13 - Germany - Student assessment

Student assessment at universities

Generally speaking, study courses leading to the Diplom, Magister or Staatsexamenare divided up into a basic studies section ( Grundstudium) lasting usually four semesters, which ends with an intermediate examination, and an advanced studies section ( Hauptstudium) lasting usually five semesters, which ends with a final examination.

For entry to intermediate and final examinations, students are required to submit certificates they have acquired in their courses on the basis of oral or written work. In this way performance can be assessed on an ongoing basis. A prerequisite for proceeding to the advanced studies section is generally the successful completion of an intermediate examination.

In accordance with the Framework regulation on examinations for the Diplomdegree at universities and equivalent institutions of higher education ( Muster-Rahmenordnung für Diplomprüfungsordnungen an Universitäten und gleichgestellten Hochschulen), the intermediate examination in courses of study leading to a Diplomdegree ( Diplom-Vorprüfung) generally consists of oral and/or written papers in the relevant subjects ( Fachprüfungen), whilst the Diplomprüfung (final examination) consists of papers in the relevant subjects and a Diplomarbeit (dissertation). The Diplomfinal examination papers are generally held in a block at the end of the advanced studies section ( Hauptstudium), though examinations can also be taken throughout the course of studies, i.e. at the end of a block of teaching in a particular subject. The aim of the dissertation is for the students to deal with a problem from their subject independently and in an academic manner. The dissertation must be written within a period of six months, though nine months are allowed for experimental work. If particular justification exists, this period may be extended by a maximum of three months. In order to pass the Diplomexamination, the student must achieve at least an adequate performance in all parts of the examination (minimum passing grade ausreichend). Basically, the same conditions apply to the Magisterprüfung( Magisterexamination). For information on the regulations governing the Staatsprüfung (state examination) for teachers.

In accordance with the structural guidelines of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder, Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses must be modularised; the examinations are in general performed as an accompaniment to studies. In addition, the study courses are provided with a credit point system. The credit points are related to instruction as such, as well as to the time needed to prepare and go over the taught subject-matter, preparation for examinations and the examinations themselves and, if applicable, to internships. As a rule, 180 ECTS points must be submitted for a Bachelor’s degree. A Master’s degree requires 300 ECTS points, including the preceding course of study for the first qualification for entry into a profession.

The Prüfungsordnungen (examination regulations) prescribe the objectives of and subject-matter on the examinations, the required standards and the examining procedures for each study course. In modularised courses of study, the individual modules are to be determined, inter alia, with regard to course contents and objectives, the workload, the credit points to be awarded and the examination requirements. The examination regulations have to be approved by the responsible body in accordance with Land law (higher education institution's governing board or Ministry of Science). In the case of a Staatsprüfung(state examination), they are issued by the competent ministries of the Federation and of the Länder or, in agreement with the Land ministry competent for the relevant state examination, by the higher education institutions (e.g. examination regulations for teacher).

Institutions:
Ständige Konferenz der Kultusminister der Länder in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (KMK)
Lennéstraße 6 53113 Bonn Berliner Büro: Markgrafenstr. 37 10117 Berlin
Tel.:0228/501-0
Fax:0228/501-777
Website: http://www.kmk.org

Student assessment at colleges of art and music

Certificates are issued for classes successfully completed at art colleges, too. In addition to written and oral examinations, it is above all artistic abilities that are tested.

In December 2004, the Standing Conference passed a resolution to introduce Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses at colleges of art and music. The structural guidelines for the accreditation of Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses as adopted for all Länder by the Standing Conference were supplemented accordingly in 2005. Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses at colleges of art and music must be modularised; the examinations are in general performed as an accompaniment to studies. Additionally, the study courses are provided with a credit point system.

Institutions:
Ständige Konferenz der Kultusminister der Länder in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (KMK)
Lennéstraße 6 53113 Bonn Berliner Büro: Markgrafenstr. 37 10117 Berlin
Tel.:0228/501-0
Fax:0228/501-777
Website: http://www.kmk.org

Student assessment at Fachhochschulen

The Diplomcourse of studies is divided up into a basic studies section (Grundstudium) lasting up to four semesters, which ends with an intermediate Diplom examination ( Diplom-Vorprüfung), and an advanced studies section, which ends with a Diplomprüfung (Diplomexamination) after a standard period of study lasting usually eight semesters. In accordance with the Framework regulation on examinations for the Diplom degree at Fachhochschulen (Muster-Rahmenordnung für Diplomprüfungsordnungen an Fachhochschulen), the intermediate examination in courses of study leading to a Diplomdegree (Diplom-Vorprüfung) generally consists of oral and/or written papers in the relevant subjects (Fachprüfungen), whilst the Diplomprüfung(final examination) consists of papers in the relevant subjects and a Diplomarbeit (dissertation). These papers are generally taken as an accompaniment to studies, in other words following a block of teaching in a particular subject. Admission to Fachprüfungenmay depend on academic performance, enabling a system of continual assessment to be used. The aim of the dissertation is for the students to deal with a problem from their subject independently and in an academic manner. Students must complete their dissertation within three months.

In accordance with the structural guidelines of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder, Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses must be modularised; as at universities, the examinations are in general performed as an accompaniment to studies. Additionally, the study courses are provided with a credit point system.

The Prüfungsordnungen (examination regulations) prescribe the objectives of and subject matter covered by examinations, the required standards and the examining procedures for each study course. These examination regulations are drawn up by the Fachhochschule and, as a rule, have to be approved by the responsible body in accordance with Land law (higher education institution's governing board or Ministry of Science). In modularised courses of study, the individual modules are to be determined, inter alia, with regard to course contents and objectives, the workload, the credit points to be awarded and the examination requirements.

Institutions:
Ständige Konferenz der Kultusminister der Länder in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (KMK)
Lennéstraße 6 53113 Bonn Berliner Büro: Markgrafenstr. 37 10117 Berlin
Tel.:0228/501-0
Fax:0228/501-777
Website: http://www.kmk.org

Student assessment at establishments outside the higher education system – Berufsakademien, Fachschulen

Training at the Berufsakademie is generally divided up into two years of basic studies followed by one year of advanced studies. Performance at Berufsakademienis assessed throughout the course of study. In the theoretical section of the training course, intermediate examinations consist amongst others of written examinations, seminar papers, oral examinations, presentations and scientific papers. In practical professional training, intermediate examinations for the most part consist of project papers. The final examination, as a rule, consists of a theory-related part and additionally, depending on the course of study, a part related to professional practice, as well as a dissertation.

In October 2004, the Standing Conference passed a resolution to introduce Bachelor’s training courses at Berufsakademien. Bachelor’s training courses at Berufsakademienmust be modularised accordingly and provided with a credit point system.

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