CONSOLIDATED TEXT
Established by regulation no. 3 of the Council, 19 February 2013
Amended with regulation no. 14 of the Council, 17 December 2013
Academic Policies at Tallinn University of
Technology
Academic policies is established in compliance with section 7 (1) (17) of the Statutes of Tallinn
University of Technology.
Chapter 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 1. Purpose and scope of application
(1) Academic Policies (hereinafter: Policies) at Tallinn University of Technology (hereinafter:
TUT) shall set forth requirements, rules, and standards for the organization of studies at all
higher educational levels in any form of higher education at TUT.
(2) The Rector shall be entitled to establish legal acts to make these rules more specific.
§ 2. Definitions
(1) Regular study is a study format in the case of which everyday studies take place.
(2) Contact learning is academic work in the form of lecture, seminar, practical training,
laboratory work or exercise hour, in which both the student and teacher take part.
(3) Distance study is a form of study organized into session-based study, and the emphasis is on
the student’s individual work. Contact learning is organized in a flexible manner, taking into
account above all the needs of working students.
(4) The nominal duration of study is the time specified in the curriculum in the number of
academic years required to complete the curriculum with a nominal load (30 ECP per semester).
(5) The study information system (hereinafter ÕIS) is the official academic information
exchange environment of TUT, where among other functions, the collection, processing and
retention of data on studies and forwarding of information take place.
(6) Paid study is study where the student compensates costs of tuition in an amount determined
by the university.
(7) Free study is study where the student is not required to compensate costs of tuition.
(8) Tuition fee is the rate at which the costs of tuition are compensated, as well as the external
students and continuing education student fee level.
(9) A student place is a unit of time with regard to organization of studies, which is formulated
upon admission of the student as the nominal period of study under the curriculum.
(10) Learning outcomes are knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired as a result of learning that are
described at the minimum level which is necessary for completion of the described study programme,
module or subject.
(11) A curriculum is the source document for studies that, among other provisions, which sets
out the objectives of the studies, the nominal duration and volume of study, and the list and volume
of subjects.
(12) An individual study plan is a list of the subjects declared by the student for the upcoming
semester, which he or she undertakes to study. The student uses the study plan to determine an
individual route to completing the curriculum, one semester at a time.
(13) A standard study plan is a recommended distribution of subjects by semester allowing the
student to complete study within the nominal period of study.
(14) Study abroad is temporary studying/practical training outside Estonia or some other
Estonian higher educational institution.
2
(15) A European credit point (ECTS credit) is a unit for assessing the volume of study. One credit
point corresponds to 26 hours of study by a student. .
(16) Declaration of a subject means selection of the subject for the individual study plan.
§ 3. General provisions for organization of studies
(1) TUT provides formal education in applied higher education, bachelor, master’s, building
(construction) engineering (hereinafter: engineering) based on the integrated bachelor and
master’s curriculum, and doctoral studies.
(2) Study shall be conducted according to curricula. The requirements set forth for a curriculum,
its terms and rules for development, opening, maintaining, amending, and closing shall be
provided in the Statutes of TUT Curricula.
(3) Study forms shall be organized into regular and distance study.
(4) Study takes place on a course basis. In a course-based system the student studies subjects
based on a study plan he or she has put together, taking into account the prerequisites established
for subjects.
(5) Study takes place in the form of contact learning, practical training and independent work.
(6) Participation of students in seminars, application classrooms, practicals, and study practice
shall be compulsory. In addition, lecture attendance shall be compulsory for regular applied
higher education, bachelor, and engineering students in the first semester.
(7) Contact learning shall be conducted according to a timetable based on the standard study
plan. The standard study plan shall be prepared in accordance with the rules stipulated by the
Rector.
§ 4. Academic calendar
(1) Studies shall be divided into academic years. Each academic year is divided into two
semesters (terms), autumn and spring semester. One semester consists of 16 weeks of contact
learning, a three-week examination session and an additional examination session of at least one
week in length. A semester may be divided into shorter cycles, for instance, into quarters.
Contact learning in the autumn semester shall start on the Monday closest to the 1st of
September. The autumn semester shall also comprise a Christmas holiday.
(2) During the week prior to the autumn semester, first-year students shall attend lectures
introducing TUT and the organization of studies.
(3) Time-wise, the basis for organization of studies is the academic calendar, which shall be
approved by the rector at the proposal of the TUT council academic committee. The academic
calendar shall be prepared for each academic year by the end of December of the previous
academic year. Among other things, the academic calendar shall provide a day-by-day
breakdown of the academic year as well as the dates of the beginning and end of the academic
year and the semesters. Special deadlines (red line dates) shall provide the final dates for any
changes in study related matters (change of curriculum, academic leave upon personal request,
etc.)
(4) Summer holidays between the end of the previous academic year and the beginning of the
next year shall be at least eight weeks.
§ 5. Students and admission
(1) The TUT student body shall comprise:
1) TUT students;
2) visiting students;
3) external students;
4) continuing education students.
(2) A TUT student shall be a person entered in the student register (matriculated) as a TUT
member studying in accordance with a particular degree curriculum.
(3) Students shall be matriculated according to the student admission rules of TUT.
3
(4) Upon changes in their contact details, students are obliged to make the changes promptly in
the ÕIS.
(5) Provisions are made for former students to be readmitted (reinstated). Readmission shall be
administered according to the terms of competition for filling vacant study places, as specified in
§ 8 of the Policies.
(6) A TUT visiting student shall be a student matriculated in another higher education institution
who at the TUT is studying subjects chosen or designated by contract. Visiting student
admissions shall be endorsed by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs.
(7) Visiting students shall be admitted to TUT upon agreement between the states or between
universities, including agreements of public universities of the Republic of Estonia or upon
personal request. Rules for visiting student study shall be established by the Rector.
(8) An external student shall be eligible to take examinations and assessments according to the
curriculum and to defend the graduation thesis or take a final examination, with no requirement
for regular attendance. An external student shall not qualify for student status. TUT may refuse
to grant external student status if the person has monetary indebtedness to TUT.
(9) Status and organization of studies for continuing education students shall be regulated as
provided by the Council of TUT pertinent to continuing education.
Chapter 2
STUDY LOAD, STUDENT PLACES AND COMPENSATION OF TUITION
§ 6. Study load
(1) The nominal study load per semester according to the curriculum shall be 30 European credit
points (ECTS credits).
(2) A student may carry a full-time or partial load.
(3) Upon matriculation or re-matriculation to TUT, a student shall specify the study load (full or
partial) in the first academic year.
(4) Full-time study requires that a student accumulates at least 22.5 ECP on a cumulative basis
under the curriculum by the end of each academic year for each semester attended, beginning
from the last matriculation.
(5) Part-time study requires that a regular student accumulates at least 15-22 ECP on a
cumulative basis under the curriculum by the end of each academic year for each semester
attended, beginning from the last matriculation.
(6) At the end of each academic year, student study loads shall be recalculated, based on prior
study results.
(7) Students pursuing doctoral studies (doctoral students) shall be designated a study load (fulltime or partial) at the end-of-academic-year accreditation.
(8) Upon revision of the study load, a student shall be transferred from full -time study to parttime study, and vice versa.
§ 7. Student responsibilities regarding fulfilling study load requirements
(1) In the first semester of study, regular applied higher education, bachelor, and engineering
students shall declare and pursue all the compulsory subjects of the standard study plan, except
for cases of prior successful completion of specified subjects. In justified cases, the
Dean/Director of the education institution has the right on the basis of student request to allow
the subject to be undeclared.
(2) During the first semester of study, students under subsection 1 of this section are required to
pass examinations and assessments in the amount of at least 15 ECTS credits under their
curriculum. Subjects under their curriculum shall comprise also optional subjects from the free
study module, but not to exceed the entirety of the free study module of the curriculum.
(3) Credit points taken into account through previous studies and work experience shall not be
counted toward completion of semester load.
4
(4) A student studying at a foreign educational institution and during the following semester
must complete at least 15 ECTS credits of subjects per semester.
(5) By the end of each academic year, a student with free tuition is required to fulfil the full-time
study load, and a tuition-paying student is required to fulfil at least the part-time study load.
Students failing to fulfil part-time study load requirements as a minimum shall be dismissed on
the grounds of inadequate academic performance.
(6) A student enrolled in engineering study or in longer than three-year applied higher education
curriculum is required to complete the subjects of the first and second year standard study plan
of the basic study module by the end of the fifth semester.
§ 8. Student places
(1) Students can study only if a student place exists.
(2) Student places are opened and filled during admissions. Upon matriculation, a student is
assigned a student place, with a semester limit (SEL) based on the nominal period of study. A
student place shall become vacant when a student who was studying in the student place is
dismissed before the nominal period of study.
(3) A competition shall be held before the start of each semester in the faculty/educational
institution.
(4) The competition is open to all persons who:
1) previously matriculated at the same study cycle;
2) fulfilled the same conditions for the commencement of studies in the same curriculum;
3) has accumulated at least 30 ECTS credits from the subjects under the curriculum or subjects
complying with the curriculum, not including doctoral study;
4) has not exceeded the nominal period while studying at the same study cycle;
5) does not have tuition fee arrears.
(5) At the competition, preference is given to persons showing better results of academic
performance. A faculty or an educational institution shall if necessary provide additional terms
for the competition.
(6) Students dismissed for inadequate academic performance or non-attendance shall not be
eligible to participate in a competition within one semester of dismissal.
(7) A former student dismissed on the grounds of contemptible conduct is not eligible to
participate in a competition within one year of dismissal.
(8) Students may be candidates for student places whose semester limit is sufficient to allow
them to graduate within the standard term of study while studying under a standard load.
(9) The semester limit allocated for a student place shall be reduced by one after each semester
of participation in study. The semester limit shall not be reduced during academic leave and
studying in foreign educational institutions, i.e. the time of study will become longer by that
amount, if the student completed at least 15 ECTS credits per semester while studying abroad
and in the following semester. If there are fewer ECTS credits, the time of the study abroad shall
be considered a semester of participation in study.
§ 9. Change of a study form, choice and change of specialization
(1) Students may seek transfer from regular study to distance learning and vice versa. Change of
study form shall be decided by the Dean/director of the education institution.
(2) Choice and change of specialization shall be decided by the Dean/director of the education
institution.
§ 10. Compensation of costs of tuition
(1) Studying is free of charge:
1) in Estonian-language curricula in the business and administration, law and social sciences
study programme group at least in the case of studying under nominal load;
2) in Estonian-language study programme groups in other study programme groups in the case of
studying under full-time load;
5
3) in foreign-language curricula if the TUT council has so decided;
4) in doctoral study.
(2) Full-time load students studying in Estonian-language curricula in the business and
administration, law and social sciences study programme group, not including the small business
curriculum, shall be required at the end of each semester to compensate tuition in the amount by
which they fall short of the nominal load;
(3) The provision in subsection 2 of this section shall not be applied if the student continues
study under the same curriculum and:
1) has a moderate, severe or profound disability;
2) is the parent or guardian of a child under 7 or of a disabled child.
(4) The compensation of tuition expenses specified in subsection 2 of this Section shall be
demanded of students also in the event that they voluntarily leave university, if the request for
dismissal is submitted by the student after the end of the quarter.
(5) Part-time studying shall be paid, other than in doctoral study and for the persons specified in
subsection 7 of this section, if the student compensates tuition pursuant to the amount of declared
subjects and the fee levels established by the university.
(6) In a curriculum with only part-time study, the student shall pay for study pursuant to the
volume of declared subjects and the fee levels established by the university.
(7) Students admitted outside competition at the recommendation of the sport centre who
achieve outstanding sporting results shall not be asked to compensate study expenses.
Chapter 3
STUDY
§ 11. Subjects
(1) Subjects shall fall into compulsory, elective, and optional categories.
(2) A compulsory subject is a subject to be passed to fulfil the curriculum.
(3) An elective subject is a subject chosen by the student from the electives in the curriculum.
(4) An optional subject (register B subject) is a subject taught at TUT that is not comprised in
any TUT curriculum.
(5) A graduation thesis, study practice, and internship shall be regarded as specific forms of
subject study.
(6) Foreign languages taught for academic, specific specialization, and research purposes shall
be English, French, German, and Russian. The foreign languages provided under this section
shall not be regarded as foreign languages for students whose language of instruction at
secondary school was, or whose first language is, one of the above named.
(7) To ensure logic of sequence of study, as a rule, passing up to two prerequisite subjects may
be required for any subject.
(8) A short outline, objectives of study and learning outcomes, evaluation criteria, literature and
prerequisites shall be enumerated in the subject syllabus, as required by the Rector, the syllabus
being available in the ÕIS.
(9) Each subject shall provide an extended syllabus that stipulates the objectives of the study, the
learning outcomes, a list of topics to be covered, a list of independent assignments, a list of
practical assignments, a schedule, sources and organization of study, prerequisites for the
examination and assessment criteria. The extended syllabus shall indicate the proportion of
continuous assessment in the final grade. The extended syllabus shall be distributed to the
students in the first class at the beginning of the relevant semester and shall be accessible on the
ÕIS.
6
§ 12. Preparation of an individual study plan
(1) A student, except for a doctoral student, is required to compile an individual study plan for
each semester of attendance, except for cases involving study abroad. A doctoral student is
required to submit an individual study plan when declaring a subject.
(2) To facilitate preparation of an individual study plan, a standard study plan is attached to the
curriculum. An individual study plan may differ from the standard study plan for the semester.
(3) A student shall choose the subjects desired and available in the forthcoming semester to be
included in the individual study plan. A student may choose a subject for which the prerequisites
have been fulfilled and/or if other conditions provided in the rules of registration for the relevant
subject have been complied with. A teacher may allow the student to study the subject even if
the student has not passed the prerequisites.
(4) The unit teaching the subject shall draft rules for declaring the subject. The rules shall be
available to students upon selecting subjects for the individual study plan in ÕIS.
(5) Students have the right to choose into their individual study plan any subjects taught at TUT
regardless of whether they are part of the curriculum under which he or she is studying. Subjects
not part of the curriculum are entered into the free study module. By decision of Curriculum
Committee Chairman, subjects not in the curriculum may be transferred to other suitable parts of
the curriculum.
(6) The individual study plan shall be submitted by the deadline set forth in the academic
calendar.
(7) The rules of subject declaration shall apply to the declaration of practice. Study practice
taken in summer shall be declared at the beginning of the subsequent autumn semester. Other
kinds of practice shall not be subject to declaration.
(8) A subject may be declared on the grounds set forth in the Policies only once. A repeat
declaration of subject takes place as a continuing education student. (Amended with Regulation
No. 14 of 17 December 2013 of the Council, effective as from 2 January 2014)
(9) Subjects in paid curricula may only be studied by students studying under other curricula as
continuing education students. (Amended with Regulation No. 14 of 17 December 2013 of the
Council, effective as from 2 January 2014)
(10) In case a student, except for a doctoral student, does not submit any declarations of subjects
for a forthcoming semester, said student shall submit an individual study plan, with no subjects
declared.
(11) A teacher may, on a well-founded basis (not passing a prerequisite subject, failing to fulfil
rules of registration for the subject), cancel a student’s registration for the subject up to the end
of the workday following the deadline (red line day). Exceptional cases shall be resolved by the
head of the department/head of the centre, coordinated with the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs
/head of Dean’s office/director of academic affairs/head of Academic Affairs division.
(12) A doctoral student is obliged to prepare in the ÕIS a program for a course of action in
accordance with the guidelines set by the Rector. The program for a course of action shall be the
basis for attestation of the doctoral student.
(13) Provisions are made for persons who are not students of TUT to take subjects at TUT. Said
persons shall register for subjects in accordance with the regulations effective for TUT
continuing education.
§ 13. Internship
(1) Internships shall comprise practical work in order to acquire work experience under a
supervisor’s supervision in a work environment. An internship shall not be subject to declaration
in the semester’s individual study plan. A specific form of internship shall be the professional
practice of a doctoral student under the doctoral curricula.
(2) The scope of internships shall be defined by the curriculum. One ECTS credit shall be equal
to one to two weeks of work, depending on the character and load of work. One ECTS credit of
internship shall be equal to 26 hours of work at the work place.
7
(3) Syllabi of internships shall describe the aim, learning outcomes, and content of practice as
well as the requirements for the work or activity. Internships shall be registered when the work
place conforms to the requirements entered on the syllabus.
(4) Organization and recording of internships shall be the responsibility of departments, centres,
or educational institutions. Internship coordinators are teachers appointed by the Dean, the head
of the department, or the director of an educational institution. The internship coordinator shall
be an advisor recommending work places, if necessary, and shall explain and specify
requirements for a work place and the field of activity. A doctoral student’s supervisor shall
coordinate a doctoral student’s professional practice. Rules of professional practice shall be
specified in the instructions drafted in the faculty/educational institution.
(5) Generally, students will find their own internship places. In addition to the
Faculty/educational institution, the office of academic affairs shall assist students seeking such a
place.
(6) If necessary, a contract will be signed between TUT, the student, and the legal entity in
charge of the internship. Among other issues, the contract shall provide general terms of work,
the work supervisor, and the rights and responsibilities of the contracting parties.
(7) Recording of internships may be sought during the whole period of study up to the defence of
the graduation thesis; application for recording may include the full scope of all internship
practice at one time. External student internships shall be recorded prior to the defence of the
graduation thesis or permission to the final examination.
(8) For assessment of an internship, a student shall submit to the internship coordinator an
application in the appropriate form, officially signed relevant documents from the work places
certifying work, as well as a report on the internship(s).
(9) On the basis of the documents submitted, the internship coordinator shall complete
assessment of the internship within two weeks. Assessments shall be entered into the ÕIS by the
internship coordinator or by staff appointed by the head of the department or director of the
educational institution. A printout of the assessment completed in ÕIS and signed shall be
forwarded by the coordinator to the relevant Dean’s office or office of academic affairs of the
educational institution.
§ 14. Exchange student study in other higher education institutions
(1) Students may complete part of their study as a study abroad, simultaneously pursuing studies
at TUT or in a semester specially planned for study abroad.
(2) Students who plan to spend one or several semesters in a higher education institution abroad,
shall submit an application, indicating the institution, the period of study, and subjects to be
taken. Upon the Dean’s approval, the item concerning subjects to be taken may be excluded. A
document authorizing such study shall be issued.
(3) Recording of subjects completed by study abroad shall be as provided in procedure under the
Policies.
(4) Rules concerning exchange student study abroad in other higher education institutions shall
be endorsed by the Rector.
Chapter 4
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE
§ 15. Assessment of student performance
(1) Methods and criteria of assessment shall be defined in syllabi, which shall be available to
students before the start of study and they shall not be changed during the semester.
Assessment methods define the manner in which achievement is tested, such as an oral or written
exam, an essay, a report, group work, or a questionnaire. In instances of the use of various
assessment methods, the ratio of each for determining the final grade shall be specified in the
syllabus. Assessment criteria shall specify, using assessment methods, the level and the extent of
expected knowledge and skills.
8
(2) Final assessment may be either graded or non-graded.
(3) In instances of graded assessment, the scale for measuring student achievement of learning
outcomes is the following:
A (5) – excellent – outstanding and particularly profound achievement of learning outcomes,
along with creativity and consummate proficiency in applying skills and knowledge;
B (4) – very good – very good achievement of learning outcomes, along with proficiency in
applying skills and knowledge in a relevant and creative manner. Some details of knowledge and
skills my exhibit errors which are neither substantive nor serious.
C (3) – good – good achievement of learning outcomes, along with proficiency in applying skills
and knowledge in a relevant manner. A certain imprecision and lack of confidence are apparent
in the depth and detail of knowledge and skills.
D (2) – satisfactory – sufficient achievement of learning outcomes, along with application of
knowledge and skills in a typical manner. In atypical cases there are apparent both a lack of
confidence as well as lack of knowledge and skills.
E (1) – poor – minimum acceptable achievement of the most important learning outcomes along
with application of knowledge and skills in a typical and limited manner. In atypical cases there
are apparent both a serious lack of confidence as well as lack of knowledge and skills.
F (0) – failing – achievement in knowledge and skills below the minimum standard.
(4) In the instance of a non-graded assessment, a threshold shall be established. With a student’s
reaching or surpassing this threshold, the assessment shall be indicated as sufficient – A (pass),
or, in the case of a student’s not reaching the threshold, the assessment shall be indicated as not
sufficient – M (fail).
(5) Bases and rules of continuous assessment, such as tests, laboratory work, and reviews shall
be defined in the expanded syllabus. In cases where the final grade is based partially or entirely
on the results of continuous assessment, evaluation criteria and the ratio of the results of
continuous assessments in the final grade shall be specified in the syllabus of the relevant
subject.
(6) A subject shall be deemed passed or the graduation thesis completed when a student obtains
positive assessment. All results must be recorded in ÕIS.
(7) To measure the student’s overall performance, the grade point average (GPA) shall be used,
calculated by dividing the total sum of the products of all the exam grades with their respective
credit points, by the sum of all the credit points of courses taken. In GPA calculation, grades for
exams and graded assessments shall be regarded as equal. Non-graded assessments (pass/fail)
shall not be included in GPA calculations.
(8) As a rule, exam and assessment outcomes shall be graded by the person teaching or
supervising the subject (hereinafter: teacher), to whom the student has declared the subject. A
student shall have the right to seek a board of examiners to sit the exam or the assessment.
(9) The teacher shall ensure that the outcomes of the exam or assessment are made available
within a week after taking the exam or assessment. Results of an oral exam or assessment shall
be made available to the students on the day of the exam or assessment. Outcomes of the exams
or assessments taken on the final week of the exam session shall be made available within the
next workday after the end of the exam session.
§ 16. Examinations
(1) Prerequisites for sitting an examination may be established for a subject, which are available
in the expanded syllabus on the ÕIS subject website. They shall not be changed during the
semester. One of the requirements shall be lack of indebtedness of tuition fee.
(2) During the examination session, at least two dates shall be made available, with an interval of
at least three days between the first and the last examination date. The first examination to be
taken at the basic examination session shall be called the primary examination.
(3) Examination times shall be determined by teacher on agreement with the students.
(4) The examination schedule shall be available in ÕIS at least four weeks before the primary
examination session.
9
(5) Provisions shall be made to have at least one consultation prior to the examination, with the
date and place published along with the schedule.
(6) Registration for an primary examination shall be via the ÕIS.
(7) Non-attendance at the primary examination shall be marked as “absent”.
(8) If a student did not show or fails the primary examination, he or she may sit a repeat
examination at a repeat examination session. With teacher consent, the repeat exam can be taken
within the primary examination session, after the primary examination. The examinations taken
during the repeat examination session shall be recorded as among the semester’s examinations
and tests.
(9) In general, the student must register for the repeat examination through the ÕIS. As an
exception, the student may be registered for the repeat examination by the examining teacher. A
student who registered for the repeat examination but did not show shall be marked “absent” on
the grading sheet.
(10) A student shall be eligible to sit an examination for one declaration in a given subject for a
maximum of two times. A subject not completed by the end of the repeat examination session
must be re-declared or given up (in cases of elective and free study subjects).
(11) A primary examination in which they received a positive grade may be re-sit once at repeat
examination. The last grade shall apply. A student graded “0” is required to re-declare and/or
forgo the examination of the subject (in cases of elective and free study subjects). Upon approval
by the Dean/director of educational institution, a student may repeat an examination with a
positive grade once after expiration of the time allowed for the completion of the examination.
(12) Upon request of the teacher of substituting person, a student arriving at examination shall
produce an ID.
(13) Examinations shall be administered in the language of instruction. Upon approval by the
teacher, another language may be used.
(14) Organization of an examination shall be determined by the teacher. Any resources or
materials compiled by the student may be used at the examination solely with the teacher’s
permission and under stipulated terms. A teacher shall be entitled to remove a student from the
examination if the student is making use of support materials or help from other examinees. The
outcome of the examination in that case is a ”0”.
(15) Subsequent to the announcement of the outcomes of the examination, a student shall have
the right to seek, from the teacher, explanations of the mistakes made in the exam.
(16) In justified cases and with the teacher’s consent, the Dean has the right, on the basis of
student’s request, to extend the term for completing the examination in autumn semester to the
spring semester’s red line date and in the spring semester until the end of the academic year. The
result of an examination taken during the extension shall be recorded as among the semester’s
examinations and tests.
(17) For taking an examination, not including final exam and assessment, as an external student,
the person must fill in the study plan form and coordinate the fulfilment of the prerequisites with
the teacher of the institute, centre, or educational institution teaching the subject. At the Open
University or TUT colleges, a contract based on the approved study plan shall be signed with the
external student concerning payment of fees. Among other matters, the contract shall provide the
terms and extent of the study service offered. Registration for an external student shall be
completed after payment of the fee. Provision is made to sit an examination in one subject up to
two times within the period specified in the contract.
§ 17. Assessments
(1) An assessment is a form of assessing knowledge or practical work. If so provided in the
curriculum, an assessment may be graded (H), which shall be used in general for projects and
subject work.
(2) The possibility of taking an assessment must be ensured for students within the period of
scheduled classes. If an assessment takes place in a subject, at least two times must be provided
10
for taking it, before the start of the primary examination session; the student may if necessary
take part in all times.
(3) The right to take the assessment shall be valid until the end of the semester. If a student has
not completed the assessment within that semester, “M” (fail) shall be entered on the assessment
sheet.
(4) ) In cases where the outcome of the assessment is “M”, re-declaration of the subject is
required. The Dean/director of the educational institution shall be entitled, upon a student’s
application, with consent of the teacher, to prolong the date of completion of an assessment in
theoretical subjects up to two semesters if the practical part is completed. In that case an
assessment form for a repeat assessment shall be drafted.
(5) Completion of a assessment by an external student shall be analogous to the completion of an
examination by an external student. To complete a assessment as an external student,
prerequisites (practical work, tests, etc.) must be completed in advance.
§ 18. Documenting of grading outcomes
(1) The results of grading shall be entered into ÕIS by the teacher or staff appointed by the
institute director/head of centre/director of educational institution. The teacher is responsible for
forwarding completed and teacher-signed assessment forms to the Dean’s office/office of
academic affairs of the educational institution.
(2) Assessment forms for examinations during the primary examination session are required to
be forwarded to the Dean’s office/educational institution within two workdays following the
primary examination session. Assessment forms for examinations during the assessment and
repeat examination session are required to be forwarded to the Dean’s office within one workday
following the primary examination session.
§ 19. Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning
(1) A student may apply for accreditation of prior and experiential learning (VÕTA) as part of
satisfying the terms of the curriculum.
(2) In the accreditation of prior and experiential learning, the conformity of the competencies to
the curricular subject or study module or learning outcomes shall be assessed independently of
the place and form of its acquisition, according to TUT quality requirements.
(3) Prior and experiential learning gained outside TUT may be accredited to the whole extent of
the curriculum, except for the graduation thesis or final examination that is to be defended or
completed at TUT.
(4) A graduation thesis or examinations at the same higher education level completed elsewhere
shall not be accredited as prior learning.
(5) Work experience may be accredited, provided it is relevant to a student’s curriculum or the
subject studied. Assessment may require completion of a competency test or some other form of
certifying acquired competency.
(6) Rules of accreditation of prior and experiential learning are established by the Council of
TUT.
(7) In cases of accreditation of prior and experiential learning, the overall capacity of studies
must be at least 300 ECTS credits for master’s and engineering studies. Completion of doctoral
studies requires that the overall capacity of studies, including studies in different higher
education levels plus continuing training and work experience, be at least 540 ECTS credits.
Chapter 5
DISCONTINUATION OF STUDIES AND GRADUATION
§ 20. Academic leave
(1) Academic leave is a period for which a student, upon personal request, is released from the
obligation to pursue study and research for one or several full semesters.
11
(2) Under each higher education level, a student is entitled to spend up to two semesters on
academic leave upon personal request. Additional academic leave may be granted as follows: for
health reasons up to four semesters, military service up to two semesters, and caring for a child
until the child reaches three years of age.
(3) To request academic leave or a temporary discontinuation, a student shall submit an
application to the Dean or director of the educational institution into ÕIS; leave shall be granted
by a directive. In cases of discontinuation of the academic leave within a semester, the whole
semester shall be recorded as attendance at studies.
(4) Upon personal request, students at any level of higher education study are entitled to an
academic leave beginning from the second semester of study. Applications shall be accepted
until the deadline (red line day) of a semester.
(5) In cases of starting a semester of service in the military and of caring for a child, a student
shall be granted academic leave at any time during the academic year and shall have the right to
cancel the valid declaration by submitting a request to the Dean’s office/educational institution.
To request an academic leave in cases of starting a semester of military service, a student shall
submit the corresponding conscription notice from the defence forces; in cases of caring for a
child a student shall submit the birth certificate of the child.
(6) For health reasons, a student is granted an academic leave at any time within a semester. In
the case of an application submitted before the end of the quarter, the student shall be allowed on
academic leave for one or more semesters; in the case of an application submitted after the end
of the quarter, the student will be allowed on academic leave for no less than two semesters. The
student’s declaration shall be cancelled, examinations and tests taken before the application was
submitted remain in force. In cases of health reasons, a student is required to submit a medical
certificate that contains a doctor’s recommendation for an academic leave.
(7) Academic leave given for health reasons may not be discontinued for continuation of studies.
(8) Additional documents provided in subsections 5 and 6 under this section shall be submitted
to the Dean’s office.
(9) While on academic leave, students do not have the right to fulfil the curriculum, including
submitting individual study plan, taking examinations and tests unless they:
1) have a moderate, severe or profound disability;
2) are the parent or guardian of a child under 3 or of a disabled child;
3) are on academic leave in connection with military service.
§ 21. Termination of studies and dismissal
(1) A student may be dismissed for the following reasons:
1) upon fulfilment of the requirements of the curriculum and granting a diploma to a student;
2) upon a student’s personal request;
3) in connection with inadequate academic performance;
4) in connection with non-attendance;
5) due to contemptible conduct;
6) in connection with failure to pay tuition fee;
7) in connection with closing of the curriculum;
8) upon death of the student.
(2) A student shall be dismissed upon fulfilment of the curriculum and granting of the diploma if
the student has fulfilled the curriculum to its full extent.
(3) A student shall be dismissed upon personal request if the student has submitted the
appropriate application.
(4) A student shall be dismissed in connection with inadequate academic performance if the
student:
1) has accumulated fewer than 15 ECTS credits for subjects in the curriculum in the first
semester of attendance in regular studies, not including master’s and doctoral study;
2) has not completed the minimum part-time load requirement by the end of the academic year;
3) has not completed subjects required in the basic study module in due time;
12
4) was not granted accreditation in doctoral study.
(5) For non-attendance, except for students on academic leave or on study abroad, a student shall
be dismissed if the student:
1) has not submitted an individual study plan by the deadline in the academic calendar, except
for doctoral students;
2) in the first semester of attendance in professional higher education, bachelor’s, or engineering
study, the student has not declared by the deadline all the compulsory subjects required in the
standard study plan in the first semester, except for in cases set forth in subsection 7(1).
(6) A student shall be dismissed in the case of failure to pay study service fee.
(7) A student shall be dismissed in the case of closure of curriculum if it has not submitted an
application for transfer to another curriculum.
(8) A student can be dismissed in connection with contemptible behaviour in the following
cases:
1) for criminal offence committed with intent, provided the corresponding criminal conviction
has become final;
2) forgery of documents;
3) for severe erroneous behaviour against generally accepted standards of conduct and violating
good academic practice.
Dismissals in connection with contemptible behaviour shall be decided by the Dean of academic
affairs/director of educational institution, based on the request of the Dean, having heard the
opinion of the Student Government.
(9) Upon dismissal pursuant to sections 4-8, notification shall be sent to the student by ÕIS.
(10) A student shall be dismissed for reason of death according to the document certifying death
of the student.
§ 22. Completion of a higher education level and documents certifying such completion
(1) Completion of a higher education level and issuing a relevant certifying document requires
that a student have completed the entire curriculum; in cases of specialization available in the
curriculum, the completion of the entire capacity of the curriculum concerning at least one
specialization is required.
(2) Final documents shall be a diploma and an academic transcript. According to the terms
provided in the Law on Universities, a diploma supplement in English shall be issued.
(3) Terms and rules for the completion of a higher education level at TUT and defence of
academic degrees shall be provided by the relevant directive of the Council of TUT.
(4) Persons dismissed whose right to be granted a diploma has been annulled, shall, upon
request, be issued a certificate of study completed.
Chapter 6
OTHER PROVISIONS
§ 23. Academic practice
(1) The following activities shall be considered violation of academic practice and contemptible
behaviour:
1) use of support materials at the examination, except those explicitly allowed by the teacher;
2) any kind of inadmissible sharing of knowledge (prompting, copying, copying homework, etc.)
by students relevant to assessment of learning outcome;
3) submitting another person’s writing under one’s own name;
4) plagiarism or extensive rewording of someone else’s work, without the citations and academic
references required;
5) re-submission of one’s own work when credit points have already been received for said
work;
6) participating in examination/assessment for another student or allowing another person to
participate in the examination/assessment in one’s own name;
13
7) deliberate submission of untrue information (false information) in one’s assignments,
applications (including the accreditation of prior experience) etc.
(2) In cases of a student’s violation of academic practice, the Dean or the director of the
educational institution, depending on the seriousness of the fraud, shall have the right to:
1) issue a letter of reprimand to the student;
2) request the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs (in the case of doctoral students – the Vice
Rector for Research) in writing to dismiss the student.
§ 24. Informing and advising students
(1) TUT shall send messages and directives relevant to study via ÕIS. Messages so forwarded
shall be regarded as official.
(2) Students shall be entitled to address the faculty or the educational institution, the Office of
Academic Affairs and other staff engaged in student advising or the Student Government to
request the necessary information and advice to resolve problems and issues that have arisen.
(3) Tutors, who shall be students specially trained for that function, are available to advise firstyear students at TUT.
(4) The Rector shall validate the rules of student advising.
§ 25. Disputing decisions concerning study activities
(1) A student shall have the right to dispute an administrative act (hereinafter: act) related to
study activity pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act and the principles of the present
rules and other specific cases pursuant to legislative acts.
(2) A student who desires to dispute a decision concerning him or her, shall have to contact a
person who took the disputable decision or the chairperson of the decision-making body
immediately and explicitly express his or her desire to dispute the decision. The person or the
decision-making body who took the disputable decision may change their decision.
(3) If, notwithstanding discussion with the decision-making body, the student’s intention remains
unaltered, he or she may submit an appeal within 30 days from the day the student was or should
have been informed about the decision. A student’s oral appeal shall be recorded and signed by
the student.
(4) If a student disputes a Dean’s or a Vice Rector’s directive or a Rector’s decree, he or she
shall forward the appeal to the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs or to the Rector.
(5) A student’s appeal shall be resolved within 10 days from forwarding the appeal. If the appeal
needs additional examination, the date of handling of the appeal may be prolonged for up to 30
days, whereas the student shall be informed by post or via ÕIS.
(6) The decision concerning the dispute shall be recorded in writing and shall be forwarded to
the student by post or via ÕIS or shall be handed to the student, the student confirming it by
signature.
(7) Disputes concerning outcomes of a graduation thesis defense (except for the grade of the
thesis) shall be provided for in the instructions relevant to completion of the higher education
level approved by the Council of TUT. Disputes relevant to the grade of a graduation thesis are
provided for in the present paragraph.
Chapter 7
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS
§ 26. Application of regulation
(1) For distance students studying part-time and matriculated before the 2013/2014 academic
year, the right to gather 7.5–22 ECTS credits per semester of attendance shall be applied starting
from the last matriculation; as an exception the Dean/director of educational institution has the
right, in justified cases, to reduce the minimum for partial load of students studying in non-statecommissioned student places until the end of 2013/2014.
14
(2) For students who matriculated before the 2013/2014 academic year, the following
requirements shall be applied regarding filling of student places and compensation of tuition
costs until the end of the 2015/2016 academic year:
1) Student places shall be divided pursuant to the sources of covering TUT expenditures
necessary for providing study services into free ( state-commissioned, SC) and paid (non-statecommissioned, NSC) student places.
2) Depending on the established tuition fee levels, full-paying NSC and reduced rate NSC
student places shall be distinguished. The term of validity of a student place shall be the standard
term of study pursuant to the curriculum. In the free and reduced rate NSC student place, the
term of validity of the student place shall be extended by the duration of the student’s academic
leave. Reduced rate NSC student places shall be deleted upon becoming vacant.
3) The basis for matriculation or transfer to paid (NSC) student places is the agreement on
covering the costs of tuition entered into between TUT and a natural or legal person. The fee
levels for covering the costs of tuition shall be established by the TUT council for each academic
year. The procedure for entering into agreements on covering the costs of tuition shall be
established by the rector.
4) In connection with a change in a student’s student place, the Dean/director of the educational
institution shall if necessary change the financing source.
5) The condition for study shall be the existence of a student place..
6) To fill vacant study places, the faculty or the educational institution shall arrange a follow-up
competition before the beginning of each semester.
7) Each person who has accumulated at least 30 ECTS credits from the subjects under the
curriculum or subjects complying with the curriculum and has not exceeded the nominal term of
study shall be eligible to participate in the competition. The requirement of 30 ECTS credits
shall not apply to doctoral students. A person who has fulfilled the requirements provided in this
section can be matriculated as a student upon existence of a vacant student place.
8) At the competition, preference is given to persons showing better results of academic
performance. A faculty or an educational institution may provide additional terms for a
competition.
Students dismissed for inadequate academic performance or non-participation in study shall not
be eligible to participate in a competition within one semester of dismissal.
9) A former student dismissed on the grounds of contemptible conduct is not eligible to
participate in the follow-up competition within one year of dismissal, unless set forth otherwise
in the directive on the dismissal.
10) A SC semester limit shall be allocated by order of the dean of academic affairs upon
matriculation to a free (SC) student place.
11) Upon re-matriculation to a free (SC) study place or transfer from a paid (NSC) place to a free
(SC) place, there will be allotted, if possible, a SC semester limit that will enable the student
carrying a nominal load (30 ECTS credits/semester) to achieve graduation, but the allocated
semester limit may not be greater than the term of validity of the relevant student place. Upon
the SC semester limit, prior study at the same higher education level on a SC study place is
required.
12) It is not possible to apply for re-matriculation before the overdue tuition fee has been paid.
This also applies in cases where the TUT has assigned the claim to third persons.
(3) For students who matriculated before the 2013/2014 academic year, the following provisions
shall be applied until the end of the 2015/2016 academic year regarding calculating the duration
of study:
1) Students enrolled to free (SC) and reduced NSC rate places are ensured this student place
during the nominal period of the curriculum.
2) After each semester attended, one semester is subtracted from the SC semester limit allotted to
a SC student. During an academic leave, the SC term limit shall not be reduced, i.e. an extended
study period shall be applicable, based on the duration of the academic leave.
3) Upon exhaustion of the SC semester limit, the SC student place shall be eliminated at the end
of the semester. For a full-time student who has spent the nominal period of the whole
15
curriculum at TUT and whose nominal period has ended (SC semester limit = 0), provision is
made to prolong the period of study by two semesters.
4) For a free (SC) student who has spent two semesters over the limit or for a full-time student
who has failed to fulfil study requirements and has been transferred to part-time study, upon the
student’s application and on the grounds of documents certifying matters specified in items 1 and
2 under this section, provision is made to extend the duration of study on a SC place if the
student shall continue study based on the same curriculum, shall qualify as minimum for parttime terms, and if the student is designated as having moderate, serious, or severe disability, is a
parent or caretaker of a child under 7 or of a disabled child, or pursues a study domain or a
curriculum agreed upon in the agreement for SC places on the basis of which part-time study
places have been formed at TUT to fulfil the state-commissioning.
5) The semester limit for a reduced rate NSC tuition student shall be recorded similarly to the
semester limit accounting for a SC student. Upon exhaustion of the semester limit of a reduced
rate NSC student, that reduced rate place will be eliminated.
6) Upon transfer to part-time study, the SC student shall loose the SC place.
7) If a SC student shall lose the SC place upon transfer to a partial-load, a student may reapply
for a SC student place. With no request submitted or with a request rejected, a student may sign
an agreement, within the final registration deadline for the next semester, for covering the costs
of tuition for transfer to a paid (NSC) student place.
8) Subsequent to the termination of a free (SC) place and prior to the provision of a new student
place, a student shall not be eligible to take an academic leave. The student under this section
shall be eligible to defend the graduation thesis or take a final examination free of charge within
the final registration deadline of the next semester.
(4) Students who matriculated to TUT before the 2013/2014 academic year who study in a free
(SC) or reduced rate (reduced rate NSC) student place shall have the opportunity to study for
free subjects that are taught at TUT but which are not part of his or her curriculum, as well as,
with a referral as a visiting student, the subjects taught at other public institution of higher
education in Estonia, not including subjects and optional subjects (register B subjects) as
follows:
1) full-time students in an unlimited amount;
2) part-time students in twice the amount of optional study set forth in his or her curriculum.
(5) Students matriculated to TUT before 2013/2014 shall have the right to take the additional
examination of a subject declared up to the end of 2013/2014 within two semesters after the end
of the semester in which the subject was declared.
(6) Students matriculated to TUT before 2013/2014 shall have the right until the end of the
2014/2015 academic year to take an assessment at three different times before the start of the
examination session.
(7) For students who matriculated before the 2013/2014 academic year, the provisions on
academic leave shall be applied in the following wording until the end of the 2015/2016
academic year:
1) Academic leave is a period for which a student, upon personal request, is released from the
obligation to pursue study and research for one or several full semesters.
2) Under each higher education level, a student is entitled to spend up to two semesters on
academic leave upon personal request. Additional academic leave may be granted as follows: for
health reasons up to four semesters, military service up to two semesters, and caring for a child
until the child reaches three years of age.
3) To request academic leave or a temporary discontinuation, a student shall submit an
application to the Dean or director of the educational institution; leave shall be granted by a
academic directive. In cases of discontinuation of the academic leave within a semester, the
whole semester shall be recorded as attendance at studies.
4) Upon personal request, students at any level of higher education study are entitled to an
academic leave beginning from the second semester of study. Applications shall be accepted
until the deadline (red line day) of a semester.
16
5) In cases of starting a semester of service in the military and of caring for a child, a student
shall be granted academic leave at any time during the academic year. To request an academic
leave in cases of starting a semester of military service, a student shall submit the corresponding
conscription notice from the defence forces; in cases of caring for a child a student shall submit
the birth certificate of the child.
6) For health reasons, a student is granted an academic leave at any time within a semester, in
general until the last day of classes for one full semester. In cases of health reasons, a student is
required to submit a medical certificate that contains a doctor’s recommendation for an academic
leave. In case of illness during the examination session, the student may apply for an extension
of deadlines for taking examinations.
7) In case of academic leave for health reasons, a student is required to submit a medical
certificate.
8) The request for academic leave may be submitted via the ÕIS. Additional documents provided
in subsections 5, 6 and 7 under this section and the request for discontinuation of academic leave
shall be submitted to the Dean’s office.
9) During the time on academic leave, the student may, if desired, submit a study plan, attend
classes and take examinations and tests.
(8) Students who matriculated before the 2013/2014 academic year shall until the end of the
2015/2016 academic year, be subject, in addition to the reason for dismissal in Section 21 of the
regulation, loss of student place in the following cases:
1) the student lost the free (SC) student place due to exhaustion of the semester limit and the
time for study in the free (SC) student place was not extended or the extension has expired and
the student has not entered into an agreement on covering the costs of tuition for transfer to a
paid (NSC) student place;
2) the student lost the free (SC) student place due to transfer to part-time study and did not by the
red-line day, receive a new free (SC) student place or has not entered into an agreement on
covering the costs of tuition for transfer to a paid (NSC) student place;
3) the student lost the reduced rate NSC student place due to exhaustion of the semester limit
allotted to him or her and the student has not entered into an agreement on covering the costs of
tuition for transfer to a paid (NSC) student place.
(9) A re-matriculated student who matriculated before 2013/2014 academic year is subject to the
same provisions of these Polices as those matriculated before the 2013/2014 academic year.
§ 27. Repeal of regulation
The Academic Policies at Tallinn University of Technology, approved by regulation no. 4 of the
TUT Council on 16 June 2009 (amended by council regulation no. 12 of 15 December 2009,
regulation no. 4 of 15 June 2010 and regulation no. 12 of 21 December 2010 and regulation no. 2
of 24 January 2012) is repealed.
§ 28. Entry into force
(1) The regulation shall enter into force effective 2013/2014 academic year.
(2) Sections 7, 8, 10 and 20 of this regulation shall apply to students matriculated before
2013/2014 effective 2016/2017 academic year.