Dictionary for first semester students
Type of Degree
Bachelor's degree
The Bachelor's degree is the first academic degree with which an academic programme can be completed, usually after six semesters (= 3 years). It is also a first professionally qualifying degree. At the University of Regensburg, most Bachelor's degree programmes lead to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). There are also other Bachelor's degrees.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is often the first academic degree for a humanities degree programme. At the University of Regensburg, most humanities subjects are part of a combinatorial B.A. degree programme. Here, the Bachelor's subject is combined with a second major subject or with two Minor Subjects. There are also some B.A. degree programmes in which only one subject is studied, such as Binational Programs (with an integrated stay abroad and double degree) or other single-subject degree programmes.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
With a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), you usually study a single subject, often in the field of natural sciences or economics.
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
In addition to the existing teacher training programs leading to the first State Examination degree, the University of Regensburg offers a Bachelor of Education degree for science and mathematics subject combinations for the teaching degree at grammar schools.
In this "Science and Mathematics Education" degree programme, students can acquire didactics, subject-specific and education skills that prepare them for future careers in the field of school and extracurricular educational work and educational research.
It is possible to switch between the previous in-depth teacher training programme and the Bachelor's degree programme, as well as double enrolment, which allows students to acquire credit points for both programmes simultaneously.
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
The Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) is the Bachelor's degree of the Faculty of Law. The "LL.B. Digital Law" has an interdisciplinary structure and teaches basic knowledge of law and computer scientists.
Master
The Master's degree programme is an advanced course of study lasting approximately two to four semesters. Requirements for admission to a Master's degree programme are a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent first professionally qualifying degree. The Examination Regulations (externer Link, opens in a new window) (external link, opens in a new window) regulate which degree programmes or Bachelor's degrees are recognised as admission requirements for the respective Master's degree programme. Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes can build on each other in terms of content, in which case a more in-depth academic specialisation within the chosen field of study usually takes place during the Master's degree programme. In the case of interdisciplinary Master's programmes, access may also be possible via different fields of study.
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Master of Science (M.Sc.) programmes are natural sciences or economics-oriented degree programmes. You only study one subject.
Master of Arts (M.A.)
The Master of Arts (M.A.) is an academic degree that is usually awarded after five years of study in the humanities and social sciences.
State Examination (including teaching degree)
Degrees are obtained in the State Examination. This degree is awarded at the end of teacher training programs, medical degree programmes, pharmacy and law. The Standard Period of Study is between seven and twelve semesters, depending on the subject. The courses and examinations are standardised nationwide or state-wide. The law and teaching degree programmes are followed by a traineeship outside the university, which concludes with the second State Examination.
Type of Study Programme - Full-time, Part-time
In most cases, students enrol on a full-time degree programme. The time required for full-time study is 40 hours per week. The 40 working hours per week consist of the time spent in lectures and seminars as well as the necessary preparation and revision time or study time.
Part-time study makes it possible to complete all or part of the degree programme with a reduced workload per semester while extending the Standard Period of Study. Part-time study thus serves the need for individual, flexible study organisation and is therefore aimed in particular at students in special life situations.
Study objectives and programme content, their delivery (course offerings in terms of structure and time) as well as the examination modalities remain unchanged. They are identical for Full-time and part-time study programmes.
Standard Period of Study
The Standard Period of Study is the number of semesters in which a degree can be obtained in a degree programme. The Standard Period of Study not only includes lectures, seminars, etc., but also the time required for internships and examinations. The Standard Period of Study is regulated individually for each degree programme and can be found in the Examination Regulations.
ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)
The ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is a credit point system in which one credit point (CP) is the unit of measurement for the student workload. One academic year of full-time study with an average workload corresponds to 60 CP. One credit point therefore corresponds to a workload of 25-30 hours (seminars, exam preparation, internships, assignments, preparation and follow-up work...).
Admission
Admission restriction
Only a limited number of study places are available for degree programmes with restricted admission. This number is subject to certain capacity calculations. The requirements therefore vary from university to university and can also change at the individual universities. An application is required for these degree programmes.
As a rule, selection is based primarily on A-level grades and possibly other criteria (tests, interviews, weighted individual grades, etc.). In the case of centralised procedures, applications are made directly via the "hochschulstart.de" foundation for university admissions. In addition, the university can participate in the dialogue-oriented service procedure (DoSV) throughout Germany. Applications can also be submitted directly to the university.
Apart from these application procedures, there may also be Eligibility Tests for Open Admission degree programmes that set individual deadlines.
You can find an overview of the admission restrictions or Eligibility Tests at the UR here XXX
Numerus clausus - NC
Some degree programmes are subject to admission restrictions with a predetermined number of study places. All applicants are then ranked according to the admission criteria. The value of the last person to be allocated a place after working through the list is the grade value (NC) or, if applicable, a calculated points value. No Admission Restrictions are therefore not predetermined known values, but are always the result of a completed application procedure. Old NCs can therefore sometimes be used as a guide.
You can find an overview of the admission restrictions or NCs at the UR here XXX
Selection according to suitability criteria
In some degree programmes, places are allocated according to aptitude criteria. The procedures are often named differently.
Aptitude Tests check that prospective students fulfil the artistic or physical requirements for admission to a degree programme (e.g. for art, music, sport).
In aptitude assessment procedures/aptitude tests, the requirements specified by the subject for this specific degree programme are tested, e.g. for language degree programmes.
In the case of Master's degree programmes, the desired prerequisites and knowledge are usually defined via Eligibility Tests or specific grades from the previous Bachelor's degree programme are often required in addition to content-related criteria.
Eligibility Tests should not be confused with Placement Tests. This is not a Selection Procedure, but only the categorisation into certain language levels. This categorisation is then used to allocate the appropriate courses when entering the degree programme. These tests usually have no influence on enrolment in the degree programme.
You can find an overview of the admission restrictions and Eligibility Tests at the UR here XXX
Start of studies
The academic year at the University of Regensburg is divided into two semesters: the winter semester and the summer semester.
- The winter semester begins on 1 October and ends on 31 March.
- The summer semester lasts from 1 April to 30 September.
Each semester is divided into the lecture-free period and the lecture period. Courses take place during the lecture period. The beginning and end of this period vary slightly from year to year. The lecture-free period is usually used for internships, self-study, writing seminar papers, exam preparation and, in some cases, exams. Block seminars are also often offered during the lecture-free period.
All information is based on the lecture times announced by the Bavarian University Conference (external link, opens in a new window).
Language of Instruction
German
Most degree programmes at the University of Regensburg are taught in German. This includes lectures, seminars and examinations. Most of the teaching materials and literature are also written in German. A solid understanding of German is therefore essential for a successful degree programme.
English
Some degree programmes are offered in English. Lectures, seminars and examinations are held in English and the teaching materials are also in English.
German/English
Some degree programmes at the University of Regensburg use a combination of German and English. This means that certain modules or lectures are offered in German and others in English. These degree programmes are particularly suitable for students who wish to improve their language skills in both languages.
Other languages
There are also degree programmes that are taught in other languages, such as French, Spanish or Italian. These programmes usually specialise in specific linguistic or cultural studies and offer in-depth training in the respective language and culture. Lectures, seminars and teaching materials are accordingly in the respective language.
If you have any further questions or require more detailed information on the individual degree programmes, please contact the course-related information and advice service for the relevant subject.
Language requirements for international applicants
Applicants who have not obtained their degree qualification at a German-speaking institution (international applicants) must provide proof of sufficient German language skills (external link, opens in a new window) (german version only) before commencing their studies at the UR .
This requirement applies to all Bachelor's and State Examination degree programmes and many of the Master's programmes offered, even if they are only taught in English.