Campus & Studies

How can I get my class schedule?

First semester students may receive the class schedule from the Study Program Office (ISP Office, building 22, part B, room 006) and during the acdemic ON-Boarding session (first week of October/April).

Further sources:

SIMP-SON video guide: https://www.isp.ovgu.de/On_Boarding/Quick+Guides.html

Faculty:      http://www.fww.ovgu.de/fww/en/Teaching.html

Study Program:    http://www.isp.ovgu.de/Study+Documents.html    

How to read my class schedule?

Initially, you may have problems understanding your schedule. Here is an overview for your convenience:

ukw = ungerade Woche (odd week) 41. KW e.g. 07/10/24
gkw = gerade Woche (even week)    42. KW e.g.   14/10/24
wöch = wöchentlich (weekly)

Should I attend all the tutorials?
Usually every module has only one tutorial. You must attend only ONE tutorial. Please choose which fits the best in your personal class schedule, observe language classes.

Where can I take language classes?

The universities language center offers various language classes, including German as a second foreign language. Please check out the language center homepage for available classes and hours and register in the beginning of each semester for available classes. Please be aware that classes are booked out very fast and participation in classes is mandatory. If the classes do not suit your schedule, try a private language school in Magdeburg, like ARA, Volkshochschule, EBG, etc. 

Please review your study program structure if language courses are mandatory. Language courses which are part of your study program are free of charge.

You need to register for language courses before classes start. Usually, registration starts one week before classes begin. Look at the languages centre website to see when exactly the registration starts. In order to register, you already need to have a university account so that you can use the moodle learning platform of the language centre. Classes will fill quickly, so you should try to register when the registration opens. Registration is carried out through the Moodle platform of the Language Center

Please note attendance is mandatory for language courses, which means that it is mandatory for students to attend their language class regularly.

www.sprz.ovgu.de

How and when can I register for language classes?

Please study our instructions and follow it step by step to make sure you can start your languge studies in time and from the first semester.

The language classes are besides the seminars the only classes for which you need to register beforehand. All other lectures, tutorials are open and don't require a separate registration.

Which services are available on campus?

The OVGU's Campus Welcome Center, in building 1,  is a resource of service for all OVGU students. Here, it is possible to obtain a variety of documents, including a certificate of grades, a certificate of enrollment, student ID matters, etc. You will also find a representative from the Enrollment Office (Immatrikulationsamt) present. For various certificates, such as confirmation of progress of studies, etc. ALWAYS check myovgu.ovgu.de before requesting certificates.

Career Service: workshops, application help, internship and job offers (online), job fair on campus once a year etc.

International Office: assistant for incoming and outgoing studentns, full time intrenational students

ISP Office: study program counseling and coordination; introduction session in April and October; home of the SIMP-SON program.

Library: books, journals, places for studyiung and learning groups

Farawiwi: student society (communication in German) from the faculty; advice from student to student, events

SIMP-SON (intercultural students from the ISP program): student society (communication in English) from the faculty; advice from student to student, events, arrival support

Computer Center: student email, computer places, print outs, help with internet access, wifi

Language Center: offers serveral language classes (fees may apply, per semester, about €60-80

Sport Center: offers a wide range of various sport classes (semester fee €10 per class)

Choir, orchestra, several student unions (Börse, AISEC,) and much more!

Where can I find important dates for OVGU students?

Find the academic calendar here.

When do the study terms starts?

Start of classes: 2nd week of October yearly (winter term), 1st week of April (summer term)

Recommended arrival: from September 20th for the winter term and March 25th for the summer term at the latest.

Prepatory classes "Math in English" and  "Intercultural course about Germany" yearly at the end of September

Registration for language classes: October 2nd, 9:00  (BSc in IBE + Academic Skills plus second foreign language + German classes)

Do I have to sign up for classes?

For lectures and tutorials, no registration is  required. For seminars application/ registration is strictly required.
While you must enroll in courses (modules) on e-Learning, this registration is not binding. Exam regististration November 15-30/ May 15-30 is mandatroy.

Language courses however do require a registration via the language center’s own moodle platform.

Due to small class sizes, registration for seminars is required. This must be done before the seminar will start. Certain seminars have special requirements.

What types of “teaching units” await me?

We offer three different types of teaching units:       

Lectures [Vorlesung, V] are academic presentations by a professor;

Tutorials [Übung, Ü] involve exercises and discussions on the lecture content and are held by senior students;

Seminars [Seminar, S] require active participation, including presentations, academic papers, team projects and more.

Participation is highly recommended, and is in many cases mandatory, with attendance being taken.

Some classes will offer a hybrid format. Information about this will be announced at the e-Learning portal or during classes.

How many study hours should I expect?

Students must expect a weekly workload of 22 to 26 hours of classroom studies, including lectures to learn new concepts and methods, tutorials to discuss concepts and practice methods, and seminars to apply the knowledge on concepts and methods by writing an academic paper and giving a presentation in a teamwork project.

What does ECTS stand for?

ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System (Bologna 1999) and comprises of credit points (CP). CPs vary by modules and are given after successfully passing the examination. 1 ECTS equals approx. 30 h of workload.

What is a so-called “Module”?

We call a teaching unit with a specific number of credit points a module.
 A module is comprised of several forms of instruction, for example:  1 lecture + 1 tutorial.

Please be informed that modules are offered in either the winter or summer semester (not both) at our school.

What is a Module Handbook?

The module handbook is published regularly in the beginning of each semester.  It contains a detailed list of all modules offered for the regarding study program and semester.

Content:
Title of the module, teaching language, hours/SWS, timeframe of the module, teaching goals, pre-requirements for the module, type and length of the examination (written, oral, paper, ... ), credit points, winter or summer term.

Is there a list of modules, rooms, staff, and lectures online?

Yes, OVGU publishes all important details about: faculty, staff, study, research online:                      

https://lsf.ovgu.de/qislsf/rds?state=user&type=0&noDBAction=y&init=y

 Find here all information about:          

Courses, study programs, creating your class schedules, links to the chairs/departments, teachers (email, phone, location), lectures, modules, ECTS, rooms at OVGU, grade transcript print outs, exam registrations and results, and much more.

Are there any semester breaks?

Yes, we have a semester break in March and in the middle of August until the end of September.

This time is perfect for internships, working or traveling.

What is the grading system in Germany?

1.0 ; 1.3           =  A “Excellent”
1.7; 2.0 ; 2.3   =  B “Good”
2.7; 3.0; 3.3    =  C “Satisfactory”
3.7; 4.0           =  D “Pass”
5.0                   =  F “Fail”

Which types of examination await me?

Our students should await the following examinations types:

Written examinations (usually only a final), electronic examination, oral presentations, term and seminar papers, presentations, discussions, case studies, exercises

For each examination, students earn Credit Points/CP .

The duration of an examination is:  60 min for 5 ECTS/ CPs and 120 min. for 10 ECTS/ CPs

What is the Studentenwerk (Student Union)?

 Your partner in everything about studies! The Studentenwerk Magdeburg will guide you through life on campus and at the study sites of Magdeburg. Whether it is dining in our canteens and cafeterias, an accomodation in our student halls, advising and forms for financing your studies, help with stress and problems, promotion of student cultural projects or taking care of your children, the Studentenwerk is there for you.

Service: Dormitories, Counseling, Canteen, Cafeteria, Art Workshops, Day Care for families, Student Events, BAföG
http://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/en/

How can I sign up for sport classes?

This guide explains how to register for sports courses.

What is the teaching and education system in Germany about?
Is there a student counseling available at my school?

If you are in need of any information, such as, finding the right contact person for your problems or any advice for your studies, then check the FAQwebsite or if you still need help contact the ISP Office during open counseling hours or via email.

The ISP and SIMP-SON team offers help and advice for any kind of academic or social questions.

Is WIFI on campus?

The University of Magdeburg has a modern campus computer network system which can be used by all registered students and faculty members. After your enrollment, you must register at the Computer Center (URZ). Internet access and a personal e-mail account will be provided. The university has computer labs with internet access which are open and free of charge for enrolled students. Additionally, university buildings are equipped with Wi-Fi. Otto Hotspot

How can I register for exams?

You can only register for exams during the exam registration period. This is always announced at the beginning of the semester on the Examination Office website under “important dates”. Registration is carried out via the LSF portal. It is important to remember that registration is only possible during the given period, no exceptions.

OVGU's Exam Registration: November 15- 30 and May 15- 30

Is it possible to de-register from exams?

Yes. Until  3 days before the regarding examination, the cancellation via the self-service LSF portal is possible. 

The exact date can also be found on the Examination Office's website under "important dates". Thereafter, examination registration is binding (i.e. it cannot be undone)! If an exam is scheduled to take place outside the examination period, you cannot deregister. 

In the event of an unexcused absence during a registered examination, the exam performance will be considered "not sufficient" (5.0). Reasons for withdrawing from a registered exam must be reported promptly, in writing, and with credible evidence to the Examination Board. Such a reason can be, for example, illness. In such an instance, you should first send a written notice to the examination office listing the exams you cannot attend due to the illness. Additionally, immediate proof of illness by a medical professional is required (forms are available directly in the Examination Office or on their homepage).

Where can I find lecture scripts and practice materials?

Many professors provide their lecture scripts and exercise sheets in the E-Learning portal. In some instances, you can find the required documents on the professor’s website or already printed in the Copy Shop. However, this will be announced during the first seminar of the semester. 

Where can I find solutions to old exams?

Unfortunately, there are no official solutions for old exams. The best option is to solve the problems independently then ask the respective professor if the solutions were properly developed.

On the Fachschaftsrats (student represenatives)' website, old exams can be downloaded, and in the FaraWiwi office, memory logs for more recent exams can be found. These do not contain solutions though.

Which resources are allowed in the exams?

Permitted resources will be announced by the lecturer during exam preparation. General information can also be found on the homepage of the Examination Office

Do I have to complete a compulsory internship at FEM?

A compulsory internship is not included in the bachelor's and master's programs at our faculty (school). However, you have the opportunity to complete a voluntary internship during the semester break. This is highly recommended by the faculty. Especially during the longer semester break in the summer, students may do an internship and apply the theoretically knowledge in the job market.

Please be informed that it is not possible by law to gain credit points from an internship for your study program, as it is not included in the study program regulation and program (SPO) structure.

How and where do I apply for a leave semester?

For a semester leave, a request must be completed. This request must be submitted, along with appropriate certificates, to the “Studentensekretariat” desk in the Campus Welcome Center during the re-registration period of the corresponding semester. 

A leave semester cannot simply be taken. Therefore, a reason, such as illness, internship or study abroad, must be provided with sufficient written evidence.

Difference between Campus Welcome Center - Examination Office?

 The Faculty's Examination Office :

      All information, organisational matter in regard to all exams and grades

  • Application, registration for the final seminar and thesis
  • Recognition of previous gained credits (study abroad included); possible only from NOT finished study programs
  • Verification/ signature of grade transcript printouts
  • Intake of the medical certificates

 Campus Welcome Center :

 Clarification of questions regarding applications, change of address, OVGU de-registration, change of study course, semester break and student ID card

  • Verification/ signature of grade transcript printouts
  • Collection of all important OVGU materials and forms
  • Counseling contacts

  The Campus Welcome Center is a resource for students of all faculties. Here, it is possible to obtain a variety of documents, including a certificate of grades, a certificate of enrollment. Check myovgu.ovgu.de for certificates first!

  Also, there is always a representative from the Enrollment Office (Immatrikulationsamt) present.

How to get recognition for previous credits?

It is possible to apply for a waiver for previously-passed exams from a not-completed study program only. This is possible only after enrollment and upon application to the Examination Office during the first 4 weeks of studies (October/April). Please apply in written form and provide the necessary documents.

How can I apply for recognition of previous gained credits?

First, you must apply for the study program and ask for admission to a higher study term (cross the square on the right on the application form). Although, you may apply for admission to a higher study term, we cannot guarantee that this will be granted and that your previous courses can be accredited.

With respect to the accreditation of your courses, we would like to recommend that you review the module handbook for the study program you want to apply for in order to gain an overview of the contents of the modules taught. This will help you evaluate whether any of your prior gained credits may be eligible for accreditation. You should consider not only the contents of the respective modules, but also the quantity, i.e. the amount of credit points. As a rule, one credit point is equivalent to 30 hours of studying.

The actual accreditation needs to be applied for via the Examination Office once you are enrolled at the Otto-von-Guericke University and not later as three weeks after the official start of the the study semester.

We strongly recommend that all international applications begin their studies at our faculty from the first semester, due to different cultures and teaching methods.

Recognition of previous gained credits can be applied for at the xam Office and only during the first four weeks of studies.

https://www.fww.ovgu.de/fww/en/Faculty/Examination+Office.html

Where can I find where and when the courses take place?

You should use the LSF portal of the university. 
If you want to know how to use LSF, you can look at these tutorials

What is the study workload?

Courses are denominated in ECTS credits. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) was developed by the Commission of the European Union in order to provide common procedures to guarantee academic recognition of studies abroad. In ECTS credits, 30 credits represent the workload of half a year of study (a semester).
1 ECTS is the equivalent of 30 hours of study and includes lectures, reading, preparation for exams, independent study and the writing of papers. For example, a 6 ECTS course has approximately 4 contact hours a week.
Exchange students are allowed to take a maximum workload of 30 ECTS per semester (equivalent to 4 to 5 courses), depending also on their home school's requirements. There is no minimum workload required by our part.

What about semester breaks?

Each academic year has two lecture-free periods, altogether five months.

These are February/ March and mid-July through early October. However, the first 3 weeks of each of these two periods (i.e. February and July) are the regular examination periods during which the students are busy with preparing for and taking exams.

The months of March, August, and September can be reserved for full-time internships, other work activities, and/ or holidays.

Last Modification: 18.03.2021 - Contact Person: Webmaster