Credit for Work Done outside the University

The General Exam Regulations (APO, Section 13) comprehensively and bindingly regulate the crediting of work that is done at other educational institutions or abroad as well as outside the University.

For instance, periods of study as well as studies and examination work are credited without their equivalency being assessed if they are undertaken on the same degree programmes at German universities or on recognised equivalent degree programmes of other German and foreign universities.

In addition other equivalent studies and examination work are credited. A degree programme is equivalent if the skills, credit award system and exam requirements taught on the basis of a module correspond to those of the degree programme, as well as when periods of study and studies and examination work largely match the content, scope and requirements of the modules of the relevant degree programme. Recognised work is allowed for in the number of credit points given by the certifying body. If no credit points are given, the points awarded for this work in Göttingen are accepted. Crediting of equivalent performance also specifically includes work done outside of higher education, unless this took place at school level before obtaining the university entrance qualification.

In its calculations the University observes higher-level, national and international agreements, in particular the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region of 11 April 1997 (Lisbon Recognition Convention); this is also explicitly regulated in the APO.

Studies and examination work done by a student at a foreign university are specifically recognised provided prior learning agreements have been concluded. All students concerned with such degree programmes are strongly advised to make such an agreement. Conclusion of a learning agreement is mandatory for degree programmes that require periods of study abroad; for essential foreign placements in states outside the European Higher Education Area, the examination and study regulations also stipulate special procedures for the conversion of the relevant national calculations of study work and educational performance. Here too, the general safeguards provided for students with a disability or chronic disease apply, in particular the option of under- taking equivalent exam work in another form.

As a whole this basically guarantees that periods of study at other universities (or on internships) are possible without loss of time. At some faculties students can access a database which re- cords the modules taken at other locations which have already been admitted and recognised in relation to the relevant degree programme. This simplifies preparation of periods of study abroad as well as the creation of an appropriate learning agreement, and means greater security about the crediting of work done abroad when planning this.