Exams

    Welcome to the HTWG Konstanz Exams Page. Here you’ll find you all you need to know (and more) about Study and Exam Regulations (SPO), admission statutes, registering and deregistering for exams, grades and grade point averages, as well as the legal side of your studies.

    Exam Periods

    The most important thing to know about exams is that there are two exam periods: the first and secons exam periods. The second exam period is ONLY for exams in the assessment semester in bachelor’s-degree programs.

    Information about the second exam period for assessment semester exams (in German)

    Please note: the exam dates for the respective courses in your degree program will be announced and may change up to three days before the exam.

    • 2. Examination period for examinations in the assessment semester

      The regulations of the study and examination regulations for bachelor's degree programs (SPOBa) define the term “assessment semester” in the sense of examination law as “first semester examinations,” not “first semester students.”

      The general section of the SPOBa sets out binding requirements for first semester examinations for all degree programs:
      The assessment semester examinations specified in the study and examination regulations for the respective degree program must be taken on the first examination date, i.e., they are scheduled (cf. § 18 (2)); withdrawal is only possible under very specific conditions (cf. § 22). The possible need to repeat exams in the assessment semester is regulated in § 21 (3) sentence 1 and § 18 (1).

      In general, the repeat exam must be taken on the next possible exam date (exceptions apply to the practical semester, see § 21 (3) sentence 2f.). For the repetition of first semester examinations, there is a second examination period at the end of the lecture-free period or at the beginning of the lecture period of the following semester (cf. § 18 (1) sentence 3).

      In summary: First semester exams are scheduled and they are scheduled in all exam periods, even if students are already in their second or third semester. Repeat exams or exams from the first semester that have not yet been passed are automatically registered by the Central Examination Office for the next possible exam period.

      Example: Student A is in the first semester and failed exam X in the first exam period. They will be automatically registered for exam X on the next possible date, i.e., the date in the second exam period. On this exam date, they are ill. Student A is therefore registered for the next possible exam date (= in the first exam period of the following semester). On this date, she/he fails the exam for the second time. Student A applies for a second repeat of this exam from the first semester and is granted permission. She/he is automatically registered for the next possible exam date (= second exam period of her/his second semester).

       

    • Scheduled exams in bachelor’s degree programs

      A scheduled (“terminierte”) exam is a fixed exam; you cannot withdraw from these exams. You must appear at the first exam date (cf. § 18 par. 2 SPOBa). It is only possible to withdraw from these exams under very specific conditions (cf. § 22 SPOBa).

      The following are scheduled exams in bachelor’s degree programs:

      •  The exams during the assessment semester in all degree programs, which refer to all exams in the first semester in all degree programs as well as the following:         
      • All repeat exams
      • All failed exams (i.e., if you already withdrew from the exam)
      • If you withdraw from scheduled examinations due to illness, the scheduled date remains valid.

      PLEASE NOTE: Some programs have additional scheduled exams. Please check with your department. 

      There is a project in WIM and MAB: Only the first exam try for all exams in the assessment semester is scheduled. They do not have scheduled ("terminierte") for repeat exams or failed exams. You can withdraw if you study WIM or MAB for failed or repeat exams.

      There are no scheduled exams in HTWG master’s programs.

      Information on withdrawing from exams 

       

       

    • Anonymity in exams

      Anonymity in exams

      To prevent any unintended influence on the assessment of exam results, we recommend that you only use your student ID number in exams.

      On May 10, 2022, the HTWG Senate decided that only the student ID number (and not the name) should be noted on exams. This recommendation was made in light of scientific findings that prove that information derived from the student's name unknowingly and unintentionally influences the assessment of exam performance (so-called unconscious bias). By anonymizing exam performance, information that is irrelevant to the performance assessment phase is withheld. This helps to avoid bias in the assessment and positive or negative discrimination.

      Dr. Sebastian Tillmann from the University of Konstanz provides an overview of scientific findings on this topic (Anonymization of exam performance).

      Overview of scientific findings on involuntary influences on evaluation (in German)

    • Declaration of Own Work / Authorship
    Eine Frau gestikuliert und präsentiert an einem Whiteboard

    Info über Mittag – Online Workshops 

    Wednesday, March 18 2026 , 1:15 - 2:00 pm (in German)
    Failed?! Applications, deadlines, and outlooks!

    Wednesday, May 20th 2026, 1:15 – 2:00 pm (in German)
    Exam registration, exam deregistration & withdrawals – What I need to know.

    Wednesday, June 3rd 2026, 1:15 – 2:00 pm (in German)
    New on Campus-Portal! Everything you need to know about the study planner, exam registration, and grade reports

    Wednesday, June 10th 2026, 1:15 – 2:00 pm (in German)
    Q&A Study and Exam Regulations

    Link to “Info über Mittag” Series  (some in English)

    Nahaufnahme einer Studentin am Laptop

    Study and Exam Regulations (SPO)

    The Study and Exam Regulations (SPO) is a legal document that contains all the rules and guidelines for all degree programs and exams at the HTWG Konstanz.

    In the general part of the SPO, you can find the basic provisions for your program, such as deadlines, time limits, withdrawing from or repeating exams, and more.

    Study and Exam Regulations – General Part (in German)

    In the special section of the SPO, you can find provisions for your specific degree program (assessment semester, starting your main studies). You can also find your studies and exam plan or the requirements for taking part in the specialization areas. Please make sure you are using the currently valid version of the Study and Exam Regulations.

    Study and Exam Regulations – Special Part (in German)

    Module Handbook

    Each degree program at the HTWG Konstanz has a module handbook. In the module handbook, you will find information about the course content, faculty, and qualification goals for your major.

    Module handbook (short form) for your degree program

    FAQs about exams (in German)

    • Too Many Failed Exams

      You are basically allowed to take each graded exam twice at the HTWG Konstanz. If you fail a graded exam requirements twice, you need to file a request for a second repeat exam. 

      Remember: there is a deadline for completing your foundational studies (Grundstudium) and main studies (Hauptstudium) in mind. Here you have the option to request an extension of your foundational or main studies. Otherwise, you may be deregistered from your studies.

    • Request for a second repeat exam (= 3rd attempt)

      If you do not pass your first repeat exam (= 2nd attempt), you need to submit a request for a second repeat exam (= 3rd attempt). Otherwise, you will unfortunately forfeit your rights to take the exam and will be deregistered / exmatriculated.

      1. To request for a second repeat exam, send a written request to the Central Examination Office at the latest 14 days after receiving your grades (§ 21 par. 4 SPOBa/ § 18 par. 4 SPOMa). See the form “Help for filing a request” (in German)
      2. The examination committee decides on the request based on your personal situation and the chances of your completing your studies. This decision is made approximately four weeks after the start of classes.

      Do not take a second repeat exam before receiving permission!

    • Request to extend foundational studies/ bachelor’s intermediate exams

      You need to pass the intermediate exam (= passing all exams in the foundational studies) after four semesters (five semesters in Communication Design) to be able to continue your studies (cf. § 3 par. 7 SPOBa). 

      However, you have the option of requesting an extension of the foundational studies if there are suitable reasons (e.g., a documented illness). 

      1. To request an extension, send a written request to the Central Examination Office at the latest 2 weeks after receiving your grades. See the form “Help for filing a request” in German. Please note that a failed exam is not an acceptable reason.
      2. Decisions are made approximately four weeks after the start of classes.
    • Request for admission to exams for the main studies in bachelor’s degree programs

      If you haven’t passed the intermediate exam and have more than two open (graded or ungraded) exams in the foundational studies, you will be officially officially downgraded. There may be exceptions. See the special section of your Study and Exam Regulations. If so, you can seek admission to the main studies (cf. § 14 par. 2 SPOBa) by sending a written request to the Central Examination Office at the latest 2 weeks after receiving your grades. 

      This decision is made approximately four weeks after the start of classes.

    • Request to extend deadline to complete studies (bachelor’s and master’s programs)

      The following is valid for bachelor’s-degree programs: 
      You need to pass the bachelor’s exam at the latest three semesters later than the typical period for completing one’s studies or you will be exmatriculated (cf. § 3 par. 7 SPOBa). This is unfortunately also true if you exceed the deadline for passing the intermediate exam and the bachelor’s exam by more than three semesters combined.

      The following is valid for master’s degree programs: 
      The exam requirements for specific semesters are presented in your exam plan (see the special part in your Study and Exam Regulations). You must complete all exam requirements by three semesters after the listed deadline (cf. § 3 par. 6 SPOMa).

      However, you have the option of requesting an extension of the foundational studies with the Central Examination Office if there are suitable reasons (e.g., documented illness). To do so:

      1. Send a written request to the registrar's office, as soon as you know that you cannot meet the above-mentioned deadline. See the form "Help for filing a request" (in German).
      2. This decision is made approximately four weeks after the start of classes.
    • Loss of right to take exams

      If you exceed the number of possible exam retakes or the time limit for completing the foundation or main studies, you lose the right to take exams for degree programs at the HTWG Konstanz. This leads to being exmatriculated at the end of the current semester. You also do not receive a document of compliance. 

      It is however possible to transfer to another degree program at the HTWG Konstanz (exception: foundational studies IWI-EIW). It is also normally possible to transfer to another university with a similar degree program (different type of university / college or a different degree program name). Contact the Student Advising Center about the university you wish to transfer to.

      FAQs about exams (in German)

    • Request to extend bachelor’s exam / master’s exam

      The bachelor’s thesis needs to be completed within three months. However, you have the option of requesting an extension if there are valid reasons (e.g., documented illness). 

      The writing period can only be extended by one month. This decision is made by the head of the examination committee based on a statement from the advisor (cf. § 30 par. 5 SPOBa). If the illness makes it impossible to complete the thesis (based on a doctor’s note), the head of the examination committee can decide to interrupt the process. The bachelor’s thesis is then considered not attempted (cf. § 30 par. 5a SPOBa). You can find additional regulations about the bachelor’s thesis in the special section of the Study and Exam Regulations for your degree program.

      Master’s theses are to be completed in 4-6 months, see the special section of the Study and Exam Regulations for your degree program. However, you have the option of requesting an extension if there are valid reasons (e.g., documented illness). 

      The writing period can be extended up to three months. This decision is made by the head of the examination committee based on a statement from your advisor (cf. § 23 par. 4 SPOBa). If the illness makes it impossible to complete the thesis (based on a doctor’s note), the head of the examination committee can decide to interrupt the process. The master’s thesis is then considered not attempted (see § 23 Abs. 4a SPOMa).

    Disadvantage Compensation

    If you have any special exam needs, please contact the Head of the Examination Board early in order to clarify how these requirements can be met!

     

    Benefit Certificate §48 BAföG

    If you receive BAföG student aid, you will receive a benefit certificate form from the BAföG office in your 4th semester. Please fill out the form and wait until all exams have been processed. Then get the form signed by the  head of the examination committee.

    Taking Classes & Exams at the University of Konstanz

    The HTWG Konstanz and the University of Konstanz allow their students to take classes and earn credits at the other university.

    Are you a HTWG Konstanz student and want to take a class at the University of Konstanz? Then please follow these steps:

    1. Contact the professor or instructor of the course at the University of Konstanz to clarify your interest in the course and to register for the exam.
    2. Contact the responsible Head of the Examination Board (PAV) at the HTWG Konstanz regarding having the credits recognized. They should provide you with a signature.
    3. Notify the Central Examination Office at the HTWG Konstanz during the exam registration period, including the signature from the PAV.
    4. If you pass the class, contact the course instructor to pick up your course certificate.
    5. Submit the certificate to the Central Examination Office at the HTWG Konstanz.
    6. Check to see if the credit is on the Examination Portal.

    Are you a student at the University of Konstanz and wish to take a class at the HTWG Konstanz? Please follow these steps:

    1. Contact the HTWG Konstanz instructor to clarify your interest in the course and registering for the exam.
    2. Contact the advisor in your degree program at the University of Konstanz and clarify the recognition of the course and receiving credits for your studies.
    3. Use your university student ID to register for Moodle and email access.
    4. If you pass the class, contact the course instructor to pick up your course certificate.
    5. Submit your certificate to the advisor in your program.

    The Central Examination Office can answer additional questions on exams:

    Central Examination Office

    Top