Exemptions

Exemption: what?

If you have already obtained credits in higher education or a higher education diploma, you may be eligible for exemptions for similar courses within LUCA.

An exemption is the lifting of an obligation to take an examination for a course unit or part of it, on the basis of a credit certificate, another study certificate or a certificate of competence. There are two categories of exemptions: exemptions based on previously acquired qualifications (EVK) and exemptions based on previously acquired competences (EVC).

Exemption based on previously acquired qualifications (EVK) is an exemption that you can obtain on the basis of one or more subjects for which you have passed in another higher education program.

The final competences (knowledge, skills and attitudes) for this must correspond to a course unit in the program for which you want to register. Any formally recognised certificate of qualifications is valid as proof here.

The recognition of EVK is free of charge. The procedure is based on 'supporting documents' (= certificates of previous successful training or acquired credits for subjects) and a comparative analysis of the ECTS fact sheets.

An exemption based on previously acquired competences is an exemption based on competence. You can obtain this type of exemption through an EVC procedure. On the basis of an EVC file and practical work, you have to convince the assessment jury that you already possess certain competences. Most of the time, the EVC candidates have acquired certain competences thanks to their work experience.

The EVC procedure is not free of charge, takes several months and requires a greater commitment, not only from the student, but also from the university college that provides guidance throughout the procedure.

In the case of a partial EVK exemption, part of the course is exempted. This course must be divided into teaching-learning activities (OLA) to make partial exemptions possible. You remain registered for the entire course and you have to take an (adapted) exam for it. In the case of a partial exemption, the full number of credits of the course is taken into account for all applications (this also means for tuition fees, learning account, tolerance credit,...).

What are the consequences of (partial) exemptions?
If you receive an exemption, you no longer have to take an exam for (part of) that course.

Exemptions also affect your tolerance credits (in bachelor's program and bridging and preparatory programs): the number of tolerance credits you receive is determined on the basis of the courses still to be taken. Exemptions do not count for this. For example, if you have 20 credits exemption in a bachelor's program of 180 credits, you will receive 16 credits tolerance credits instead of the normal 18 tolerance credits (= 10% of 180). After all, you only actually take 160 credits.

Exemptions do not count in the calculation of the final percentage and the degree of merit, except in the case of exemptions with maintenance of results. You do not pay tuition fees for exemptions and do not use any learning account for them (unless it concerns partial exemptions).

With questions about EVK exemptions, please contact the learning path counsellor of your study programme.

For more information about the EVC procedure, please contact Christian Vancraenenbroeck

More information about EVC and EVK procedures in this

Practical guide