The start of studies

The University of Erfurt offers a tiered degree system comprising bachelor's programmes and master's programmes (BA/MA). You will first complete an undergraduate bachelor's programme, known as the ‘two-subject Bachelor’s’. 

This means that you combine a major with a minor. Whilst the major forms the core of your studies, the minor complements the programme in terms of content and opens up additional perspectives. The scope of study in the minor is less extensive than in the major.

Studimat: the right combination

The Studium Fundamentale is integrated into the main subject. It is a core element of Erfurt’s Bachelor’s programme concept. 

The focus is on broadening the scope of university studies to include practical applications and on imparting key competences. Students are expected not only to acquire specialist knowledge, but also to develop important core competences that contribute to their personal development. 

About the Studium Fundamentale

After three years, our students obtain their first academic degree – a Bachelor’s degree – which serves as a stepping stone into professional practice or as a foundation for a Master’s programme or a further academic career.

Master’s and PhD programmes enable students to gain in-depth academic knowledge of a subject or to specialise in a practical, career-oriented field.
 

All degree programmes are structured in modules. A module is a self-contained unit of study in terms of both subject matter and content, which may consist of several sub-modules. 

Within these sub-modules, specific courses are offered, such as lectures or seminars. Each module concludes with a module examination. 

An overview of all modules, along with their content, requirements and assessment criteria, is set out in the module catalogue. This forms part of the examination regulations for the respective degree programme.

The time commitment required for a degree programme is expressed in credit points in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). This standardised system, which is used throughout Europe, makes academic achievements comparable and transparent.

One credit point (LP/ECTS) corresponds to an average workload of 30 hours.

This includes not only contact hours but also time spent on preparation and follow-up work. As a rule, 30 credit points (LP) are allocated per semester for full-time study. This corresponds to a total workload of around 900 hours, comparable to a full-time job of around 40 hours per week.

The Bachelor’s degree programme at the University of Erfurt is divided into an orientation phase (1st–2nd semesters) and a qualification phase (3rd–6th semesters). 

During the first year of study, known as the Orientation phase (O-phase), you should familiarise yourself with the University of Erfurt’s examination system; determine whether the subjects you have chosen meet your expectations; and prove yourself in your chosen subjects. 

You must pass the module examinations (MP) for the O-phase in both subjects. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may only retake them once during the same semester at a second examination session. Once the required module examinations have been passed, there is nothing to prevent you from continuing your studies in the qualification phase. 

The Qualification Phase (Q-Phase) is designed to deepen your understanding of the course content and allow you to define your personal area of specialisation.

You may change your major and/or minor subject once at the end of your first year of study. This is generally no longer possible during the qualifying phase. 

If you wish to switch to a subject with restricted admission, you must submit your application for admission by 15 July (cut-off date). 

For certain subjects, proficiency in foreign languages is either compulsory or recommended. The requirements can be found in the relevant examination and study regulations. 

Placement tests for these foreign languages are offered even during the STET. Information on the requirements, the procedure for the language tests, language courses and the relevant contact persons can be obtained from the Language Centre.

Go to the Language Centre

You can create your timetable in three steps:

1. Please check the examination regulations to see which modules you must complete and which you may complete in order to successfully complete the orientation/qualification phase or the Master’s phase! This is set out in the section of the examination regulations entitled ‘Structure of the degree programme’. 
2. A module is generally considered to have been completed once the module examination has been passed or recognised. The sub-modules you must attend in order to pass the module examination are set out in the module descriptions, which are appended to the examination regulations. A small number of modules are completed without an examination (MoP). 
3. Once you have decided which modules you wish to complete and which sub-modules these comprise, please select the courses assigned to the sub-modules under ‘My Courses’ in the course catalogue before each semester and transfer these, together with the university lecturer’s name, title and sub-module code (e.g. M01#01) into your timetable.

The most important foundation for your studies

Any questions you may have about your degree programme can always be answered by consulting the examination and study regulations (POen) and the accompanying module descriptions (module catalogue).

The examination regulations applicable to you are listed in your certificate of enrolment, which you can access via the student portal.

Section 1 of the examination regulations refers to the Framework Examination Regulations (RPO) applicable to your degree programme, which contain the provisions that apply across all examination regulations.

Go to the examination regulations

The University of Erfurt imposes sanctions for attempts to cheat in examinations. You will receive a warning for your first attempt to cheat! Even a second attempt to cheat can result in you losing your right to sit the examination and, consequently, the end of your studies at the University of Erfurt!

Cheating during your studies

Colour-coded module lists serve as a table of contents and overview of the module catalogue. The module level is marked in red and the sub-module level in blue. 

Please make a note of your examination regulations and the module lists, and print them out if necessary, as these will be your guide during the Student Orientation Days and throughout your studies!

Go to the examination regulations

You can find your courses for the semester on E.L.V.I.S. ®: My courses (course catalogue). Sorted by subjects, modules and sub-modules, you’ll find all the information about the courses here. This information will be updated until the start of the enrolment period.

View courses 

The use of AI in higher education offers many opportunities. Generative AI, a sub-field of machine learning, can create content such as texts and images. This brings about far-reaching changes to academic work. When used thoughtfully, generative AI can enrich university studies. However, its use should always be seen as a support and supplement to, rather than a substitute for, independent learning, reflection and critical reasoning. 

The University of Erfurt provides its students with a guide designed to help them better understand generative AI and use it more thoughtfully. 

AI in higher education

Enrolment in compulsory modules is guaranteed during your studies at the University of Erfurt, whilst attendance at compulsory elective modules may be limited to a certain number of students. 

In such cases, the faculties will organise a registration process. You will be informed of this in the course catalogue or directly within the course details. Lecturers will decide on admission to the course during the first two sessions. 

Once you have clarified your enrolment, “Belegung”, for the chosen courses with the lecturers during the first and second weeks, you must complete your enrolment via E.L.V.I.S.® to finalise your enrolment, thereby bindingly registering for the courses and the module examinations. 

The process of registering via E.L.V.I.S.® is explained in the STET. Please do not submit your online registration until you have finalised your course selection, as this is binding and cannot be changed! 

Enrolment

Lecturers will provide you with all the essential information regarding module examinations and dates during the first two weeks of lectures. You should also enter the expected coursework and its deadlines into your timetable right at the start of the semester. 

Module examinations are also scheduled during the lecture-free period. Please note that you will only be permitted to sit a module re-examination if you sat the examination on the first scheduled date. Under the Framework Examination Regulations, examiners are obliged to record module examination marks, 
i.e. including, where applicable, the marks for the resit, in E.L.V.I.S.® by the start of the summer term’s lecture period or by the end of the first half of the lecture-free period following the summer term, at the latest. 

See the semester calendar

If you fall ill and it is foreseeable that, as a result of your illness, you will be unable to sit a scheduled examination or meet the submission deadline for a written assessment, or if you miss a compulsory course session due to illness, you should consult a doctor immediately. 

They can confirm your inability to sit the examination due to illness on the ‘Notification of Illness’ form, which you have completed in advance. You must send these documents without delay to Department 1: Registrar's Office (or, if applicable, to the internal post box at the main entrance) or as a scanned copy to pruefungsangelegenheiten@uni-erfurt.de.

The notification of illness must generally be received within three working days (Monday to Saturday). The decisive factor for timely receipt is not the date of your examination, submission deadline or course session, but the date on which it was established that you were unable to sit the examination due to illness. 
Your absence will only be excused if your notification is received by the deadline. In the case of a hospital stay, a certificate of hospitalisation from the hospital is sufficient proof. 

On reporting illness

Caring for your sick child

If you are unable to sit an examination because you are looking after your sick child, the ‘Medical certificate for claiming sick pay when a child is ill’ is sufficient. 

Certificate of Incapacity for Work

You, your examiners and the lecturers of the courses you are taking this semester will be notified by email of any excused absences. If an examination was due to take place during the period of your excused absence, the examiners will set a new examination or submission date.
The so-called ‘certificate of incapacity for work for submission to your employer’ is generally not sufficient as proof of a valid reason for absence! 

Internships complement your degree programme by providing professional experience. They should generally be undertaken during the lecture-free period. Internships are provided for in individual subjects and within the ‘Studium Fundamentale’ programme as practical activities designed to prepare you for your chosen career. 

Further information on this can be found in the module catalogue for your main subject.

To continue your studies, you must re-register each semester and pay the semester contribution. You will receive detailed information on this by email at the start of the re-registration period. Receipt of payment is deemed to be an application for re-registration.

If the payment is not credited to the university’s account until after the final re-registration deadline and/or if there are further restrictions on re-registration, a late payment fee of 20 euros will be charged. You can only be re-registered once the late payment fee has also been received. 

Once payment has been received in full, provided there are no further restrictions on re-registration, you will receive an email confirming that you have been re-registered and that you can print out your certificate of enrolment via the student portal. In addition, you must extend the validity period of your student identity card (
thoska) at the validation machines provided for this purpose. 

Please ensure that your contact details (address, telephone number) are always up to date via the student portal.

Re-registration

A mentor (a professor or an employee from your major subject) will be on hand to provide academic guidance throughout your Bachelor’s degree. 

You can discuss matters such as your personal study and examination plan with your mentor. They are also available to answer many other questions regarding your study planning within your major subject (specialisation, internship planning, study abroad, etc.) or within the Studium Fundamentale. Incidentally, participation in the mentoring programme is compulsory. 

You will find out more about this during STET.

In addition, subject advice and counselling is available to assist you with any subject-specific queries relating to your subject. You can find the relevant contact person on your subject’s website.

Information on: 

• Course catalogue
• Combination options
• Entry requirements
• Course content
• Content and specialisms of the subject
• Study Regulations/Study Plans, Examination Regulations
• Performance requirements and evidence of achievement
• Recognition of previously completed academic achievements (when changing degree programmes and/or universities)

Moodle room ‘Digital Studying at the University of Erfurt’

For any questions regarding digital teaching (e.g. Moodle, Webex) and examinations (e.g. WiseFlow), there is a website containing the most important information, guides and contact details. The University of Erfurt offers numerous digital tools and portals that are linked to your university account.

You can also make use of the Moodle space ‘Uni Erfurt Digital Studieren’, where you can find out more about and discuss digital learning.

Digital Teaching & Learning

Studying with children

Balancing studies with childcare is a particular challenge for student parents. The University of Erfurt has therefore set itself the goal of providing them with the best possible support. Since 2005, the university has held the ‘Family-Friendly University’ seal of approval, initiated by the Hertie Foundation.

As well as information and advice on organising and financing your studies, our website provides an overview of childcare options in Erfurt, services offered by the Thuringian Student Services Organisation (Studierendenwerk) and Erfurt’s universities, as well as other local services. A checklist for dealing with the authorities before and after the birth, as well as campus maps showing key contact points for (student) parents, also provide guidance.

Studying with children

Report a pregnancy

As an expectant mother, you are entitled to special legal protection. This also applies whilst you are studying. Please use the form for notifying the university of your pregnancy. You will receive personalised advice on this particular study situation from Department 1: Registrar's Office. 

Finding the right degree programme isn’t always easy. Prospective students with long-term disabilities (e.g. affecting hearing, sight, speech, or the musculoskeletal system), chronic physical or mental health conditions, as well as specific learning difficulties and autism spectrum disorders, particularly need information on the following questions:

• Will my disability be taken into account during the application process (e.g. as a case of hardship)?
• What are the study conditions like on my degree programme?
• Can I still study ‘well’ despite my disability, and where can I get further support?

The point of contact for these questions is the Diversity Officer at the University of Erfurt, who is supported by Department 1: Registrar's Office. The Officer advises you on study-related matters connected with your disability and will be happy to help you keep track of things and find the information and advisory services that can answer your specific questions or address your concerns in a tailored manner. 

Studying with a disability

General Social Advice

The General Social Advice Service (ASB) run by the Thuringian Student Services Organisation (Studierendenwerk) offers guidance and support in making decisions, as well as information on general topics relating to your studies.

Information on: 

• Funding your studies through employment
• Social benefits provided by the Studierendenwerk
• Support for pregnant students and students with children
• Entitlement to social benefits
• Ways to save money
• General conditions of study

Social counselling

Psychosocial counselling

Psychosocial counselling (PSB) is available free of charge to all students at universities in Thuringia who feel the need to talk to a neutral person about themselves, their situation and their problems, and to receive further support. 

Those seeking advice – whether individuals or couples – can contact the employees regarding both study-related problems and personal conflicts. Psychosocial counselling is also available in English on request. 

Psychosocial Counselling 

Legal advice

The Thuringian Student Services Organisation (Studierendenwerk) offers expert, free legal advice to all students. The sessions are run by independent solicitors during the lecture period. Law firms with the broadest possible range of specialist expertise have been selected for this purpose.

Legal advice

If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns regarding gender equality, or about balancing your studies or work with family life, the Office for Equal Opportunity and Family Services is here to help. The Equal Opportunity Officers can also offer advice if you have experienced sexual harassment, discrimination or violence.

Go to the Office for Equal Opportunity and Family Services

The Student Council (StuRa) also offers support on all matters relating to student life. It is the university’s central student representative body, elected directly by the students and organised into committees dedicated to specific issues. At some universities, the Student Council is also known as the General Student Committee (AStA). 

About the Student Council

Subject student councils are the student representative bodies for students enrolled on a particular subject. The subject student council represents your interests to the faculty. You can also get involved in your subject student council yourself.

Go to the subject student councils

They know their stuff: our campus specialists are students at the University of Erfurt who can answer any questions you may have about studying and life in the university town of Erfurt, or show you round the campus on a personalised guided tour. And if they’re not sure how to help, they’ll put you in touch with the right people. 

Meet the Campus Specialists