Examining Boards

Wageningen University & Research has four Examining Boards. Each of the boards is responsible for the examination arrangements for one of the four groups of study programmes. Joint degrees have their own specific Examining Boards.

Our four Examining Boards are:

The Examining Board evaluates the sets of study components, approves exemptions and determines the results of the final evaluations of the study programmes. The Examining Board is also responsible for assuring the quality of interim examinations and final evaluations. The secretary is the contact person for all Examining Boards.

The Examining Boards are established by law (Higher Education and Research Act) and have independent decision-making authority. The decisions of the Examining Board are subject to appeal.

Tasks and competencies of the Examining Boards

The sphere of activity and working method of the Examining Boards is described in the Rules and Regulations, see Student Charter.

The Examining Boards of Wageningen University & Research are responsible for making decisions about:

  • the Binding Study Advice (BSA)
  • final evaluations for bachelor's and master's degree programmes (see: Determining the results of final evaluations)
  • approval requests for sets of study components (see: Approval procedure for sets of study components)
  • requests to include courses from outside WU as approved study components (see: Approval of external courses)
  • converting study results earned abroad (see: Converting external credits and grades)
  • approval requests for minors (see below for procedure)
  • requests for exemption from courses or course components (see below for procedure)
  • requests for permission to take flexible bachelor's or master' s programmes (see below for procedure)
  • requests to transfer from old programmes to new ones and to transfer between regular programmes (see below for procedure)
  • extending the validity period of partial course examinations (see: EER 51d.)
  • approval requests for a 2nd BSc programme/diploma (see below for procedure)
  • approval requests for a 2nd MSc programme/diploma/specialisation (see below for procedure)
  • cases of fraud (see below for procedure)

Some of these responsibilities are delegated, for example to study advisers and admission boards; this information is shown in the details of each topic.

The sphere of activity of the Examining Boards also includes:

  • preparing changes in the Education and Examination Regulations (EER)
  • appointing and advising Examiners
  • providing guidelines and indications to the Examiners about evaluating interim examinations and determining the results
  • assuring the quality of interim examinations

The general rights and obligations regarding education, interim examinations and final evaluations are set down in the Student Charter and in the Education and Examination Regulations (EER).

Examinations Appeal Board

E-mail: legalprotection.students@wur.nl

Determining final evaluation results

At Wageningen University there are 11 opportunities per year to request approval of final evaluations (see Graduation Schedule). Lists of marks are provided by the Student Service Centre, and the Examining Board checks these lists and determines the results. The Examining Board also determines whether candidates qualify for a degree “with distinction”.

Approval procedure for a set of study components

No less than six months before graduation, a student must present his/her set of study components (the study programme) to the Examining Board for review. The study programme must be submitted in the Osiris PlanApp Sets of study components that have been compiled according to the descriptions in the Study Guide are reviewed by the study adviser and are submitted to the Examining Board for approval.

Approval of external courses

External courses (including minors etc.) require approval from your study advisor and from the Examining Board, in order to count as part of your study programme. See “How to plan electives from another university?” for the procedure.

Conversion and recognition of external credits

With prior approval of the Examining Board, courses provided by foreign institutes of higher education can be included in the individual Wageningen University examination programme. From 2024-2025 onwards, credits obtained during an exchange are displayed on the Wageningen diploma supplement with the initial grade of the foreign university. Only for courses that are part of a double degree, the grades of the partner university will be converted according to predefined conversion tables. See “Recognition of external credits” for more information on the procedures and the transitional arrangements.

Approval requests for minors

Minors in the bachelor's phase: the bachelor's minors that are described in the Study Guide no longer require approval. Self-compiled minors, including an explanation from the student and a recommendation from the study adviser, should be submitted for approval to the secretary of the Examining Board. A minor request must be submitted in Osiris.

Minors in the master's phase: such minors are by definition self-compiled and must total at least 18 credits; they must always be submitted for approval to the secretary of the Examining Board with a recommendation from the study adviser.

Exemption from courses or course components

A student can request exemption from an interim examination if he/she previously acquired knowledge and competencies that essentially correspond with the learning outcomes of a course in his/her set of study components. Approval of such exemptions is restricted to the Examining Board. Generally, the advice of the examiner of the course or Internship is requested.

Flexible bachelor's or flexible master's programmes

Students can submit a substantiated request for a final evaluation in a self-compiled flexible bachelor's or master's programme. Such a programme must be approved in advance by the Examining Board. For the applicable procedure, refer to the “Flexible Programming Committee Regulations”.

Transferring from old programmes to new ones

In cases of study delay, it can be desirable to transfer to a new programme (in the new Study Guide). Previously passed courses can be transferred, and new courses can be added. This type of composite programme must always be compiled in consultation with the study adviser, and must submitted with his/her recommendation to the Examining Board for approval. Requests must be submitted in the Osiris PlanApp. The same procedure applies if a student wants to transfer to a different – usually related – study programme.

Approval requests for 2nd BSc programme, 2nd MSc programme or 2nd specialisation

In certain cases, students can complete 2nd BSc programme, a 2nd MSc programme or a 2nd specialisation within a MSc programme where there is a certain overlap between the parallel study programmes or specialisations. Approval for these second programmes or specialisations can be requested (upon recommendation of the study adviser) by submitting a substantiated request with the two sets of study components, where the overlapping and unique components are clearly shown (Art. 22, 23 and 24 EER).

Cases of fraud

Fraud (including plagiarism) is taken very seriously. If an examiner suspects fraud, he/she will inform the student in question and report this to the secretary of the examining board. After hearing both sides, the examining board can establish fraud. Depending on the seriousness of the fraud committed, sanctions will be imposed by the examining board (See also: Education and Examination Regulations, chapter 'Fraud').