Force majeure and consequences
What counts as force majeure?
Are you unable to be present at an exam or mandatory class due to force majeure? Make sure to notify the right people or department as soon as possible.
Illness
You are feeling sick on the day of an exam or mandatory class or you have to isolate for medical reasons.
Work
As a working student, you are unable to attend an exam or mandatory class due to a professional obligation.
Death
You cannot attend an exam or mandatory class due to the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree.
Which classes are mandatory?
You can check which classes require your presence and what the consequences are if you miss too many classes (without validation) in the course outline of each course. Make sure to check these before the start of the academic year.
Force majeure procedure
Your faculty's force majeure procedure
Are you unable to attend an exam or mandatory class due to force majeure? Notify the correct people or department as soon as possible and follow your faculty's instructions.
Always follow the force majeure procedure of your own faculty, even if the concerned course belongs to another faculty. Please don't contact the teacher of the course directly, unless you're missing an oral exam. In that case, you notify your teacher via e-mail before the scheduled exam time.
Reschedule your exam
In case of force majeure, you can request to move your exam to another day within the same exam period. Check out how to request this following the specific instructions from your faculty in the side-menu.
Be aware: it's not always possible to reschedule your exam at an alternative time. In that case you would still have to take it during the next exam period (if you have sufficient exam opportunities left).
If you wish to move an exam due to an overlap in your exam schedule, this is not force majeure.
Move an exam due to overlap
Are you dealing with a technical problem during online exams, please contact the teacher of your course immediately. If that doesn't work or you are unable to continue with the exam, please fill out the force majeure form.
Help with online exams
Social Sciences and Solvay Business School
You miss a mandatory class
Notify the teacher (or assistant) of the class as soon as possible. In case of long term absence, it's best to also contact your study path counselor.
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to reschedule a missed exam due to force majeure
- Fill out the online form at the latest on the day of the missed exam.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to your faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 calendar days after the missed exam date, if you haven't included this yet with the online form you sent in earlier.
- The faculty secretariat will notify you via e-mail (on your VUB account) whether you get permission to participate in the catch-up exam. Make sure to confirm your participation before the deadline mentioned in this e-mail, or you won't be allowed to to participate in the catch-up exam.
- All communication regarding force majeure and the rescheduling of exams goes via the faculty secretariat. We ask you not to contact your teacher (or assistant) unless our faculty staff explicitly asks you to.
No catch-up exam possible
There is no catch-up exam for the following courses. If you provide valid proof of absence, you will get 'Legitimately absent’ as your exam result.
No catch-up exam possible - 1st exam session 2023-2024
- History of International Relations of Professor J.Holslag
- Sustainability Reporting and Assurance of Professor A.Lambert
- Critical Thinking in Communication Studies of Professor P.Verhoest
- Business and Corporate Strategy van Professor M.Langenus
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend an exam as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, fill out the force majeure form (above) before the start of the exam period (at the latest) and add this document filled out by your employer.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please fill out the force majeure form (above) at the latest on the day of the missed exam and include a valid attestation:
- death notice or death letter proving the relationship with the deceased up to the second degree
- or an official death certificate (via the municipality or medical authority) and proof showing the relationship with the deceased up to the second degree
Inform your study path counselor as well so that they can work with you to see what the options are and what actions can be taken.
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Contact the faculty secretariat
Questions about the impact on your study path and/or study progress?
Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
You miss a mandatory class
Fill out this force majeure form
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to reschedule a missed exam due to force majeure
Fill out the online force majeure form
- Fill out the force majeure form at the latest on the day of the missed exam.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to your faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 calendar days after the missed exam date, if you haven't included this yet with the online form you sent in earlier.
- The examiner or the faculty will notify you of the options to reschedule the exam.
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend a mandatory class as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, provide a valid attestation to your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class. If you cannot attend an exam for the same reasons, make sure to notify your faculty secretariat at the latest 3 weeks before the start of the exam period.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please notify your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class or missed exam and include a valid attestation.
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Law and Criminology
You miss a mandatory class
Notify the teacher and assistant of the class as soon as possible. In case of long term absence, it's best to also contact your study path counselor.
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to move an exam due to force majeure
Fill out the online force majeure form
- Fill out the online form at the latest on the day of the missed exam.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to the faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 calendar days after the missed exam date, if you haven't included this yet with the online form you sent in earlier.
- The faculty will notify you of the options to reschedule the exam.
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend a mandatory class as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, provide a valid attestation to your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class. If you cannot attend an exam for the same reasons, make sure to fill out the online force majeure form (above) utterly before the start of the exam period, including this filled out form and the necessary proof.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please notify your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class or missed exam and include a valid attestation.
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Psychology and Educational Sciences
You miss a mandatory class
Notify the teacher (or assistant) of the class as soon as possible, with the faculty secretariat in cc. In case of long term absence, it's best to also contact your study path counselor.
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to move an exam due to force majeure
Fill out the online force majeure form
- Fill our the online force majeure form at the latest on the day of the missed exam.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to your faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 days after the exam, if you haven't included this yet with the online form you sent in earlier.
- The faculty will notify you of the options to reschedule the exam.
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend a mandatory class as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, provide a valid attestation to your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class. If you cannot attend an exam, a professional obligation isn't considered force majeure (unless in exceptional or urgent circumstances), since the exam period is already announced at the start of each academic year.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please notify your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class or missed exam and include a valid attestation (proving your relation do the deceased person).
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Languages and Humanities
You miss a mandatory class
Notify the teacher (or assistant) of the class as soon as possible, with the faculty secretariat in cc. In case of long term absence, it's best to also contact your study path counselor.
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to move an exam due to force majeure
Fill out the force majeure form
- Send the filled out form to your faculty secretariat and the teacher of the course in cc at the latest on the day of the exam. This only applies for courses of the faculty Languages and Humanities.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to your faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 days after the exam.
- The faculty will notify you of the options to reschedule the exam.
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend a mandatory class as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, provide a valid attestation to your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class. If you cannot attend an exam for the same reasons, make sure to notify your faculty secretariat at the latest 3 weeks before the start of the exam period.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please notify your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class or missed exam and include a valid attestation.
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Engineering
You miss a mandatory class
Notify the teacher (or assistant) of the class as soon as possible, with the faculty secretariat in cc. In case of long term absence, it's best to also contact your study path counselor.
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to move an exam due to force majeure
Fill out the force majeure form
- Send the filled out form to your faculty secretariat and the teacher of the course at the latest on the day of the (missed) exam.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to your faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 days after the exam.
- The faculty will notify you of the options to reschedule the exam.
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend a mandatory class as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, provide a valid attestation to your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class. If you cannot attend an exam for the same reasons, make sure to notify your faculty secretariat at the latest 3 weeks before the start of the exam period.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please notify your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class or missed exam and include a valid attestation.
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Physical Education and Physiotherapy
You miss a mandatory class
Notify the teacher (or assistant) of the class as soon as possible, with the faculty secretariat in cc. In case of long term absence, it's best to also contact your study path counselor.
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to move an exam due to force majeure
Fill out the online force majeure form
- Fill out the online force majeure form at the latest on the day of the missed exam.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to your faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 calendar days after the missed exam date, if you haven't included this yet with the online form you sent in earlier.
- If you are asking to move an exam because you are abroad for an internship or study-exchange on the day of the exam, please fill out this online form.
- The faculty will notify you of the options to reschedule the exam.
You are not allowed to play sports (on medical prescription)
You are only exempted from sports activities during sports lessons, but you follow the lessons themselves, as theory can still be taught. You can contact the teacher and ask if it is useful to attend the lesson if you cannot play sports. Always ask your doctor to write down as specifically as possible what you can or cannot do. For example, if you are not allowed to swim, ask if you can go into the water.
You have an important sporting competition during a compulsory lesson
You can only be exempted from compulsory classes because of sporting activities if you have a top-sports status. In any other case, you are not legitimately absent.
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend a mandatory class as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, provide a valid attestation to your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class. If you cannot attend an exam for the same reasons, make sure to notify your faculty secretariat at the latest 3 weeks before the start of the exam period.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please notify your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class or missed exam and include a valid attestation.
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Educational Master
You miss a mandatory class
Notify the teacher (or assistant) of the class as soon as possible, with the faculty secretariat in cc. In case of long term absence, it's best to also contact your study path counselor.
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to move an exam due to force majeure
Fill out the force majeure form
- Send the filled out form to your faculty secretariat and the teacher of the course at the latest on the day of the exam.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to your faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 days after the exam.
- The faculty will notify you of the options to reschedule the exam.
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend a mandatory class as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, provide a valid attestation to your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class. If you cannot attend an exam for the same reasons, make sure to notify your faculty secretariat at the latest 3 weeks before the start of the exam period.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please notify your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class or missed exam and include a valid attestation.
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Medicine and Pharmacy
You miss a mandatory class
Notify the teacher (or assistant) of the class as soon as possible, with the faculty secretariat in cc. In case of long term absence, it's best to also contact your study path counselor.
You don't attend an exam (no force majeure)
You don't have to notify anyone and don't get to request to reschedule the exam. You are automatically referred to the next exam period (or you can take the course again during the next academic year), if you have sufficient exam opportunities left. If you're not going to attend an oral exam, we ask you to inform your teacher yourself via e-mail at least 1 hour before the start of your exam, to be polite and for practical reasons.
Request to move an exam due to force majeure
Fill out the force majeure form
- Send it to your faculty secretariat and the teacher of the course at the latest on the day of the exam.
- Provide valid proof of force majeure (sick note, death certificate,...) to your faculty secretariat via e-mail within 3 days after the exam.
- The faculty will notify you of the options to reschedule the exam.
Force majeure due to professional obligations
If you can't attend a mandatory class as a working student (official statute) because of a professional obligation, provide a valid attestation to your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class. If you cannot attend an exam for the same reasons, make sure to notify your faculty secretariat at the latest 3 weeks before the start of the exam period.
Force majeure due to a death
In the event of the death of a relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, please notify your faculty secretariat at the latest on the day of the mandatory class or missed exam and include a valid attestation.
Questions about absences or the force majeure procedure?
Consequences of absence
If you're absent during a mandatory class
You can check which classes require your presence and what the consequences are if you miss too many classes (without validation) in the course outline of each course.
If you don't attend an exam
You will be marked as 'absent'. If your absence is validated (with valid proof) and you can't make up your exam during the same exam period, you will be marked as 'valid absent'.
Either way (valid absence or not), you will miss an exam opportunity. If you have enough exam opportunities left, you can retake the exam during the next exam period (this means during 2nd exam session in August or by taking the course again during the next academic year). Even if your absence was not validated or you just decided not to take the exam, you will get the chance to retake the exam during the next exam period (if you have enough exam opportunities left).
Check your faculty's additions to the examination regulations
What is a valid sick note?
There are different ways to validate your absence due to medical reasons.
Sick note
- A sick note must be created at the latest on the day of the missed class or exam.
- The note must be filled out completely, without any contradictions and not 'as declared by the patient'.
- The note must be created by your doctor (not an automatically generated note you can create without a doctor). Not sure if your note is valid? Check with your doctor.
- A (clear) scan or photo of your note will be accepted, but always keep the original. This can be requested for verification.
- The missed class or exam must take place within the period marked on the note.
- If you participate in a class or exam before the period marked on your note is up, your note is automatically invalid from that day on and is no longer valid for any exams or classes you might miss after that.
Quarantine note
- A quarantine note can be written after the day of the missed class or exam, but before the end of the quarantine period.
- The note must be filled out completely, without any contradictions and not 'as declared by the patient'.
- The note must be created by your doctor (not an automatically generated note you can create without a doctor). Not sure if your note is valid? Check with your doctor.
- A (clear) scan or photo of your note will be accepted, but always keep the original. This can be requested for verification.
- The missed class or exam must take place within the period marked on the note.
- If your quarantine ends early because you took a negative test, please notify your faculty and professor asap with proof. Your note will become invalid from then on and you continue participating in the classes and exams as usual.
Covid-19
- If you show symptoms of Covid-19 on the day of the mandatory class or exam: proof of reservation of a PCR test (attention: reservation made at the latest on the day of your class or exam). Afterwards you send in the result of this PCR test (negative or positive) to complete your file.
- A certificate of a positive PCR test or rapid antigen test taken by the pharmacy. (No self tests taken at home by yourself.)
- A valid medical certificate (sick note) from your physician.
Covid-19
If you test positive for Covid-19, you don't come to campus or an external exam location during your compulsory isolation period.
Check the government guidelines here
- Online exam: you can take this from home without a problem if you feel up to it. If not, you follow the procedure for force majeure due to illness.
- Exam on campus or external location: You can not come to the exam during your isolation period.
If you only have an automatically generated quarantine certificate, you need to provide a valid medical attestation, PCR-test or rapid antigen test (taken at the pharmacy) results within 3 days after the exam.
With a quarantine note you can request to move your exam to a different day. Keep in mind this is not always feasible.
If you need to quarantine after traveling abroad, that doesn't count as force majeure. You can not request to move an exam in this case.