Being granted an exemption to a rule or requirement means that you do not have to abide by or satisfy the rule or requirement in question, even if you would have to ordinarily. Exemptions may be granted on the basis of unusual circumstances concerning yourself, such as illness or parental leave.

The authority to grant exemptions is, in most circumstances, held by the university. You can apply for an exemption from almost any rule concerning the study conditions at AAU.

There are three basic types of information that must always appear in an application for exemption: who, what, and why.

Who is applying for an exemption?

In order to process an application for exemption, it is a prerequisite that it is clearly indicated who the applicant is. Besides name (full name) you should always — to facilitate processing — provide your civil registration number, study programme, semester, and email address. It is also important that you send your application for exemption from your AAU Student mail, as all written communication between you and AAU must be secure.

What is being applied for?

The recipient of your exemption application generally does not know what you are applying for. To avoid misunderstandings, it is very important that you clearly specify this information.

Why is an exemption being applied for?

You can only be granted an exemption if unusual circumstances apply to you. These include e.g., own illness, illness in your immediate family, or other personal unusual circumstances that are not the result of a lack of academic ability. Therefore, the application must always include an explanation of why the exemption is necessary.

The explanation you provide matters. Depending on what type of exemption you are applying for, the explanation must as a rule include information on:

• Why it is necessary to apply for an exemption. For instance, what is the reason you did not pass the exam in your first three attempts?
• A reasonable account of how an exemption can remedy the problem. For example, how can you pass your exam at a fourth attempt?

Academic ability will not be taken into account when the university assesses whether circumstances are extraordinary. However, it may be advantageous, in relation to your continued course of study, to have a curriculum drawn up, even if the university is not allowed to take it into consideration when assessing whether to grant an exemption for further examination attempts.

It is important that you elaborate your application for exemption and make sure it is specific and well-founded. Always remember to attach as much relevant documentation as possible, e.g., medical certificates.

There are rarely specific deadlines for exemption applications. In certain cases, however, exemptions will be a prerequisite for you to continue with your studies. Therefore, as a general rule, you should always submit your application for exemption as soon as possible, so that you can clarify your situation.

The procedure and deadlines for exemptions may vary from study programme to study programme. Therefore, examine the rules and procedures of your study programme carefully and ask your study board when in doubt.