How to appael particular decisions
The Higher Education Appeals Board (ÖNH) is a government authority whose task is to hear appeals against certain decisions made by higher education institutions and in the sector for post-secondary higher vocational education. Decisions that may be appealed to ÖNH include employment at a higher education institution, decisions on credit transfer for education or professional activity, and decisions on entry requirements for education. ÖNH is the final appeal body in these cases which means that it is not possible to challenge ÖNH’s decisions.
The Swedish Higher Education Authority cannot try appeals, but you can file a complaint with the Swedish Higher Education Authority if you believe that a higher education institution has contravened any laws or regulations applicable to the higher education sector. The Swedish Higher Education Authority can criticise a higher education institution if we judge that it does not comply with laws or regulations. UKÄ cannot, however, change a higher education institution’s decision.
Certain decisions can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board, ÖNH. ÖNH is a government authority whose task is to hear appeals against certain decisions made by higher education institutions and in the sector for post-secondary higher vocational education. Decisions that may be appealed to ÖNH include employment at a higher education institution, decisions on credit transfer for education or professional activity, and decisions on entry requirements for education. ÖNH is the final appeal body in these cases which means that it is not possible to challenge ÖNH’s decisions.
Some decisions can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board (ÖNH), including but not limited to:
- a decision that an applicant does not meet the general entry requirements for admission to first or second-cycle level courses and study programmes
- a decision on credit transfer
- a rejection of a student’s request to be issued with a degree or course certificate
- a decision not to allow a person admitted to a first or second-cycle course or study programme to defer the start of their studies or to continue with their studies after an approved period of absence
- a decision to withdraw a doctoral student's right to supervision or other resources
- Employment decisions (with the exception of appointment as a doctoral student)
Get more information about which decisions can be appealed at ÖNH’s website.
Decisions of higher education institutions on disciplinary measures can be appealed to the local Administrative Court.
Learn more about the Administrative Courts on the Swedish Courts website (In swedish)
It is not possible to appeal a decision on a grade, but you can ask the examiner to retry the decision.
Individual education providers may have local rules for the review of their decisions. For more information on this, please contact the relevant institution. Decisions by independent higher education providers cannot be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.