FAQ

If you have not applied for the certificate and continue to re-enrol, exmatriculation will not take place automatically. You must apply for them at the Office of Student Affairs at Wilhelmsplatz or via the self-service functions. The semester fee can be refunded up to one month after the start of lectures.

Even if you have completed all the requirements for your degree programme (e.g. submitting your thesis, writing your last exam, etc.), you will not be automatically exmatriculated/de-registered immediately. You can then remain enrolled for up to one semester longer (don't forget to re-register) or exmatriculate/de-register yourself.

You must remain enrolled until you have successfully completed the last examination (e.g. written examination, submission of thesis). The thesis can be corrected and the certificate issued even if you are no longer enrolled.
Especially if you are running out of time towards the end of the semester or to ensure that you have passed all your exams, we recommend that you first re-register for the following semester. If you de-register before the start of the semester or within one month of the start of lectures, the semester fee already paid can be reclaimed.

You can find information on leave of absence here.

Information on entering a higher semester in the Bachelor's programme (e.g. when changing subject or location) can be found here.

eCampus is the central hub for the university's various electronic information systems. Here you can log in with your student ID and access all other university information systems. You also have web mail access to your student e-mails via eCampus.
You can personalise your eCampus start page: To do this, select what is relevant to you from a range of portlets via the ‘Personalise start page’ link. For example, there are portlets that display the current weather, the canteen timetable or your library account. For biology students, we recommend activating the portlet of the Bioblog, which the Faculty's Study Advisory Office uses to provide information on the latest news about the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes

StudIP is a digital learning platform that is used to organise courses. You can search for your courses here and register for them. This is recommended as many lecturers make course materials available in StudIP.
For some courses, StudIP is also used to organise exercise and practical groups. You should then register early for the dates that best suit your timetable.
However, you should not confuse StudIP with the online examination administration FlexNow. Irrespective of registration in StudIP in course lists or similar, examination registration must always be done via FlexNow. Especially in biology, registration for practical courses is also always necessary in FlexNow.

EXA is the online course catalogue of the University of Göttingen. Here you can find information on courses, modules, (teaching) staff and rooms.

FlexNow is the University of Göttingen's online examination administration system. You must register for all examinations via this portal. After successful registration/deregistration, you will receive an e-mail to your student email address, which you should keep in case of any discrepancies. Once you have completed an examination, it will be entered into FlexNow by the lecturer and recorded by the Examinations Office. This means that you always have an up-to-date overview of the work you have completed under Student data / Transcripts of records.
Please report any incorrect entries or errors that have occurred during registration/deregistration to the Examinations Office immediately.
Rules for the course registration/deregistration procedure in FlexNow in Biology
FlexNow information for students (general)

Instructions for setting up eduroam are available here.

Information on the use of the LSG is available here.

Information on printing at the University of Göttingen is available here.

In eCampus, various certificates can be generated and printed out under the self-service functions (Self-service functions: What is this?).

In FlexNow via eCampus, under the heading ‘Transcripts of Records’, you have the option of generating various data sheets (transcripts of records and other certificates) for your degree programme in PDF format. Depending on the purpose of use, you can choose between different versions of the transcript of records, the versions are described here.
The default setting is usually suitable for applications; however, a transcript of records with all achievements (or for study counselling) should be used for applications to the examination board, for example.

Information events are held regularly by the Student Advisory Service for the upcoming semesters. These are announced in the BioBlog and are intended to help you plan your degree programme individually.

Make sure that

• the courses of the modules you have chosen do not overlap.
• you do not take on too much. You should aim for around 30 C / semester.
• you fulfil the necessary admission requirements for the modules you choose at the time of registration in FlexNow. These are indicated in the module description.
• you register early for courses with a limited number of participants (seminars, practical courses).

BSc Biology/ 2-subject-BA
Registration for basic biology modules in the second stage of studies via FlexNow is possible if 40 C (of a total of 50 C) or, in the 2-subject Bachelor's programme, 20 C (of a total of 30 C) from the first stage of studies have been successfully completed (= booked in FlexNow).
BSc Biodiversity
Registration for modules in the second stage of study via FlexNow is possible if the orientation modules (Ring I and II, GP Botany, GP Zoo), the non-biological compulsory module (Inorganic Chemistry) and a further 50 C from the modules in the first stage of study (i.e. a total of 90 of 120 C) have been successfully completed (= booked in FlexNow).
BSc Biochemistry
There are no admission restrictions here, but you should have passed most of the modules in the first stage of the programme in order to have the necessary prior knowledge.

BSc Biology
Firstly, you should take the modules that have not yet been successfully completed from the first stage of the programme. As the admission requirements only relate to the basic biology modules of the second stage of study, modules from the other areas (non-biological basic modules, key competences) can be taken. If in doubt, please contact the Student Advisory Service to discuss the study plan for the semester.

Before participating in ‘Scientific English I’, students must take a placement test (Einstufungstest) at the ZESS to check their current language level. Depending on the placement test, the ‘Scientific English I’ course can be attended directly or English language courses must be taken until the required language level is reached. The placement test should be taken early on in the degree programme in order to be able to assess whether and how many English courses may need to be completed.
More detailed information on Scientific English I is available here.

Please visit the Student Advisory Service to discuss the study plan for the semester together.

This is not absolutely necessary, but makes sense, as the specialisation course, scientific project management and Bachelor's thesis form a unit in terms of content.
Deviations from this procedure must always be agreed with the supervisor.

All lectures and courses should be entered in EXA, the university's course catalogue (accessible also via eCampus). The dates, time, room, lecturer, etc. are usually given for a course. In most cases, there is also a brief description of the course and information on the type of dates (preliminary discussion, written examination, etc.).
Please contact the responsible lecturers in case of incorrect or missing entries.

The module descriptions can be found in the module handbook, which is part of the Study Regulations.

Registration for modules with limited capacity (usually modules with a practical component such as tutorials, (laboratory) practicals, seminars, etc.) is binding for the respective semester. Cancellation is only possible within the cancellation period.
If you do not take up the place you have been allocated or cancel the module without a valid reason, you are behaving in an uncollegial manner towards your fellow students. You will be given the lowest priority the next time a place is allocated.

Yes, you can take slightly more than the required modules or ECTS, especially in the area of key competences. As only slightly more than 180/120 ECTS can be taken into account for the degree, you must then decide which of the modules taken (from the key competences) should be included in the grade calculation when applying for the certificate. The remaining modules will be listed on the certificate as additional modules taken.

An additional basic biology module can only be registered for if 5 of the total of 6 basic biology modules have already been completed.
Registration for the additional module takes place at a lower priority and only via the Study Advisory Office, so that students who still have to complete their 6 biology modules have registration priority.

No.

The change is only possible in justified exceptional cases, for example if the practical course could not be completed due to a longer illness and a renewed participation in the practical course would lead to an extension of the study period. An informal application must be submitted to the examination board explaining the reasons for the change. The application must be accompanied by a medical certificate (e.g. in case of illness) and a statement from the teacher.

A certificate must be submitted to the Examinations Office in order for credits earned at FoLL to be recognised. 6 credits can be recognised.

Information and opportunities for key competences can be found here.
Even modules that are not listed in the places mentioned can be attended and credited if necessary. This only applies to complete modules, not to individual courses. Please note that you must agree in advance with the lecturer whether you can attend the courses. The degree programme coordinator will decide whether courses can be credited; please have your eligibility checked before taking the module.

In FlexNow, you can view the examinations you have registered for and passed under ‘Exam results’. Alternatively, PDF documents with the completed or all examinations can be generated under ‘Summary of achievements’. See also question 9 under the ‘IT systems’ tab.

The Examination Board is a body of the Faculty that decides on all examination matters that are not regulated in the regulations or that deviate from the regulations in the regulations.
The members and the next meeting dates of the commission can be viewed here.

The examination and study regulations describe the course of study, the content and the objectives of the degree programme and provide the legally binding framework for the degree programme. They regulate all aspects of the examinations, which examinations must be taken, registration and deregistration obligations, grading etc.
It helps with study planning and all students should have read it at least once.

If necessary, compliance with the order can be enforced before an administrative court.
Study and examination regulations of the Faculty of Biology and Psychology

You must upload the paper printout for your own documents via eCampus (under ‘Forms’). The time of uploading is used to determine compliance with the deadline (maximum 3 days after the examination date).
Instructions for forms in eCampus

In FlexNow. See also question 10 under the tab “Modules”.

An application for a hardship case can be submitted as an informal application to the examination board of the degree program if a provision in the regulations can be considered an unreasonable hardship for the person concerned, for example in the case of illness.
The application should always include at least the following:

• the applicant's full name, student ID number, degree program, and address, as well as the date of the letter
• brief description of the subject matter of the application or the request
• detailed description of the request
• description of personal circumstances and reasonable justification
• closing formula and signature of the applicant

Disabilities or chronic illnesses can lead to immediate disadvantages in your studies. For this reason, it is possible to claim compensation for disadvantages. These are intended to help compensate for impairing conditions on an individual basis.
You can find more information here.
Applications for compensation for disadvantages are decided by the Examination Board of the relevant degree program; see also question 1.1 under this tab.
If you have further questions, contact the Study Advisory Office or the Examination Office at the faculty.

In order to take an exam, you must register for the corresponding exam via the online exam management system FlexNow For some exams, you can only register if you have fulfilled certain admission requirements, such as participation in a practical course or other modules.
If you encounter any problems when registering for an exam, please contact the Examination Office immediately. It is essential that you contact us (by email, telephone, or in person) before the deadline! If you encounter technical problems, please specify the exact time of the action as precisely as possible.

Deregistration for an exam is done in the same way as registration via FlexNow.
If you encounter any problems when deregistering for exams, please contact the Student Office or the Examination Office immediately!
If you have not deregistered by the deadline, the exam will be considered “failed due to absence” unless you upload a medical certificate as proof of illness to eCampus using the form Recognition of Illness (instructions only in german) within three days.

As a rule, you can register for all exams (first date) from the beginning of the semester. The second exam date will only be opened for registration in FlexNow after the first exam date has passed (to avoid incorrect registrations).
In particular, registration and deregistration for biology practical courses must be done before the start of the lecture period!
The registration and deregistration regulations for biology are described here. An overview of the exams offered, including registration and deregistration deadlines, can also be found in FlexStat (Query 218).

As a rule, you have three attempts to pass an exam (1st attempt plus two retakes), and in some modules of the bachelor's programs you even have four attempts. You can check the number of retakes in the respective module descriptions. Before the last exam attempt in a compulsory module, you must attend a mandatory study advising.

In the case of compulsory modules, the consequence is that you will ultimately fail the corresponding degree program. Therefore, before registering for the final exam attempt in a compulsory module, you must attend mandatory study advising at the Study Advisory Office.
In the case of elective and compulsory elective modules, after failing three times, you can choose another elective or compulsory elective module. If necessary, you must first have the “definitively failed” module moved to an additional area by the Examination Office in FlexNow in order to make room for a new module. In this way, a maximum of two elective modules can be moved to the additional area.
See also question 5 under the “Modules” tab.

Before taking the final exam attempt in a compulsory module, you must attend a mandatory study advising. You cannot register for the final exam attempt by yourself in FlexNow; registration will be done by the Examination Office after the mandatory study advising. Please make an appointment for (mandatory) study advising at least 14 days before the final exam attempt.

Mandatory study advising is neither subject-specific counseling nor a “hidden” exam/test. Rather, it serves to identify the causes of previous failure in order to increase your chances of success in your final exam attempt. As a rule, this involves asking about general problems, inquiring about previous learning strategies, and providing information about the options available after another failure or exmatriculation.

An exam that has been passed may be retaken for the purpose of improving the grade:

• BSc Biology: two module exams from the first stage of study and one module exam from the second stage of study.
• BSc Biodiversity: two module exams from the first stage of study.
• BSc Biochemistry: one module exam in biology.
• 2-subject Bachelor's degree: one module exam from the first stage of study and one module exam from the second stage of study.

The retake must take place within 15 months of the initial results being announced and may only be taken within the standard period of study (“reward” for rapid study or exclusion of exceeding the standard period of study in order to improve grades). Modules of the specialization and the bachelor's thesis may not be repeated in order to improve grades. If an exam is repeated in order to improve grades, the better grade will apply. There are no consequences if the free attempt is not passed.

You must select two authorized examiners who will review and evaluate your thesis. A list of examiners can be found on the website of your respective degree program.
An external person (who is not on the list) can also act as an examiner, but this requires a separate application. It is best to contact the Study Advisory Office or the Examination Office for this.

No. Although there are certain admission requirements for each degree program for starting the thesis (or certain modules, see the respective examination and study regulations), the remaining modules can also be completed after the thesis. Thus, the “thesis” does not necessarily have to be the last part of the degree program.

Theses are registered using the registration form available from the Examination Office, not via FlexNow. The relevant form can be found on the website for your respective degree program.

The deadline may be extended by up to four weeks (or three months in the case of M.INC.) if there is an important reason. A request for an extension of the deadline due to illness must be submitted immediately via the form available at online form (eCampus). The illness must be documented by a medical certificate. For other reasons for extension, an informal application, signed by the student and the first examiner, must be submitted to the Examination Office enough time before the deadline expires.

The processing time for bachelor's theses is 12 weeks, and for master's theses 26 weeks. The thesis must be submitted no later than this period after the start date (date on the thesis registration form). The submission date is displayed in FlexNow when you register, and you can check it there.
Bachelor's or master's theses must be submitted exclusively by uploading them to FlexNow (“Upload theses”). Please do not submit a printed version to the Examination Office.

Ungraded modules are included in the final transcript without a grade, i.e., the credits you have earned with the module are counted toward the required 180 credits in the bachelor's program or 120 credits in the master's program, but the grade and credits are not included in the calculation of the final grade. Some modules are ungraded from the start. However, the examination and study regulations for your degree program may also regulate that modules can be converted into ungraded modules to a certain extent upon request (usually found under the paragraph on “Overall result”).p>

You can find out to what extent modules can be taken without being graded in the examination and study regulations for your degree program, which can usually be found in the section on “Overall results” or, for example, in the information events for your degree program.

Modules for which no grade is given must be submitted ungraded, for example, ungraded key competency courses.

You can find out which modules in your degree program can be submitted without a grade in the examination and study regulations for your degree program, usually found under the section on “Overall result” or, for example, in the information events for your degree program.

The application is submitted to the Examination Office using a form for your respective degree program.
It must be submitted no later than when you apply for your degree certificate and can only be submitted once

The final grade is calculated as a weighted average of the exam results you have achieved. The weighting of the grade corresponds to the credits earned through the corresponding exam. Individual modules may be ungraded (see section “Ungraded modules”). The final grade is not rounded, but truncated after the first decimal place.
Grades from the “Additional Modules” section are not included in the final grade.

You must apply to the Examination Office to have your graduation certificate issued. You can do this immediately after completing your last examination. The relevant form can be found on the website for your respective degree program. As soon as the certificate has been completed, you will receive an email from the Examination Office to your student email account.

Since most graduation certificates are issued in September/October, the processing time from submission of the thesis to collection of the graduation certicate can take up to 8 weeks. The reviewers have four weeks to review the thesis. After the certificate application has been received by the Examination Office, a processing time of approximately four weeks must be expected during busy periods (such as in September/October).

Information on collecting your graduation certificate can be found on the Examination Office website.

An example of a bachelor's graduation certificate [PDF, german version]

The date of graduation may be relevant for BAföG, child benefit, health insurance, etc. This date is automatically – regardless of the application date and date of issue of the certificate – the date of the last examination (according to FlexNow).

Yes, In addition to the German-language certificate, you will receive an English graduation certificate .

If all necessary credits have been earned and the final graduation certificate has been requested, but a certificate of successful completion is needed at short notice, you can obtain a provisional certificate during the Examination Office's office hours.

Please note: These documents will not be sent by email.