The use of fraudulent documents is covered by § 361 and § 362 of the Norwegian Penal Code and any attempt to obtain admission or recognition by the use of fraudulent documents will be reported to the police.

What are fraudulent documents?

Fraudulent documents are documents that refer to academic degrees, courses and grades that the holder of the document has not earned. An official copy/"true copy" of a false document is also regarded as a false document. There are several types of fraudulent documents:

1. Altered academic credentials
   Documents that were authentic when issued, but have subsequently been manipulated by their content being altered.
2. Fake documents/documents with incorrect contents
   Such documents can be home-made or created by professional forgers. They include imitations of documents from genuine and established educational institutions, and/or documents that appear to be from an educational institution whose name and logo are similar to an established higher education institution, or are from an institution that only exists on paper.
3. Academic credentials "produced at the higher education institution"
   These credentials are issued using the correct templates, stamps and signatures, but they are issued to persons who did not take the education that the document refers to.
4. Diploma mill/degree mill/fake university
   This is an enterprise that produces diplomas and degrees requiring and providing little or no education. Such diplomas are usually signed by persons without the right to award degrees or titles.
   

Process in cases with suspicion of fraudulent documents

1. Notification of suspicion
   You will be notified if a document you have submitted during an application process is suspected fraudulent. In normal circumstances, you have three weeks to respond.
2. Rejection of application
   If your response does not eliminate the suspicion that fraudulent documents have been submitted, you will receive a rejection to your application. At the same time, you will be informed about your right to appeal this decision. The deadline to appeal is three weeks from the date you received the rejection.
3. Police report and notifying of other educational institutions
   All cases of suspicion of or confirmed fraud will be reported to the police. In addition, NOKUT and all other universities and university colleges in Norway will be notified of the case.

Consequences of submitting fraudulent documents

• You may lose your right to apply for higher studies in Norway for up to one year.
• You may be expelled from NHH for up to one year.
• You may lose your right to take exams at NHH and all other Norwegian universities and university colleges for up to one year.
• You may lose your admission and/or right to study.
• Taken exams and credits may be annulled.