Academic Information
Teaching and Study Methods
The teaching at the University of Aarhus is organised as lectures, seminars and practical work. In most cases, going to class is not mandatory but in order to pass the exams you are required to participate actively in class (i.e. completing required assignments and attending no less than 75 % of all lessons).
- Lectures
- Lectures are held for up to 200 students in an auditorium and it mainly consists of one-way communication. The purpose of these lectures is to give the students the necessary theoretical basis for the topics in question.
- Seminars
- Seminars are for a smaller group of students - on average 20 students. They are based on a dialogue between the lecturer and the students and it is expected that the students take actively part in the discussions. Some seminars are held in continuation of the lectures and the students are expected to use the theoretical tools provided to them in practice.
- Practical/Laboratory Work
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This teaching form is most common at the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Health Sciences. An example is at the School of Dentistry where the students gain practical experience working in the department's own clinic.
The number of teacing hours per week differs from faculty to faculty and depends very much on the learning objective. Please contact the faculty or department where you will be studying for more specific information.
- Dialogue between Student and Lecturer
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The dialogue between the lecturer and the students is central to the teaching at the University of Aarhus. Students are expected to take an active part in the academic discussions during class and many lecturers require students to make oral presentations once or twice during the course. These oral presentations are often prepared by a group of students, which is why it is a good idea to form or participate in study group (see below).
A Danish university education is not a guided tour. It is up to the individual student to get the most out of what is offered. Another distinctive feature is the academic environment, which may seem informal to foreign students. Professors and other staff members often chat informally with the students and associate with them during breaks.
- Study Groups
- It is common for students at the University to work together in study groups. A study group typically consists of 3-4 students who meet and discuss the academic texts used in class and prepare oral presentations together. Study groups can be beneficial both with regard to studies and social life. They train students in methodological skills such as cooperation, presentation, coordination, etc. So ask around and find out if anyone is interested in joining your study group.
Examination System
The examination system at the Danish universities is unlike most other systems in Europe. Your final grade depends only on the official exams you complete during the semester – you are not graded for oral presentations during class, papers you submit for class, attendance and participation*, or other small projects (individual or group-based). Most courses will have a single final examination (the various examination forms are introduced below).
* Some courses may require you to attend 75 % of all course lessons and participate actively in class.
There are two different types of examination syllabi:
- When you sign up for a class, the lecturer will distribute a list of the books and articles you are expected to read during the semester. This will be the basis for the exam at the end of the semester;
- You are expected to make your own examination syllabus and find books and articles which are related to the academic subject in your class.
Examination Methods
The exams will be written or oral. There are five frequently used examination methods at the University of Aarhus. How frequently each examination form is used varies from faculty to faculty:
- Oral examination on the examination syllabus
- Oral examination on a set subject plus the examination syllabus
- Written examination on a topic from the examination syllabus
- Assignment on a fixed subject (take-home exams)
- Assignment on an optional subject (take-home exams)
Examinations may be offered in English and sometimes in German or French if students request this. This is, however, subject to the consent of the examiners involved.
Signing up for Exams
Check with your department for the examination sign-up deadline! You can sign up via the Self-service system.
In most departments, students must sign up for exams about a month after the beginning of the semester. Failing to sign up before the deadline may eliminate you from the final exam!
The examination sign-up procedure varies from department to department. At some departments you register automatically when you register for a course. At other (most) departments you have to fill out a form for each course. Please make sure to check with your departmental coordinator or the student counsellor.
The Grading System
The 7-point grading scale
The grading system used in all State-regulated education as from August 2007 is the 7-point grading scale. The grading scale is compatible with the ECTS-grading scale.
The ECTS grading scale
ECTS credits indicate the student workload required to complete a course. They reflect the relationship between the quantity of work required by each course and the quantity of work required to complete a full year of academic study at the University of Aarhus.
In ECTS, 60 credits represent the workload of an academic year of study (two semesters), whereas 30 credits represent one semester. Credits are only granted for completed courses.
| Grade | Description | ECTS | Old scale (00-13) |
| 12 | For an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses. | A |
13 11 |
| 10 | For a very good performance displaying a high level of command of most aspects of the relevant material, with only minor weaknesses. | B | 10 |
| 7 | For a good performance displaying good command of the relevant material but also some weaknesses. | C |
9 8 |
| 4 | For a fair performance displaying some command of the relevant material but also some major weaknesses. | D | 7 |
| 02 | For a performance meeting only the minimum requirements for acceptance. | E | 6 |
| 00 | For a performance which does not meet the minimum requirements for acceptance. | Fx |
5 03 |
| -3 | For a performance which is unacceptable in all respects. | F | 00 |
Apart from the 7-point grading scale, pass/fail assessment may also be used. 02 is the minimum grade for passing an exam.
The student’s performance must be assessed according to academic targets set for the specific subject or course (absolute grading method). The relative grading method must not be used.
For more information about the 7-point grading scale and conversion of grades from the grading scale of 00 to 13, see the executive orders on the grading scale:
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Ministry of Education Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment – Ministerial Order no. 262 of 20 March 2007, concerning primary and secondary school, short- and medium-cycle higher education etc.
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Ministry of Science Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment (pdf) – Ministerial Order no. 250 of 15 March 2007, concerning university education.
Academic Calendar
The Faculty of Science is on a quarter calendar and the semester dates indicated below do NOT apply to this faculty.
| Fall Semester | |
|---|---|
| Pre-semester Language Course | 3½ weeks in August |
| Semester Begins | 1st of September |
| Fall Break | Week 42 |
| Examinations | Mid December - January 31 |
| Semester Ends | January 31 |
| Spring Semester | |
|---|---|
| Pre-semester Language Course | 3½ weeks in January |
| Semester begins | 1st of February |
| Examinations | Mid May - June 30th |
| Semester ends | 30th of June |
| Public Holidays | |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1st |
| Maundy Thursday and Good Friday | Thursday & Friday before Easter Sunday |
| Easter Monday | Monday after Easter Sunday |
| "Store Bededag" | Fourth Friday after Easter |
| Ascension Day | 1½ Weeks before Pentecost |
| Pentecost Monday | Monday after Pentecost |
| Constitution Day | June 5 |
| Christmas Eve | December 24 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
| Christmas Holiday | December 26 |