Downgrading
Official Downgrading Policy
Downgrading refers to the process in which students are not admitted to the main studies in their degree program. The reason for this is that they have not passed more than two module partial exam (graded or ungraded) during their foundational studies. In this case, students are “downgraded” to the second semester (in Communication Design, it’s the third). Students in this situation will receive an official downgrading notification from the registrar’s office.
If you have any questions about planning your studies, please contact theadvisors in your department.
Please note that there are some exceptions: In some degree programs you can apply to be admitted to module partial exams in the main studies, even not having completed several module partial exams in the foundational studies. As always, please see the corresponding provisions and deadlines in the special section of your Study and Exam Regulations.
Also keep in mind that the intermediate bachelor’s exam must be taken by the fourth semester at the latest (or by the fifth semester in Communication Design).
Voluntary Downgrading
Sometimes students just have a bad semester and don’t manage to pass their classes. In this case, it can be helpful to repeat the previous semester. The status, or classification, is then based on the exams the student is registered for.
Advantage: Students who withdraw from exams have to take these exams (as scheduled exams) the following semester. But if you repeat the semester (are “downgraded”), then you are only responsible for taking the exams in the current semester.
Disadvantage: Like with any decision, there may be some disadvantages. For starters, you are not allowed to take any exams in higher semesters. You may also run into difficulties with your BAföG student aid if you don’t complete many / any classes. However, in some cases, this is nonetheless the best decision. Things may look very different one semester later.
It’s generally not possible to repeat the first semester in your program.