Policy
Students who register for an examination must participate.
Failure to appear, late submission, or withdrawal without a valid reason counts as “failed (5.0).”
(section 20 subsection 1 of the Bachelor’s Examination Regulation (BAPO), section 19 subsection 1 of the Bachelor’s Degree Examination Regulations for Teacher Training (POLBA), section 24 subsection 1 of the Magister Examination Regulations (MagPO))
🩺Inability to take an examination due to illness
In case of illness, a medical certificate must be submitted to the respective Student Advising Office/Examination Officeimmediately.
The certificate must attest to the inability to take the exam. A standard sick note (“Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung”) is not sufficient.
The withdrawal must be reported before the exam begins or before the submission deadline expires.
The medical certificate must be submitted within three (3) days.
Starting with the second instance of inability to take an exam due to illness:
You can choose between:
an official medical certificate (“Amtsärztliches Attest”)
a qualified medical certificate (describing the symptoms and the effects on your ability to perform)
Equivalent medical certificates:
Hospital medical certificate (“Krankenhausärztliches Attest”)
Certificate from a licensed psychologist or psychological psychotherapist
Please note: Many faculties have their own medical certificate forms:
Certificate for FB 01, 02, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, Arts, Music, State Examination Office for Teacher Education
Certificate for FB 03 Law
Certificate for FB 03 Business and Economics – Business Education
Certificate for FB 04 Medicine
FB 10 (Biology): a standard medical certificate is sufficient
♿ Disadvantage compensations for disability or chronic illness
Students with a recognized chronic illness or disability may apply for disadvantage compensations.
Possible measures: For example, writing time extension, submission deadline extension, individual examination
The application must be submitted through the Student Advising Office (approximately 4 weeks) before the exam.
📘 Recognized dyslexia
Students with documented dyslexia (not merely reading/spelling difficulties or “Lese-/Rechtschreibschwäche”) may also apply for a disadvantage compensation.
✅ Recognized grounds for withdrawal
Serious illness documented by a medical certificate
Obvious illness, such as an accident or hospitalization
Sudden personal tragedy, such as the death of a close relative within one week before the exam/submission deadline
Victim of a crime
Unexpected, severe personal hardship:
Loss of housing
Illness of dependent relatives in need of care (with documentation)
No alternative care available (e.g., for children)
❌ Medical grounds generally not recognized
Chronic conditions, unless in acute, unforeseeable episodes (such as MS, rheumatism, psychiatric illness)
Exam anxiety/exam psychosis without an underlying disorder (not sufficient even with a psychologist’s certificate)
🚫 Other grounds that are not recognized
Material procurement issues (e.g., term papers)
Technical issues: data loss, viruses, printer malfunctions → backups are expected
Uncomplicated pregnancies
(complications are considered illness and must be documented accordingly)
