Supplementary Regulations for Studies at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bergen

Adopted by the Faculty Board on 16 June 2011. Latest amendment by the Faculty Board 13 December 2011. Applicable from 15 August 2011.

Chapter 1. SCOPE AND RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER REGULATIONS

Section 1-1 Legal basis and scope. Relationship to other regulations

These regulations have been adopted pursuant to the "Regulations concerning Admissions, Academic Studies and Examinations at the University of Bergen", which apply to all programmes and examinations at the Bachelor's and Master's levels at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bergen, cf. Section 46 of the Regulations. The Regulations and the rules given in these Supplementary Regulations apply parallel to the "Programme description for the Master's Programme in Law at the University of Bergen" and the course descriptions for the individual courses taught at the Faculty. Separate rules may apply for courses offered as continuing education and further education through the Centre for Continuing Education (SEVU).

Section 1-2 Changes

Any significant changes to these regulations or the programme description shall be adopted by the Faculty Board. Changes must be adopted and published a reasonable length of time before they come into effect. Where necessary, the Faculty Board shall establish transitional rules.
Minor changes to these regulations or the programme description shall be adopted by the Education Committee.
Changes to the course descriptions shall be adopted by the Education Committee; however, decisions regarding the establishment or discontinuation of courses shall be approved by the Faculty Board.
Changes to the programme description and course descriptions must be adopted and published no later than four weeks before the course starts.

Section 1-3 Terminology

In these Supplementary Regulations, the abbreviated term "Study Regulations" means the "Regulations concerning Admissions, Academic Studies and Examinations at the University of Bergen".
In these Supplementary Regulations, "programme description" means the "Programme description for the Master's Programme in Law at the University of Bergen". "Course" is used as defined in Section 2 of the Study Regulations.
In these Supplementary Regulations, "the Faculty" means the Faculty of Law at the University of Bergen.
In these Supplementary Regulations, "year" or "year of study" means those groups of courses listed in the programme description under the headings "First year" to "Fifth year".
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the rules relating to recognition of prior studies in Chapter 5 apply correspondingly for specific recognition.
All other words, terms and concepts used in these Supplementary Regulations shall otherwise be understood in the same way as they are defined in the Study Regulations.

Chapter 2. INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN, TEACHING AND COMPULSORY COURSEWORK. SPECIAL ADMISSION TO ELECTIVE COURSES

Section 2-1 General rules concerning teaching and compulsory coursework

The programme description indicates which forms of teaching are used in the Master's programme. The course descriptions indicate which forms of teaching are used in the individual courses, as well as the coursework requirements. Unless otherwise provided in the course description, the rules in (2) to (5) below apply.
The course can only be approved and the examination result can only be set if the student has fulfilled all the coursework requirements that have been set for the course. This applies even if a student's failure to participate is due to circumstances for which the student cannot be blamed. The coursework requirements are defined in the course description.

Valid attendance is only recorded in the group that the student is allocated to by the Faculty. A group leader may at any time conduct a roll call and may turn away students who do not belong to the group.

A condition for approval of a course is valid registration for examination in the course at the examination date in the relevant semester.
Unless otherwise provided in the course description, it is a condition for approval of a course that the student has fulfilled at least three-quarters of the coursework requirements and fulfilled the requirements set out in the course description in terms of submission of course assignments, oral presentations and participation in other course activities. Participation is calculated as defined in the "Guidelines on Calculation of Compulsory Participation". (lenke her).

Approval of compulsory coursework can be reversed retroactively, cf. Section 35 of the Public Administration Act.

If the course includes a compulsory course assignment, this must have been submitted and approved before the examination. Any exceptions will be stated in the course description.

All the coursework requirements must have been fulfilled by the times and within the time limits defined in the course description.
Any student whose participation is not sufficient for the course to be approved will be notified no later than the day before the final examination.
On application, the Faculty may set individually adapted coursework requirements, if a student can document that he or she is not able, without unreasonable strain, to fulfil the participation requirements because of their own or a closely related person's illness, refresher exercises in the Armed Forces, caring for their own children in connection with birth or adoption, or for some other weighty medical, social or welfare reasons. Individually adapted coursework requirements shall ensure that the learning objectives, learning outcomes and the overall workload are maintained. There is no exemption from coursework requirements.
If a student provides documentation of illness during the writing period for the compulsory assignment, an extension of up to three days will be granted. The student must apply to the Faculty for an extension of the writing period no later than the ordinary assignment submission deadline.

Section 2-2 Revision of the individual education plan. Loss of place on the programme

If a student has failed to obtain approval of one or more courses , the Faculty in consultation with the student shall revise the individual education plan for the student. A student who is behind by more than 20 credits can be moved down a year, cf. the rules in the programme description concerning order and progression.
Changes to the individual education plan do not entail a corresponding change in respect of which year of study the individual courses belong to pursuant to the programme description, cf. Section 1-3(4).
Students who are behind by more than 60 credits will lose their place on the programme. In the event of special circumstances, the Faculty may, on application, grant exemption from this rule.
Individual education plans are followed up in the autumn semester, after the close of the academic year.

Section 2-3 Leave of absence

Students on the Master's Programme in Law may from their second year of study be granted a leave of absence for up to one full academic year, without giving a reason. Applications for a leave of absence must be submitted before the deadline for semester registration in each semester.
Leave pursuant to this provision may be granted only once during the Master's programme, cf. the Study Regulations, Section 10, a), first paragraph, cf b).
Leave of absence pursuant to (1) above may not be granted if this would result in the student taking more than ten years to complete their degree.

Section 2-4 Special admission to elective courses

The Faculty admits students to elective courses twice a year, through a local admissions process. The deadlines for applications are 1 August and 2 January. However, the Faculty does not guarantee that there will be teaching and examinations in all elective courses every year.
Applicants who have completed the Cand.jur, and Master's in Law degree programmes and law students from other faculties or institutions who have completed at least three years of law studies will be admitted.
Other applicants will be admitted after an individual academic assessment of their previous knowledge and education.

Section 2-5 Recording tuition

Audio and/or visual recordings of lectures are not permitted without the explicit prior consent of the lecturer. If such permission is granted, it applies to all the students in the room, and for the entire series of lectures, unless it is explicitly retracted.
Students are not permitted to make audio and/or visual recordings of large group sessions, study group sessions or seminars.
Where there is doubt as to whether the form of teaching is a lecture or some other form, it is considered to be a lecture in this context.

Chapter 3. EXAMINATIONS AND STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

Section 3-1 Definitions

In these Regulations, the term "examination" means examinations such as final written examinations sat at the University, home examinations, etc., as specified in the Study Regulations.
The term "ordinary examination" means the examination held at the end of the course in the ordinary semester, as indicated in course description.
"Re-sit examination" means the examinations held each year in August for students who have not completed or passed the ordinary examination, cf. the previous section. All students who had a valid right to sit examinations in the immediately preceding year, and who are covered by the provisions of sections 3-4, (2) b) and c) below are entitled to take a re-sit examination. More detailed rules about re-sit examinations are laid out in Section 3-4 below.
The term "voluntary re-take" means a new attempt at sitting an examination that the student has already passed.

Section 3-2 General rules for admission to examinations

In order to be entitled to take ordinary examinations, it is required that students:

Have satisfied the general rules concerning admission to a course or specific programme of study, semester registration, etc., as defined in Section 11 of the Study Regulations.
Have a valid registration for examination at the time of ordinary examination for the course.
Have fulfilled and had approved all the coursework requirements in accordance with the programme description, course descriptions and rules laid down here.

Section 3-3 Voluntary withdrawal from examinations

Students who are registered to sit the ordinary examination for a course may choose to cancel their examination registration (i.e. withdraw from the examination) up to 14 calendar days prior to the scheduled examination day. For home examinations lasting several days, the deadline for withdrawing is calculated from the date the examination is handed out. Withdrawal from an examination entails cancellation of the registration for examination, course registration and any group allocations for the course, rendering them invalid. The student loses his/her right to participate in closed classes and to submit compulsory coursework and any previously approved compulsory coursework is discounted. However, the preceding sentence shall not apply to compulsory coursework that has been finally approved in previous academic years.

Section 3-4 Re-sit examinations and voluntary re-take

For courses in the first to fourth years, the following rules apply:

a) Students who have not fulfilled and obtained approval of the coursework requirements or who have withdrawn from the course in accordance with Section 3-3 above may not take the examination and must take the entire course again. All written work for the course must be done again, and previously submitted papers cannot be resubmitted.

b) Students who have fulfilled and had approved the coursework requirements:
i. Examinations must be taken at the end of the course.
ii. Students who do not pass the examination (failed to attend the examination, did not complete the examination, did not achieve a pass mark, or fell ill) are automatically registered for the re-sit examination. Students who do not wish to take the re-sit examination must themselves withdraw from the re-sit examination within the deadline for withdrawal.
iii. Students who do not pass the re-sit examination must themselves register for the next ordinary examination. On application, students may perform the required coursework again. In this case, any previous approval is rendered invalid, and the student participates on the same conditions as students who have not previously had the course approved, all written work for the course must be done again, and previously submitted papers cannot be resubmitted.

c) Students who have passed the course, including the examination(s), but who nevertheless want to take the examination again (voluntary re-take):
i. The student may not attend classes again other than lectures.
ii. The examination is taken at the ordinary examination.
iii. Students may re-sit the examination for a single course up to two times (see (3) below for more details about examination attempts), within the limitations set forth in subsections iv to vi below.
iv. Students on the master’s programme in law may voluntarily re-take up to four previously passed exams belonging to years 1-4 of the programme. Preliminary exams (ex.phil. and ex.fac.) and elective courses do not count towards the quota. Students who have obtained recognition for previous courses, studies, examinations or tests from other institutions will have a reduced quota for voluntary re-take exam. In these cases, the quota is reduced by one for each year of the master’s programme for which recognition has been granted, cf. sections 5-2, 5-3 and 5-5. These rules enter into force on January 1, 2013. The rules concerning voluntary re-take exams will be evaluated in the 2015 spring semester.
v. Examinations for first-year courses may not be re-sat once the student has embarked upon the third year.
vi. Examinations for second-year courses may not be re-sat once the student has embarked upon the fourth or fifth year of study.
vii. Examinations for third-year courses may not be re-sat once the student has passed all the fourth-year examinations (JUS241, JUS242 and JUS243, plus JUS123 for transitional students).
viii. Students who are unable to attend the ordinary examinations due to studies abroad will, on application to the Faculty, be allowed to take the examinations at the re-sit examinations in the year they return from their studies overseas. This applies if the semester ends less than two weeks before the examinations in Bergen.
Students setting off to study abroad may, if circumstances allow, retake examinations (voluntary re-take) at the re-sit examinations before they leave.
ix. Students who, pursuant to an employment contract as a group leader, cannot re-take an examination can apply to re-take an examination at the re-sit examinations the summer before employment commences.
x. In applying the rules on voluntary re-take, all previously passed examinations will count, regardless of whether the student has in the meantime been without and later been granted readmission to a course or specific programme of study, cf. however Section 7-1(2).
For students on elective courses, the following rules apply:

a) Each individual course description states whether participation in lectures or other forms of teaching is compulsory. The provisions in subsection (1)a), (1)b)i, (1)c) apply to courses where such participation is compulsory.

b) Examinations are held in the semester during which there has been teaching and the following semester. Exceptions are made for courses where the examination is integrated into the teaching. Exceptions of this nature are defined in the course description.

c) Re-sit examinations are not generally held for elective courses. Any exceptions will be stated in the course description.
The following rules apply to all students:

a) Students may take the same examination up to three times, see subsection b) below for details on what constitutes a valid attempt at sitting an examination.

b) An attempt at sitting an examination counts as a valid attempt if the student has not withdrawn their examination registration at the latest two weeks before the examination date or at the latest two weeks before the home examination assignment is handed out. This applies to ordinary examinations and re-sit examinations alike.
i. An attempt at sitting an examination does not count as valid if the student is prevented from taking the examination because they have failed to obtain approval of the course.
ii. Similarly, an attempt at sitting an examination does not count as valid if the student provides documentation of a legitimate reason for withdrawing from a written examination. A legitimate reason for withdrawing from a written examination is illness as documented by a medical certificate. The documentation must be issued no later than the day of the examination, it must explicitly specify that the candidate was unable to complete the examination that day because of illness, and it must be submitted to the Faculty no later than one week after the examination day.
iii. A legitimate reason for withdrawing from an examination does not automatically allow the student to re-sit the examination beyond the limitations defined in (1), c) above.

c) Documentation of illness during a home examination is not a valid basis for cancellation of an examination attempt. Instead, students are granted an extension of the writing period of up to three days. The student must apply to the Faculty for an extension of the writing period no later than the ordinary deadline for submission of the home examination.

d) In connection with voluntary re-take of examinations, the best grade that the student achieves counts as the final grade.

Section 3-5 Examination support materials

Permitted support materials

Unless otherwise provided in the course description, the following support materials may be used in written examinations sat at the University:
a) Up to two editions or copies of the collection of Norwegian laws "Norges lover" (issued by the Faculty of Law at the University of Oslo). Students are responsible for ensuring that they a) bring a copy of the collection of laws with them to the examination, and b) have the latest edition.
b) One dictionary.
The course description for each individual course may specify additional use of support materials.
During the first two years of study, with the exception of the EXFAC Introductory Examination in Law, students who have been in Norway for less than four years can apply for permission to bring more dictionaries to examinations.

Section 3-6 Submission and inspection of examination support materials

Unless some other time limit is specified, support materials that students wish to use during an examination must be placed on the examination table, at the latest 30 minutes before the start of the examination. Students who do not comply with this deadline cannot expect to start the examination at the appointed time. No books or notes can be brought into the premises once the book inspection has started, without being inspected. Books, notes, etc. that may not be used during the examination cannot be brought into the premises once the book inspection has started.
Printouts from websites or databases are not permitted as examination support materials.
Apart from the permitted examination support materials, only necessary writing materials and food and drink may be on or near the examination table.
Students are responsible for ensuring that the support materials they have brought with them are in accordance with the provisions these Supplementary Rules and with the provisions on examination support materials in the individual course description.
Support materials that are found to be in breach of the examination regulations will be confiscated. Bringing non-permitted support materials to an examination may also qualify as "cheating", cf. Chapter 4 below. It is not possible to remedy a breach or otherwise make changes to the support materials once the book inspection has started.
A decision concerning confiscation of examination support materials can be appealed within three weeks.
Students who have had support materials confiscated before or during an examination will receive a written explanation of the decision from the Faculty. This explanation will also contain information about the further process.
Students who have had the Norges lover collection of laws confiscated will be allowed to borrow an unannotated version during the examination.

Section 3-7 References, notes, etc. in examination support materials

In all support materials that students bring with them to examinations, whole words and sentences may be underlined, and horizontal and vertical lines of any colour are permitted in the margins.
All support materials that students bring with them to examinations may also contain references to other pages in the same reference work and references to other permitted examination support materials. However, this does not apply in and to lists, registers, dictionaries, etc. The references may only start with words such as see, cf, ref, contra, compare, repealed, amended and abbreviations thereof. References to Acts of law, royal decrees, regulations and other rules shall only include the title and/or date (or number), section and/or paragraph, subsection, point or litra. Common abbreviations for legislation (e.g. grl., str., etc.) are also permitted.
Example: Compare .FAL § 18-1; repealed by Act of 13 Feb. 1976; cf. Act no. 261969 § 2-1.
Indexing marks (flags, etc.) whose purpose is to facilitate use of the support materials are permitted. In the collection of laws and in official printed versions of Norwegian laws, these may only indicate the name or abbreviated name of an Act of law, the year and number. Under no circumstances may they contain text that is in violation of subsection 2 above.
No other type of incorporation is permitted, for example, that amended wording of a piece of legislation is written into the reference work.

Section 3-8 General rules on grading

The grading deadline is regulated by the Regulation on Time Limits for Grading at the Faculty of Law: http://regler.uib.no/regler_en
Assessment of work that counts towards the final grade shall be performed by a single examiner; however, papers that are assessed as F or Fail shall be assessed by two examiners. Grading shall be conducted in accordance with the Grading Guidelines for the Master's Programme.
As far as is possible, written examinations shall be anonymous.
The date on which examination results are announced will be stated in connection with the examination.
If results are not available until later than was originally announced, the new results date will be published on Mi side.
If examination results are available earlier than was originally announced, the deadline for an explanation of the examination result and appeals is calculated from the date that was given in the examination.
Requests for an explanation of the grade awarded shall generally be addressed to the examiner at the time and in the way determined by the Faculty for the individual examination (student consultation time). However, students are entitled to request an explanation of the grade awarded up to one week after the announcement of results, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act, Section 5-3 (1), third sentence.
In cases where the student has approached the examiner during their student consultation time (cf. subsection 7, first sentence above), the explanation of the examination result shall be given no later than the day after the request was made. If the examiner does not comply with this time limit, the student shall notify the person responsible for the relevant year of study in the administration on the same day or at latest the following morning. If a student has submitted a request for an explanation after the student consultation time, but within the final time limit defined by the Act, an explanation shall be provided no later than two weeks after the request was made.
No overall grade is awarded for the Master's degree in Law.

Chapter 4. REQUIREMENTS REGARDING INDEPENDENCE AND SOURCE CITATION – VIOLATIONS

Section 4-1 Requirements regarding independence and source citation

All work submitted for approval or assessment shall be the student's own work. This also applies to work that will not count towards grades. Sources used shall be acknowledged in accordance with the University's Guidelines on Source Citation. Any violation of these guidelines will be considered as cheating, see Section 4-2.
In assignments with a fixed word limit, the number of words must be indicated.
a) Violation of the word limit is grounds for rejection of the paper.
b) An incorrect word count may be considered as cheating.

Section 4-2 Violation of the regulations

Violation of the rules in Section 4-1 or the rules in Section 4-7 of the Universities and University Colleges Act concerning Master's theses, examinations or submitted assignments and/or other compulsory elements related to the teaching may be considered as cheating.
Wilful or grossly negligent violation may lead to annulment of the relevant examination or assignment, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act, Section 4-7, subsection 1, and possibly also exclusion from the University for up to two semesters, cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act, Section 4-8, subsection 3.
Attempted violations will be treated in the same manner as actual violations, if intent can be shown.
An annulled examination or assignment counts as a valid attempt to sit the examination as regards the number of times the examination can be taken.
Providing false information about attendance at study group sessions or large groups session or any other classes where attendance is compulsory may be considered as cheating or an attempt at cheating.
Cases of annulment or exclusion will be decided upon by the University's Central Appeals Committee. The appeal body is the national appeals board "Felles klagenemnd", cf. the Universities and University Colleges Act, Section 5-1 subsection 7, cf. Regulation FOR 2005-10-10 no. 1192: Regulations on the central appeal board for the consideration of complaints and appeals pursuant to the Universities and University Colleges Act, Sections 4-7 to 4-10.

Chapter 5. RIGHTS AND DUTIES CONCERNING RECOGNITION AND SPECIFIC RECOGNITION

Section 5-1 General information on recognition of prior studies and specific recognition

Courses, subjects, examinations or tests that a student has previously passed from studies that are accredited pursuant to the Universities and University Colleges Act will be recognised in degrees, cf. Section 1-3, subsection 5, where it can be demonstrated that the examination, etc. in question is equivalent to the examination for which exemption is being applied in terms of content, scope and depth. For other courses, subjects, examinations or tests, specific recognition may be granted pursuant to the same guidelines, on application. When assessing the requirement "equivalent depth", variations in the educational structure and the legal systems must be taken into account.
Courses and subjects related to legal systems that are markedly different from the Norwegian system, such as common law (trust, equity, contract, tort, etc.) may be recognised specifically as equivalent to fourth or fifth year level courses at the Faculty, even if the subject is not at Master's level in the country in question.
It is generally not permitted for a student on the Master's programme to attend classes and sit examinations in courses on the first to fourth years of study that he/she can receive recognition or specific recognition for on the basis of previous education. On application, however, the student may nevertheless be granted such permission. In such cases, the student is not entitled to have their previous examination, etc. included in the basis for the diploma from the Faculty. The deadline for application for this is 1 February of the academic year in which the student embarks on or resumes their Master's degree studies.
A student who has already successfully completed and passed a course on the Master's programme and who subsequently completes and passes an equivalent course at another institution, is not eligible for recognition or specific recognition of this course.
Anyone can take the EXFAC preparatory examination in law, even if they are entitled to recognition, or if they have already passed a different ex.fac. course, i.e. not for law.

Section 5-2 Recognition of examinations etc. from Oslo and Tromsø

Completion of levels 1 and 2 in the Master of Law at the universities of Oslo or Tromsø are recognised as equivalent to the first and second year of the Master's Programme in Law in Bergen.
Completion of levels 3 and 4 in the Master of Law at the universities of Oslo or Tromsø are recognised as equivalent to the third and fourth year of the Master's Programme in Law in Bergen. Level 3 or 4 alone does not qualify students for exemption.
Examinations from Cand. jur. law programme in Tromsø are recognised in the Master's Programme in Law pursuant to the same rules as students from the Cand. jur. programme in Bergen, cf. Section 5-5.
Students from the Cand. jur. programme in Oslo:
- Completion of the foundation level course ("grunnfag") in private law qualifies students for exemption from the first year apart from the course JUS111 Administrative Law I, and JUS122 Tort Law in the second year.
- Completion of the foundation level courses (grunnfag) in private law and public law qualifies students for exemption from the first and second year of the Master's Programme in Law.
Recognition of the first year only includes the compulsory preparatory examinations Examen Philosophicum and Examen Facultatum if the student has passed an equivalent examination.
Individual courses may be recognised according to the general rules laid down in legislation and the present Regulations.

Section 5-3 Recognition of examinations etc. from other educational institutions

Recognition of examinations from Lillehammer University College, Sogn og Fjordane University College
The one-year programme in law at Lillehammer University College or Sogn og Fjordane University College are recognised as the first year of study at the Faculty of Law in Bergen. Students are required to have passed the Examen Philosophicum and Examen Facultatum preparatory examinations before the embarking on the second year of study. A Bachelor's degree in Law from Lillehammer University College is recognised as the first, second and third years of the programme at the Faculty of Law in Bergen. A Bachelor's degree in Law from the University of Agder is recognised accordingly, as long as the degree includes the courses in property law, law of succession and family law, and legal methodology that are taught in the third year of study at the University of Agder.
Examinations, etc. from institutions not mentioned in Sections 5-2 or 5-3 may be recognised, on application, in accordance with the provisions in Section 3-5 of the Universities and University Colleges Act, cf. also Section 5-1 (2) above.

Section 5-4 Time limits for recognition

A Master's thesis and examinations from Norwegian faculties of law that have been passed within the last ten years can be included in the Master of Law degree at the University of Bergen. On application, the Faculty may also approve inclusion in the degree of examinations taken longer than ten years ago.

Section 5-5 Recognition of examinations taken under the 1997 programme requirements

Students who have passed the Examen Philosophicum and/or Examen Facultatum preparatory examinations under the 1997 programme requirements or at other faculties or educational institutions are exempt from these courses under the 2003 system. For these students, the first year of the Master's Programme in Law will constitute 40 or 50 credits.
Students who have passed the examination from level 1 under the 1997 programme requirements may be admitted to the programme under the 2003 system starting from the second year. They must pass the Examen Facultatum and Examen Philosophicum before embarking on the fourth year of the programme.
Students who have passed the examination from level 2 under the 1997 programme requirements may be admitted to the programme under the 2003 system starting from the third year, but these students must take Administrative Law II (17 credits) instead of Law on Money Claims (10 credits) and Comparative Law and Legal History (10 credits). They must pass the Examen Facultatum and Examen Philosophicum before embarking on the fourth year of the programme.
Students who have passed the compulsory part of level 3 under the 1997 programme requirements may be admitted to the programme under the 2003 system starting from the fourth year. Instead of the course General Property Law Rights and Obligations, these students must take Administrative Law II (17 credits). These students are exempt from one elective course. They must pass the Examen Facultatum and Examen Philosophicum before embarking on the fourth year of the programme.
Students who have passed the obligatory parts of level 4 under the 1997 programme requirements may be admitted to the programme under the 2003 system starting from the fifth year. These students will only have to write their Master's thesis to obtain a Master’s degree.

Section 5-6 Recognition – Effect on the individual education plan

Students who have had one or more subjects or on the Master's programme recognised and approved cannot expect to have their individual education plan revised. As a main rule, all students must follow the same courses as the students in their year, and must expect to receive fewer than 60 credits for the years covering courses for which they have been granted exemption or specific recognition.

Section 5-7 Recognition of a Master's thesis

A Master's thesis will be recognised if the student has passed an equivalent examination at a Norwegian or foreign educational institution in the form of an original written piece of work that in essence corresponds to a Master's thesis written as a part of a Norwegian Master's programme in law.
For an original piece of written work to be recognised as a Master's thesis in law, it must discuss legal issues, including non-dogmatic subjects such as legal history, sociology of law, law and gender, law and economics and corporate governance.
Master's programmes in law (LLM or equivalent) at overseas universities with a total of at least 60 ECTS credits (60 credits) may exempt students from elective subjects (30 credits) and the Master's thesis, if the curriculum of the foreign programme included an original written paper of at least 12,000 words.
If a paper as referred to in paragraphs 1-3 immediately above has been written during an exchange visit that has been approved in advance by the Faculty, the student loses the right to take the courses JUS399 / JUS398 Master's Thesis at the Faculty.
Advance approval of a study visit abroad may be made conditional on the student writing his/her thesis as part of the stay.

Section 5-8 Recognition of elective courses

Courses that overlap with the compulsory courses on the curriculum will not be recognised as an elective course, unless it can be proved that the course differs significantly from the compulsory subject. Courses that are also offered as an elective course at the Faculty are recognised on the condition that the course has not been taken as an elective course at the University of Bergen.

Section 5-9 Period of study abroad – Prior approval and recognition

Students who have completed and passed the third year of study may go abroad on a student exchange period as part of the Master's programme. Prior approval – and subsequent recognition – may be granted for courses equivalent to 30 credits in elective courses, and/or written work equivalent to a Master's thesis (30 credits). This shall be included in the degree.
A student who has passed 30 credits in the fifth year will only be granted prior approval for an exchange of one semester or for participation in an LLM programme.
When ranking applicants to a specific place, students who are applying for an exchange for the first time shall have priority over students who have previously been on an exchange as part of the Master's programme.
A student who has had an exchange visit recognised as elective courses cannot take additional elective courses in the Master's degree.
Students shall apply for final approval of a period of study abroad within one month of receiving the official documentation of the results they achieved.
Where studying abroad as part of the programme constitutes the last courses in the degree, the date of the degree is set as the date on which these courses are officially recognised.

Chapter 6. DIPLOMA

Section 6-1 When the diploma will be issued –Main rule on the basis for the diploma

The diploma will be issued when the degree has been completed and the candidate has taken the lawyer's oath.

A student who meets the criteria for the degree must, during the semester that they fulfil the criteria, complete the form "Ordering a diploma", by 10 December in the autumn semester and by 1 June in the spring semester, cf. however the rules concerning reservation in the third paragraph below. The diploma will be issued within eight weeks of the final grading for the degree.

The Faculty of Law records that a student has obtained a degree at the earliest possible date in the student's period of study. The courses in the part two of the individual education plan constitute the basis for the diploma. As a general rule, this cannot amount to more than 300 credits.

Students who fulfil the criteria for the degree may opt not to receive their diploma and thus retain their right to study for up to two semesters ("reservation"). Reservation against receiving the diploma must be made by 10 December for students who completed their degree in the autumn semester and by 1 June for students who completed their degree in the spring semester. Once the criteria for obtaining a degree have been met in accordance with these regulations, the courses included in the degree may not be changed; the period of reservation may only be used to repeat courses included in the degree, provided this is not precluded by the rules regulating re-sitting examinations.
The law graduate's oath is taken by the student signing a declaration, either on paper or electronically. The Faculty issues and sends out letters to students who have completed and submitted the form "Ordering a diploma", cf. (1) above.
It is a condition for obtaining the degree that the student has valid and active admission to the Master's programme (the right to study). Supplementary rules that deviate from the main rules here may be adopted for students who end the programme with a foreign exchange.

Section 6-2 Precedence of courses from the Master's programme

If the student has passed courses that under the provisions in Chapter 5 above can be recognised as part of the Master's degree and has also passed the equivalent courses from the Master's programme, the courses from the Master's programme at the University of Bergen shall have precedence and be included in the degree and the basis for the diploma.
For courses taken at a foreign exchange institution that have been approved in advance by the Faculty, exemptions may be made from (1) above, either pursuant to supplementary guidelines or if it seems reasonable in the specific case in question.

Section 6-3 Non-degree courses

Courses on aspects of law from the Master's Programme in Law or from pre-approved and recognised periods of study abroad that are not included in the degree can be documented in the diploma as additional, non-degree courses.

Section 6-4 Termination of admission on obtaining a degree

Once the diploma has been issued, the right to study is discontinued ("termination of admission"). Once the diploma has been issued, individuals cannot be granted admission to study on the Master's Programme in Law again, nor can a discontinued right to study be reactivated.

Graduates can apply for special readmission to the programme to take additional elective courses, cf. Section 2-4. Courses that the student passes in these circumstances will be documented by a transcript.

Chapter 7. ENTRY INTO FORCE AND TRANSITIONAL RULES. SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDELINES

Section 7-1 Entry into force and transitional rules.

These regulations start to apply from the 2011–2012 academic year.

Section 7-2 Supplementary guidelines.

The Education Committee or the Faculty Board may establish supplementary guidelines to these regulations. The following guidelines currently apply:

Guidelines on Calculation of Compulsory Participation
Grading Guidelines for the Master's Programme
Guidelines on the Selection and Approval of Auxiliary Teachers and Examiners
Guidelines on Setting Examinations in Law
Instructions on setting assignments and grades in the Master's degree programme
Reading Room Regulations for the Faculty of Law

Last updated 16.5.2012

Belongs to

Faculty of Law