The updated degree rules came into effect on 1 January 2024. For studies, enrolments and decisions made before the entry into force, the previous degree rules shall apply. From the beginning of 2024, the degree rules state as follows:
“The student has the opportunity to raise the approved grade of a study/project/demonstration of competence once within six months of the assessment. Each attempt to raise an approved grade is targeted to the competence that was considered insufficient in the previous assessment, and whose re-demonstration and reassessment can enable a grade increase. Before attempting to improve an approved assessment the student shall prepare a plan to demonstrate the missing competence with a schedule. The plan may be specified by the teacher at the approval stage.” Grade improvement is also not possible if the study entitlement period has ended.
By offering the possibility to raise a grade, Laurea has aimed to enable those students who feel that they were not able to demonstrate their actual level of competence during the assessment situation to improve their grade.
Often in practice raising a grade does not have very significant effects, and therefore when considering the possibility of an improvement we recommend that you consider the following questions:
- What significance does the grade have? (Note! The effect of a single grade on the average grade of the degree is very small.)
- Whose expectations are leading to the situation where the grade you received is not sufficient for you?
- How much workload will the improvement attempt cause? Can you fully concentrate on developing your competence during ongoing courses and projects, or will the improvement attempt drain your resources from focusing on new tasks?
- Is now the right time to focus on securing this lacking competence, or will the same skill develop later as your studies progress or through work experience building on the basic skills acquired now?
If you decide to draw up a plan to improve a grade, please note that the method of demonstrating competence does not have to be — and cannot always be — the same as the original method. For example, you may propose an oral demonstration, i.e. a discussion to verify competence. However, the teacher ultimately decides how and on what schedule an improvement is possible. In some cases, raising the grade is not possible because of the content of the study.
A grade improvement is always a new performance. The old grade remains in the study history records and cannot be changed. The better grade remains in effect. A student who has completed a study attainment with a passing grade cannot participate in a new implementation of the respective course.
The approved grade of a thesis cannot be raised.