General Study Information

Admission Requirements Bachelor

In general, proof of the general university entrance qualification (Abitur) serves as an admission requirement. Individual courses of study are subject to admission restrictions. A separate application is required for this (usually by 15.7. of each year).

Admission Requirements Master

The admission requirement is proof of a Bachelor's degree in a subject related to the Master's program with an adequate grade.

Language Requirements

The language of instruction in most courses of study is German. Therefore good German language skills are required. German language skills at DSH 2 level (TestDaF TDN 4) must be proven.

Language Requirements ISE

Additional language requirements are necessary for enrolment in the ISE study program.

  • Bachelor: German and English: B1 (GeRS/ CEFR)
  • Master: German and English: B2 (GeRS/ CEFR)

Program Start Bachelor

Enrolment in the Bachelor's program is possible for the winter semester in October.

For the Bachelor's program "Applied Computer Science" enrollment is also possible for the summer semester in April.

Program Start Master

Enrolment in the Master's program is possible both for the winter semester in October and for the summer semester in April.

Admission Restrictions

The following courses of study are admission restricted (NC):

  • Bachelor Applied Cognitive Science
  • Bachelor Medical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Industrial Engineering

Duration of Studies

The duration of studies depends on the chosen course of study. The bachelor's program lasts six or seven semesters, the master's program three or four semesters.

Semester

The academic year is divided into semesters. Each semester lasts six months.

  • Winter semester: from October to March
  • Summer semester: from April to September

Lecture Period

The lecture period for the winter semester begins in October and ends in February, for the summer semester it runs from the beginning or middle of April to the end of July.

During the winter semester there is a break of about two weeks during the Christmas holidays.

Examination Phase

The exam phase begins directly after the end of the lecture period and lasts about six weeks.

Courses

Each course is usually offered once a year in summer or winter semester. For most courses no registration is necessary.

Exception: Laboratories and seminars

Course Types

  • Lecture: Teaching the theories
  • Exercise: Application of the theories taught
  • Laboratories: Practical exercise
  • Seminars: Work in small groups

Compulsory/Elective Courses

Compulsory courses according to the study plan must be successfully completed (passed) for a successful study.

Elective courses can be selected and taken according to the specifications of the relevant catalogue of electives.

Study Plan

All course and examination elements are listed in the study plan (curriculum). It contains information on the scope or type as well as the recommended sequence of courses or examinations.

Timetable

The timetable provides information on the date, time and location of a course every semester.

Examinations

Each examination is offered once every semester. Registration is required for the examinations. Registered examinations can be cancelled up to a given deadline.

The number of exam attempts is limited. If the last examination attempt is not passed either, the entire course of study is considered failed.

Final Thesis

The final thesis is an examination paper in which the students should show that they are able to work on a problem independently within a given period of time under guidance according to scientific methods. The duration is:

  • Bachelor: 12 weeks
  • Master: 6 months

Industrial Internship

In some Bachelor's programs, students must complete an industrial internship lasting several weeks in a company outside the university.

Examination Regulations

The examination regulations contain all regulatory measures of a study program. They are also the only formally binding documents. All other information is more for explanatory purposes.

Fees

There are no tuition fees in North Rhine-Westphalia, but a social contribution must be paid per semester. The social contribution includes a semester ticket for public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia, discounts on meals in the university canteens and a contribution to the AStA.

Cost of Living

The cost of living is comparatively low compared to other metropolitan regions. It is recommended to calculate about 900 € of personal expenses per month. But of course, this also depends on your own needs.

Accommodation

Accommodation is possible in halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk as well as in offers of the free housing market. The range of housing in the region is diverse and affordable.

Accreditation

The University of Duisburg-Essen is system accredited.