2017/2018

BIO - Master of Science (MSc) in Business Administration and Bioentrepreneurship

Preamble

Pursuant to section 33 of Ministerial Order no. 1061 of 30 June 2016 on Bachelor and Master Programmes at Universities (the University Programme Order); section 2(2) of Ministerial Order no. 111 of 30 January 2017 on Admission and Enrolment on Master’s (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities (Kandidatadgangsbekendtgørelsen); section 29 of Ministerial Order no. 1062 of 30 June 2016 on University Examinations and Grading (the Examination Order); and section 20 of Ministerial Order no. 114 of 3 February 2015 on the Grading Scale and other forms of assessment of educations within the sphere of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (the Grading Scale Order), the Dean of Education, acting on a proposal prepared by the study board, has approved the following programme regulations.       

Part 1: Programme specific regulations

Degree title and duration

1. Students who successfully complete the programme earn the degree Master of Science (MSc) in Bioentrepreneurship, in Danish cand.merc. i Bioentrepreneurskab (candidatus/candidata mercaturae), abbreviated cand.merc.(bio.).

(2) This programme is governed by The Study Board for the Master of Science in Business Administration and Bioentrepreneurship.

(3) The master's (candidatus) programme is a two-year full-time programme, corresponding to 120 ECTS credits. The deadline for completing the programme is the rated time of study + one year after the student commenced the programme. Leave periods, if any, are not included in this time frame.

(4) The second year of the programme is also offered as a part-time programme. The maximum time allowed for completing the second year of the programme as a part-time programme is 2.5 years. Leave periods, if any, are not included in this time frame.

(5) The programme duration refers to the number of student full-time equivalents according to which the programme is structured. A full-time equivalent corresponds to one year of work by a full-time student and corresponds to an annual workload of 1650 working hours corresponding to 60 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System). The workload includes scheduled classes, preparation for classes, completion of written assignments, other teaching activities, independent study as well as preparation for, and participation in examinations.

Admission requirements and qualifying degrees

1A. No bachelor degree gives the right to admission to the MSc in Business Administration and Bioentrepreneurship programme.

(2) The following bachelor degrees within natural/life sciences give access to admission to this programme, see however subsections (4) and (6):

  • Bachelor i biologi (AAU)
  • Bachelor i bioteknologi (AAU)
  • Bachelor i bæredygtig bioteknologi (AAU)
  • Bachelor i nanoteknologi (AAU)
  • Bachelor i biologi (AU)
  • Bachelor i bioteknologi (AU)
  • Bachelor i molekylær biologi (AU)
  • Bachelor i molekylær medicin (AU)
  • Bachelor i medicin (AU)
  • Bachelor i odontologi (AU)
  • Bachelor i biologi (Odense Universitet)
  • Bachelor i biokemi og molekylær biologi (Odense Universitet)
  • Bachelor i biomedicin (Odense Universitet)
  • Bachelor i medicin (Odense Universitet)
  • Bachelor i bioteknologi (DTU)
  • Bachelor i teknisk biomedicin (DTU)
  • Bachelor i kemi og teknologi (DTU)
  • Bachelor i medicin og teknologi (DTU)
  • Bachelor i miljøteknologi (DTU)
  • Bachelor i biologi (KU)
  • Bachelor i molekylær biomedicin (KU)
  • Bachelor i biologi-bioteknologi (KU)
  • Bachelor i farmaci (KU)
  • Bachelor i biokemi (KU)
  • Bachelor i humanbiologi (KU)
  • Bachelor i medicin (KU)
  • Bachelor i odontologi (KU)
  • Bachelor i nanoscience (KU)
  • Bachelor i veterinærmedicin (KU)

(3) Admission to the MSc in Business Administration and Bioentrepreneurship programme requires a relevant bachelor degree or other relevant Danish or foreign degree at the same level. During the education the applicant must have covered the following academic disciplines to a sufficient degree on an overall, individual assessment:

Min. 37.5 ECTS-points within the following areas:

  • Min. 15 ECTS-points within a biological system (plants, animals or microbiology)
  • Min. 15 ECTS-points within biochemistry/organic chemistry
  • Min. 7.5 ECTS-points within biotechnology methods (laboratory experience with molecular biology techniques).

(4) The requirements for language skills are available on CBS’ homepage: cbs.dk/graduateadmission.

(5) Standard assessments of a number of degrees from CBS or other universities are available on cbs.dk/graduateadmission, see also subsection (5).

(6) In the event that there are more applicants who fulfil the admission requirements than there are places offered at this programme, the selection shall be made according to criteria laid down in advance and published on cbs.dk/graduateadmission.

(7) Available at cbs.dk/graduateadmission are the application and admission procedures, including deadlines, as well as information about the date when the offer or the rejection of a place of study is made and about the requirement to accept a place of study.

Purpose

2. The MSc programme in Business Administration and Bioentrepreneurship, cand.merc.(bio), is a graduate-level, theoretical programme that serves as a continuation of the BSc programme in natural/life science.

(2) The objective of the MSc programme in Business Administration and Bioentrepreneurship is to offer students a coherent profession-oriented education on biotechnology and the core skills required for its commercialisation.

(3) Students will be able to perform research, analyse and solve questions and problems applying advanced concepts and methodologies within the broad field of commercialisation of biotechnology.

(4) On completion of the programme, students will be capable in biotechnology up to the master level except for the qualifications specifically related to the master’s thesis. They will additionally possess a number of competences from business disciplines specialized to work in bio-based innovation and entrepreneurship. The competences empha the ability to integrate the two areas of expertise – biotech and business.

(5) The programme gives students the competencies required for the development of successful business ventures that commercialize biotech innovations through entrepreneurship and advanced business development. Graduates will fill jobs across a range of companies based on life sciences: pharmaceutical companies, industrial biotech (such as enzymes), biotech research firms, food etc. Graduates also will meet the needs of sectors providing important inputs to biotech business, such as venture capital firms, IPR, research tools and services etc.

(6) The programme is interdisciplinary, taught in English, and integrates the learning of a range of analytical approaches and tools with direct application to business practices.

(7) Graduates from the programme obtain the qualifications presented in the profile below. In this qualification profile the items listed under “knowledge” and “skills” in most cases refer separately either to the biology or the business economics part of the programme. Items listed under “competencies”, however, in all cases are shared by the two parts, reflecting the progression and integration offered by the programme as a whole.

(8) Through participation in the programme, students should also acquire the ability to collaborate with people having the same or another academic background in working with and solving problems that involve a variety of fields.

(9) Students are expected to be able to read academic literature in English.

Competency profile

3. The Study Board has developed a qualification profile, which describes the expected learning outcomes of this degree programme. It is available on the programme page on CBS’ website.

Content and structure

4. The master programme in bioentrepreneurship offers courses and training in biotechnology and in the core skills required for commercialization of bio products. Regarding the business components of the second year, the objective is not only to build skills in business analysis. During that year students also train application of these skills to actual business challenges in real-life entrepreneurship projects, and during the programme students have a three months’ internship in a leading biotech firm.

(2) The programme’s interdisciplinary competences are brought about in two steps: In the first step students complete the first 60 ECTS of the Biology-Biotechnology master degree offered by the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen (KU). In the second step students obtain the remaining 60 ECTS from courses and thesis work focused on commercialization skills offered by CBS. Together the two years form a progressive sequence, and the second year offers numerous elements to train and develop a productive integration of the two main components.

(3) The below table lists the structure of the programme and the ECTS credits of the individual courses. The course descriptions are available in CBS' online course catalogue and KU's online course catalogue, respectively.

1st year - at University of Copenhagen (KU)

Course ECTS
Core Courses 15
Electives 30
IPR Course 15

One of these four different specialisations within Biology-Biotechnology can be chosen:

  • Applied enzymology
  • Bio Products
  • Cell Physiology
  • Immunology

The specialisations contain compulsory courses, restricted elective courses and electives as well as the IPR course (Advanced Biotechnology and Intellectual Property Rights). Without the IPR course, it is not possible to start on the second year.

  • 15 ECTS of core courses
  • 30 ECTS of electives
  • 15 ECTS of IPR - Without the IPR course, it is not possible to start on the second year.

See the structure of the concentrations and the content of the courses via the links above to the University of Copenhagen website.

Applied Enzymology

Compulsory courses:

Restrictive elective courses (15 ECTS in total):

Bio Products

Compulsory course:

Restricted elective courses (22.5 ECTS in total):

Cell Physiology

Compulsory courses:

Restricted elective courses (22.5 ECTS in total):

Immunology

Compulsory course:

Restricted elective courses (15 ECTS in total):

2nd year - at Copenhagen Business School (CBS)

Course ECTS
Bio Markets 7.5
Finance, Valuation and Accounting in BioBusiness 7.5
Governance, Control and Contracts in BioBusiness 7.5
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Strategy in BioBusiness 7.5
BBIP Entrepreneurship Project 7.5
Master's Thesis 30

(4) Students taking the second year of the programme as a part-time programme make an individual study plan, taking into consideration that - except for the master's thesis - the courses are only offered in the autumn semester.
 

Master’s thesis

4A. The master's (candidatus) thesis must document skills in applying scientific theories and methodologies to a clearly defined academic topic. As of 1 September 2016, the master’s thesis must be written in groups. The thesis must be placed at the second year of study of the master’s candidatus programme.

(2) The Programme Director, or the person the Programme Director has empowered to do so, approves the research question of the master’s thesis and at the same time determines a submission deadline for the thesis and a plan for the thesis supervision. The deadline for submitting the thesis contract is 1 December in the student’s 3rd semester – by submission of the thesis contract.

(3) The deadline for submitting the thesis is 1 June in the student’s 4th semester, and it is not possible to withdraw from the exam once the thesis contract has been approved. If the student does not submit within the deadline, the student has used one examination attempt, unless a dispensation has been granted under section 14(8).

(4) If the student does not submit the thesis within the time frame specified in subsection (3), the Programme Director, or the person the Programme Director has empowered to do so, approves a modified problem formulation within the same field and lays down a new three-month deadline for submission at the same time. If the student does not submit the thesis by the new deadline, the student may be granted a third examination attempt, see the Examination Order, in accordance with the same rules which applied to the second examination attempt.

(5) The rules in subsection (4) also apply for a master’s thesis for which the student has not obtained at least the grade 02, see the Grading Scale Order.

(6) The master’s thesis consists of a “reflection and analysis” paper conducted during the BBIP Entrepreneurship Project course and a written report based on the analytical challenges examined during the internship.

(7) The master’s thesis addresses selected analytical issues encountered during the BBIP Entrepreneurship Project course and the internship. These two courses are concerned with practical problems in commercializing bio-innovations, and results are presented in terms of practical conclusions. Although advanced analytical tools and concepts were applied to reach those answers, they were not explicitly considered and accounted for e.g. to develop its business plan the BBIP Entrepreneurship Project must carefully analyse how to identify most effective business models for innovation, or its most adequate form of market entry. The business plan presenting these answers is not intended to present or reflect upon this analysis from an academic perspective.

(8) The main idea of the thesis is to revisit one or several such analytical challenges so as to examine and reflect upon them in depth, from an academic perspective. That means situating the problem in the academic literature, applying advanced theoretical and methodological tools, critically considering the strength of conclusions etc. These reflective revisiting of previous practical problems may be undertaken in papers which in combination meets the requirements for the thesis while they separately refer to the BBIP Entrepreneurship Project and to the Internship.

(9) The bio-science behind the innovations considered in the BBIP Entrepreneurship Project and Internship project matter for their commercialization e.g. by having implications for innovation alternatives (and hence risks for imitation), or for the rate of technological change etc. These factors matter significantly for commercialization of science-based innovations. The thesis must bring out these relationships between the science, the innovation and implications for commercialization, demonstrating the student’s ability to span and connect issues in bio-science with its business potentials and limitations.

The BBIP Entrepreneurship project
(10) The BBIP Entrepreneurship Project does not have a separate exam but handing in a mini-project (business plan) is a prerequisite for starting up writing the master’s thesis. The mini-project is part of the master’s thesis.

(11) As one of its two components the master’s thesis requires a “reflection and analysis” paper on important issues and challenges encountered in preparing the business plan completed in the BBIP Entrepreneurship Project course. This paper constitutes one of the two components of the master’s thesis. The business plan is presented in an appendix to this paper.

For more information regarding the content of the course, see the course description, via the link in the table in section 4.

Internship
(12) Each student must complete an internship at one of the partner firms supporting The BioBusiness and Innovation Platform (BBIP). The partner firms are all deeply involved in the process of taking bio-based innovations into commercialization.
 
(13) During the 10 weeks’ full-time (37 hours per week) internship students are assigned to a project or a set of tasks meeting the requirements of:

1. Involving application of a range of the skills acquired in the third semester courses.
2. Allowing productive use of their ability to combine these commercialization skills with their bio-science background.
3. Presenting issues suitable for further analysis and reflection in the student’s master’s thesis.

(14) The host company assigns one or several mentors for the student, and the BBIP programme assigns one advisor.

(15) This course does not have a separate exam but is part of the master’s thesis. Midway into the internship students write a short report on the contents of the internship in terms of its specific objectives, activities, application of specific tools, learning opportunities and relevance for the master’s thesis. The midway report is discussed at a joint meeting with the company mentor and the BBIP advisor. The student, the BBIP advisor and the company mentor must all approve the midway report shown by approved signatures. Their approval is a precondition for handing in the master’s thesis.

(16) At the end of the internship the company mentor and the student sign a document referred to as “Completion of internship”. The document confirms a) that the student has completed 10 weeks’ internship in the partner company, based on full-time presence; and b) that an agreement exists between the company and the student regarding the use of company internal information in the thesis, see section 45(2) of the Examination Order. This agreement identifies the information which the student may report, cite or replicate in the thesis. The internship will not be completed without this signed document which must be handed in to CBS’s study administration within a week of the termination of the internship.

(17) If the number of students outnumbers the number of internship places offered by the industry partners in the program companies, the student will be given the possibility to write a theoretical master’s thesis or a case-orientated master’s thesis.

(18) It is very important that all core courses are passed before the internship starts, as it bears directly on the skills the student can offer as part of the internship. If a student has not passed the core courses before the start of the internship, the study programme reserves the right to cancel the internship.

(19) For students enrolled in the part-time programme the registration and submission deadlines stated in subsection (2) and (3) do not apply. For students enrolled in the part-time programme, the deadline for the handing in is set to 12 months from the day the supervisor has signed the contract, leaving sufficient time to complete the programme within the deadline stipulated in section 1(4).

Examinations


5. The programme consists of the examinations listed below. The learning objectives and the regulations of the individual examinations are prescribed in the online course catalogue. Direct links to the individual examinations are inserted in the table below.

1st year

Exam name Exam form Gradingscale Internal/external exam ECTS Weight
Core Courses See individual course description See individual course description See individual course description 15 15
Electives See individual course description See individual course description See individual course description 30 30
IPR Course See individual course description See individual course description See individual course description 15 15

2nd year

Exam name Exam form Gradingscale Internal/external exam ECTS Weight
Bio Markets Oral exam based on written product 7-step scale External exam 7.5 7.5
Finance, Accounting and Valuation in BioBusiness Oral exam 7-step scale External exam 7.5 7.5
Governance, Control and Contracts in BioBusiness Oral exam 7-step scale Internal exam 7.5 7.5
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Strategy in BioBusiness Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers 7-step scale Internal exam 7.5 7.5
Master's Thesis Oral exam based on written product 7-step scale External exam 30 30

Prerequisites for registering for the exam – compulsory activities

5A. There are no compulsory activities in the mandatory courses.

Body of external examiners


6. This degree programme is covered by the body of external examiners for the business administration programmes, except for the first year for which the examinations are covered by the partner university’s regulations, including rules about external examiners.

Pass requirements

7. The general pass requirements are stipulated in section 26.

Special provisions for cand.merc.(bio.) as part-time

8. For students enrolled in the part-time programme the provisions in parts 2 and 3 apply, except for section 14 on registration for or withdrawal from courses and exams, section 15 on re-exams and section 16 on the study activity requirement. Instead, the provisions in sections 9A-9C apply.

Changing from the full-time programme to the part-time programme

9. Full-time students enrolled in the first year of the programme can change to the part-time programme on the second year of the programme.

(2) Students enrolled in the part-time programme on the second year of the programme cannot change back to the full-time programme.

Registration for and withdrawal from exams

9A. Students who are enrolled on a course with one or more examinations are automatically registered for this/these examinations as regards the regular examination. The deadline for withdrawal of registration is 1 month before the start of the examination in question.

(2) If the deadline for withdrawal from an examination is not met, the examination will be considered started, and it will therefore count as one attempt, see section 27(1).

(3) The deadline for registering for an examination in a course which the student is not registered for is stated on my.cbs.dk.

(4) The Study Board may grant dispensations from the rules in subsections (1) and (2), including the specified deadline, if warranted by illness, maternity/paternity leave or extraordinary circumstances, including impairment.

(5) When selecting students for elective courses, a draw is made among the students who fulfil the conditions for taking the elective course in question if there are more applicants for the course than there are available places. For certain electives the selection is not made by lot, but on the basis of a motivational essay; this will be stated on the list with the offered electives on cbs.dk.

Make-up examinations and re-take examinations

9B. A student who has been prevented from completing an exam due to documented illness or due to other documented reasons can participate in a make-up examination. Accidents involving the examinee and serious illness or accidents in the immediate family are treated as personal illness.

(2) A make-up examination will not be held for students who have been prevented from sitting a re-examination due to illness.

(3) The make-up examination is held as soon as possible after the regular exam, i.e. in the same exam term or immediately hereafter.

(4) The requirements regarding documentation etc. concerning illness during an examination are laid down in CBS’ rules regarding illness in connection with an examination. Attention must be paid to the documentation deadline stated in those rules.

9C. Students who have not participated in or who have not passed the regular examination can register for the re-take examination.

(2) The re-take examination is held as soon as possible after the regular exam, i.e. in the same exam term or immediately hereafter.

(3) Participation in a re-take examination counts as one attempt at the examination in question.

9D. In order to participate in a make-up or re-take examination, cf. ss. 9B-9C, the student must have registered for the make-up or re-take examination in question. The registration deadline is 2 weeks before the start of the examination. After the termination of the deadline, it is not possible to withdraw registration from an exam when the student has actively registered for the exam in question.

Part 2: General regulations for master's (candidatus) programmes

11. The teaching is organised in a collaboration between the Programme Director, the course coordinators and the teachers. The Study Board approves the organisation of the teaching.

Examination language

12. Examinations are conducted in English; see however subsection (2).

(2) If a course has been taught in a language other than English, the examination is conducted in that language.

(3) The Study Board may decide to deviate from the rules stipulated in subsections (1)-(2), except when documenting the student’s skills in a specific other language is part of the objective of the examination.

(4) The provisions in subsections (1)-(2) apply to oral and written sit-in examinations and to all types of written take-home assignments (seminar papers, projects etc.) subject to assessment.

Prerequisites for participating in the exam: compulsory assignments and requirements about active class participation

13. Besides the examinations listed in section 5, which are included in the final grade point average, on some courses it is a requirement that one or more assignments are submitted, as part of the teaching (so-called compulsory assignments). In order for students to participate in the final examination of the course in question, it is a condition that, within a set deadline, the required number of compulsory assignments have been submitted and that the assessment  ‘Approved’ has been achieved. Further specifications regarding the number of compulsory assignments, format etc. are stipulated in the examination regulations of the individual courses.

(2) If a student does not, within the set deadline, fulfil the requirement of achieving the result ‘Approved’ for the required number of compulsory assignments for a specific course, the student has the right to submit extra assignments. However, it is a condition that the student has submitted all set assignments, unless failure to submit was caused by illness or a condition equalled with illness.

(3) Besides the examinations listed in section 5, which are included in the final grade point average, on some courses there is a requirement of class participation in order to participate in the exam in the course; it must be a well-defined part of the teaching (e.g. presentation seminars, case projects etc.). Further specifications are stipulated in the examination regulations of the individual courses, see also section 27(3).

Registration for and withdrawal from courses and exams

14. The student is obliged to make the annual registration for the coming year of study, see section 7(1) in the University Programme Order. For students enrolled in September, this must be done during the registration period which is placed in April; and for students enrolled in February, this must be done during the registration period which is placed in November.On the basis of this registration, CBS will register the student for the 60 ECTS comprising this year of study, and in addition to this CBS will make a semestrial registration for the student to any not completed courses from previous years of study.

(2) The students register for electives via the Self Service. Students not registered for mandatory courses and electives for a total of minimum 60 ECTS in a year of study, must register for electives, including summer school courses, corresponding to the lacking ECTS in the coming year of study, resulting in the student being registered for a minimum of 60 ECTS in the coming year of study.

(3) In a withdrawal period, the students can withdraw from courses they are registered for if the registration made under subsection (1) is more than 60 ECTS for a year of study/ 30 ECTS for a semester, so that the individual student is registered for a total of 60 ECTS for a year of study/30 ECTS for a semester. There is a withdrawal period before both the spring semester and the autumn semester.

(4) Failure to make the annual registration, see subsection (1), will result in the student being deregistered from the programme, under section 18(5) of Ministerial Order no. 111 of 30 January 2017 on Admission and Enrolment on Master’s (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities (Kandidatadgangsbekendtgørelsen).

(5) The student can be deregistered from one or more courses or course elements where 1) the students is an elite athlete, or where 2) there are extraordinary circumstances, including impairment, and where the student will be unable to fulfil the registration requirement, or where 3) the student is an entrepreneur, see section 18, or where 4) the student is the chairperson of a voluntary organisation under Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd (DUF) and where the student will be unable to fulfil the registration requirement. Deadlines for submitting dispensation applications are determined on the student intranet.

(6) When selecting students for elective courses, a draw is made among the students who fulfil the conditions for taking the elective course in question if there are more applicants for the course than there are available places. For certain electives the selection is not made by lot, but on the basis of a motivational essay; this will be stated on the list with the offered electives on cbs.dk.

(7) Students are automatically registered for an examination or examinations when they are registered for a course or course element with which one or more examinations are associated. Withdrawal from the ordinary exam (1st examination attempt) is not possible, and students have used an examination attempt, see section 27(1), unless an exemption has been granted pursuant to subsection (8).  Students who do not fulfil the requirements for participating in the examination as laid down by the university, see section 13(1) and (3) have used an examination attempt, see section 27(1), unless an exemption has been granted pursuant to subsection (8).

(8) The university may grant exemptions from the rules set out in subsection (7) where 1) the students is an elite athlete, or where 2) there are extraordinary circumstances, including impairment, or where 3) the student is an entrepreneur, see section 18, or where 4) the student is the chairperson of a voluntary organisation under Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd (DUF), see the University Programme Order. Deadlines for submitting dispensation applications are determined on the student intranet.

Re-exams

15. Students are automatically registered for the re-exam (2nd and 3rd examination attempt) when the student has not passed the exam in question. Within a deadline, the student can withdraw from a re-exam (2nd and 3rd examination attempt), see subsection (5). However, it is not possible to withdraw from the 2nd and 3rd examination attempt as regards the master’s thesis. If the student has not withdrawn within the deadline, the student has used and examination attempt, see section 27(1).

(2) On programmes with two annual examination periods (semester examinations), students who have not passed an ordinary examination are automatically registered for the re-exam (2nd examination attempt) in the same examination period or immediately thereafter.

(3) On programmes with more examination periods than in subsection (2), students who have not passed an ordinary examination are automatically registered for the re-exam (2nd examination attempt), which will be held as soon as possible; however, no later than six months after the ordinary examination.

(4) The rules on automatic registration for a re-exam (2nd examination attempt) are dispensed with if the student is not offered the opportunity to fulfil the requirements laid down pursuant to section 13(1) and (3) before the second examination attempt is held. The student is registered for the next examination attempt as soon as possible.

(5) The deadline for withdrawal from an examination is 1 month before the start of the examination in question. However, a student who awaits an assessment is exempt from this deadline as regards the re-exam of the course in question.

(6) For the requirements regarding documentation etc. concerning illness during an examination are laid down reference is made to CBS’ rules regarding illness in connection with an examination. Attention must be paid to the documentation deadline stated in those rules.

(7) Re-exams are subject to the learning objectives of the ordinary examination of the examination in question.

(8) Re-exams are conducted according to the examination regulations of the ordinary examination of the examination in question, except when:

  1. the examination regulations for the examination in question explicitly contain differing provisions for the re-exam, or
  2. it is a written examination and the number of registered candidates for the re-exam warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination.

(9) It is not possible to determine another examination form for the re-exam of the master’s thesis.

Study activity requirement

16. The student must pass minimum 30 ECTS each year of study in order to be able to continue the programme (study activity requirement). The student must have three examination attempts, see section 27(1), in the courses or course elements that are included in the study activity requirement.

(2) The university may grant an exemption from the study activity requirement, see subsection (1), if the student is an elite athlete or if there are extraordinary circumstances, including impairment.

Extraordinary re-exams and offers of re-assessment/re-exam

17. If an extraordinary re-examination is arranged or offered in accordance with section 21 of the Examination Order (regarding examination irregularities) or the offer of a re-evaluation/re-examination is given in accordance with section 36 or 41 of the Examination Order (regarding complaints about the exam), the re-examination is subject to the learning objectives of the ordinary examination of the examination in question.

(2) Examinations under subsection 1 can be conducted in accordance with the regulations of the re-exam if the examination is an offer of an extraordinary re-exam.

Entrepreneurs

18. Students who are entrepreneurs in parallel with their studies must document that they are either self-employed with a turnover and productive assets or are part of an entrepreneurial environment, e.g. university incubators and regional growth environments, cf. section 8 (2) of the University Programme Order.

(2) Students who have a registered CVR number or are able to document that they have been enrolled in one of the programmes who are offered by Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship (CSE) or the like are considered entrepreneurs in pursuance of subsection (1). The student must follow the registered entrepreneurship programme in accordance with the continuous requirements of the programme.

Examination forms

19. Examinations are organised as individual examinations or as group examinations. The specific examination form of a given examination, including whether it is an individual or a group examination, or a mixture of the two, is stated in the relevant course description, see links in section 5.

(2) At both individual and group examinations the student’s individual performance must be assessed, and grading must be individual, see subsections (3)-(4).

(3) At oral group examinations the individual student must be examined in such a way that it is ensured that the student’s individual performance is assessed.

(4) If a written product is produced by more than one student, and if there is no oral defence of the product, the students must show what their individual contributions are, and in such a way that it is ensured that individual assessment is possible. See ‘Individualisation of group papers etc.’ in the study administrative rules (SAR).

(5) For group examinations, see subsection (1), rules about those of the following factors that are relevant for the examination form in question must be stated in the regulations of the individual examination:

  1. maximum group size
  2. the allotted time at the oral examination – see subsection (3)
  3. requirements regarding individual contributions – see subsection (4).

(6) Where it is stipulated in the regulations of a given examination that it is a group examination, it is stated in the course description if the students can choose to take the examination as an individual examination instead. When the examination in question contains both a written and an oral part, both parts must then be taken as an individual examination.

(7) When it is an oral exam based on a written product, the following applies to all variations:

  1. Submission of the written product is a requirement to be able to attend the oral examination.
  2. Both the written product and the oral presentation count in the assessment.
  3. The assessment is an overall evaluation of the written product and the oral presentation.

Examination rules

20. All students have an obligation to familiarise themselves with and to observe the examination rules of the examinations which they participate in, including the general rules that apply to the individual examination. Those rules are in particular:

  • The examination rules, as stipulated in the relevant course description, see links in section 5.
  • Rules about written sit-in examinations at CBS, including rules about electronic aids, see section 21(3).
  • Rules on good academic conduct, see section 4 of Copenhagen Business School’s rules and regulations on academic conduct, including penalties.

(2) Students are not permitted to make audio and/or picture recordings during an examination or the examiners’ discussion of a student’s performance.

(3) It is stipulated in the examination regulations of the individual examination what the maximum number of pages is for a given written product. In addition, the following applies:

  1. In the page count the front page, the bibliography and any appendices are not included. Appendices are not part of the assessment.
  2. All pages must have a margin of min. 3 cm in top and bottom and min. 2 cm to each of the sides. The font must be minimum 11 points.
  3. Tables, diagrams, illustrations etc. are not included in the number of characters, but will not justify exceeding the maximum number of pages.
  4. On average, one page must not contain more than 2,275 characters (including spaces).

(4) Upon digital submission the student declares that the submitted product complies with the rules for good academic conduct, form requirements and maximum size, via a digital declaration of authorship.

(5) Any violation of rules and regulations under subsections (1)-(2) will be sanctioned in accordance with  Copenhagen Business School’s rules and regulations on academic conduct, including penalties.

(6) Violation of form or layout requirements stipulated in subsection (3)-(4) or form requirements laid down under section 19(4) may result in a rejection of the exam paper, see section 24(3) of the Examination Order. If the exam paper is rejected, it will not be assessed, and the student will have used an exam attempt.

Examination aids

21. The examination aids that students are allowed to bring with them to written sit-in examinations are specified in the examination regulations of the individual examination/course.

(2) Unless otherwise stated in the examination regulations, see subsection (1), no examination aids, whether written or technical, are allowed in the examination room, except simple writing and drawing utensils.

(3) In cases where the examination regulations, see subsection (1), stipulate that electronic aids can be brought to the examination room, the provisions stipulated in Rules about written sit-in examinations at CBS, including rules about electronic aids apply.

Examinations under special circumstances

22. The Study Board may decide to deviate from the examination regulations stipulated for the individual examination with the purpose of allowing students with special needs to sit examinations under special circumstances. Such exemption can be granted to students who are physically or mentally disabled, to students whose mother tongue is not Danish, and to students who have similar difficulties when this is considered necessary in order to place them on even terms with their fellow students in the examination situation. It is a condition that it does not change the academic level of the examination.

(2) When it is stipulated in the objectives of the examination in question that the student’s spelling and writing skills are included in the assessment, the Study Board may grant exemption from this to a student who is able to document a relevant and specific impairment.

(3) Students who wish to apply for permission to sit an exam under special circumstances according to subsection (1) or apply for an exemption according to subsection (2) must submit an application, including the necessary documentation, to the Programme Office no later than 2 months before the exam is to take place.

Sitting examinations abroad

23. The university may conduct examinations at a Danish representation or at other locations abroad, provided the reason for doing so is that the student is unable to participate in the university's examinations in Denmark for practical or financial reasons and if the student and the exam location reach an appropriate agreement. Danish examinations held abroad must comply with all the other rules laid down in the Examination Order.

(2) The Programme Director decides whether the examination can be conducted abroad and appoints or approves invigilators and other persons to organise the practical aspects of conducting the examination abroad.

(3) The university defrays the special costs associated with conducting examinations abroad.

(4) The Ministerial Order on Payment for the Services of Civil Servants Serving Abroad (Bekendtgørelse om betaling for tjenestehandlinger i udenrigstjenesten) applies to conducting examinations at Danish representations abroad.

(5) The university may ask the student to pay part or all of the costs incurred by the university to conduct the examination abroad. However, it is a condition that the student confirms in writing in advance his or her willingness to pay the costs in question, on the basis of an estimate made by the university of the expected costs. The university may make it a condition for conducting the examination that the amount is paid in advance.

(6) When an examination is conducted abroad, the conditions and regulations in CBS’ guidelines for examinations conducted abroad apply.

Assessment

24. Examinations are either internal or external:

  • Internal examinations are assessed by one or more teachers (internal examiners) appointed by CBS from among the teachers at the university or from other universities that offer the same or similar study programmes.
  • External examinations are assessed by one or more internal examiners and one external examiner (in Danish: censor) appointed by the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education.

(2) It is stipulated in the exam regulations of the individual examination whether it is an internal or an external examination, see link in section 5.

(3) Assessment of the examinations is carried out in accordance with the Grading Scale Order.

(4) Compulsory assignments and class participation, see section 13, are assessed by the teacher(s) of the specific course. The assessment type ‘Approved/Not approved’ is used.

Announcement of results

25. In connection with examinations where the result is not announced immediately after the examination, the result must be announced within 4 weeks after the examination has been held, see however subsection (2). The month of July is not included in the calculation of these 4 weeks.

(2) In connection with bachelor projects, master’s (candidatus) theses and master’s projects, the result must be announced no later than 6 weeks after the project/thesis has been submitted.

(3) When special circumstances warrant it, the Programme Director can set aside the deadlines stipulated in subsections (1) and (2). If the assessment cannot be completed by the fixed deadline, the student(s) must be notified as soon as possible and be informed about the reason for the delay and when the result will be announced.

Pass requirements

26. Each examination must be passed separately. An examination shall be passed when the student achieves a grade of at least 02 or the assessment ‘Pass’.

(2) Each examination can be retaken separately. However, passed examinations cannot be retaken.

(3) If a grade consists of several partial grades for various categories of performance (partial examinations), the grade shall be the average of the partial grades, rounded off to the nearest grade on the grading scale, see however subsection (4). The grade shall be rounded up if the average is half-way between two grades.

(4) If the partial grades are given different weights when the combined grade is to be calculated, this is stipulated in the exam overview in section 5. If so, the grade shall be the sum of the individual grades, each multiplied by the weighting of the grade, divided by the sum of the weightings and then rounded off to the nearest grade on the grading scale. The grade shall be rounded up if the average is half-way between two grades.

(5) If an examination consists of partial examinations, each partial examination can be retaken separately. However, passed partial examinations and not-passed partial examinations that are part of a passed examination cannot be retaken.

(6) Any requirements about a certain grade on the grading scale being required as achieved in one or more partial examinations are stipulated in section7.

(7) The calculation of the overall grade point average is based on the weights of the individual grades, which are listed in the table in section 5.

(8) If a student retakes an examination or another type of assessment, the highest grade applies – see however section 37(4) of the Examination Order.

27. Students have a maximum of three attempts in passing each examination, see however subsection (2). The Study Board may grant more attempts, if warranted by extraordinary circumstances. The question of academic aptitude may not be included when assessing whether extraordinary circumstances apply.

(2) No later than 16 months after the end of the teaching of the course, the student must participate in the third examination attempt if the course is no longer offered.

(3) Students who are to have their class participation assessed a second time may require an examination instead. However, where class participation includes practical exercises, it cannot be replaced by an examination.

Diploma

28. CBS issues a diploma to students who have completed their study programme, in accordance with the requirements stipulated in section 31 of the Examination Order. The diploma is issued to the graduate no later than 2 months after the announcement of the result of the final examination. July is not included in the calculation of these 2 months.

(2) Students who leave the programme without having completed it are entitled to receive a transcript documenting the completed parts of the programme, with the relevant number of ECTS credits stated.

Leave

29. A student may be granted leave from the programme on personal grounds. The specific rules for obtaining leave and the provisions that apply to students while on leave are stipulated in CBS’ Rules regarding leave on bachelor and master programmes at CBS.

Programme regulations

30.The programme regulations and various regulations etc. referred to in this document are publicly available on CBS’ website, more specifically onstudieordninger.cbs.dk and in the study administrative rules (SAR).


Exemption from the programme regulations

31. The university may, when warranted by extraordinary circumstances, grant exemptions from those rules in the programme regulations which are solely laid down by the university.

(2) An exemption from the programme regulations that requires an exemption from a ministerial order may be brought before the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education.

Credit transfer

32.Programme elements passed at another university are regarded as equivalent to corresponding programme elements covered by these study regulations.

(2) The Study Board may grant approval for students to substitute passed programme elements from another Danish or foreign programme of the same level, for programme elements covered by these regulations.

(3) Decisions under subsections (1) and (2) are made on the basis of a professional assessment.

33. Students who, as part of their studies, wish to complete programme elements at another university or another institution of higher education in Denmark or abroad may apply to their home university for pre-approved credit transfer for planned programme elements.

(2) Approval of pre-approved credit transfer pursuant to subsection (1) may only be granted if, in connection with the application for preapproved credit transfer, the student undertakes to submit to the home university the necessary documentation to show whether the programme elements have been passed or failed upon completion of the programme elements for which pre-approved credit transfer has been granted. Students must also consent to the home university requesting the necessary information from the host institution if students are unable to procure the documentation themselves.

(3) Once documentation is available that the student has passed the programme elements for which pre-approved credit transfer has been granted, the home university administratively approves the transfer of the credit to the relevant programme at the university.

(4) In cases where the programme elements for which pre-approved credit transfer has been granted are, for example, not offered by the host institution, the university may, upon the student's request, change the approval of pre-approved credit transfer pursuant to subsection (1). The student is responsible for and is obliged to take the initiative to compose a proposal for a study plan. The university offers academic support if requested by the student. In special cases, the chair of the study board may approve changes to the study board’s decisions about pre-approved credit transfer.

(5) Decisions under subsections (1) and (4) are made on the basis of a professional assessment.

(6) Credit transfer of Master theses is not possible when the thesis is the basis of the awarding of a different title in another Master programme.

34.Programme elements which students wish to have transferred from other programmes will be transferred on the basis of the normalised workload specified in ECTS points and stipulated in the relevant degree regulations. Due to the structure of the programme, discrepancies may occur between the equivalent number of ECTS credits and the actual amount of ECTS transferred, as the number of ECTS credits for the programme must total the number of ECTS credits stated in section 1(1).

(2) If the programme element in question is assessed according to the 7-point grading scale or the 13-point grading scale at the academic institution at which the examination was taken, and if this programme element equates or replaces a programme element which according to the exam regulations of these study regulations is assessed according to the 7-point scale or the 13-point scale, the grade will be transferable, but converted into the 7-point scale if assessed according to the 13-point scale. In all other cases, the assessment will be transferred as ‘Pass’. Examinations transferred as ‘Pass’ are not included in the calculation of the final grade point average.

35.Applications for pre-approval or credit transfer must be sent to the Programme Office, addressed to the Study Board, on a special form and with the necessary documentation enclosed. See guidance on credit transfer applications on the student intranet.

(2) Concerning complaints about credit transfer decisions, see part 3.

Part 3: Complaints

Complaints about examinations etc.

36. A student is entitled to file a complaint about an examination or other assessment. Concerning the specific rules and procedures, including deadlines, for filing written and reasoned complaints reference is made to the rules in part 7 of the Examination Order and to CBS’ guidelines on CBS' student intranet.

Complaints about decisions concerning credit transfer

37. Complaints about decisions made by the Study Board on whether education qualifications acquired at another Danish University may replace parts of the programme (credit transfer) as well as complaints about the decisions made by the Study Board on whether Danish or foreign education qualifications, not yet passed, may replace parts of the programme (pre-approval of credit transfer), may be brought before the Appeals Board for decisions on credit transfer, see Ministerial Order no. 1517 of 16 December 2013 on the Appeals Board for decisions on credit transfer in university study programmes.

(2) The deadline for filing a complaint is 2 weeks from the date when the complainant was informed of the decision. The complaint must be addressed to the Appeals Board for decisions on credit transfer but sent to the President of CBS; the reasoned complaint should be sent to CBS Legal, Solbjerg Plads 3, 2000 Frederiksberg. It is also possible to send the complaint to: legal@cbs.dk. CBS has the option to process the application again. If the decision is upheld, CBS will forward the complaint to the Appeals Board, accompanied by a statement. CBS will give the complainant the opportunity to comment on the statement within a time limit of 1 week. The complainant’s comments, if any, will be enclosed when the complaint is forwarded to the Appeals Board. The Appeals Board will make the final administrative decision.

38. Complaints about decisions made by the Study Board on whether education qualifications acquired abroad may replace parts of the programme (credit transfer) may be brought before the Qualifications Board, see Assessment of Foreign Qualifications etc. Act.

(2) The deadline for filing a complaint is 4 weeks from the date when the complainant was informed of the decision. The complaint must be addressed to the Appeals Board for decisions on credit transfer but sent to the President of CBS; the reasoned complaint should be sent to CBS Legal, Solbjerg Plads 3, 2000 Frederiksberg. It is also possible to send the complaint to: legal@cbs.dk.. CBS has the option to process the application again. If the decision is upheld, CBS will forward the complaint to the Qualifications Board, accompanied by a statement. CBS will give the complainant the opportunity to comment on the statement, within a time limit of 1 week. The complainant’s comments, if any, will be enclosed when the complaint is forwarded to the Qualifications Board. The Qualifications Board will make the final administrative decision.

Complaints about other decisions

39. Complaints about decisions made by the Study Board or the Programme Director according to these study regulations have to be filed with the President of CBS. The deadline for filing a complaint is 2 weeks from the date when the complainant was informed of the decision.

(2) A decision made by CBS according to subsection (1) may be appealed by the complainant to the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education when the complaint is concerned with an error of law or procedure. The deadline for lodging an appeal is 2 weeks from the date when the complainant was informed of the decision. The reasoned appeal should be addressed to the agency but sent to CBS Legal, Solbjerg Plads 3, 2000 Frederiksberg. It is also possible to send the complaint to: legal@cbs.dk. CBS will forward the appeal to the agency, accompanied by a statement. CBS will give the complainant the opportunity to comment on the statement, with a time limit of at least 1 week. The complainant’s comments, if any, will be enclosed with the other case files when the appeal is forwarded to the agency. 

(3) Moreover, students are referred to CBS’ Guidelines regarding students' right to file a complaint about decisions made by study boards, programme directors and programme administration.

Complaints about the teaching etc.

40. Complaints about the teaching, academic supervision or other issues concerning the organisation of the degree programme can be brought before the Study Board.

Commencement and transition regulations

41. These Programme Regulations are effective for students enrolled on the programme in September 2017 or later, and for students who are transferred to these Programme Regulations, see section 42.

(2) The 2016 Programme Regulations are repealed as of 1 September 2017.

42. Students who began their studies under the 2016 Programme Regulations or according to the transition regulations in those regulations were transferred to the 2016 regulations are transferred to these 2017 Programme Regulations and shall complete the remainder of their studies under these Programme Regulations, see however subsections (2).

(2) The deadline for completing the programme stated in section 1(3) only extends to students enrolled on 1 September 2014 or later. For students enrolled before 1 September 2014, section 1(3) of the 2013 Programme Regulations applies.