Ombudsman for grading issues

You can contact the ombudsman for grading issues if you think the examination or grading has not followed the applicable rules.

Only the examiner can set and change grades. Grades cannot be appealed to a higher court. The examiner may, however, reconsider the grade. A change of grade by the examiner can occur because of new facts, or if the grade is obviously incorrect and the change can be done quickly and easily. This is not a matter of ‘re-scoring’ or ‘re-assessing’ answers that have already been assessed but of correcting obvious errors.

As a student, you have the right to receive a justification of your grade from the examiner if you request it. Therefore, if you suspect that your grade is incorrect or if you need a justification for your grade, you should contact your examiner. If you do not know who your examiner is or find it difficult to get this help, you can contact your Director of Studies.

See the guidelines on students' working conditions.

The role of the ombudsmen

The ombudsmen for grading issues have a different role than examiners and can investigate whether the grading process has been carried out correctly. The ombudsmen are teachers with extensive experience in examinations and are appointed by the Vice-chancellor. If you report your case to them they will investigate whether the examination complied with the applicable rules, but they do not carry out re-scoring of examinations or re-assessment of theses.

The ombudsmen will contact a department representative, usually the examiner, to obtain comments on your complaint. In turn, you will have the opportunity to comment on the examiner's statement. The investigation may take a few months, and a written statement from the ombudsmen for grading issues concludes the case.

Note that all documents relating to a complaint to the ombudsmen for grading issues are filed and archived. The complaint and all documents received during the investigation will become public documents at the University and can be requested by others.

The ombudsmen for grading issues encourage you to contact them and discuss your case before you file a complaint.

Read more about the guidelines on the office of ombudsman for grading issues.