FAQ - Examinations
Below, you will find answers to most questions concerning examinations.
What is a module examination?
Module examinations are individual examinations taken throughout a Bachelor’s or Master’s program. They conclude the corresponding modules and are proof that a certain part of the program has been successfully completed. A module examination can either be one single exam or be devided into several components.
To take a module examination, students need to register for the examination during the respective registration period. In some cases certain requirements must be met to register for an exam, e.g. one or more exams have to be passed before being able to register for a more advanced exam. Such requirements are stated in the respective examination regulations. If an examination has been passed, its grade is considered in the calculation of the final grade and the student accumulates the corresponding credits.
Students enrolled in Bachelor's programs at TH Köln have the option to use up to four "additional examination attempts" if they have failed the same examination three times or if they are not happy with a grade of a passed exam. A student who has permantly failed a module examination (i.e. who has failed the same examination three times and has used up all additional examination attempts) is not allowed to continue to pursue this program, neither at TH Köln nor at a different German university. This may also affect related programs.
What is a certificate of attendance ('Teilnahmeschein')?
Certificates of attendance are an ungraded proof of passing a course. To receive a certificate of attendance students must satisfy the course requirements by attending classes regularly, demonstrating active contribution as well as subject-related involvement, being prepared for the course and performing follow-up course work.
What is a certificate of achievement/interim certificate of achievement ('Testat'/'Zwischentestat') ?
A certificate of achievement/interim certificate of achievement confirms that a student completed an assignment (like submitting a draft paper) as required.
What is a term paper?
A term paper (e.g. a case study, research paper) is related to the respective course and includes an independent, practical, creative or theoretical completion of an assignment. In doing so, students have to use suitable literature as well as to complete the term paper in due time.
Do I have to do an internship / semester abroad?
Some programs either include a mandatory internship or provide students the opportunity to do an internship on a voluntary basis. The internship is to give students the opportunity to gain professional experience in program-related fields. By working in organizations, companies or institutions and solving assignments in practice, students are provided an insight into the duties of their future profession. In particular, the internship is designed to apply knowledge and skills obtained throughout their studies in practice as well as to reflect on and evaluate the professional experience gained during the internship. Usually the duration of the internship is 22 weeks. TH Köln assists students by offering preparatory as well as follow-up courses corresponding to their internship. Please refer to your program's examination and internship regulations for detailed information.
Some examination regulations, such as the regulations for the Bachelor’s program in Multilingual Communication, schedule the internship to be spent abroad. Please find additional information in the examination regulations of the respective program.
- Program overview Forms and examination regulations are available on our website: Please visit our program overview and select the section “Forms and Regulations” of your degree program.
I am an expectant or new mother. What rights do I have?
Pregnant students and new mothers are covered by the German law on the protection of expectant and new mothers (Mutterschutzgesetz). With regard to examinations, pregnant students or new mothers have certain rights, i.e. they may withdraw from examinations they have already registered for on short notice.
Follow the link below for additional information:
What rights do I have due to my disability or chronic disease?
When designing an examination, it is to guarantee that disabled students, students with chronic diseases or mental illness will not be at a disadvantage wherever possible. If the examinee proves – by submitting a medical certificate or in a different manner – that they are not capable of completely or partly taking the examination in its intended form due to a permanent physical disability, chronic disease or mental illness, the chairperson of the examination board may decide on an adequate disadvantage compensation. The student is required to request a disadvantage compensation in due time (usually when registering for the examination, and at least two months prior to the examination date).
Where do I find forms, regulations and more information on my degree program?
For detailed information on your degree program, please visit our program overview and select your program.
What do I do if I am sick on the day of the examination?
If you are not able to take one or several examinations due to illness, please submit a medical certificate confirming that you are unable to take an exam on the day of the examination to the Office of Examination Services via email.
Additional information and the required form are available on our page dedicated to withdrawals from module examinations.
I am on leave of absence. Can I take examinations anyway?
During a leave of absence, it is not possible to take examinations – with the following exceptions:
a) students who are on leave of absence to raise their child(ren) or care for relatives, and
b) retaking failed examinations and meeting participation requirements that are a result of the semester abroad or internship semester for which a leave of absence was approved.
Additional information is available on the page Leave of absence.
How often can I retake examinations?
The provisions for retaking examinations can be found in the respective examination regulations. In general, module examinations can be retaken twice. This means that you have three attempts in total: the regular examination plus two retakes. The thesis and the final oral examination can only be retaken once each.
In Bachelor's programs (except for Integrated Campus and Distance Education programs), so-called additional examination attempts can be used. Further information on this topic is available on our info page for additional examination attempts.
In Master's programs, additional examination attempts are not available.
How do I register to improve the grade of an examination that I have already passed?
In general, it is not possible to improve grades of examinations that have already been passed. However, Bachelor's programs (except for Integrated Campus and Distance Education programs) offer the opportunity to improve grades using additional examination attempts. To do so, certain conditions must be met.
Detailed information about the specific regulations is available on our info page for additional examination attempts.
In Master's programs, it is not possible to retake examinations that have already been passed.
Where can I get advice if I have failed an examination repeatedly?
Information regarding the specific regulations is available at the responsible Office of Student and Examination Services.
The Central Academic Advising Office provides various advisory services. Please take a look at their pages: www.th-koeln.de/studienberatung [in German].
For questions regarding the content of the examination, please contact the responsible examiner or your faculty's academic advisor.
How can I get previous achievements recognized?
Achievements from a university abroad, a different German university or another program at TH Köln can be recognized. Skills and knowledge acquired through vocational training or professional experience are also eligible for recognition. The decision which credits are recognized lies with your program's examination board or its Recognition Officer (Anerkennungsbeauftragte*r).
Detailed information on the requirements and the process as well as the request form are available on our credit recognition page.