge, insight and skills, which are laid down in the Program and Examination Regulations, for obtaining a degree.
2. To safeguard the quality of interim and final examinations.
3. To establish procedures and instructions within the framework of the PER for assessing and determining the results of examinations.
4. To grant an exemption from taking one or more examinations
5. To safeguard the quality the examination organization and procedures.
6. To take measures against fraud.
7. To appoint examiners for taking examinations and determining the results of these examinations.
8. To award the degree certificate, including the diploma supplement, as proof that the student passed the final examination.
9. To grant a student permission to follow a flexible degree program, which includes a final examination that will lead to the student obtaining a degree.
10. To grant a statement of passed examinations to the student who passes more than one examination, but who cannot be awarded a diploma.
11. To write an annual report on all its activities.

The Examination Committee must decide on a wide range of issues. Some examples of decisions which are regulated in the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act (WHW):

• Approving a flexible program
• Granting exemptions
• Approving the examination program of a student
• Awarding certificates, i.e. acknowledging that a student has fulfilled the learning outcomes of the program
• Awarding an academic distinction, such as "Cum Laude" (with honors)
• Permitting the use of other testing methods if a student has a functional impairment
• Decisions regarding the general testing policy of a study program, such as instituting an assessment form for final projects.
• Creating guidelines for examiners
• Imposing penalties for fraud and plagiarism
• Appointing examiners
• Decision regarding the extension of the validity period of exams
• Granting additional examination opportunities
• Establishing alternative tracks (for curriculum transition, for example)
• Approving of curriculum components taken at a partner institution abroad.

Not all decisions need to be taken by the full committee.