Absence from exams

Absence from exams

If you are prevented from attending an exam, you must provide documentation for your absence to be considered valid. Undocumented absence will count as a used exam attempt.

When must documentation be submitted?

You must submit documentation no later than one working dat after the exam date if the absence is due to illness or other valid reasons.

The documentation must include:

  • The course code/title
  • The date of the exam

Documentation must be sent to exams@nhh.no

You do not have to document absence that do not affect exams or other mandatory course activities.

  • Valid reasons for absence

    Valid reasons for absence

    Examples of valid reasons for absence include:

    • Personal illness
    • Illness or death in close family
    • Mandatory attendance or summons from public authorities

    Absence due to illness must be documented with a statement from a doctor or specialist.

    Note: For PhD candidates, the only accepted documentation is a medical certificate (sick note) from a doctor or specialist stating that you were ill on the exam day. A regular doctor's note is not sufficient.

  • Withdraw from an ongoing exam

    Withdraw from an ongoing exam

    For home exams:

    • Do not submit an exam answer in WISEflow
    • Do not submit a blank file
    • Submit documentation within one working day after the exam date

    For school exams:

    • Notify an exam invigilator and formally withdraw in writing
    • Submit documentation within one working day after the exam date

    If you have submitted an answer, whether for å home exam or a school exam, you cannot withdraw retroactively. The exam will be sent for assessment, and absence cannot be approved.

  • Illness and exam attempts

    Illness and exam attempts

    Valid absence does not count as an exam attempt.

    If your absence is approved, you may take the exam the next time it is offered.

    Learn more about examination attempts, course approval and withdrawal from exams

    After the withdrawal dealine has passed, valid absence with documentation is the only way to avoid using an exam attempt.

  • Hospital admission

    Hospital admission

    If an acute hospital stay prevents you from submitting documentation by the deadline:

    • Submit your documentation as soon as you are discharged
    • The doctor's note must clearly state the dates of hospitalization

    Questions? Contact: exams@nhh.no

  • Absence from compulsory activities?

    Absence from compulsory activities?

    If your absence concerns compulsory activities (e.g. attendance or presentations):

    • Contact the course responsible directly
    • Do not send the notice to Section for Exams

Read more in our Regulations for full-time study programmes Section 4-7 Non-attendance and termination of assessment and the Supplementary Provisions to the Full time study programmes (PDF )