Case study
Two students achieved 45 EC in the first year of study. One student (A) does not pass some exams due to personal circumstances. The SLB teacher/learning team supervisor is aware of this and forwards the student to the dean. The dean also discusses the personal circumstances with the student. The other student (B) also does not pass the exams and gives lack of motivation as the reason. Are these students allowed to continue studying at the programme? Or is a negative binding study advice given by the examination committee?
The OER states the following about the Binding Study Advice (BSA) in article 5: In the propaedeutic phase of the bachelor’s programme, and in the first year of the associate degree programme, the student will receive a study advice. This study advice has an urgent or binding character. An urgent study advice embraces a recommendation without consequences. The examination committee bases its study advice on the number of credits in the propaedeutic year. If this is 50 or more, a positive study advice follows. In case of less than 50 credits, the student will receive a negative binding study advice: he/she may not continue the HU study programme.
Personal circumstances
Is the student achieving too few credits? This may be due to personal circumstances that may play a role in an advice:
- Disease
- Physical, sensory or other functional impairment
- Pregnancy
- Special family circumstances
- Membership of college council, institute council and/or programme committee
The dean advises the examination committee whether there are personal circumstances. Consideration is given to article 5.4 and what the relationship is with the study results. The examination committee also seeks advice from the student counsellor. The examination committee may then decide to postpone the study advice for up to one year. We call this a suspended recommendation. In that case, the student may continue his studies in the meantime.
Student A
This student has been referred to the dean by the SLB/learning team supervisor. The examination committee decides (possibly) to postpone study advice. At the end of the second academic year, the student’s suitability for the programme is then reassessed. In this situation, the student must pass the propaedeutic year. The SLB-er/coach can guide the student in this, for instance with study planning.
Student B
With this student, there are no personal circumstances, a binding negative recommendation follows. This student cannot continue the programme. However, another HU programme is possible.
Additional information for teachers
BSA Suspended study advice (hu.nl)
As a programme, do you want to make an adjustment, e.g. from BSA to DSA? If so, you can contact TLN@hu.nl