Assessment and Exams

Updated 14 April 2026 15:33

Coursework can be assessed in various ways, including a mix of assignments, group projects, peer assessment, and exams. You can find helpful advice on putting together assessment methods on the Setberg website.

Exams

There are various rules and traditions regarding final exams that you can read about on the UI website. The site also provides practical information on the exam period, distance exams, exam timetables and more. You can also find further useful details about exams on the Setberg website.

Distance exams

Students can apply to take their exams at a location other than the university, for example, if they are staying abroad. See Distance exams. An application for a change of exam location must be submitted. The Centre for Distance Examinations manages all University distance exams.

Makeup exams

Students must notify of illness no later than 3 days after the exam date by sending an email from their University of Iceland email account to nemskra@hi.is. Makeup exams for the autumn semester are held in the final days before Christmas and the first days after New Year, with the exact timing depending on when the original exam took place. Exams for the spring semester are held over a four- to five-day period at the end of May/beginning of June, as decided by the head of examinations. Just so you know, the timing and arrangements for makeup and retake exams may vary between faculties and schools. Students can contact their faculty office for further information. You can see the exact dates in the Academic Calendar. Students pay 6000kr for each resit exam.

Day of the exam

On the day of the exam, teachers are expected to visit their students in the exam hall. Please note that students with special exam arrangements are not located in the same rooms as other students, so teachers need to check this in advance. Exam rooms are published on the University of Iceland website (Exam timetables and locations for schools and faculties).

Grade submission deadlines

Grades must be published no later than two weeks after each exam. The same deadline applies to courses that conclude without a written exam, as well as to exams and assignments submitted outside the regular exam periods.

Teacher's illness affecting final grade submission

It is very important to notify the faculty office of any illness that may affect the release of final grades to students.

Access to past exams

Students have the right to review past exam papers. Teachers are required to provide access, i.e. to show but not hand out copies, if requested.

The student is dissatisfied with the outcome of the assessment

If you believe your rights have been violated in relation to teaching, examinations, assessment, grading, evaluation of academic progress, or other matters related to teaching and exams, you should submit a written request to the Head of Department.

Please take a look at the Course Catalogue for more information on complaint and appeals procedures.

Exam viewing – explanation of grades

A student has the right to receive an explanation from the teacher regarding the evaluation of their written exam, if requested within 15 days of the grade being released. Teachers may also hold an exam review for all students in the course, explaining how written exams are evaluated. Students should contact their faculty for further information about exam reviews.

Grade correction

If a published grade needs to be corrected, you must contact the relevant faculty.

Further information and assistance

The Central Examination Office and the Distance Exams Centre - 3^rd floor in Setberg
Tel: +354 525 5278
General info about exams: profstjori@hi.is
For assistance with Inspera: inspera@hi.is
Inquiries about distance exams: fjarprof@hi.is
A request for assistance with exams: A request for assistance with exams outside of examination periods