REGULATION OF STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TARTU

1. These Study Regulations (hereinafter ‘these Regulations’) set out the basic rules that govern the organisation of teaching and study in the University of Tartu degree studies, lay down the organisation of activities related to teaching and study at the University, establish a coherent regulatory framework, delimit the areas of competence linked to the organisation of teaching and study and provide for the conformity of the teaching and study activities conducted at the University (hereinafter ‘the University’ or ‘UT’) with other bylaws of the University as well as with the legislation of the Republic of Estonia and the European Union.

2. The aim of these Regulations is to guarantee the smooth, proper and lawful conduct of teaching and study at the University.

3. All members of the University shall be bound to follow these Regulations.

4. In addition to these Regulations, important rules regarding teaching and study at the University may be found in the following UT bylaws:

4.1. the Principles of the Organisation of Programme-Based Study, established by the Rector,

4.2. the Constitutive Regulations of Research Degrees, adopted by the University Council,

4.3. The University Council establishes the order and payment of Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (APEL), [effective as of 03.09.2007]

4.4. The University Council establishes the conditions and procedure of applying for, granting and payment of study allowances, [effective as of 03.09.2007]

4.5. the Admission Rules, adopted by the University Council,

4.6. The Procedure for Teaching and Course Evaluation, established by the Rector, [effective as of 03.09.2007]

4.7. the Rules Governing the Organisation of the Study Information System, established by the Rector,

4.8. the Statute of Curricula, adopted by the University Council.

5. The University Council may make additional study regulations in matters concerning teaching and study at UT in accordance with these Regulations. The Faculty Councils and Councils of other teaching institutions may make study regulations addressing the specific needs of their Faculty or teaching institution. The Faculty or teaching institution may not delegate the powers and duties assigned to it in these Regulations to Councils of its subordinate units.

6. The powers vested in and duties imposed on the Faculty Dean by these Regulations shall in a UT teaching institution be exercised and performed by the Director of that institution.

7. The official environment for exchanging information related to the organisation of study shall be the Study Information System.

II. Students and student places

II.1. Students

8. Degree studies at the University may be undertaken in the capacity of a regular student, a visiting student or an external student.

II.1.1. Regular students

9. A regular student is a person who has been matriculated as pursuing a degree study curriculum at UT. A non-resident student is a student who does not have Estonian citizenship, long term residence permit or permanent right of residence.

[effective as of 03.09.2007]

10. Matriculation means the entry of the person concerned in the roll of regular students. Matriculation shall be effected by Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs made on a proposal from the relevant Dean. The Directive shall indicate the beginning and the end of the regular student’s study period in accordance with the standard study period prescribed by the respective curriculum (see sections 27¹).
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

11. Before proceeding to matriculate a PhD student, the Faculty Council shall appoint a supervisor or supervisors to that student and cause a PhD Study Agreement meeting the requirements established by the Rector to be concluded between the PhD student, the supervisor(s) and the University. Where the supervisor appointed to the student is not affiliated to the University by means of an employment contract, a co-supervisor must be appointed from among UT staff.

12. The rights and duties of regular students are governed by the Republic of Estonia Universities Act, these Regulations and other University bylaws.

II.1.2. Visiting students

13. A visiting student is a student matriculated at another institution of higher education and registered at University on the basis of a standard format personal application by the student for studies lasting up to one academic year by the Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. A non-resident visiting student is a visiting student who does not have Estonian citizenship or long term residence permit. Visiting students shall not be matriculated at the University.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

14. Persons wishing to be enrolled as a visiting student shall present an application listing the subjects they intend to take at UT endorsed by their home institution and the Head of the hosting UT Institute or Department as well as the Dean of the relevant Faculty. The application shall constitute the basis for the student’s registration for courses in the subjects in question (see sections 61–65).

15. In matters related to the organisation of study, Chapters IV, V and IX.1-2 and IX.10–11, visiting students shall have all the rights and be subject to all the duties that apply to regular students.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

16. Upon the expiration of the study period of a visiting student, the Faculty or the teaching institution shall issue that student a transcript of his/her academic record.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

17. Where a visiting student has failed to observe the requirements emanating from the University’s study regulations and/or other UT bylaws, the University may discontinue that visiting student’s studies by Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs made on the basis of a proposal from the relevant Dean.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

II.1.3. External students

18. An external student is a person who has been allowed to follow a curriculum at a workload of less than 10 credits per semester and/or to defend a final thesis. External students shall not be matriculated at UT.

19. Where an external student wishes to sit exams and pass/fail evaluations equivalent to 10 CP or more per semester, that student (except for PhD students and students wishing to defend a final thesis) must apply for matriculation according to the admissions procedure or the procedure for filling vacant student places as specified in sections 34–36 below or rematriculation procedure for filling vacant student places as specified in sections 34-36.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

19¹. An external student may apply for matriculation if he or she has completed minimum 50% of the standard workload (if matriculated into part-time study) or minimum 75% of the standard workload (if matriculated into full-time study). In the spring term of the first academic year, an external student may apply for matriculation into full time or part time study if he or she has passed evaluations equivalent to 10 CP or more. External students of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy may apply for matriculation if they have completed 100% of compulsory subject workload of the previous semester prescribed by their curricula.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

20. Persons wishing to be enrolled as an external student shall present to the relevant Dean a respective application listing the subjects they intend to take. The application shall constitute the basis for the student’s registration for courses in the subjects in question (see sections 61–65). The applicant shall be registered as an external student by Directive of the Dean for a period of up to one academic year. Where the applicant fails to meet the requirements established in the subject syllabus or the curriculum, or in case the maximum number of course participants has been reached, the Dean may refuse to grant the application.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

21. Matters related to defending a PhD thesis as an external student shall be governed by the Constitutive Regulations of Research Degrees adopted by the University Council.

22. The relationship between the external student and the University shall be governed by a standard-form agreement concluded between that external student and the University or the University, the external student and the party paying the external students’s tuition.

23. In matters related to the organisation of study (see Chapters IV-VI and IX.1-2 and IX.10–11), external students shall have all the rights and be subject to all the duties that apply to regular students.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

24. Where an external student has failed to observe the requirements emanating from the University’s study regulations and/or other bylaws, the University may discontinue that external student’s studies by Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs made on the basis of a proposal from the relevant Dean.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

II.2. Student Places

25. A student place is a time and financial unit for measuring teaching and study.

26. The University Council shall determine the total number of student places for each curriculum. The student places shall fall into state-funded student places and student places not covered by state funding.

27. Each academic year the Rector shall, for the standard study period prescribed in each curriculum, create the number of state-funded student places required under the State-Commissioned Education Agreement concluded between the University and the Ministry for Education and Research.

27¹. The standard study period is the time prescribed by the curriculum to complete the studies. The standard study period is extended by the amount of time spent on academic leave.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

28. At any one time, regular students may only be matriculated to one state-funded student place.

29. Accounts of state-funded student places shall be kept by the Academic Affairs Office, which shall issue notices of vacant state-funded student places at the end of each semester. Separate accounts shall be kept for student places becoming vacant in each learning year with regard to the respective curriculum’s standard study period.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

30. A vacant state-funded student place emerges when the number of regular students following a curriculum in any notional learning year of that curriculum falls below the number of state-funded student places created by the Rector in respect of the relevant curriculum.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

31. In addition to state-funded student places the University may also create student places not covered by state funding.

32. In order to fill a student place not covered by state funding, a standard-form agreement must be concluded between the regular student and the University or the University, the regular student and the party paying that student’s tuition. The party paying the tuition may be a natural or a legal person.

33. The accounting of vacant student places not covered by state funding shall proceed on the basis of the total number of University student places established by the University Council, from which the number of state-funded student places created by the Rector pursuant to the State-Commissioned Education Agreement has been subtracted. A free student place not covered by state funding may be filled provided the number of regular students in the notional learning year of a curriculum has fallen below the total number of student places established for the curriculum in question.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

34. Where a student place allocated to a curriculum becomes vacant, it shall be filled by means of public competition during the first four weeks of a semester. A vacant state-funded student place may be filled immediately after becoming vacant. The rules of the competition shall be established by the Council of the Faculty or by the teaching institution.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

34¹. Vacant student places are not filled during the autumn term of the first academic year.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

35. The right to apply for a vacant student place have the following students complying with the rules of the competition:

35.1. students (including part-time regular students who meet the requirements of full-time study as well as regular students seeking a transfer to another curriculum), who study on the same or preceding learning year(s), pursuant to standard study period of the respective curriculum, where a student place became vacant. Students who have extended their studies cannot apply for a vacant student place;

35.2. persons seeking rematriculation;

35.3. persons transferring to the University from other institutions of higher education;

35.4. external students;

35.5. persons who have studied on another higher education curriculum and have been deleted from matriculation register of that curriculum.

[effective as of 03.09.2007]

35¹. When applying for a vacant student place, the accreditation of prior learning or learning work accomplished elsewhere shall proceed as provided in sections 85-88.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

36. A vacant student place shall be filled by Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs made on the basis of an application of the interested party endorsed by the Dean.

III. Levels of Study, Curricula and Subjects

III.1. Levels of Study

37. Studies at the University shall take place at the following levels: applied higher education study, Bachelor’s study, Master’s study, integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s study and PhD study.

III.2. Curricula

38. All teaching and study at UT shall be based on curricula.

39. Studies shall be governed by curricula which shall set out the principal aims of study, the learning outcomes, the forms of assessment of learning outcomes, the curriculum’s standard period of study and the workload prescribed, the requirements for the commencement of study, the lists, workloads and syllabi of subjects, the options and conditions for choosing subjects, the options for specialisation, the requirements for completing the study and the documents as well as the titles of any degrees that may be conferred as a result of the study.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

40. The requirements established for curricula are set forth in the Standard of Higher Education and the University’s Statute of Curricula. Curricula shall be approved by the University Council.

41. Curricula may be amended with effect from the next academic year according to the procedure provided in the Statute of Curricula and the amended curriculum shall constitute that academic year’s version of the curriculum concerned. An academic year’s version of the curriculum shall apply to that academic year’s admittees provided the amendments have been made by 15 April of the pervious academic year and entered into the Study Information System.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

42. Curricula may be divided into modules of subjects. A module is a group of subjects (exceptionally, one subject) formed with regard to the aims of the curriculum.

43. Curricula shall be managed on a programme basis. A programme is a complete package of educational services that includes curriculum development and the substantive organization of study as well as the necessary marketing, auxiliary support services and programme management in accordance with the University’s general aims.

III.3. Subjects

44. A subject is a structured unit of teaching and learning activities and of the assessment of learning outcomes in a given field of knowledge. Final theses represent a special form of subjects.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

45. The workload required to pass a subject is calculated in units of study, i.e. credit points. One credit point (hereinafter ‘CP’ or ‘credit’) corresponds to 40 hours (one academic week) of student work including class attendance, practical and independent work as well as the assessment of learning outcomes. One credit point (CP) corresponds to 40 hours (one academic week) of student work including class attendance, independent and practical and work, e-learning as well as the assessment of learning outcomes.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

46. Subjects shall fall into compulsory, elective and optional subjects.

46.1. Compulsory subjects are subjects which the student is required to pass in order to complete the curriculum pursued.

46.2. Elective subjects are subjects which the student is entitled to choose from a selection of subjects determined by the curriculum.

46.3. Optional subjects are subjects which the student is entitled to choose freely.

47. The teaching staff member responsible for a subject shall draw up a syllabus for that subject and present it to the Programme Manager for approval. The subject syllabus shall be drawn up having regard to the aims of the subject as provided in the curriculum. The subject syllabus shall list the name of the subject, subject code, the name of the teaching staff member responsible, the general aims and learning objectives of the subject, a brief description of subject content, the timetable of the course, topics covered during the course, the list of independent work assignments and instructions for completing these, the list of mandatory and recommended study materials, assessment criteria, the forms of assessment of learning outcomes (exam or pass/fail evaluation and their specific format, tests, synopses of literature, etc.) as well as the requirements established for sitting or resitting the course exam. The syllabus shall also set out the share of in-course assessment in the final grade, and the possibilities for making up for missed or failed assignments. Where appropriate, the syllabus shall list the constraints imposed on registering for a course in the subject, such as any compulsory or recommended prerequisites, completed curricula, earned qualifications and/or the maximum number of participants allowed. Participation in practical work assignments and the assessment of learning outcomes prescribed in the syllabus shall always be obligatory. Where appropriate, the syllabus may include supplementary study assignments (lectures by visiting faculty members, etc.).
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

48. Subject syllabi constitute public information and must, in respect of subjects intended to be taught in the next academic year, be entered in the Study Information System by 15 April of the current academic year.

49. The Programme Leader shall be responsible for the drawing up and updating of subject syllabi and for entering these in the Study Information System by the prescribed date.

IV. Practical Organisation of Study

IV.1. Forms of Study

50. Non-distance learning is a form of study which requires class attendance by students on an everyday basis.

51. UT open university study is a form of study in which classwork is organized in study sessions. UT open university study emphasises the students’ independent work, providing them with supervision and relevant study materials. UT open university study may take place in e-learning formats. In UT open university study, the organization of classwork is flexible, having regard above all to the needs of working learners.

IV.2. Study Arrangements

52. Studies shall take place by way of classwork, independent work, practical work and/or e-learning. The relative proportion of each of these study arrangements in a course shall be determined in the subject syllabus.

52.1. Classwork means learning organised with a view to achieving the aims of study in a learning environment by way of lectures, seminars, colloquia, practical work or private lesson.

52.2. Independent work means learning activities focusing on the acquisition of knowledge and solving of problems, engaged in by the student independently in accordance with instructions provided by the teaching staff member.

52.3. Working practice means practical work performed with a view to acquiring work experience in a work environment under the direction of a supervisor. Rector has the right to govern the organisation of practical work.

52.4. E-learning is an interactive form of study, where the learning process generally takes place on the web.

[effective as of 03.09.2007]

53. The overall responsibility for the lawful conduct and expedient organisation of study in a Faculty shall lie on the Dean of that Faculty.

54. For each programme, the Dean shall appoint a Programme Leader who shall be responsible for the organisation and coordination of study under that programme.

55. The responsibility for organising PhD study shall lie on the Head of the relevant institute and the supervisor of the PhD student.

IV.3. Study Planning

56. Teaching and study at the University and the students’ progress in their studies shall be accounted by reference to the time frame of an academic year notionally commencing on 1 September and ending on 31 August. The academic year is divided into two 20-week semesters and commences with the autumn semester which starts on the Monday that falls closest to 1 September. The starting date of the spring semester and the end dates of the autumn and the spring semesters shall be set in the Academic Year Calendar approved by the Rector.

57. The following data shall be entered into the Study Information System in respect of classwork conducted in each subject: subject title, load and code; name of teaching staff member responsible; timetable, place and weeks of the classwork sessions; time and place for sitting the assessment of learning outcomes.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

58. The information required by section 57 above regarding non-distance courses in subjects taught in the next academic year’s autumn semester shall be entered in the Study Information System and made available to students by 2 May, the information regarding the current academic year’s spring semester by 1 December.

59. The timetable established for UT open university study classwork i.e. study sessions in in the next academic year’s autumn semester shall be communicated to students by 2 May, the timetable for the study sessions of the current academic year’s spring semester by 1 December. Information regarding the learning work planned for study sessions shall be communicated to students in accordance with section 57 above one month prior to the start of those sessions.

60. In case of changes in the organisation of classwork, the person appointed by the Dean of the Faculty or Director of the higher educational establishment, shall be responsible for amending the respective subject entries in the Study Information System and for communicating these amendments without delay to the students registered for courses in those subjects.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

IV.4. Registering for Subjects and Selecting Modules

61. To take a subject, the student shall enter his/her name in the Study Information System in the list of students participating in the course offered in that subject, i.e. register for the course. This registration shall be regarded as an expression of intent and decision by the student to take that course, which shall entitle the University to evaluate the student’s performance in the course. By registering for the course the student assumes the obligation to fill out, when the course ends, a teaching and course evaluation form in respect of that course in the Study Information System.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

62. Students pursuing Bachelor’s curricula shall at the latest by the end of the spring semester of their first year of study select two 16-credit modules (one field and one speciality module or two field modules) in the Study Information System. At the latest by the end of the spring semester of their second year of study, those students must select all modules required by their curricula.

63. Registration for courses taught in the autumn semester of the following academic year shall commence on 15 May of the current academic year and registration for the courses taught in the spring semester of the current academic year on 15 December of that academic year, closing with the start of the respective semesters.

64. The general registration procedure set out above shall apply with the following exceptions:

64.1. First-semester students shall be able to register for courses after they have been matriculated to the University and the respective user accounts have been created in the Study Information System. First-semester students must register for their courses within two weeks starting from the beginning of the academic year.

64.2. Students pursuing curricula of UT open university study shall register for autumn and spring semester courses within two weeks starting from the beginning of classwork in those semesters.

64.3. Visiting students or external students shall register for the courses of their choice in the Study Information System or at the Dean’s Office within two weeks starting from the beginning of study at the University. [effective as of 03.09.2007]

64.4. Students who have returned form academic leave or filled a vacant student place after registration for courses in the subjects has been closed, shall be registered at their request either by the Faculty or the teaching institution one week after the end of academic leave or filling the vacant student place. [effective as of 03.09.2007]

65. Students shall be entitled to cancel their registration for a course provided less than 10% of course classwork has taken place. In case of cancellation the student shall be entitled to register for a course in a different subject, the teaching staff member responsible for that subject agreeing, unless 10% of that course's classwork has taken place. In case of changes in the course timetable, the student shall be entitled to cancel registration within two weeks following notification of the changes.

IV.5. Academic Progress in Following the Curriculum

66. Students shall follow the curriculum to which they have been matriculated.

67. Following the curriculum means taking courses in subjects prescribed by the curriculum in accordance with the requirements emanating from the system of study (see Chapter IV.5.1) and the workload requirements corresponding to the full-time/part-time status (see Chapter IV.5.2) of the student.

68. Students shall be entitled to graduate from the University on the basis of that version of the curriculum which they matriculated to, provided their effective period of study does not exceed the equivalent of two standard periods of study as prescribed under that curriculum, except where otherwise provided in the Republic of Estonia Universities Act.

69. Students shall be entitled to apply for transfer to a different curriculum. The student seeking such transfer shall follow the procedure established in sections 34-36 above for candidates to vacant student places. The transfer to another curriculum shall be effected by Directive of the Dean made on the basis of an application addressed by the student to the Rector or, in case of transfer to a different Faculty, the respective Deans agreeing, by Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. Transfers to a different curriculum shall also be allowed in the case of new admittees following the procedure established in the Republic of Estonia Universities Act and UT Admission Rules.

70. When assessing the student’s progress in following the curriculum, the University may accredit that student’s prior studies and experience according to the principles and procedure provided in sections 85–88 below.

IV.5.1. System of Study

71. Studies shall take place according to the subject system, the learning year system or, in case of PhD students, study and research plan i.e. an individual learning plan (hereinafter “individual plan”).
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

72. Under the subject system, students shall be entitled to choose modules of subjects and take courses in those subjects in the order of their own preference, subject to prerequisite course constraints established in the curriculum or the subject syllabus.

72.1. Students studying full-time (except for Master’s study) (see section 76) must by the end of their first learning year have passed at least 20 credits’ worth of their curriculum’s compulsory subjects and by the end of their second learning year a total of at least 40 credits’ worth of the same.

72.2. Students studying part-time (except for Master’s study) (see section 77) must by the end of their first learning year have passed at least 10 credits’ worth of the compulsory subjects of their curriculum and by the end of the second learning year a total of at least 20 credits’ worth of the same.

73. Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy studies shall be pursued on a learning year basis. Students studying on a learning year basis shall take their subjects in the order established in the curriculum and by the end of the semester complete 100% of compulsory subject workload prescribed by their curricula. In case the course, students learning on a learning year basis are taking, finishes after the end of the semester, they must complete 100% of compulsory subject workload prescribed by their curricula by the end of the course.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

74. PhD students shall complete their study in accordance with the individual learning plans drawn up at the latest by 30 September of the first learning year by the students with the assistance of their supervisors. A detailed plan for next year’s study and research shall be annexed to the individual learning plan each year.

IV.5.2. Full-Time and Part-Time Study

75. Students shall pursue their studies full-time or part-time. At the end of each academic year, Faculties shall assess their students' progress in pursuing the respective curricula having regard to the students’ workload requirements as prescribed for full-time/part-time study. If the Dean has according to section 103 extended the term for taking the resit, the completion of curriculum shall be assessed after it. A student’s workload shall be calculated on the basis of the number of credits earned as a result of taking courses in the subjects of the curriculum. The standard workload for one learning year shall amount to 40 credits.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

76. Students studying full-time shall by the end of each learning year complete at least 75% of the standard workload, i.e. at least 30 credits’ worth of courses by the end of the first learning year, a total of at least 60 credits’ worth of courses by the end of their second learning year, etc. Students following medicine, dentistry and pharmacy curricula shall by the end of each learning year complete 100% of respective compulsory subject workload.

77. Students studying part-time shall by the end of each learning year complete no less than 50% but no more than 75% of the curriculum’s standard workload, i.e. no less than 20 but no more than 30 credits’ worth of courses by the end of the first learning year and a total of no less than 40 but no more than 60 credits’ worth of courses by the end of the second learning year, etc.

78. The minimum workload for students (except for those pursuing medicine, dentistry and pharmacy curricula, PhD studies and in Open University) is 10 CP by the end of the autumn semester of their first learning year. If the Dean has according to section 103 extended the term for taking the resit, the completion of curriculum shall be assessed after it.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

79. Students who by the end of the academic year have successfully completed courses in curriculum subjects corresponding to their workload as determined by their status of full-time/part-time student shall be allowed to proceed to the next year of their curriculum. The relevant permission shall be given by Directive of the Dean by 15 September. If the Dean has according to section 103 extended the term for taking the resit, the permission to proceed shall be given by 30 September.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

80. Full-time students occupying state-funded student places (except for regular students following medicine, dentistry and pharmacy curricula as well as curricula in respect of which the State-Commissioned Education Agreement stipulates part-time study) who have failed to meet the requirements of full-time study shall be reassigned to part-time study on student places not covered by state funding.

81. Students following their curricula under the subject system shall be allowed to proceed to the next learning year of those curricula

81.1. as full-time students, in case the number of credits earned by those students amounts to at least 75% of the cumulative standard workload completed following their curricula;

81.2. as part-time students, in case the number of credits earned by those students amounts to less than 75% but exceeds 50% of the cumulative standard workload completed following their curricula.

82. Students following their curricula under the learning year system shall be allowed to proceed to the next learning year of those curricula provided they have completed 100% of courses in previous learning year’s compulsory subjects.

83. The academic progress of PhD students shall be assessed and credits awarded once per academic year in a progress review to be conducted at the latest by the beginning of the autumn semester. The assessment shall be based on the fulfilment of the PhD student’s individual learning plan. Review results shall be entered in the Study Information System at the relevant Faculty. The principles and procedure of progress review shall be established by the Rector.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

84. Regular and external students shall be deemed to have completed their curricula when they have passed the subjects and the working practice prescribed in the curriculum, including passing any final exam(s) or defending a final thesis, and earned the number of credits required under the curriculum.

IV.5.3. Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (APEL) [effective as of 03.09.2007]

85. Regular or external students or students who have applied for matriculation shall be entitled to seek the accreditation of prior learning as well as learning accomplished elsewhere and work experience as equivalent to completing a course in a curriculum subject or a part of the curriculum.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

86. Prior studies or learning work accomplished elsewhere as well as experiential learning shall be assessed by a teaching staff member teaching a similar subject or by a Board appointed by the Dean. The procedure and fees for considering applications to accredit students’ prior learning and work shall be established by the University Council.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

87. Assessment of the student’s prior learning and work shall be based on whether the learning outcomes resulting from prior learning or the work experience acquired correspond to the learning objectives of the subject(s) and/or the aims of the curriculum.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

88. Challenges to decisions regarding applications to accredit prior learning and work experience shall proceed as provided in sections 185-193 below.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

V. Assessment of Learning Outcomes [effective as of 03.09.2007]

V.1. Forms of Assessment [effective as of 03.09.2007]

89. A course in a subject shall be deemed completed when the student obtains a passing grade in the assessment of learning outcomes conducted in that course.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

90. [repealed as of 03.09.2007]

91. The final assessment of learning outcomes shall take place by way of graduated assessment, i.e. exam and non-graduated assessment, i.e. pass/fail evaluation. Defences of final theses (except for PhD theses and the defence of final thesis to complete the studies at the Master of Science and Master of Arts level, entered in the Register of Curricula of the Ministry for Education and Research prior to 1st June 2002) shall be subject to graduated assessment.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

V.2. Assessment scale [effective as of 03.09.2007]

92. Graduated assessment of students’ learning outcomes in respect of a subject or parts thereof shall be expressed on a scale of 6 (together with the corresponding verbal designation and a substantive definition) as follows:

92.1. grade ‘A’ or "excellent" – given for outstanding and particularly profound knowledge of both the theoretical and applied aspects of the subject, creativity and effortless skill in applying learning outcomes, considerable independent work and versatile knowledge of speciality literature. The student has acquired 91-100% of the material referred in subject syllabus; [effective as of 03.09.2007]

92.2. grade ‘B’ or "very good" – given for very good knowledge of both the theoretical and applied aspects of the subject within the limits of the subject syllabus and textbooks, very good skill in applying learning outcomes. The exam has revealed certain errors which are neither substantive nor serious. The student has acquired 81-90% of the material referred in subject syllabus; [effective as of 03.09.2007]

92.3. grade ‘C’ or "good" – given for good knowledge of both the theoretical and applied aspects of the subject, good skills in applying learning outcomes. A certain lack of confidence and imprecision are apparent in the student’s answers pertaining to subject depth and detail. The student has acquired 71–80% of the material referred in subject syllabus; [effective as of 03.09.2007]

92.4. grade ‘D’ or "satisfactory" – given for knowledge of basic theoretical and applied principles, facts and methods of the subject and an ability to apply these in typical situations. The student’s exam answers lack confidence and suggest considerable lacunae in his/her knowledge of the subject. The student has acquired 61–70% of the material referred in subject syllabus;

92.5. grade ‘E’ or "poor" – given for minimum knowledge of the subject, the application of which presents serious problems. The student has acquired 51-60% of the material referred in subject syllabus;

92.6. grade ‘F’ or "fail" – given in case of failure to show minimum knowledge of the subject. The student has acquired 0-50% of the material referred in subject syllabus.

[effective as of 03.09.2007]

93. In case of non-graduated assessment of learning outcomes the student may be deemed to have passed the course if all the requirements established for passing that course have been fulfilled. Students may be given the following grades:

93.1. grade “pass“ – given where the student shows that he/she has acquired the knowledge, skills and competences required in the subject syllabus;

93.2. grade ”fail“ – given where the student fails to show that he/she has acquired the knowledge, skills and competences required in the subject syllabus.

[effective as of 03.09.2007]

94. In calculating the student’s average grade, the letter marks shall have the following numerical value: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1, F = 0; absence without valid grounds (recorded as ”Absent“) = 0.

V.3. Exam Arrangements

95. In registering for a course, the student assumes an obligation to sit a final assessment of learning outcomes, i.e. an exam or a pass/fail evaluation (hereinafter collectively referred to as ’exam’) in that course. Only students who have registered for the course and fulfill all requirements established for sitting the course exam shall be allowed to sit that exam. The examiner (the teaching staff member responsible or a person designated by him/her) shall be responsible for verifying whether the requirements established in the subject syllabus for allowing a student to sit the exam have been fulfilled.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

96. Students shall be allowed to sit a final assessment of learning outcomes in a course in the semester during which they are taking the course by way of one regular exam and, in case of failure to pass that exam, by way of one resit. Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy students shall be allowed sit an assessment of learning outcomes in compulsory and elective subjects by way of one regular exam and, in case of failure to pass that exam, in two resits.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

97. In the semester during which they are taking the course, students shall have the choice of at least two regular exam dates. The teaching staff member responsible shall have the power to obligate the student to choose a regular exam date, in which case that choice must be made in the Study Information System at the latest three days before the exam takes place. In case the student wishes to resit an exam, he/she must register for that resit. Registration for a resit shall close one day before the resit is administered.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

98. In case the exam consists of several successive parts, of which the previous must be passed in order to be allowed to sit the next, that exam must be arranged so that the resit of the previous part takes place before the beginning of the next part.

99. Where the subject syllabus provides for the exam to be taken as group work, the teaching staff member responsible shall set a single exam date for all students in the group.

100. Students shall not be allowed to resit an exam or defence in order to attempt a higher passing grade.

101. Receiving a fail grade in an exam or absence from an exam in a particular subject shall not preclude students from taking exams in other subjects, unless otherwise provided in the subject syllabus.

102. Any resits must be taken no later than by the beginning of the following semester. Students in open university study shall be entitled to take both the exam and the resit during the following semester.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

103. Where a regular student shows valid grounds that prevented him/her from taking the resit, the term for taking that resit may be extended by the Dean by maximum two weeks. In order to receive the extension, the student shall present to the Dean a reasoned application endorsed in writing by the teaching staff member responsible.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

104. Students sitting an exam shall be entitled to

104.1. use such resources and materials as may be permitted by the examiner(s);

104.2. inspect their written exam papers within five working days from the entry of their grades in the Study Information System;

104.3. challenge the grade received pursuant to the terms and procedure specified in sections 185-193 below;

104.4. submit to the Dean a reasoned request to establish a panel to administer an exam. The Dean shall be required to establish a three-member panel of examiners to administer the fourth resit in the same subject pursuant to the reasoned request submitted by the student. In case of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy studies, the Dean shall be required to establish a three-member panel of examiners to administer the third resit in that subject pursuant to the reasoned request submitted by the student. [effective as of 03.09.2007]

105. Examiners shall have the power and be required to remove a student from an exam for instances of misconduct specified in sections 183.1.–183.5. below;

V.4. Records of Exam Results

106. The teaching staff member responsible shall record the grades given to examinees in the exam report, which shall be the source document for the accounting of grades earned by students.

107. An exam graded in the range from E to A shall be regarded as a pass. An exam graded with an F shall be regarded as a failure.

108. If a student fails to appear for an exam on the selected date, the exam report drawn up for that date shall record that student as “absent”. If a student fails to appear for an exam on any of the regular exam dates, that student shall be recorded as “absent” in the exam report drawn up for the last regular exam date. Where a student fails to appear for a regular exam, he/she shall be entitled to resit that exam in accordance with the rules applicable to resits. In the event the student shows valid grounds for failing to appear, the entry “absent” shall be deleted provided proof of valid grounds is presented to the relevant Dean or head of institute within five working days from the date the exam took place. A student with valid grounds for failure to appear for the regular exam shall be entitled to take that exam and where appropriate, resit it by decision of the relevant Dean or head of institute by the beginning of the following semester on the date set by the teaching staff member responsible.

108¹. Where a student does not show valid grounds for failure to appear for the regular exam, the “absent” entry in the exam report shall be considered equal to taking the exam for the purposes of sections 135.3.4 and 135.3.7.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

109. Where a student is removed from an exam for reasons specified in sections 183.1.–183.5., the grade F shall be entered in the report for that exam in respect of that student.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

110. The grades given to examinees shall be entered in the Study Information System within four working days from the date on which the exam took place if the exam was taken by up to 50 students, and within seven working days if the exam was taken by more than 50 students. Regardless of the number of examinees, the grades given must be entered in the Study Information System at the latest two working days before the date of the resit in the course.

111. Students who receive a failing grade in the regular exam of a course and a resit of that exam, must re-register for another course in the same subject and fulfill all of the requirements for the completion of that course (except for the case of the compulsory and elective courses in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy studies) in order to pass the subject.

V.5. Final Exams

112. In order to be allowed to sit the final exam, students shall be required to have passed all other subjects of the curriculum.

113. The substantive requirements of the final exam, the requirements concerning the composition of the panel of examiners administering the final exam and the procedure for sitting the final exam shall be established by the Council of the Faculty or of the teaching institution. The deadlines for sitting the final exam and the composition of the panel of examiners administering that exam shall be approved by the Dean.

114. Final exam papers shall be assessed by the panel of examiners. The panel shall be competent to act provided at least half of its members are present. Before the commencement of the exam, the chair of the panel shall announce to examinees the date on which the results of the final exam will be released.

115. In the event a student fails to appear for the final exam, the entry “absent” shall be recorded in the report of that exam in respect of that student. In case of valid grounds for failure to appear, that entry shall be deleted, provided proof of valid grounds is presented to the chair of the panel within five working days from the date the exam took place. The panel may decide to allow the student showing valid grounds for failure to appear to sit the final exam at a time determined by the chair of the panel.

116. Students failing the final exam shall be entitled to a single resit of that exam.

V.6. Defences of Final Theses

117. Where defending a final thesis is required for the completion of applied higher education, Bachelor’s or Master’s studies, the student shall choose a supervisor or supervisors, and in consultation with that supervisor/those supervisors a topic for the thesis. The supervisor(s) to the final thesis are appointed on the request of the head of institute by Directive of the Dean at the latest six months before the anticipated defence.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

118. The requirements for the final thesis, the composition of the thesis defence panel and the procedure for defence shall be established by the Council of the Faculty or teaching institution. The deadlines for the defence of final theses and the composition of final thesis defence panel(s) shall be approved by the Dean. The requirements for PhD theses and the procedure for defending PhD theses shall be governed by the Constitutive Regulations of Research Degrees.

119. In order to be allowed to defend a final thesis, students shall be required to have passed all subjects in their curriculum, if not determined otherwise in the curriculum. The final thesis shall be submitted to the thesis defence panel with the supervisor’s written opinion. A reviewer shall be appointed to the thesis in accordance with the procedure established at the relevant Faculty or teaching institution. The student defending the final thesis may also submit to the panel other materials relevant for assessing the academic and practical value of the final thesis submitted.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

120. Final theses shall be assessed in a public defence. In order to protect state or business secrets or to maintain the secrecy of a technological solution, the Dean may direct that the defence be held behind closed doors. The defence shall be attended by the defending student’s supervisor and the appointed reviewer.

121. The outcome of the defence of a final thesis shall be assessed by the panel. The panel shall be competent to act provided more than one-half of its members are present. The results of the defence shall be announced directly after the minutes of the defence have been signed, in any event during the working day following the defence.

122. In the event a student fails to appear for the defence of his/her final thesis, the provisions for failure to appear for an exam shall be applicable (see section 108).

123. Students failing the defence of a final thesis shall be entitled to a second defence pursuant to the procedure established by the Council of the Faculty or of the teaching institution. For a second defence of a final thesis, the panel shall require the student to supplement the existing work or write a new thesis on a different topic.

VI. Completion of Studies and Documents issued upon Completion

124. Regular students who have completed their curricula shall be considered to have finished their studies and shall be removed from the roll of regular students (deleted from the matriculation register).

125. Regular students who have completed their curricula shall be issued a diploma and a supplement to that diploma in accordance with the procedure established by the Republic of Estonia Cabinet of Ministers. The diploma shall be issued on the basis of a Directive of Vice Rector for Academic Affairs to delete the regular student from the matriculation register or Directive to consider external students having finished their studies, or on the basis of a decision to grant a degree by the Council that granted the degree.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

126. The diploma shall be issued by the Academic Affairs Office. Diploma supplements (in the Estonian and the English language) shall be issued by the Faculty or the teaching institution on the basis of the diploma.

127. Regular students who have completed a curriculum of applied higher education study shall be issued an applied higher education diploma, a diploma supplement and an English-language diploma supplement.

128. Regular students who have completed a Bachelor’s curriculum shall be issued a diploma certifying the award of a Bachelor’s degree, a diploma supplement and an English-language diploma supplement.

129. Regular students who have completed a Master’s curriculum shall be issued a diploma certifying the award of a Master’s degree, a diploma supplement and an English-language diploma supplement.

130. Regular students who have completed an integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s curriculum shall be issued a diploma certifying the award of a Master’s degree, a diploma supplement and an English-language diploma supplement.

131. Regular students who have completed a PhD curriculum shall be issued a diploma certifying the award of a PhD degree, a diploma supplement and an English-language diploma supplement.

132. In order to qualify for a diploma cum laude (with distinction) regular students must

132.1. have completed a curriculum of applied higher education, Bachelor’s, integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s or Master’s study,

132.2. have receive the grades C, B or A on all exams,

132.3. have defended the final thesis to the grade A or receive the grade A on the final exam, [effective as of 03.09.2007]

132.4. show an average grade of 4.6 or higher, inclusive of all the grades received during studies. [effective as of 03.09.2007]

133. Regular students who have completed several curricula shall be granted the corresponding degrees. The completion of several curricula presupposes the passing of the corresponding number of final exams and/or the defence of substantively different final theses. In the event of a simultaneous completion of several curricula belonging to the same level of study, the student shall be issued a single diploma listing all degrees granted. In the event of a simultaneous completion of several curricula belonging to different levels of study, the student shall be issued the corresponding diplomas listing the degrees granted.

VII. Deletion from Matriculation Register

134. Deletion from the matriculation register means the removal of a regular student from the roll of students.

135. The University shall of its own motion proceed to delete a regular student from the matriculation register by Directive of Vice Rector for Academic Affairs made on the basis of a proposal from the relevant Dean or the Director of Finance, or on the basis of a resolution of the council that granted that student a degree, for the following reasons:

135.1. the student has completed his/her curriculum;

135.2. the student’s study period has expired;

135.3. the student shows insufficient academic progress evidenced by one or more of the following:

135.3.1. failure to complete the required minimum workload prescribed by the curriculum (see sections 73 and 78) by the end of the semester;

135.3.2. failure to complete the workload prescribed by the curriculum in accordance with the student’s full-time/part-time status by the end of a learning year;

135.3.3. failure to pass the required workload of compulsory subjects of the curriculum (see sections 72 and 73) by the end of a learning year;

135.3.4. . receiving three fail grades in the same subject in any compulsory or elective subject of medicine, dentistry or pharmacy curricula; [effective as of 03.09.2007]

135.3.5. receiving fail grades for the final exam and a resit thereof or for defence of the final thesis and a second defence thereof;

135.3.6. a PhD student’s failure to meet the requirements for part-time study, [effective as of 01.07.2007]

135.3.7. receiving four fail grades in the same subject (except for medicine, dentistry or pharmacy studies). [effective as of 03.09.2007]

135.4. for first year students failure to register for subjects without valid grounds and/or failure to attend classes (except for PhD students) in the first two weeks of the academic year, and in the case of open university study, from the commencement of classwork; [effective as of 03.09.2007]

135.5. the matriculation of a student occupying a state-funded student place to another state-funded student place;

135.6. failure to pay any tuition fees by the due date;

135.7. in the following cases of improper behaviour:

135.7.1. for academic fraud, in the cases specified in sections 183.1.–183.5.;

135.7.2. for a criminal offence committed with intent while a student, provided the corresponding criminal conviction has become final;

135.7.3. for the forgery of documents.

136. In cases concerning the deletion of regular students from the matriculation register for improper behaviour, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs shall send the materials concerning the case of improper behaviour before making the decision to the President of the Student Council, who shall submit the Student Council’s reasoned opinion in writing to the Vice Rector within 14 days. Where the Vice Rector chooses to disregard the Student Council’s opinion, he/she shall communicate the reasons therefor to the Student Council in writing.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

136¹. The permission to delete a regular student from the matriculation register on initiative of the University shall be given within two weeks after the event occurred in the order provided in section 135 (except sections 135.6. and 135.7).
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

137. Deletion from the matriculation register on a motion by the regular student shall take place on the basis of that student’s application addressed to the Rector and endorsed with the relevant Dean’s approval for granting the application, by Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. The application shall state the student’s reasons (personal reasons, transfer to another university, etc).

138. The University shall also proceed to delete a regular student from the matriculation register by Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs on a proposal from the relevant Dean in case of the following events independent of the parties:

138.1. judicial appointment of a guardian to the student due to the latter’s permanent inability to understand or control his/her actions arising from an illness of the mind or other mental disorder;

138.2. death of the student.

VIII. Rematriculation

139. Rematriculation means the re-entry of a person on the roll of regular students. Rematriculation shall be effected by Directive of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs on the basis of the applicant’s personal application addressed to the Rector and endorsed with the written approval of the relevant Dean. Where a student place allocated to a curriculum becomes vacant, a student can be rematriculated.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

139¹. A student may be rematriculated to the same curriculum either the same learning year or the next learning year in the same or the next semester in which the student was learning at the time of deletion from matriculation register. A student is not rematriculated for extended time of study. The workload (see sections 75-77) shall be established according to the total amount of CP earned.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

140. Regular students who have been deleted from the matriculation register due to insufficient academic progress may not apply for rematriculation before they have fulfilled as a minimum the requirements for part-time study (see section 77). Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy students may apply for rematriculation in case they have completed 100% of compulsory subject workload prescribed by their curricula of the previous semester.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

141. Regular students who have been deleted from the matriculation register due to improper behaviour may not apply for rematriculation before one year has passed from that deletion. Regular students who have been deleted from the matriculation register for the reason specified in section 135.7.2 above may not apply for rematriculation before their convictions have become spent.

142. Regular students deleted from the matriculation register due to the expiration of their study period may not apply for rematriculation.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

143. Regular students deleted from the matriculation register for failure to pay their tuition fees by the due date may not apply for rematriculation until any outstanding fees have been paid.

IX. Additional Rights and Obligations of Students

IX.1. Notification

144. The University shall notify regular students through the Study Information System of any Directives that concern those students (deletion from the matriculation register, grant of academic leave, extension of the study period, etc). Directives and announcements concerning teaching and study at UT shall be sent to the student’s e-mail address on the University server, which shall entitle the University to deem the message to have been notified to the student.

145. Regular students shall be required to notify the University immediately through the Study Information System of any changes in their contact information.

IX.2. Student Advising

146. Students shall have the right to contact Faculty, teaching institution or Academic Affairs Office employees involved with advising students in order to obtain information and advice for the solution of problems concerning study at the University.

147. Regular students studying at the University for the first semester (except for regular students in UT open university study) shall be advised by peer tutors. Peer tutors are regular students who have received training in advising students and provide information in matters concerning the obligations, rights and eventual problems related to student status, and offer individual advising where appropriate. Peer tutors have the right to obtain necessary information for their work from the structural units of the university. Peer tutor’s work is organized by the Academic Affairs Office.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

148. Students in UT open university study shall be advised by UT open university study co-ordinator at the corresponding Faculty or teaching institution, and if necessary the UT open university study specialist at the Academic Affairs Office.

IX.3. Evaluation of Teaching and Courses [effective as of 03.09.2007]

149. The evaluation of teaching and courses shall take place by way of a survey form administered via the Study Information System to the regular students taking a course before they proceed to sit an exam in that course. Regular students shall be obligated to fill out teaching and course evaluation forms in respect of their courses.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

150. The procedure for administering the survey to regular students shall be established by the Rector.

IX.4. Study Allowances

151. Pursuant to the Republic of Estonia Study Allowances and Study Loans Act, regular students shall be entitled to apply for study allowances on the terms and in accordance with the procedure established by the University Council.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

IX.5. Intensive Study of Estonian

152. Where the Estonian language proficiency of a regular student who has graduated from a school that conducts teaching in a language other than Estonian falls below the medium proficiency level provided in the Republic of Estonia Official Language Act, or the student’s score in the state exam in Estonian as a second language is below 60 percent of the maximum mark, that student shall be required to undertake a programme of intensive study of the Estonian language for one academic year in order to become eligible for the award of a degree pursuant to any curriculum taught in the Estonian language.

153. Regular students going through their academic year of intensive study of Estonian shall be matriculated to the curriculum in respect of which they were admitted at the University and shall then be classed as students in the learning year of intensive Estonian language study. The study period of these students shall be prolonged by the time studied in the intensive Estonian language learning year.

154. Regular students placed in the learning year of intensive Estonian language study shall complete the one-year programme of Estonian language study approved by the Council of the UT Language Centre.

155. Those students shall only proceed to the first learning year of their curricula after the completion of the Estonian language learning year.

156. The intensive Estonian language study of regular students occupying state-funded student places shall be financed from funds allocated in the Republic of Estonia budget to state-commissioned education. The Estonian language learning year of regular students studying on student places not covered by state funding shall be funded by those students or the parties who purchased those students’ tuition.

IX.6. Studying at other Institutions of Higher Education in Estonia

157. Regular students shall be entitled to study free of charge at Estonian public universities in the capacity of visiting students (pursuant to the Protocol of the Rectors of Estonian Universities of 17.09.1995 entitled “Studies as a visiting student”).

158. Regular students who wish to study at other institutions of higher education in Estonia shall submit a corresponding application to their Dean. The application shall list the subjects that the student wishes to study at the other institution of higher education.

159. On the basis of the application, to which the receiving institution’s consent has been annexed, the regular student shall, by Directive of the Dean, be classed for up to one academic year as studying at the receiving institution.

160. The Faculty Dean’s Office or the Document Management Office of the teaching institution shall issue a grading sheet and a copy of the Directive for presentation to the receiving institution.

161. The time studied at the receiving institution of higher education shall not count towards an extension of the standard period of the regular student’s study. At the end of the student’s period of study at the receiving institution, that student shall submit to the Dean the grading sheet with the results of the exams taken and, if desired, an application for transfer of credit. In accordance with the procedure provided in sections 85–88, the University may take into account the exams taken at the other institution of higher education when assessing the student’s progress in following his/her curriculum.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

IX.7. Studying at Universities Abroad [effective as of 03.09.2007]

162. Regular students shall be entitled to study abroad during the course of their studies:

162.1. as stipendiaries of international organisations, programmes, governments, foundations and universities;

162.2. in the framework of student exchange programmes based on inter-university and international agreements;

162.3. on an individual basis.

163. Regular students who apply for studies abroad on the basis of inter-university and international agreements and stipends assigned through the University shall be entered in the respective competitions organised by the University. The Vice Rector for Academic Affairs shall establish the procedure for those competitions and shall create a committee to administer the competitions.

164. Before they proceed to study abroad, regular students shall sign a learning agreement with the University and the receiving institution of higher education. Those students shall be classed as ‘studying abroad’ by a Directive of the Dean listing the institution of higher education, the programme or co-operation agreement serving as the basis for the study undertaken abroad and the period of study at the institution of higher education abroad.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

165. UT regular students studying abroad shall not be deemed to have discontinued their studies at the University, and their study period shall not be extended by the period of time spent abroad.

166. In accordance with the procedure provided in sections 85–88, the University may take into account any exams taken at an institution of higher education abroad when assessing a regular student’s progress in following his/her curriculum.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

167. As a general rule, regular students in applied higher education, Bachelor’s, medical, dentistry, pharmacy study and class teacher training shall not be allowed to study abroad during the first semester of their studies. As an exception, permission to study abroad may be granted to those students by the Dean.

IX.8. Academic Leave

168. Academic leave means a period for which a regular student is released from the obligation to undertake study and research work. Students within their study period shall be entitled to request and be granted an academic leave of up to one year in each level of study.

169. For health reasons confirmed by a medical certificate, regular students shall be entitled to an additional academic leave of maximum two years in each level of study.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

170. Regular students starting a term of service in the Republic of Estonia Defence Forces shall be entitled to an additional academic leave of one year granted on the basis of the corresponding call-up notice from the Defence Forces.

171. A regular student caring for a child shall be entitled to additional academic leave until the child reaches three years of age. Students may apply for academic leave to care for a child from the seventh month of pregnancy on the basis of a medical certificate or after the birth of the child on the basis of a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

172. Regular students in the first semester of applied higher education, Bachelor’s, dentistry and pharmacy study and class teacher training shall be granted academic leave only in the cases specified in sections 169–171 above.

173. Where a regular student who has been granted academic leave under section 168 above requests an academic leave for the reasons specified in sections 169-171, that student’s section 168 academic leave shall be temporarily discontinued, to be reactivated on the basis of an application submitted by the student after the end of the academic leave granted for the reasons specified in sections 169–171.

174. To request an academic leave or a temporary discontinuation thereof, regular students shall submit an application to the Dean. Academic leave for health reasons may only be discontinued on the basis of a medical certificate.

175. The study period of a regular student on academic leave shall be extended by the amount of time of the leave. The academic leave and the prolongation of study period related to it shall be granted to the student by Directive of the Dean.

176. The grant of academic leave shall not affect the regular student status of the grantee.

177. During academic leave (except for academic leave on grounds specified in section 171 above), regular students shall not be allowed to participate in study or sit any exams (including students enrolled as visiting students in another Estonian institution of higher education or students studying abroad). The University shall cancel any registrations for courses made by students on academic leave. Regular students who were admitted to the University before the 2006/2007 academic year shall be allowed to participate in study (including students enrolled as visiting students in another Estonian institution of higher education or students studying abroad) and sit exams while on academic leave, except where the academic leave has been granted for health reasons.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

178. Regular students shall not be allowed to proceed to their next learning year during academic leave.

IX.9. Extension of Studies

179. Regular students in applied higher education, Bachelor’s, pharmacy and PhD studies as well as class teacher training shall be entitled to apply for an extension of studies (extension of the study period) by a total period of 12 months in order to make up for insufficient academic progress. Regular students in Master’s study may apply for the same extension by a total period of 6 months. Part-time regular students shall be entitled to extend their studies by the amount of time they have spent in part-time study.

179¹. When a student whose study period has been extended takes academic leave on grounds specified in section 169-171, the extension of studies shall be temporarily discontinued, to be reactivated on the basis of an application submitted by the student after the end of the academic leave.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

180. Regular students who occupy state-funded student places and have applied to have their studies extended shall not be required to cover the cost of their tuition during the extension period. Regular students occupying student places not covered by state funding shall be required cover the cost of their tuition for the extension period in the amount and in accordance with the procedure established by the University Council.

181. The extension of studies shall be granted by Directive of the Dean on the basis of the regular student’s application.

182. The application for an extension of studies must be submitted before the expiration of the study period. The studies of regular students who occupy student places not covered by state funding in UT open university study shall be extended by up to one academic year at a time by Directive of the Dean without the respective application by the student.

IX.10. Academic Fraud

183. Academic fraud means:

183.1. in an assessment of learning outcomes, the use by a student of material that the assessor has not explicitly permitted the student to use;

183.2. the prohibited sharing of knowledge (for instance prompting, copying other students’ work, etc.) by students taking an assessment of learning outcomes;

183.3. taking an assessment of learning outcomes for another student;

183.4. submission of the written work of another person as the student’s own, or the use of parts thereof without the appropriate academic reference;

183.5. second submission of the student’s own work, if credit has already been awarded for it;

[effective as of 03.09.2007]

184. Where a student has committed academic fraud, the Dean shall have the power and be required to

184.1. reprimand the student or

184.2. make a proposal to the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs for the student to be deleted from the matriculation register.

IX.11. Challenges to Decisions in Matters of Organisation of Study

185. In order to challenge a decision in a matter concerning the organisation of study (except in order to challenge a grade received for a final exam or for the defence of a final thesis), the student shall approach the person who made the decision and challenge that decision either orally or in writing.

186. If the person who made the decision refuses to change that decision, the student may submit an appeal to the Dean within seven days following the notification of the refusal. The Dean may form a three-member panel to consider the appeal. The Dean shall notify the decision to grant/dismiss the appeal to the student within 14 days from the submission of that appeal.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

187. In order to challenge a decision made by the Dean (including the Dean’s decision to dismiss the appeal), students shall submit an appeal to an Independent Appeals Committee within 30 days following notification of the Dean’s decision. The Committee is an independent academic body whose composition shall be approved by the University Council acting on a recommendation by the Rector before the beginning of each academic year.
[effective as of 01.07.2007]

188. The Independent Appeals Committee shall have eight members, of whom four shall represent teaching staff and four shall represent students. At least two of the teaching staff representatives shall be Professors. Among the student representatives, each level of study shall be represented by at least one student. The student representatives shall be designated by the Student Council, which shall submit their names to the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. The Legal Counsel for Academic Affairs shall serve as the Committee’s secretary.

189. In its first meeting, the Independent Appeals Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure, which shall be approved by the Rector.

190. Where a member of the Independent Appeals Committee is party to a dispute subject to proceedings before the Committee, that member shall not participate in those proceedings, and must not be present at the relevant meeting of the Committee. In such case, the required quorum shall be reduced by one.

191. In order to deal with and rule on any appeals submitted to it the Independent Appeals Committee shall be entitled to examine any relevant documents, interview the parties to the dispute, as well as other persons connected with the dispute and the relevant employees of the University, and consult the Student Council, the Academic Affairs Committee of the University Council and the student advisor. The Committee’s rulings shall be valid if voted by at least six members. A ruling shall be deemed adopted provided at least 2/3 of the members participating in the proceeding cast their votes in favour of that ruling.

192. The Independent Appeals Committee shall notify its ruling to the student within 21 days following the date on which the appeal was submitted, informing the student of whether it decided to uphold the decision appealed or quash it and replace the quashed decision with its own ruling. Within the University, the ruling of the Committee shall be final.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

193. Students who refuse to accept the grade received in a final exam or for a defence of the final thesis shall be entitled to submit a written appeal to the Dean within two working days following notification of the results of the final exam or defence of the final thesis. Within seven days following receipt of the appeal, the Dean shall convene, respectively, a new composition of the board of examiners or of the final thesis defence panel to consider that appeal. The board/panel shall decide the appeal within seven days following the date on which it was convened. The decision of the board/panel may be challenged by appealing it within 30 days to the Independent Appeals Committee.

X. Implementing Provisions

X.1. Implementation of the assessment system in effect before 30th August 1999 [effective as of 03.09.2007]

194. The following scale was used in the assessment of students’ learning outcomes before 30.08.1999:

194.1. the grade 5 or "very good" – demonstrates thorough knowledge of the subject;

194.2. the grade 4 or "good" – demonstrates good knowledge of the subject, with errors in questions of inconsequential or secondary importance;

194.3. the grade 3 or "satisfactory" – demonstrates basic knowledge of the essentials of the subject, with errors in questions of consequential and principal nature;

194.4. the negative grade 2 or "fail" – demonstrates inadequate knowledge of the essentials of the subject.

195. Transcripts of academic record issued to students who have received grades under both the previous and the current grading scales shall set out the grades as given according to those scales (in use, respectively, before 30th August 1999 and from 30th August 1999), as well as explanations concerning both scales.

196. A Diploma with distinction (cum laude) shall be awarded to students whose grades, received before 30th August 1999 are “very good” in 75% of assessments and do not include any grades “satisfactory”. The grades received starting 30th August 1999 must meet the requirements established for grants of diplomas with distinction (cum laude) in section 132 above.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

X.2. Implementation of forms of study, completion of curriculum and extension of studies in effect before the 2003/2004 academic year

197. The provisions of these Regulations concerning full-time and part-time study shall apply to students admitted to the University starting the 2003/2004 academic year.

198. Regular students admitted to the University before the 2003/2004 academic year shall be non-distance or distance learning students.

199. Non-distance learning is a form of study in which students are required to participate in studies at the University on an everyday basis.

200. Distance learning is a form of study that does not require students to participate in studies at the university on an everyday basis, in which classwork takes place in study sessions, and in which considerable emphasis is placed on e-learning and independent work.

201. In following their curricula, non-distance students shall by the beginning of the next academic year be required to have earned an amount of credit corresponding to at least 75% of the standard cumulative workload for their elapsed study period; distance students shall be required to have earned an amount corresponding to at least 50% of the standard cumulative workload for their elapsed study period.

201.1. Non-distance students shall be allowed to proceed to their next learning year if the sum of credits they have earned in following their curricula is at least 75%;

202.2. Distance students shall be allowed to proceed to their next learning year if the sum of credits they have earned in following their curricula is at least 50%.

202. Non-distance students shall be deleted from the matriculation register due to insufficient academic progress in the event the sum of credits representing the notional volume of the elapsed study period that has is less than 75%, and in the case of distance learning less than 50%.

203. Students in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy study must complete 100% of the workload of the compulsory courses by the end of each academic year.

204. The Academic Affairs Office shall issue diplomas certifying the completion of the teacher training curriculum.

205. Students of distance learning form of study may extend their studies by a total of one notional duration of the curriculum.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

206. The notional study period of students who entered a Russian-speaking study group at the university prior to the 2000/2001 academic year will not be extended as a result of their Estonian language studies.

X.3. Specific regulations concerning study organised on the basis of curricula entered in the Register of Curricula of the Ministry for Education and Research prior to 1st June 2002

X.3.1. [repealed as of 03.09.2007]

207. [repealed as of 03.09.2007]

208. [repealed as of 03.09.2007]

209. [repealed as of 03.09.2007]

X.3.2. [repealed as of 03.09.2007]

210. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

211. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

212. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

213. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

214. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

215. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

X.3.3. [repealed as of 03.09.2007]

216. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

217. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

218. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

219. [repealed as of 03.09.2007].

X.3.4. Master’s study

220. Studies based on Master’s curricula entered in the Register of Curricula of the Ministry for Education and Research prior to 1st June 2002 shall proceed according to these Regulations save where otherwise specified in this Chapter (X.3.4).

221. Master’s study is the second level of academic studies, at which the students enhance their knowledge of the speciality and hone their professional skills.

222. Master’s students shall, by Resolution of the Council of the Faculty or institute, be assigned a supervisor/supervisors from among those University employees possessing a PhD degree or other equivalent qualification. The supervisor’s task shall be to advise the students in the preparation of their learning plan, in formulating the topic of their Master’s thesis, writing the thesis and fulfilling the learning plan. By way of exception, a teaching or research staff member possessing a Master’s degree may be appointed the supervisor. Where appropriate, Master’s students may be assigned a co-supervisor who shall not be required to be affiliated to the University by means of an employment contract.

223. The progress of Master’s students in following their curricula shall be reviewed at the end of each semester. The procedure for progress review shall be established by the Council of the Faculty.

224. The power to grant a Master’s degree, the requirements for obtaining a Master’s degree and the procedure for defending Master’s theses (also as an external student) shall be specified in the Constitutive Regulations of Research Degrees and the Constitutive Regulations of Professional Degrees adopted by the University Council.

225. Master’s degrees shall fall into research and professional degrees.

226. Master’s study shall lead to a defence of Master’s thesis and the grant depending on the specialisation of the degree of magister theologiae, magister iuris, magister artium, magister scientiarum, or of the respective professional Master’s degree.

XI. Entry into force of these Regulations

227. The Study Regulations of the University of Tartu adopted by Regulation No. 4 of 30 April 2003 of the Council of the University of Tartu and amended by Regulation No. 13 of 29 August 2003, Regulation No. 10 of 18 June 2004, Regulation No. 11 of 27 August 2004 and Regulation No. 7 of 29 April 2005, are hereby repealed.

228. Sections 72.1., 72.2., 135.3.3 and 180 of these Regulations shall apply to students who were admitted to the University as of the 2006/2007 academic year.

228¹. Section 135.3.7 of these Regulations shall apply to students who receive a negative grade in the academic year 2007/2008 or later, any negative grades received before the abovementioned academic year are invalid for the purposes of section 135.3.7.
[effective as of 03.09.2007]

229. These Regulations shall enter into force on 1st September 2006.