Recognition of Coursework and Graded Assessments
If you have already studied at another university in Germany or abroad, would like to change your subject of study within the University of Freiburg, or have already acquired competencies outside a higher-education context, it is possible in principle to have these qualifications or periods of study recognized at the University of Freiburg.
What kinds of recognition are there?
- Recognition of coursework and graded assessments for a change of subject or transfer of institution
- Recognition of coursework and graded assessments completed abroad
- Recognition of competencies acquired outside a higher education context (e.g., from professional experience)
The recognition of coursework and graded assessments concerns periods of study completed at other higher education institutions in Germany or abroad or in other degree programmes at the University of Freiburg. You may be able to have these previously completed periods of study recognized for a change to a higher subject-specific semester at the University of Freiburg.
The legal basis for this is § 35 of the Act on the Higher Education Institutions in the Land of Baden-Württemberg, which is based on the ‘Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region’, the so-called Lisbon Convention. According to this agreement, periods of study to be recognized are no longer reviewed for their equivalence to the learning outcomes to be reached but for a substantial difference.
In addition, it is possible to have qualifications earned outside a higher education context recognized. These skills and abilities acquired outside a higher education setting (for example during vocational training) may replace no more than 50 per cent of a degree programme. In contrast to recognition of periods of study, recognition of qualifications earned outside a higher education context generally requires equivalence in terms of content and standard.
Who conducts recognition?
Recognition of qualifications, coursework, and graded assessments is regulated by the particular examination regulations. Recognition is performed by the relevant examination committee. As a rule, decisions are implemented and all information and notices issued by the examination offices.
If you have questions about recognition, please start by contacting the degree programme coordinator of your subject or your departmental academic advisor. Contact details may be found under ‘Advising’ for the particular degree programme on our website.
If you are planning to study abroad, we recommend that you seek comprehensive advice beforehand on possibilities for having coursework and graded assessments transferred and recognized. Information on recognition of periods of study completed during a stay abroad may be found on the website of the International Office.
For an overview of the basic principles of recognition at German universities, please visit the information site ‘AN! Recognition at Universities’, provided by the German Rectors’ Conference project HRK-Modus.
anerkennung-und-anrechnung-im-studium.de
Modus practice handbook (in German): https://www.hrk-modus.de/media/redaktion/Downloads/Publikationen/MODUS/MODUS_Praxishandbuch.pdf
Change to a higher subject-specific semester
If you have already studied at a higher education institution in Germany or abroad, you may be able to have your coursework recognized for a change to a higher subject-specific semester at the University of Freiburg. This depends on whether you wish to change to a subject with restricted or open admission.
Subject with restricted admission (see degree programme list)
In any case, you must apply for admission to the desired subject-specific semester.
To change to a subject with restricted admission, you must fulfil the criteria for admission (described in the Selection Statutes for higher subject-specific semesters). To do so, you must upload the documents on your previous coursework (plus recognition by state examination offices, if applicable) when you apply.
Subject with open admission (see degree programme list)
To change to a subject with open admission, you must first request a written placement recommendation from the subject you would like to change to. Please contact the relevant departmental academic advisor (see degree programme list for contact details).
Recognition of previous coursework
The particular examination offices are then responsible for actually recognizing your coursework (after admission). The contact details of the particular examination offices can also be found in the degree programme list under ‘Advising’.
Important: Coursework from abroad in the subjects Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry must be recognized by the responsible state examination office before you apply. For details on how to apply for admission to a higher subject-specific semester and on the responsible state examination office, see our website.