Awarding distinctions

Master's examination

As regards the determination of distinctions to be awarded for the Master's examination, the relevant provisions set out in the Guidelines of the Examining Board for the academic year 2013-2014 shall apply. These provisions apply to all students who passed the first Master's course before 1 September 2015 and were enrolled for the first time in the Master's programme before 1 September 2016. In all other cases, the rules contained in the Education and Examination Regulations (EER) governing the criteria for awarding distinctions shall apply. For students who passed the first Master's course after 1 September 2015 and were first enrolled for the Master's programme before 1 September 2015, the provisions contained in the EER for the academic year 2015-2016 shall apply. In other cases where the EER provisions apply, the provisions in the EER for the academic year of first Master's enrolment shall apply.

Rules for awarding distinctions (according to Art. 43b of the EER 2015-2016)

1. With due observance of the provisions of this Article, the Examining Board is the body that determines whether and which distinction will be awarded.
2. The distinction
   "cum laude" is awarded if the weighted average result of the final assessment of the components referred to in paragraph 3 is higher than or equal to 8.0;
   b. "summa cum laude " is awarded if the weighted average result of the final assessment of the components referred to in paragraph 3 is higher than or equal to 9.0.
3. The weighted average is calculated on the basis of all components of the examination programme for which a grade has been awarded on a scale from 1 to 10, with the exception of the extra-curricular components.
4. The weighting factor used in the calculation of the weighted average result is the number of ECTS credits of the component referred to in paragraph 3.
5. The distinction shall not be awarded if more than 10 percent of the total study load of the examination programme (i.e. one or more components) was taken as a resit and if the examinations were taken as a resit more than once*, subject to the authority of the Examining Board to decide otherwise, stating reasons.
6. The distinction shall not be awarded if there is evidence of fraud with respect to any of the components of the examination programme.

*Please note: An ND ("Niet Deelgenomen", or "no-show") counts as a used examination opportunity. So make sure you always deregister in advance if you are unexpectedly unable to participate in an examination for which you are registered.