How to change the field of study

Basics

Changing the field of study is not an easy task since it has quite a number of formalities. This page has tried to make all the information you might need easily available and it has focused on the frequently asked questions. We will indeed not assume responsibility for the information that is offered here. Please inform us if you find some links out-of-date.

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Making prior plans for the change

  • Where do I get information?

    The University of Karlsruhe offers general information to prospective students. The  section has information that appertains to mechanical engineering studies at our university. The Centre for Information and Consultation (ZIB) and the mechanical engineering student representative body will give you first hand information on this issue. The comrades to be are also a good and reliable source of information.

  • When is the ideal time to begin making plans for an eventual change?

    Usually, one needs to start preparing at least 4 to 5 months before the semester starts. One should seek information on admission restrictions, application- and admission deadlines and possible alternatives. Planning in advance makes the whole process less hectic. Please try and gather all the necessary documents.

  • When can I commence my studies in Karlsruhe?

    Students from the higher semesters may begin their studies in both the winter and summer semesters. The application is done just like the in the first semester and within the existing application deadlines. These are 30th September for the Winter Semester and 31stMarch for the summer semester.

  • How do I apply for admission to a higher semester?

    The University of Karlsruhe admission office will answer all your questions about admissions. Please fill in the application form and make sure that you hand it in before the expiry of the deadlines. One is given an application approval notification letter which you can then use to register at the university. There is also a registration deadline! Be sure not to miss it!

  • • Where do I get information on the mechanical engineering field of study?

    Students who have already studied at other institutions of higher learning such as the universities and vocational training colleges for at least two semesters need to bring a document that proves that they have sought consultation about the mechanical engineering field of study. One may make this consultation and get this document from the University of Karlsruhe Centre for Information and Consultation (ZIB)

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Approval of the courses already taken

  • When should I seek approval of the courses that I had already taken?

    This approval may be done even after admission. Please seek further information from the Intermediate Examination Board of Examiners (VPK). The approval of industrial internships is done at the internship office.

  • Can I get certificate of approval for having successfully completed my pre-degree study period?

    The Intermediate Examination Board of Examiners (VPK) will approve your achievements if you were enrolled at another German university.

    An official document that shows the exams passed and an examination result printout from your previous university may be used as basis for approval in the cases where the actual certificate hasn’t been awarded yet. You will need this certificate of approval when booking the advanced study period examinations. So please do this by then.

  • I studied mechanical engineering at a university of applied science, a vocational training college or a foreign university; what courses will be recognized?

    Usually, the Intermediate Examination Board of Examiners (VPK) will approve your achievements if you have passed three examinations from the intermediate study period. These exams are mainly advanced mathematics III, technical mechanics III and technical thermodynamics II.
    The approval of the entry examinations mostly comprise of three other examinations, mostly fluid mechanics fundamentals in Measurement and Control Engineering and product design shall be done by the Post-graduate board of examiners (HPK). Your work may be seen as recognized as a student seminar paper if you pass all 6 examinations within three semesters where a request is made to the HPK. This may otherwise be done by the respective professional representative. All the achievements in the advanced study period may be recognized.

  • I was previously enrolled in another field of study; what courses are recognized?

    Courses that have are with equal content are approved. Cases of ambiguity are resolved by a professional representative.

  • I have a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Karlsruhe; what options do I have for further study?

    One may enroll in the diplom-degree program in mechanical engineering. The approval and awarding of credits is subject to the examination regulations.

  • Where do I get a certificate of achievement in unique courses?

    The respective examination body shall make decisions on how to approve your achievements once you give them the necessary documents. This decision is made according to the following criteria.

    According to the study period:

    According the university /field of study:

    • Approval and recognition of mechanical engineering examination results from German results is done by the respective examination body.
    • Approval and recognition of mechanical engineering examination results from foreign universities is done by a professional representative according to the conditions of the examination body.
    • Approval and recognition of examination results from other fields of study is done by a professional representative according to the conditions of the examination body.

  • • Are there any examination results that cannot be approved?

    The Majors and the thesis have to be taken at the University of Karlsruhe.

  • A guide for mechanical engineering degree holders seeking further studies ( pdf)

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Some useful information

  • What is the O-phase?

    The so called ‘O-phase’ is an activity that is offered to the 1st and 5th semester students. It is an informative activity and students are advised to take part as it helps one get quick orientation on the activities at the university. The student representative body, Fachschaft, offers further information on this event.

  • Where do I get a semester time-table from?

    The study- and examination regulation offers information on when the courses are offered. One may also seek information from the comrades or from the student representative body. The directory of lectures is also released just about a month before the semester begins. One may create a personal timetable here.

  • When should I choose my major?

    One is expected to indicate his major while one registers for the first examination in the advanced study period. One is advised to try and attend most lectures in case of uncertainty. By doing this one keeps the options open. Mark you, changing the major after some time can be inconveniencing.

  • What should I take note while registering for examinations?

    One needs to get authorization to sit for an examination from the admission office in form of a blue /pink sheet of paper. This paper is then handed in to the respective institute. Please take note of the respective registration deadlines.

  • What do I need so as to register for entry examinations in the advanced study period?

    Students who seek a certificate of approval for having successfully completed the intermediate study period are accorded this document by the Intermediate Examination Board of Examiners (VPK). Attending a lecture does not automatically mean that you may sit for this examination. One is required to make a special request to the Post-graduate board of examiners (HPK) where one or at most two examinations are not yet successfully sat for. The HPK needs the so called, ‘4,0-Bescheinigung’, “4,0 attestation” so that they may accept your request and allow you to sit for up to three examinations. One may get this attestation from the respective institute(s).

  • What more do I need to take note of?

     

    • Your Student identification card, FriCard, is also your library card and it is used for making payments at the cafeteria and also in other various pay stations.
    • One may purchase a student travel ticket. It covers the whole of the KVV network.
    • One can gain access to the computer s at the university’s computer centre.
    • One may also register for sport training and language courses at the beginning of every semester.

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Financial information

  • What about the school fees?

    The Baden-Württemberg state laws state that every student in a Baden-Württemberg state university or vocational training college shall study for the regular time of study plus four additional semesters without paying for the school fees. Mechanical engineering for example has a regular time of study of 10 semesters. One shall then have to remit 500 Euro whenever this limit is exceeded. The semesters studied at other German universities are also included in this limit.

  • • What rules apply for BAföG?

    One known complication is the scenario where one changes the field of study. One needs to give an explanation for taking this decision. One should therefore seek consultation at the ZIB, or even at the BAföG offices. One may also get more information on this topic from this page that is offered at by the ZIB. Below are some legal formalities for BAföG:

    • Only students who change their field of study before the 3rd semester may continue to get BaföG funds. One needs to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they had a good reason for making this decision. Some of the reasons are:
      • Insufficient physical fitness
      • Insufficient psychological fitness
      • Insufficient intellectual ability
      • A profound change of interest. This change should be so big that it causes inability to complete the course.
    • The reasons given may only be considered if the they are about events that were unforeseen when one begun the studies or if they are events that you claim that you weren’t aware of.
    • One good reason would be a claim that you weren’t allowed to take up your desired course and that this is the reason why you are now changing your field of study. This claim makes is more viable where:
      • one had the desire to change the course even at the beginning study
      • one faced a legal limitation that prevented one from getting enrolled in the desired course at the time
      • one missed the deadlines for applying for the desired course because he was, for example, taking part in some other activities. One may mention that he was taking part in the volunteer social work or even taking part in the alternative civilian service.
    • o A change in the field of study after the fourth semester is only harmless if this is caused by some unavoidable condition. A condition is unavoidable if all there is absolutely no not possibility of going ahead with studies in this field. One may not be allowed to make another change if this request goes through. A change may only be done thereafter if no funds were given in the first course.

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