Formal requirements for examinations
When you participate in an exam, there are certain rules and guidelines (formal requirements) that you must follow. On this page, you will find a number of general regulations.
The specific exam descriptions for each course, including which aids you are allowed to use for the particular exam, can be found in the course descriptions in the AU Course Catalogue.
General rules
Guidelines for data collection
During your study programme you will conduct a large number of studies, such as surveys or interviews. Being able to collect your own data is a crucial element in the programme. However, it is also important to weigh up the need to collect own data, and all studies obviously have to comply with existing rules and otherwise live up to good research practice. You collect data on your own responsibility, but the following guidelines specify the university's guidelines for data collection in connection with your studies.
Use of AI-tools for transcription and translation
Students are allowed to use AI-based tools for e.g. transcription or translation when collecting data.
However, you should be aware that it is your responsibility as a student to handle data responsibly with special regard to the protection of personal data.
For information on all other use of generative AI tools, please refer to the individual course descriptions and AU Studypedia.
Anonymisation of exams
In May 2017 Aarhus BSS decided that all relevant exam must be anonymous. This decision includes take-home assignments where you have received individual guidance from the lecturer.
No names or student registration numbers must be written in the assignments.
Special information regarding group exams
The rules on anonymisation also apply to group exams. In group exams, however, the contribution of each individual student must still be identifiable.
You must therefore provide an overview of who has written the individual sections by using the random participant index number given automatically by WISEflow.
To find your participant index number, follow the instructions on the page Digital exam - WISEflow -> FAQ -> During the exam -> Where can I find my participant index number at anonymised exams?
The following exams are anonymous
BA level
- Metode I
- Metode på tilvalg
- Politologisk introduktionskursus
- Politologisk introduktionskursus på tilvalg
- Videnskabsteori
- Politisk teori
- Mikroøkonomi (2nd re-exam is oral and therefore not anonymous)
- Sammenlignende statskundskab
- Makroøkonomi (2nd re-exam is oral and therefore not anonymous)
- Politisk sociologi
- Almen statskundskab
- International politik
- Politiske institutioner
- Offentlig forvaltning
- Bachelorseminarer
MA level
- All seminars with written on-site exams
- All seminars with 7-day take-home assignments
- All seminars with take-home assignments
Formal requirements and maximum number of characters
Tables and figures are included in the total number of characters. It is your own responsibility to count all characters (incl. blanks) in both tables and figures even when these are inserted as images in the text (and are therefore not automatically counted by Word)
The following are not included in the calculation of the total number of characters:
- Front page
- Table of contents
- Bibliography
- Headers, footers and page numbers
- Abstracts (only required for bachelor's and master's thesis)
- Appendices: Data files and other documentation of methodological choices may be submitted and appendices; these do not count towards the character limit. The course lecturer will specify which type of documentation is required in the exam in question. Content that is to be assessed must be included in the assignment itself. The appendices will only be used to check methodological documentation in case of doubt.
Group assignments
Some seminars allow for group assignments - both at ordinary and/or at re-exams. In this case the scope of the assignment increases with the number of participants, and the specified scope will be specified in the individual course description.
Individualisation requirement
The group assignment must be submitted in a form that enables individual assessment. This means that you must indicate who has written each individual section. The introduction and conclusion may be joint. Assignments that do not allow for individual assesment will be rejected.
Rejection of exam papers due to formal errors and omissions
In some cases, take-home assignments will be rejected without assessment if the formal requirements are not met. This will happen in the following cases:
- If the submission deadline is exceeded
- If the assignment exceeds the maximum number of characters
- If the following is missing from the assignment:
- Front page containing all relevant information (to be completed via Wiseflow)
- Bibliography (accurate specification of sources used in the assignment)
- In case of group exams: indication of which student is responsible for each part of the assignment
- In case of bachelor's project and master's thesis: English abstract
