Translation of General Academic Regulations for Bachelor s and Master s degree programmes at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences

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Z-RPO-414.252.3 english translation Prozess: 1.04.01 Führungsgrundlagen

Version: 1.0.0 Zielgruppe: Public Dok.-Verantw.: GeneralsekretärIn Generalsekretariat

Translation of General Academic Regulations for Bachelor’s

and Master’s degree programmes at the Zurich University of

Applied Sciences

Disclaimer

This is a non-binding, unofficial translation of the original German version, “Rahmenprüfungsordnung für die Bachelor- und Masterstudiengänge an der Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften“. It was prepared with all due care but the ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences takes no

responsibility for any remaining omissions and/or mistakes. The legally binding document is the original German version, which shall prevail in any case of doubt or differences of interpretation.

Please note that English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation or the Canton of Zurich. This document is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.

Original German version dated 29 January 2008; LS 414.252.3

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51

414.252.3 General Academic Regulations

for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at the

Zurich University of Applied Sciences

(29th_{January 2008)}

The Board of the Zurich Association of Universities of Applied Sciences, based on S ection 10 (3) lit. c of the law governing universities of applied

sciences dated 2nd_{April 2007}1_,

determines:

1. General Provisions

Subject § 1. 1 _{These General Academic Regulations govern the Bachelor’s}

and Master’s degree programmes at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). They do not apply to further education courses (Weiterbildung).

2 _{Special arrangements contained in agreements with other}

universities take precedence.

Academic Regulatio ns

§ 2. The Executive Board issues rules on the requirements for individual courses and certificates of achievement. These are subject to the approval of the Board of the Zurich Association of Universities of Applied Sciences.

Terms § 3. 1 _{A course is a teaching unit that lasts for a maximum of one}

semester.

a. Course 2 _{Students must complete assessment tasks for all courses.}

b. Module § 4. 1 _{A module is a teaching unit with a specific thematic or content} focus and consists of one or more courses.

2 _{A module spans a maximum of one semester. The Academic}

Regulations may provide exemptions for practically focused training (e.g. practical training courses, internships) and Master’s theses.

3 _{All modules are completed with an evaluation of performance.}

c. Module

groups § 5.

1 _{Modules can be combined into a module group.}

2 _{Grades for module groups are based on the grades received for}

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§ 6. 1 _{Module categories define}

a. the thematic structure of the study programme, b. the distribution of credits across the competences.

2 _{The Academic Regulations assign credits to the module}

categories.

§ 7. 1 _{A distinction is made between modules that}

a. must be taken by all students during the course of their studies (compulsory modules),

b. are chosen from a list according to a predefined scope (elective modules),

c. can be freely selected (optional modules).

2 _{The Academic Regulations govern the assignment of modules to}

a module type and their configuration.

§ 8. 1 _{Grades are calculated based on the European Credit}

Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

2 _{One credit is equivalent to a student workload of 25 to 30 hours.}

3 _{The Academic Regulations specify the number of credits for}

each module.

§ 9. Passing a module results in the number of credits specified in the Academic Regulations being awarded.

2. Studies A. General d. Module categories e. Module types Credit system Awarding of credits

§ 10. 1 _{Students are responsible for}

a. planning their studies,

b. taking note of the information provided to them.

2 _{The Director of Studies is responsible for providing adequate}

study advice as part of the study programme.

§ 11. In accordance with the Academic Regulations, the study programme can be completed on either a full or part time basis. The same level of performance is required in both cases.

§ 12. The School Management may define a standardised sequence in which modules are to be completed.

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414.252.3

Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at the ZHAW Module and course descriptions Registering for modules and assessment Deregistering from modules Running of elective and optional modules Recognition of prior knowledge and qualifications

§ 13. 1 _{The Director of Studies issues module and course}

descriptions. In particular, these contain a. the competences to be acquired, b. the number of credits to be acquired, c. the entry requirements,

d. the pass requirements,

e. the type, form and scope of the assessment tasks.

2 _{The module and course descriptions are publicly available.}

§ 14. 1 _{Registration for each module is required before the}

registration deadline.

2 _{Registering for a module also includes registration for assessment}

and obliges the student to achieve the level of performance required. Where applicable, § 17 takes precedence.

3 _{The Director of Studies decides on whether to accept}

applications after the deadline.

§ 15. 1 _{Deregistration from modules before the registration}

deadline is possible without justification being required.

2 _{The Director of Studies decides on whether to accept}

deregistrations after the registration deadline.

§ 16. 1 _{After the registration deadline, the Director of Studies}

decides if elective or optional modules will be run.

2 _{If a module is not run, students can register for another elective}

or optional module after the registration deadline. Late registrations are considered with regard to organisational feasibility.

§ 17. 1 _{Students may apply for dispensation from a module or}

course (up to 4 weeks before the start of the semester) whilst getting credit for the performance. The Director of Studies will approve the request if students can

a. provide evidence of sufficient knowledge of a module or course, or

b. demonstrate they have already achieved the required competences through studies elsewhere.

2 _{There are no assessment requirements for students with}

dispensation from a course or module.

3 _{Teaching units for which dispensation has been awarded are not}

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§ 18. Should a student transfer to a different ZHAW degree programme, they will be credited with their academic achievements from the previous programme in accordance with the provisions of the new programme. This may include the transfer of previously awarded grades.

§ 19. The Academic Regulations govern how long credits remain valid for transfer to another degree programme.

§ 20. The Director of Studies is responsible for the content, method of assessment and grading.

§ 21. The module descriptions stipulate entry requirements for modules.

§ 22. 1 _{Studies can be terminated early by either deregistration,}

expulsion or failure to meet academic requirements.

2 _{Deregistration must be applied for in writing and have been}

submitted by the end of the preceding semester. Failure to observe this deadline will result in the student being billed for semester fees.

§ 23. 1 _{Students may apply to take leave from their studies.}

Applications for leave should be made in writing to the registar’s office at least four weeks before the start of the semester.

2 _{Leave is taken for a minimum of one semester. No more than}

four periods of leave will be granted per student.

3 _{Students remain enrolled at the university during any period of}

leave. The period of leave does not, however, count towards the length of the degree programme.

B. Bachelor’s programme Change of degree programme Transfer of credits Module responsibility Entry to modules Early termination of studies Leave from studies

§ 24. 1 _{For successfully completed Bachelor’s degrees, the ZHAW}

awards the qualification of Bachelor of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZFH).

2 _{The Academic Regulations govern the details and exact titles.}

§ 25. 1 _{Admission to the Bachelor’s programmes is regulated}

according to the Federal and Cantonal University of Applied Sciences Act.

2 _{The Academic Regulations may include additional admission}

requirements.

§ 26. 1 _{For applicants who are not exempt from an admission}

examination, the ZHAW may, in accordance with federal guidelines, administer such an examination.

Bachelor title

Admission a. General

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414.252.3

Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at the ZHAW

Aptitude testing

Bachelor’s programmes

Awarding the title of ‘Bachelor’

2 _{The administration of admission examinations may be}

transferred to third parties.

3 _{The Academic Regulations stipulate the rules that govern the}

administration of admissions examinations.

§ 27. 1 _{The Academic Regulations allow special procedures for}

aptitude testing prior to the commencement of studies.

2 _{The administration of aptitude tests may be transferred to}

third parties.

§ 28. 1 _{Bachelor’s degrees are usually divided into}

a. an assessment stage (approx. 60 credits) b. the main studies (approx. 120 credits).

2 _{The Academic Regulations permit other programme structures.}

3 _{The main studies may only be commenced when the assessment}

stage has been successfully completed.

4 _{The Academic Regulations define which modules must be}

completed as part of the Bachelor’s degree.

§ 29. The ZHAW awards the title of ‘Bachelor’ to students who a. have acquired a minimum of 180 credits,

b. have acquired a minimum of 60 credits at the ZHAW, c. have completed their Bachelor’s thesis at the ZHAW.

C. Master’s programme

Master title § 30. 1 _{The ZHAW awards the title of ‘Master of the Zurich University of} Applied Sciences and Arts (ZFH)’ to students who have successfully completed the Master’s programme. The Academic Regulations govern the detailed regulations and the exact titles.

2 _{The ZHAW can provide joint Master’s programmes with partner}

institutions and award a joint Master’s title.

Admission § 31. 1 _{Admission to the Master’s programme is dependent on the}

applicant having a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent university qualification.

2 _{The Academic Regulations govern admissions to the Master’s}

programme. They may specify special requirements and require evidence of relevant knowledge and skills if these have not been acquired in a Bachelor’s programme.

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§ 32. The Academic Regulations stipulate the compulsory courses for Master’s programmes.

§ 33. 1 _{The ZHAW awards the title of ‘Master’ to graduates of a}

Master’s programme who

a. have acquired the necessary credits in a Master’s programme, b. have acquired at least one third of their credits at the ZHAW, c. have completed their Master’s thesis at the ZHAW.

2 _{A Master’s programme is comprised of between 90 and 120}

credits.

3. Examinations and other means of assessment A. General Provisions

Master’s programmes Awarding the title of ‘Master’

§ 34. 1 _{Assessed work for courses and modules is submitted as}

individual or group tasks.

2 _{Assessment tasks may be:}

a. written or oral examinations, b. written work, exercises or reports, c. project work,

d. presentations,

e. satisfactory completion of compulsory courses or modules, f. evaluation of practical training,

g. interviews, h. Bachelor’s thesis, i. Master’s thesis.

3 _{The Academic Regulations govern the use of experts.}

§ 35. 1 _{An unjustified failure to complete an assessed piece of}

work will result in a fail.

2 _{For graded assessments, a mark of 1 is awarded.}

3 _{Work that is not awarded a grade will be classified as ‘failed’.}

§ 36. 1 _{Students with a justifiable reason for failing to complete an}

assessment must complete it at a later date. Justifiable reasons include force majeure, illness, military service, accident, and family death or emergency.

Means of assessment

Failure to complete an assessed piece of work a. Unjustified

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414.252.3

Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at the ZHAW Substitute for non-completed assessment Permitted aids

2 _{The reason for failing to complete an assessment must be}

reported immediately to the Director of Studies, who makes the final decision in cases where there may be doubt concerning the validity of the justification.

3 _{Students may not submit justification for poor performance in}

an assessment after the fact, based on known or identifiable problems.

4 _{If an assessment is terminated before it has been completed, § 35}

and § 36, paragraphs 1–3 apply.

§ 37. 1 _{The Director of Studies may define substitute assessment}

tasks to replace non-completed assessment tasks and decides on any details.

2 _{If no substitute assessment is carried out, non-completed}

assessment tasks are to be completed the next time they are scheduled in the regular timetable.

§ 38. The Director of Studies indicates in advance any aids that are permitted in assessment tasks.

Dishonest

conduct § 39. 1 _{Any dishonest conduct with respect to assessment tasks}

will result in a fail. If the assessment is graded, a mark of 1 is awarded.

a. General consequences b. Subsequently identified dishonest conduct

2 _{The following are considered to be dishonest conduct:}

a. possession or use of non-permitted aids during an examination, b. unauthorised exchange of information during an examination, c. failure to comply with instructions given by an invigilator, d. plagiarism and abuses connected to referencing of sources.

3 _{In serious cases, the Director of Studies may award a fail for the}

course, module, module group, assessment task or degree. He or she may also initiate disciplinary proceedings.

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§ 41. 1 _{The grading of performance uses a scale from 6 to 1.}

2 _{The grades can be interpreted as follows:}

a. 6 very good, b. 5 good, c. 4 adequate, d. 3 inadequate, e. 2 weak, f. 1 very weak.

3 _{A graded assessment task is deemed to be a pass if a grade of 4}

has been achieved.

4 _{Instead of a grade, an assessment task can also be marked as}

either a ‘pass’ or a ‘fail’.

§ 42. 1 _{Course grades are based on the average mark for the course}

assessment tasks. Quarter marks are permitted.

2 _{Course descriptions define the weighting of each assessment task within a}

course.

§ 43. 1 _{Module grades are based on the average of the course}

grades in the module and any additional module mark. Module grades are rounded to two decimal points.

2 _{The module descriptions define the weighting of the course}

grades in a module.

3 _{The Academic Regulations may provide for the allocation of}

ECTS grades.

§ 44. 1 _{The average of the grades for all modules in a module}

group provides the grade for the module group. The module group grade is rounded to 2 decimal points

2 _{The Academic Regulations govern the weighting of each module}

in a module group.

3 _{If a student receives a passing grade for the module group, each}

module in the group is considered to have been passed.

4 _{The Academic Regulations govern how any extra elective and}

optional modules that have been completed are considered.

§ 45. Assessment tasks may not be repeated for modules or module groups that have already been passed.

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414.252.3

Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at the ZHAW b. Failed modules Supplementary examinations and resubmission of assessment tasks Repetition of modules

§ 46. 1 _{Failing a module means that the assessment tasks for the}

module must be repeated in accordance with the Academic Regulations. § 47 takes precedence.

2 _{The new grade from a repeated assessment task always replaces}

the previously awarded grade. This also applies in cases where the student fails to provide justification for not completing a repeat assessment task or is found to have acted dishonestly.

3 _{Assessment tasks for failed modules must be repeated the next}

time they are scheduled in the regular timetable.

§ 47. 1 _{The Academic Regulations allow supplementary}

examinations to be set and for work to be resubmitted. The Director of Studies decides on the exact details.

2 _{A supplementary examination is not considered to be a repeat}

examination.

3 _{In all other respects, supplementary examinations and}

resubmissions of work are governed by the same regulations as assessment tasks.

§ 48. Modules may only be repeated once.

B. Bachelor’s level Assessment

levels § 49.

1 _{The degree of learning success in the assessment stage is}

considered as a whole. The Academic Regulations govern the conditions that must be met in order to achieve a passing grade.

2 _{The Academic Regulations govern the form and timing of}

module examinations.

3 _{Failure to achieve the level required in the assessment stage will}

result in all assessment tasks for compulsory modules having to be repeated. § 44 paragraph 3 takes precedence.

4 _{Failed elective and optional modules may be repeated, provided}

the modules in question are being offered again.

Main studies § 50. The Academic Regulations stipulate the conditions for

passing the main degree programme.

a. Pass requirement s

b. Bachelor’ s thesis

§ 51. 1 _{Bachelor’s theses can be submitted by individuals or}

groups.

2 _{The Academic Regulations set preconditions for starting a}

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3 _{The Director of Studies specifies the requirements of a} Bachelor’s thesis and provides these to students in advance. The supervising lecturer is responsible for establishing detailed guidelines.

4 _{Any student who fails their Bachelor’s thesis may submit a}

second one within a year.

C. Master’s level

§ 52. The Academic Regulations stipulate the requirements for passing a Master’s degree.

§ 53. 1 _{Master’s theses must be written individually. In certain}

justifiable cases, they may be written by a group.

2 _{The Academic Regulations set preconditions for starting a}

Master’s thesis.

3 _{The Director of Studies specifies the requirements of a Master’s}

thesis and provides these to students in advance. The supervising lecturer is responsible for establishing detailed guidelines.

4 _{Any student who fails their Master’s thesis may submit a second}

one within a year.

D. Determination of overall results

Passing Master’s thesis

§ 54. 1 _{Degrees are graded (Bachelor’s or Master’s grade).}

2 _{The final grade is calculated from the module grades and is}

rounded to 2 decimal points.

3 _{The Academic Regulations stipulate the rules for calculating the}

final grade.

§ 55. The Academic Regulations specify which modules or credits are to be considered when determining the final grade.

§ 56. 1 _{Credits are only awarded once for identical modules or}

modules with similar content.

2 _{The Director of Studies decides in cases where there is any}

doubt with regard to the similarity of module content.

§ 57. 1 _{The ECTS grade is calculated from the grades achieved by}

the entire graduating class for each degree programme.

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414.252.3

2 _{In general the ECTS grade can be interpreted as follows:}

a. A: highest 10%, b. B: next 25%, c. C: next 30%, d. D: next 25%, e. E: lowest 10%. Transcript

of records § 58. The transcript of records includes all modules attended at the ZHAW with their titles, grades, the semester in which the modules were completed and the credits awarded.

4. Diploma

Degree award § 59. 1 _{The ZHAW awards Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at} the request of the Director of Studies if all the conditions in the General Academic and Academic Regulations have been met.

2 _{A degree certificate and academic transcript are issued.}

Degree certificate § 60. 1 _{The degree certificate contains no grades.}

2 _{It is signed by the President of the ZHAW and another member of}

the Executive Board.

Academic transcript § 61. 1 _{The academic transcript provides the following} information:

a. modules attended and credits awarded,

b. credits transferred from another university of applied sciences or from another degree programme,

c. module grades, d. the final grade, e. ECTS grade.

2 _{The academic transcript is signed by the Dean of the School and}

the Director of Studies.

Diploma

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5. Legal and transitional regulations

§ 63. 1 _{Decisions regarding the failure of an admissions}

examination, aptitude test, assessment or entire degree may be challenged in an appeal.

2 _{Module, module group and course grades may only be contested}

in conjunction with an appeal against exclusion from a degree programme.

§ 64. 1 _{These General Academic Regulations come into force on 1}st

March 2008.

2 _{They apply to the individual degree programmes from the point}

in time when the Academic Regulations come into force.

3 _{The Academic Regulations govern the transitional regulations.}

On behalf of the Board of the Zurich Association of Universities of Applied Sciences

The President: The Secretary:

Aeppli Trachsler

Challengeable decisions

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