Each module concludes with an examination.
An examination can take place
- in writing (e.g. written exam, minutes, seminar paper, final thesis),
- orally (e.g. oral examination or presentation) or
- with the aid of a computer.
A module is passed if a score of at least a "pass" (D; 4.0) is achieved.
Passed examinations may not be retaken.
You may retake failed examinations (gold medal in HohCampus) once.
You may repeat a maximum of three modules twice.
You may retake failed coursework (silver medal in HohCampus) an unlimited number of times.
You lose your right of admission to an examination if, for your last retake exam in a module, you
- fail or
- miss it without a valid excuse.
If you have lost your right of admission to an examination, the Registrar's Office must exmatriculate you.
For students who were enrolled in the summer semester 2020, winter semester 2020/2021, summer semester 2021, or winter semester 2021/22, the deadlines in their studies (completion of studies) are extended by one semester each, but by a total of maximum three semesters.
The exams for all modules, including the Master’s thesis, must be passed by the end of the last examination period of the seventh subject-related semester (Fachsemester).
You are responsible for meeting these deadlines.
Extension request
If you cannot meet the deadline for important reasons, you can make a request for an extension of the deadline.
You must immediately submit the application when you know that you will be unable to meet a deadline. A request for an extension should be submitted informally and with the reasons behind it. Any proof of the reasons for the delay should be submitted with the application.
The examination committee decides on the extension requests.
Information on the structure can be found in the curriculum and examination regulations that apply to you.
If you have questions, please contact the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences’ advising service.
When you register for examinations, this is also generally considered a binding selection of the corresponding specializations.
Additional modules
You can take modules from all degree programs at the University of Hohenheim as additional modules, provided that the capacity of the relevant department/institute permits this.
Additional modules are not included in the grade point average or ECTS count. But you can request that they be included on your transcript of records (they will be marked as additional modules).
Additional modules must also be completed with an exam.
It is not possible to count individual courses as additional modules.
You may only take part in additional modules until you have completed your studies.
When you register for examination or coursework, this is also generally considered a binding selection of the corresponding specializations.
It is possible to exchange modules under the following conditions.
- You can exchange modules a maximum of two times during your degree program.
- It is not possible to exchange exams that have been failed in the final attempt.
- The module exchange must be applied for at the Examinations Office before the degree certificate is issued. This means that ideally you should submit the application no later than after you have submitted your thesis.
For this, use the request to change modules form. You can submit the form to the Student Information Center (SIZ) or put it in the postbox at the Examinations Office.
The Master’s thesis consists of a written manuscript.
You are not allowed to register the Master’s thesis until you have completed at least 48 ECTS credits .
The Master's thesis topic must be chosen from an acceptable thesis area.
Refer to the curriculum or examination regulations for the acceptable thesis areas.
The Master’s thesis can be assigned and supervised by
- professors,
- university lecturers or privatdozents,
- junior professors, or
- academic staff members with examination rights
in the thesis areas.
The thesis is evaluated by two examiners as a rule. The examiners should be the supervisor of the Master’s thesis and another person with the right to examine.
With a justified application, the Examination Committee may also permit the Master's thesis in another thesis area, provided that the content corresponds to the degree program and sufficient supervision is ensured.
You can submit the completed request to the Student Information Center (SIZ) or put it in the postbox at the Examinations Office.
If you are interested in writing a thesis in collaboration with a company, please refer to the guidelines for external work.
You must register the thesis immediately if the supervisor has assigned the topic. You then have to begin work. You must register the Master’s thesis with the Examinations Office.
You can download the form for registering the Master’s thesis here. You can submit the completed form to the Student Information Center (SIZ) or put it in the postbox at the Examinations Office.
You may not change the topic.
However, title changes are possible.
To do so, submit the request to change the title of the thesis to the Examinations Office.
Start of studies before WS 19/20
You have three months to complete the thesis.
Start of studies in or after WS 19/20
You have four months to complete the thesis.
In exceptional cases, the time may be extended by a maximum of 50%. For this, an application to the examination committee is required. The request must be received by the Examinations Office no later than two weeks before the deadline.
You can submit the application at the Student Information Center (SIZ). The Examinations Office will forward your request to the examination committee for a decision.
If you have had problems with your work, this must be confirmed by the supervisor. The supervisor must confirm that
- the delay is not your fault and
- the requested duration of the extension corresponds to the delay.
If the application for an extension is for personal reasons, you must attach proof of the reason to the application.
If you cannot deliver your Master's thesis on time for health reasons, your doctor must fill out the form "Verlängerung der Bearbeitungszeit für Abschlussarbeiten" (Extension of time for working on final thesis) provided by the University of Hohenheim. The application for the extension of the deadline for health reasons should be submitted immediately (that is, when you are sick).
The Master's thesis can be registered as a group work.
Group work is only allowed if the individual contribution is clearly identifiable and assessable because the information on who is responsible for which sections, pages, or other objective criteria enables the work of the individuals to be distinguished and evaluated.
The regulations for the submission shall apply individually to all group members of the Master’s thesis. This means that each person must submit two "bound" copies and an electronic document.
The Master’s thesis may be completed in German or English.
The examination committee may authorize writing in another language if a reasoned request is made. For this, the written consent of the supervisor must be submitted.
You must include a declaration in your Master's thesis.
With this, you declare that you
- have followed the Principles of Good Scientific Practice,
- have written the work independently and have used no sources or aids other than those given,
- have marked the passages taken from other works word-for-word or paraphrased,
- that the digital version of the Master's thesis is identical in terms of contents and wording without exception to the printed version,
- and that you agree to the electronic version being evaluated for plagiarism with an anti-plagiarism software.
You must sign this declaration by hand.
If an untrue declaration is submitted, the Master’s thesis is evaluated with “fail” (5.0).
For information on submitting your thesis, please visit the Final Thesis page.
If the Master’s thesis is evaluated with “fail” (5.0), it may be repeated once with a new topic.
It is possible to withdraw from the Master’s thesis if you cannot work on the thesis for more than six weeks for health or other personal reasons.
You must make your request to withdraw informally in writing. You can submit it to the Student Information Center (SIZ) or put it in the postbox at the Examinations Office.
The Faculty appoints the examination committee.
Members of the examination committee are
- three professors,
- two research associates primarily employed by the University, and
- one student member.
The student member has an advising vote.
The examination committee shall ensure that examination regulations are complied with. It also decides on applications when examination regulations provide for this (for example, when deadlines are missed).
Requests to the examination committees must be made immediately after the reason for the request is known. This means: You must respond immediately if you find that you cannot, for example, meet a deadline.
Requests to the examination committee are to be made informally. You do not need to meet any formal minimum requirements, but they must be signed by hand. Your application must explain the reasons for your request in detail (and include documentation if necessary).
Applications to the examination committee can be submitted in the Student Information Center (SIZ) or dropped in the postbox of the Examinations Office.
The examination committee may allow the chairperson of the examination committee to decide alone in an urgent situation.
The examination committee shall notify the Examinations Office in writing of its decisions.
Examinations that were completed at other universities can be recognized if there are no significant differences between the competences you obtained and the competences of the modules at the University of Hohenheim.
The Examination Board decides on recognition at the request of the students.
Use following form to apply for recognition of coursework and examinations at the University of Hohenheim:
Request for recognition of coursework and examinations
Example of a sufficient competence description
Deadlines
If you would like to request recognition after changing degree programs or universities, then you must submit the request within the first three months of the semester in which you start your program in Hohenheim (31 December or 30 June).
For recognition of coursework and examinations in Hohenheim that you completed during your studies at another university, e.g. in a semester abroad, there is no deadline for submitting a request.
Recognition of the Master’s portfolio module in the free elective area
Information on recognition of the Master’s portfolio module in the free elective area (possible for students who started in or after the winter semester 2019/2020) can be found on the homepage of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.
Recognition of coursework and examinations completed abroad
For further information on the recognition of coursework and examinations completed abroad, please visit the homepage of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.
Withdrawing from examinations
for health reasons
Changing modules
Request to change modules
Master’s thesis
Registration of the Master’s thesis
Declaration of independent work
Extension of deadline - medical certificate
Request for change of title
Degree certificate
Request for issuing the degree certificate
