Index

How many ECTS points am I expected to obtain per term?

The regular recommended workload per semester is 30 ECTS points, as our master’s program consists of 120 ECTS points and the regular duration of studies is 4 semesters. You can find the recommended distribution of credits per term in the module catalog (see “Information for current students”). However, you don’t have to stick to the exact same study plan, you are free to make your own choices and take less or more modules/credits per semester.

From the university’s perspective, there is no minimum amount of credits that you have to acquire per semester and nobody will check on you how many courses you are taking. All master’s students have the guarantee that the general duration of studies will be extended to a 6th semester if  they need it. The extension to the 6th semester can be achieved simply by re-registering for the respective semester by transferring the semester fee during re-registration week (i.e. first week of July or first week of February).

Please note two important aspects, however:

  1. If you need a 7th, 8th or even more semesters for your studies you have to file an application with our examinations office before the start of the respective semester and give justified reasons for it. In addition to that, you will also have to prove that you had a “regular” study progression so far, meaning that there is a realistic chance that you will be able to finish your studies soon.
  2. If you are in Germany on a study visa the immigration authorities will regularly ask you to submit a document issued by the university in which your regular study progression is confirmed. You can generate this document yourself in your Campo account – provided that you acquire on average at least 20 ECTS per semester. If you are unable to generate this document because you don’t fulfil said requirement, you have to contact our Student Records Office and give justified reasons why you cannot prove a regular study progression. It will then be evalutated whether you will receive the confirmation or not.

Conclusion: Although the university itself does not obligate you to obtain a certain amount of credits per semester, it is highly recommended – especially for Non-EU students – to acquire between 20 and 30 ECTS per term.

Especially during your first semester, when you are still getting used to your new university and study program, it can make sense to take rather 20 than 30 credits.  If you feel you need a lot of time to study for some of your courses it can also be a good idea to accompany those courses with less time-consuming options, such as a softskills course for “M8/Free Choice Uni” or medical modules from module group M1.