Student rights and responsibilities
Linnaeus University is a state authority that operates under the government's jurisdiction. Consequently, its activities are governed by a number of laws and regulations, such as the Higher Education Act and the Higher Education Ordinance. On this page, you will find the laws and governing documents that regulate your education.
You will also find information on how to appeal a decision, on the university's efforts towards equal opportunities for all students and staff at Linnaeus University, and on how to become a student representative or a student safety representative.
In the Study Handbook, you will find information about the responsibilities that you, as a student, have, as well as the responsibilities that we, as a university, have –before, during, and after your education.
Appealing a decision
Appealing a decision
Linnaeus University makes various types of official decisions every day. If a decision is unfavorable and you disagree with Linnaeus University's judgment, you can appeal certain types of decisions.
Only the person to whom the decision pertains can appeal the decision if it goes against them (Section 42 of the Administrative Procedure Act 2017:900). Consequently, you cannot appeal a decision that concerns another student.
When you receive a decision from Linnaeus University that is subject to appeal, you should also receive an appeal reference – that is, a brief text that explains how the appeals process works.
Below, you can read more about which decisions can be appealed and how an appeal process works.
My apologies for the oversight. Here's the revised translation with the correct capitalization in accordance with instruction 6:
Which decisions can be appealed?
The following student-related decisions can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board:
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Decisions regarding an applicant not meeting the entry requirements for admission to first- or second-cycle education and decisions not to grant exceptions from entry requirements as specified in Chapter 7, Section 3, second paragraph, or Chapter 20, second paragraph, of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).
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Decisions concerning the recognition of education or professional experience for credit.
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Rejection of a student's request for exemption from a mandatory learning element.
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Rejection of a student's request for a degree certificate or course certificate.
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Decisions not to grant a student admitted to first- or second-cycle education a deferment of studies or the right to continue studies after an approved leave from studies.
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Decisions to withdraw resources for a doctoral student under Chapter 6, Section 30, and decisions that the student should not regain said resources under Chapter 6, Section 31, of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).
The following student-related decisions can be appealed to the Administrative Court:
- Decisions regarding disciplinary measures such as suspension or warning by the disciplinary board.
- Other student-related decisions, apart from those mentioned above, may only be appealed if permitted by another regulation than the Administrative Procedure Act (2017:900).
The above is regulated in Chapter 12 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).
How do I appeal?
An appeal must be made in writing, be addressed to the Higher Education Appeals Board (or the Administrative Court for disciplinary measures), and submitted to the authority that made the decision, i.e., Linnaeus University. The appeal should specify what decision is being appealed and how you wish the decision to be changed (Section 43 of the Administrative Procedure Act 2017:900). For appeals regarding disciplinary measures, the appeal should also include your personal identity number, postal address, telephone number, and email address (Section 3, 2nd paragraph of the Administrative Process Act 1971:291).
An appeal of a decision must be received by Linnaeus University within three weeks from the day you received notice of the decision from the university (Section 44 of the Administrative Procedure Act 2017:900).
What happens after my appeal has been received by Linnaeus University?
The first step is what is known as a review of time limit. This means that Linnaeus University assesses whether your appeal has been submitted within three weeks from the day you received notice of the decision. If the appeal has been submitted too late, it will be rejected and not considered for review (Section 45, 1st paragraph of the Administrative Procedure Act 2017:900).
If the appeal has been submitted in a timely manner, it will be promptly forwarded (within one workweek) to the Higher Education Appeals Board, or to the Administrative Court in the case of decisions related to disciplinary measures. If Linnaeus University has decided to alter the decision, the entire appeal, along with the new decision, will be forwarded (Section 46 of the Administrative Procedure Act 2017:900).
Once the appeal has been submitted to the Higher Education Appeals Board/Administrative Court, the case is transferred to that authority, and the decision on your appeal will be sent from there. The decision on the appeal will be sent to both you and Linnaeus University. If your appeal is granted, it is the responsibility of Linnaeus University to promptly implement the new decision.
Please note that this means that Linnaeus University will only handle your appeal during the first week after it is received; unfortunatley, we cannot answer questions about processing times, etc. at other authorities.
Management of student feedback and issues in education
Discrimination and sexual harassment
Linnaeus University has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment and actively works to prevent such beahviour, to ensure your safety as a student during your education. If you have experienced sexual harassment or discrimination, it is important that you receive the support you need.
Laws and governing documents
Here, you will find laws, regulations, and Linnaeus University's own policy and governing documents outlining overarching intentions for different areas that concern you as a student. Sometimes, you may also need to be aware of our local regulations for first- and second-cycle education, which serve as a supplement for how we handle examinations, recognition of prior learning, and the content of course and programme syllabuses.
Legislation and policy documents
Local regulations
- Local system of qualifications
- Local regulations for degree programmes at the first- and second-cycle levels at Linnaeus University
- Local regulations for courses and examination at the first- and second-cycle levels
- Local regulations for student representation
- Local regulations for credit transfer at first- and second-cycle levels at Linnaeus University
- Local regulations and conditions for application fees and tuition fees at Linnaeus University
- Special regulations for written examinations
Equal opportunities for you as a student
Linnaeus University is committed to a sustainable future by striving to ensure that all students and staff have equal rights and opportunities. The umbrella concept for this effort is "equal opportunities", which encompasses work for gender equality, diversity, equity, accessibility, and equal treatment.
At Linnaeus University, there is zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment. All students, regardless of their social background or group affiliation, should be afforded equal rights and opportunities to participate in higher education. In order for Linnaeus University to be an open, welcoming, and inclusive institution, it is imperative that all students and staff feel a responsibility to contribute to a positive study and work environment.
Read more about Linnaeus University's work with equal opportunities here.
Student representative
The role of a student representative offers you an enjoyable experience, an addition to your CV, and an extra income. As a student, you have the right to be a student representative in all advisory and decision-making bodies within the university that are relevant to education and the students' situation.
Kontaktperson:
Kinka Barvestad
representant@linnek.se
Become a student representative
Student safety representative
The student safety representative represents the students in various contexts related to the physical and psychosocial study environment.
The university's and your responsibilities as a student
In order for your time as a student to be as successful as possible, it is important to understand what is required and expected of you as a student. Here, both your and the university's responsibilities before, during, and after your studies are described.
Application and admission
The university/relevant teacher
- makes the timetable available no later than one month before the start of the course
- ensures that the relevant course/programme syllabus is accurate and accessible
- informs admitted students about programme or course introductions and any expectations regarding student preparation
- carries out any revisions of course literature no later than eight weeks before the start of the course.
You as a student
- accept or decline the offered place within the specified time
- communicate any need for special study support and can provide required documentation
- review the relevant course/programme syllabus.
Programme/course start
The university/relevant teacher
- makes any necessary revisions of course literature no later than eight weeks before the course starts
- communicates the assessment criteria no later than when the course starts
- provides a course overview and communicates expectations in a study guide or the equivalent
- informs students about previous feedback on the course structure and how it is addressed in the current version
- is available via email and in the MyMoodle classroom from the start of the course.
You as a student
- prepare in accordance with any instructions provided
- register the week before the course starts or during the first week of the course, ensuring that the course code you register for corresponds to the course instance (programme and course). Registration is necessary in order to receive student financial aid, have results on exams reported, gain access to and use the relevant MyMoodle classroom(s), and more. Please note that if you have not registered for your course by the course start day, you will be disconnected from the MyMoodle classroom; you will, however, be automatically reconnected once you register.
- participate in the course introduction
- review and familiarise yourself with the course timetable, examination dates, and study guide
- have access to the course literature
- first contact IT Support for students if you encounter issues with accessing the MyMoodle classroom, and then the course coordinator
- visit the MyMoodle classroom before the course starts
- regularly monitor your student email address (@student.lnu.se), which is one of the university's official contact channels for you as a student.
During your studies
The university/relevant teacher
- regularly makes themselves available on the learning platform for any clarifications or guidance needed
- communicates accurate information about course delivery, objectives, examination methods, and assessment criteria
- informs students about how they can influence their education through evaluations, student representation, student safety representatives, educational associations, and the student union
- provides information about what types of support resources the university offer.
You as a student
- participate in regular classes, study visits, guest lectures, etc.
- utilise resources for learning in different learning environments, academic writing, study techniques, information retrieval, and study counselling and student health
- reflect on your own role in different study situations and contribute constructively, to the best of your ability.
Examination
The university/relevant teacher
- informs students about resit time and date no later than at the time of the regular exam
- provides examples of previous examination assignments upon request
- corrects exams and communicates their results within the specified time frame of 15 working days
- reports results in LADOK (the Swedish national system for recording higher education credits)
- schedules resits no earlier than ten working days after the results from the regular exam have been communicated
- archives examination assignments, timetables, participant lists, and a commented compilation of course evaluation results
- ensures that examination assignments are clearly formulated, for example, in the study guide.
You as a student
- register for any examination sessions
- read and familiarise yourself with the examination assignments and their assessment criteria
- inform the teacher or study counsellor about any specific needs or disabilities well in advance of the exam
- are familiar with the university's regulations on cheating and plagiarism
- stick to specified deadlines
- submit complete examination assignments/reports in line with the assignment description
- participate in course and, if applicable, programme evaluations.
Feedback
The university/relevant teacher
- makes themselves available on the learning platform for guidance or to clarify any uncertainties
- clearly communicates what type of feedback will be used for different examination elements
- responds to emails in reasonable time.
The student
- considers and assesses provided feedback in relation to their own learning.
Degree
The university/relevant teacher
- communicates how the graduation ceremony works and how to register for it
- invites all students who are graduating, not just those who have completed a programme.
The student
- applies for the award of their qualification.
Information of the division of responsibilities is also available in the study handbook.