Glossary - Studies at the Faculty of Humanities


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Dear Students,

This glossary offers you, as a new student at the Faculty of Humanities, support in orienting yourself in your studies and in obtaining information about the diverse online and offline offers at first glance. Accordingly, some points provide important information for you as a newly enrolled student. As far as possible, the glossary does not use administrative jargon. This compilation does not claim to be complete or legally binding, but serves as an initial orientation.

A

Accessibility

Accessibility means that all people, regardless of any physical limitations, have access to rooms and buildings. To ensure accessibility, many buildings have automatic door openers, lifts or ramps, for example. Accessibility also includes ensuring that students with physical disabilities can use learning materials without restrictions. For example, there are computer workstations for students with visual impairments and a library assistant for people with physical disabilities. Furthermore, accessibility refers to the design and implementation of events as well as to communication processes in general. Accessibility measures here include simultaneous translations into sign language, live transcripts and detailed scripts for people with hearing impairments or image descriptions and adapted preparation of materials in design and format for people with visual impairments.

Accommodation

Those who study in Göttingen often also want to live in Göttingen. The Studentenwerk offers a wide range of information on the topic of student housing. In addition to the flats offered by the Studentenwerk, there are also numerous offers on the private housing market.

Admission Requirements/Prerequisites

At the university, you may come across entry requirements at some points. For example, you may encounter this when enrolling for a subject that has defined certain language skills as separate entry requirements that you must meet. You may also encounter access requirements when taking modules. For example, you may have to complete an introductory module before you can take an in-depth module, or you may have to meet certain language requirements in order to take a language course.

Admission Restriction

In subjects with restricted admission, only a certain number of places is available. As a rule, the grade of your higher education entrance qualification determines whether you get a place or not. The waiting period you have already completed also plays a role in the allocation of study places.

Application

The procedure is exclusively online, so you do not need to send any documents by post.
You can find more information on the application procedure (including the required documents) here.

Important:

Non-German language certificates (EU) must be submitted in full translation.
Applicants from countries outside the EU and stateless persons apply in a different procedure.
A detailed description of the application procedure can be found here.

AStA

AStA stands for "Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss" (General Students' Committee). It represents the interests of the students and its members are elected annually by the students. In addition to various office hours, free legal advice and other services, you can also get your international student identity card (ISIC) here and, in an emergency, an interest-free instant loan of €100. In addition, the AStA offers many events related to the university and society.

B

Bachelor

The Bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. At Göttingen University, students can study for a "Bachelor of Arts" (B.A.) and "Bachelor of Science" (B.Sc.). "Arts" stands for social, linguistic, cultural, information and economic sciences, "Science" for architecture, natural sciences, humanities, engineering and (also) economic sciences as well as (partly) computer science. The "Bachelor of Arts" is obtained at the Faculty of Humanities. The Bachelor's programme usually lasts six semesters.

Bachelor’s Thesis

This is the final thesis of the Bachelor's programme, which may be written once a certain number of credits has been earned. In some subjects, there are additional requirements (e.g. certain completed modules or exams). If you have any questions, the staff of the examination office responsible for the degree subject will help you. If you would like to write the Bachelor's thesis, you must submit a corresponding application to the Examinations Office. For more information about the graduation procedures of the Faculty of Humanities see: Forms and Applications of the Examination Office.

BAföG

Studying costs money. For those who could not afford to study, for example because they cannot receive sufficient support from their parents, there is BAföG. Those who want to study in Göttingen must apply at the Studentenwerk in Göttingen.

Blauer Turm (MZG)

The "Blue Tower" building (MZG = multi-purpose building) is attached to the Central Lecture Hall Building (ZHG). It got its name as an allusion to the bluish window panes.

Block Seminar

If a course or seminar is advertised as a block seminar, all dates are combined on a few days. In this case, for example, a course that would otherwise take place over the entire semester is offered on a single weekend.

C

Campus

The campus is the central area of the university. The central campus houses the central cafeteria, the Studentenwerk, the central lecture hall building (Zentrales Hörsalgebäude - ZHG), the Verfügungsgebäude (VG), the Lower Saxony State and University Library (SUB), the Juridicum, the Oeconomicum, the Theologicum and the Blue Tower (Blauer Turm - MZG) as well as the Cultural Studies Centre (Kulturwissenschaftliches Zentrum - KWZ). Many teaching events take place here.

Career Orientation and Career Entry

At the beginning of their studies, many humanities students are not yet sure what career they can and want to pursue after their studies. If you have general questions on the subject of career prospects, contact the study and examination advisory service or inform yourself about the "Virtual orientation on career prospects and key competences". There you will find, for example, an overview of occupational fields and potential employers. Also find out in your subject or subjects what career guidance services are available there. The first point of contact here is the student advisory service. If you already know which occupational field you would like to work in, but do not know exactly how to get there or need support with your application, you can contact the Career Service. The Career Service can support and advise you as a bridge between your studies and the world of work.

Centre for Cultural Studies (KWZ)

The Centre for Cultural Studies (Kulturwissenschaftliches Zentrum – KWZ) is a building of the University of Göttingen. Many seminars of the Faculty of Humanities can be found here, as well as the Departmental Library of Cultural Studies (Bereichsbibliothek Kulturwissenschaften - BBK). The Studentenwerk also runs a cafeteria there where you can buy drinks and snacks.

Change of Subject

Perhaps you are not completely happy with the subject you are studying. In this case, you can change your subject (in a two-subject Bachelor's degree, both subjects or only one subject). In any case, you should take advantage of the counselling services offered by the Dean of Studies. Sometimes it is possible to have credits awarded for work already completed and to enter a higher subject semester. However, you should inform yourself very well about this! The student advisory service in the Dean of Studies office of the Faculty of Humanities is a good place to start. If you are also receiving BAföG, you should definitely talk to the BAföG-Office because it is possible that you will no longer be eligible for funding if you change your subject - especially in higher subject semesters.

CIP-Pool

The CIP-Pool is a central computer room where students can find computers that they can use with their student account. The CIP-Pool of the Faculty of Humanities is located in the Centre for Cultural Studies (Kulturwissenschaftliches Zentrum – KWZ) and consists of 21 computer workstations.

Closing Date for Applications

  • until 15.07. for the following winter semester
  • until 15.01. for the following summer semester

Prospective students from countries outside the EU please note separate deadlines.
If you have missed the application deadline, you can apply for the lottery procedure if there are still places available.
Only places for the first semester are drawn by lot.

Compensation of Disadvantages

Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses have the right to apply for so-called "disadvantage compensation" with regard to the organisation of their studies or the completion of examinations. Depending on the impairment, this can consist, for example, of an extension of the processing time or an alternative form of examination (e.g. a presentation instead of a term paper).
Compensation for disadvantages does not serve to create advantages, but to give students with disabilities or chronic illnesses the same chances of passing an examination as their non-disabled fellow students. Compensation for disadvantages can be discussed individually with the teachers or applied for officially at the examination office of the faculty. The university's representative for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses will advise you on the procedure and applications.

Compulsory Elective

A seminar or module that is compulsory. You usually have a choice between different offers or times. If you have any questions, please contact the Student Advisory Service or the Student Advisory Service of the Faculty of Humanities.

Counselling Services/Advisory Services

At the University of Göttingen, there are separate counselling services and contact points at different levels, but they work closely together.

At the University Level:

The Office of Student Affairs with its teams from the InfoLine, the Central Student Advisory Service and the Student Office will help you with all your questions about studying. If you are not yet sure whether a degree programme is right for you, which subjects you can or want to study, then you should contact the Central Student Advisory Service. If you have questions about application, admission, matriculation (enrolment) or leave of absence, please contact the Registrar’s Office. All teams can be reached easily by phone at 0551/39-113 (Mon-Thu 10am-4pm and Fri 10am-1pm) or by email at infoline-studium@uni-goettingen.de. They will help you directly or connect you with the right contact person.

At the Level of the Faculty of Humanities:

The Faculty of Humanities also has various teams of advisors who can help you with your questions. For interdisciplinary questions, please contact the Dean's Office of the faculty. Whether you have questions about study and examination planning, the professionalisation area or problems with timetable overlaps, the team of the Dean of Studies will be happy to help you.

At the Level of the Individual Subjects of the Faculty:

Each subject of the Faculty of Humanities has a subject-related academic advisory service. If you have specific questions about your subject, please contact the relevant advisor.

Other Counselling Services Offered by the University:

In addition to these contact points, which are primarily there to help you with questions about your studies, there is an additional advisory service that you can also use free of charge:

Credits

One credit is the recognition for a workload (Workload) of 30 hours. Courses and services are credited according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), i.e. credits are distributed according to the time spent. For example, for a seminar and a lecture, which are written out as a module with 9 credits, 9 credits = 9x30 working hours are estimated.

Credits can only be awarded if successful participation in the respective course and thus the achievement of the learning objective has been proven. Therefore, a performance review and an assessment of at least "passed" is a prerequisite for the award of credits. The student workload comprises the total time required by students on average to achieve the respective learning objective (of a module, of an academic year). This includes:

  • Attendance time / contact hours (in lectures, seminars, internships, etc.)
  • Time for own preparation and follow-up of contact hours
  • Time for the preparation of written assignments, project work, etc.
  • Time for examination preparation
  • Time for the examination itself

c. t./s. t.

The abbreviations c.t./s.t. mean "cum tempore", i.e. "with time", and "sine tempore", i.e. "without time". S.t. means, for example, that seminars or lectures begin on the hour. C.t. means that 15 minutes are added to the designated time. So 10 a.m. c.t. means 10:15 a.m., while 8 p.m. s.t. means that the lecture starts at 8 p.m. sharp. The purpose of the c.t. is to give students enough time to get from one event to the next. The c.t. also occurs in a non-university context, namely when one speaks of the "academic quarter" as soon as one is late by a maximum of 15 minutes.

Cultural Studies Divisional Library (BBK)

The abbreviation "BBK" stands for the Departmental Library of Cultural Studies (German: Bereichsbibliothek Kulturwissenschaften). This library unites 22 libraries of many seminars and institutes of the Faculty of Humanities as well as the interdisciplinary centres. It also houses the feminist collection "Blaustrumpf" and the Infothek with literature on career orientation. It is located in the new building of the Centre for Cultural Studies.

D

Dormitory

In addition to tips and information on living in Göttingen, the Studentenwerk also offers its own flats. These are located in halls of residence and offer a wide variety of locations and prices. You can find an overview and information on applying for a place to live here.

E

E-Campus

The eCampus is the internet platform of the University of Göttingen where all important portals (StudIP, FlexNow, etc.) are available to students with one login. Here you can register for events and exams, find the canteen menu or book a study room in the Learning and Study Building (LSG).

Enrolment

Enrolment at the university as a student. After successful enrolment, you will also receive your matriculation number.

Equal Opportunity

Central and decentralised equal opportunities officers work at the university. They advise on problems such as sexualised violence or reconciling family and studies.
The contact of the Equal Opportunities Officer of the Faculty of Humanities can be found here.

ERASMUS

Erasmus+ stands for a European exchange programme between universities that awards scholarships. Internships abroad can also be funded. For more information, please contact the Student Advisory Service, the individual subjects/seminars and the Göttingen International team.

Essay

An essay is a type of shorter term paper. Essays can, for example, represent an examination (pre-)performance. The guidelines of an essay are individual and are determined by the lecturer or the examination regulations. Do not hesitate to ask teachers about the formal regulations (how essays are written, etc.)! There are also various support services that help students with their writing, e.g. the International Writing Lab.

EXA

EXA is the university's digital directory where all courses, people, rooms, exam dates and more can be found.

Examination Office

The Examination Office of the Faculty of Humanities is responsible for all enquiries regarding examinations. For example, it takes care of the release of examination dates and the entry of grades. In addition, it is responsible for the final examination procedures and the preparation of certificates. In particular, questions about FlexNow, deadlines and examination modalities should always be clarified with the staff member responsible for the respective subject in the examinations office.

Examination and Programme Regulations

The examination regulations regulate, among other things, the content, requirements, timing and procedure of the examinations. Study regulations, on the other hand, regulate the objectives, content and course of study and are derived from the requirements of the respective examination regulations. They also contain recommendations on the organisation of studies. Further information can be found here.

Exmatriculation

Anyone who leaves the University of Göttingen, e.g. after successfully graduating or because of transferring to another university, must deregister or also be "exmatriculated" from the university. Further information is available at the Office of Student Affairs at Wilhelmsplatz.

F

Faculty

A faculty is a group of related sciences or a department with several scientific fields as a teaching and administrative unit of a university. There are a total of 13 faculties at the University of Göttingen, the Faculty of Philosophy is the largest among them and also one of the oldest.
The Faculty of Philosophy differs from the other faculties of the University of Göttingen in that many different institutions belong to this faculty and thus different subjects are offered. The courses offered by the Faculty of Humanities range literally "from A to Z", namely from General Linguistics to Central Asian Studies.
You can find more information about the Faculty of Humanities here.

FlexNow

In FlexNow, you register for examinations such as assignments, exams or oral examinations. Courses cannot be credited without registration in FlexNow. If you have problems registering, the lecturers or the Examinations Office will help you.
After you have enrolled, you will find access to FlexNow via eCampus with your student user data.

Follow-Me-Printing

Via the StudIT account, all students at the University of Göttingen have the opportunity to print at various locations at the university or even from their own computers at low cost. StudIT recommends the so-called Follow-Me-Printing. With this procedure, the print job is not immediately passed on to a printer. Instead, the document is placed in a kind of virtual queue and stored temporarily until the job is released on any device that has been approved for the procedure. More information on Follow-Me-Printing can be found here.

Foreign Country/Overseas

There are many opportunities to go abroad during your studies. Most seminars offer an exchange programme (such as ERASMUS). Foyer International will inform you about various scholarships. Furthermore, it is possible to teach German as a foreign language at a school abroad as an assistant teacher. Internships can also be funded. A summary of most programmes can be found at Göttingen International.

Foreign BAföG

BAföG abroad is calculated differently than normal BAföG. Therefore, you may receive funding even though you do not actually receive BAföG. If you are going abroad, you should therefore inform yourself in advance at the Office for the Promotion of Education (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) in Göttingen.

Free of Admission

You do not have to apply separately for these subjects, but can enrol directly online. Please note that some subjects have defined separate admission requirements, such as language skills.

G

Göttingen State and University Library (SUB)

The SUB is the inter-faculty library on campus and is located opposite the Theologicum (Theo). SUB stands for "Niedersächsische Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen".

H

Health Insurance

Anyone who wants to study must have health insurance. Those with statutory health insurance must therefore submit confirmation of their health insurance upon request by the university. As a rule, you are covered by family insurance through your parents until you reach the age of 25. After that, you must take out compulsory insurance yourself. Certain uniform contribution rates apply. Information on this is provided by the health insurance funds. If you are privately insured, you must submit a corresponding exemption. Information from the university on this can be found at the following link.

Holidays

Holidays at university are free, just like everywhere else. Unlike at school, however, there are no bridge days. The day after Ascension Day, for example, is a normal uni day. In addition to the lecture-free periods, there are Christmas holidays, which begin shortly before Christmas and end again in the first or second week of January. You can find out the exact dates for the semester here.

I

Infothek

The Faculty of Humanities offers a well-stocked Infothek on the topics of choosing a degree programme, organising studies, internships, careers and key competences. You can find more information and a book list here.

K

Key Competences

Key competences serve to acquire additional qualifications and also include the option of integrating internships and voluntary work into your studies.
You can find the key competences offered by the Faculty of Humanities here.

L

Learning and Study Building (LSG)

The Learning and Study Building (LSG) at the Platz der Göttinger Sieben offers 650 individual and group workplaces for students with different technical equipment. A lecture room, a room with learning boxes, a parent-child area with childcare on Saturdays, break and rest rooms as well as open workplaces on the different levels of the building complete the offer. Via eCampus, students can select the desired room with an individual time frame using the "LSG occupancy system" function.

Lecture

In contrast to seminars, where active participation is usually desired, there is rarely discussion in lectures. Here, the lecturers do most of the talking and present scientific topics, while the students listen and take notes.

Lecture Hours per Week (SWS)

The lecture hours per week are the time you spend on courses per week (1 SWS = 45 minutes).

Library

Göttingen University offers many libraries, of which the "Niedersächsische Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek" (SUB) is the largest and best known. The "KWZ" (Cultural Studies Centre) also houses a large library, the Departmental Library of Cultural Studies (see "BBK"). Some of the individual departments also have libraries. A cross-faculty overview of the larger libraries with opening hours can be found under this link.

The seminar libraries of the Faculty of Humanities can be found under this link.

M

M.A.

The abbreviation M.A. after a person's name stands for the academic degree Magistra/Magister Artium or Master of Arts. It therefore denotes the successful completion of a Magister or a Master's degree.

Main Lecture Hall Building (ZHG)

The Main or also called Central Lecture Hall Building (ZHG) is located on campus and adjoins the Central Dining Hall and the Student Union. Many lectures and seminars take place here.

Master

Various Bachelor's degree programmes can serve as qualifications for a Master's degree programme. This means that you do not commit to a Master's degree programme when you start your Bachelor's degree. Teacher training students, for example, can change their orientation after the Bachelor's degree and choose a subject-specific Master's degree. As in the Bachelor's degree, there is also a subdivision into "of Arts" and "of Science" as well as an additional "of Education" for teacher training students. The Master of Arts is acquired at the Faculty of Humanities.
Information on the Master of Arts can be found here.
Information on the Master of Education can be found here.

Master Application Portal

Since winter semester 2015/16, it has been possible to apply online for Master's programmes at the Faculty of Humanities. Those who wish to pursue a Master's programme at the Faculty of Humanities can apply in just a few steps via the Master's application portal. There are specific application periods for each semester. The following application documents (PDF or JPG format) are required:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • B.A.-Transcript of Records or preliminary overview of grades
  • B.A.- Transcript of Records
  • If applicable, an exposé on study motivation
  • If applicable, further language certificate (depending on the degree programme
  • For international applicants: Proof of German language skills.

Written documents are not required.
Further information can be found here.

Master’s Thesis

Final thesis of the Master's programme, which can be written once a certain number of credits has been earned. In some subjects, further requirements (e.g. certain completed modules or examinations) are added. Students who wish to write their Master's thesis must submit a corresponding application to the relevant examination office.

Matriculation Number

Anyone who enrols to study receives a matriculation number. This makes you clearly identifiable at the university. You can use this number to register for exams in FlexNow, for example, or to receive anonymised results. You will also find the number on your student ID card.

Mensa/Canteen

The University of Göttingen has several canteens where the Studentenwerk offers affordable meals. For uncomplicated payment, top up your student ID card with money at one of the machines (cash or by EC card). The largest and best-known cafeteria in Göttingen is the central cafeteria on campus, which uses a meal delivery system called Freeflow, where you can put together the meal of your choice.
A list of all the canteens, their opening hours and menus can be found here.

MensaKidsCard

Student parents can apply for the MensaKidsCard for their children up to 14 years of age at the Studentenwerk. This allows their offspring to eat free of charge in the canteen when accompanied by a student parent.

Mentoring

With mentoring, students are accompanied and supported in their studies in a variety of ways. This can be, for example, regular support by other students or by lecturers, but also a group offer. Under the following link you will find an overview of mentoring at the Faculty of Humanities.

Module

A module is a teaching and learning unit which is self-contained in terms of content and time and which consists of one or more courses on a common sub-area of a subject and which is successfully completed by passing the corresponding module examination. A module usually extends over one or two semesters and consists, for example, of a lecture and a seminar or a seminar and an exercise.

Module Directory

Each subject at the Faculty of Humanities has a module directory, which is sometimes also called a module handbook. Under the first section "Overview by module group" you will find the core curriculum of the respective subject. The core curriculum defines the modules you have to complete in order to graduate from your degree programme. In the second section, you will usually find the courses offered for the profiles of the degree programme (in the Two-subject B.A., for example, the subject-specific profile, the occupational field-specific profile, the teaching profile and the Studium generale profile). In some degree programmes, you will find information on modules for module packages in the third section. In the last section of each module list, you will find the study offer for the area of key competences. Following this, you will find individual module sheets for all the modules that can be taken within your degree programme. Here you can read all the necessary information on learning objectives/competences, scope, access requirements and examination (pre-)performance.

Mono-Bachelor

Studying in a mono-subject Bachelor's programme means that you only study one subject. A classic example of this is Business Administration. At the Faculty of Humanities there are currently three mono-subject Bachelor's programmes: "Ancient Cultures", "World Literature" and "East Asian Studies/Modern Sinology".

Multi-purpose Building (VG)

A building on campus that forms a triangle with the SUB and the Juridicum. Among other things, there are seminar rooms, a quiet room and a group study room.

N

NC – Numerus Clausus

The Numerus Clausus (NC) refers to the number of places to be allocated in degree programmes with restricted admissions. The NC is not to be confused with admission criteria for certain subjects/courses of study, but colloquially it is also understood to mean the Abitur grade that the applicant who has just been admitted had to show.
You can find more detailed information on this under the following link.

O

Oeconomicum (OEC)

The Oeconomicum is the Economics and Social Sciences building and is located on campus between the Theologicum (Theo) and the Studentenwerk/Central Lecture Hall Building (ZHG). It contains the BBWiSo (Departmental Library of Economics and Social Sciences) and numerous seminar rooms.

Office of the Dean

The Dean’s Office is the administrative unit of the Faculty, similar to the city hall for the city.

It implements the decisions of the Faculty Council and is accountable to it. The dean presides over the dean's office and represents the faculty within the university. The Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG) provides further details. The Dean's Office building in Humboldtallee 17 also houses the Equal Opportunities Office, the Dean of Studies Office and the Examinations Office.

Office of the Dean of Studies

The Office of the Dean of Studies is responsible for all tasks at the Faculty relating to studying and teaching. It is the central contact point for students and staff of the faculty. A Dean of Studies heads the Office of the Dean of Studies and is responsible for ensuring that courses are offered and student counselling is provided, as well as for conducting examinations at the Faculty. The Dean of Studies Office includes, among others, the Student Advisory Service, the Examinations Office and the Programme Coordination.

OPAC

OPAC is the abbreviation for "Online Public Access Catalogue". Behind this is the possibility to search the library catalogues of many different libraries of the university online.

Regular training courses on searching literature are offered, e.g. at the State and University Library (SUB).

Optional Area

In the optional area, you choose your study profile (subject-related, occupational field-related or "Studium Generale"). With the exception of students enrolled in the teaching profile, all others have the freedom to choose the appropriate supplement to their subject studies from the remaining three profiles.

Orientation Week/Fresher’s Week

In Göttingen, the introductory days of the faculties and subjects are called O-Phase. Here, new students are taught the basics of university life, given help with creating timetables and given campus tours. The programme is organised by the Dean of Studies of the Faculty of Humanities and designed by the departments/seminars, among others.

P

Presentation

A presentation is a scientific lecture on a specific topic. Students present prepared content or results of their own research in a course, either alone or in groups. The presentation is often followed by a discussion with the other students about the topic presented. A handout is usually expected for this purpose. A presentation or the written elaboration of a presentation can also be an examination (pre-)performance.

Profile

The subject-related studies in the two-subject Bachelor's degree are complemented by the professionalisation area. This offers you the opportunity to develop an individual profile.

The professionalisation area consists of the optional area and the key competence area.

  • In the subject-related profile (18 C), you deepen one of your two subjects and thus form a subject-related focus in your studies.
  • The professional profile (18 C) offers you the opportunity to prepare for the world of work with practice-oriented subject courses.
  • In the teacher training profile (26 C) you study didactic and educational science modules.
  • The Studium generale profile (36 C) allows you to freely design the entire scope of the professionalisation area according to your wishes within the framework of the course offerings released for this purpose.

Key competence area:
Key competences serve to acquire additional qualifications and also include the option of integrating internships and voluntary work into your studies.
In addition to the subject-related and occupational field-related profile, you acquire 18 C within the framework of the key competences, in addition to the teaching profession-related profile, this is 10 C. Within the framework of the Studium generale, you are free to choose how extensively you would like to incorporate key competences into your studies.
You can find further information here.

Professionalisation Area

In addition to the specialised studies, most degree programmes also have a professionalisation area, in the two-subject Bachelor's degree, for example, consisting of key competences and an optional area. In this area, you can take modules that are geared towards your future profession. For teacher training students, for example, these are courses in pedagogy.

Proseminar/E-PRO

This term refers to introductory seminars that prepare students for academic work (e.g. researching, citing, writing essays and term papers, giving presentations, etc.) in addition to the basics for later study in the subject.

S

Scholarship

Scholarships are awarded by various institutions. The type and scope of these study grants are very diverse, and the scholarship holders are selected according to specific criteria. You can find an overview of possible scholarships here.

Semester Break

The lecture-free period is also commonly referred to as the "semester break". During this time, there are usually no classes - but students usually work independently on term papers or theses, complete internships, go abroad or prepare for the next semester.

Semester Fee

The semester contribution includes social contributions for the Studentenwerk and the AStA. Among other things, the semester ticket and the culture ticket are financed from this. A detailed breakdown can be found here. In cases of special hardship , the semester fee for the semester ticket can be refunded.

Semester Ticket

The semester ticket is printed on your student ID and is included in the semester fee. The rail semester ticket allows you to use local public transport in Lower Saxony at no additional cost. The bus semester ticket includes the Göttingen city transport with a few exceptions. Detailed information on the routes included in the semester ticket can be found in the "Beiblatt zum Semesterticket" (supplement to the semester ticket) or at the Infopoint in the Central Lecture Hall Building (ZHG).
Attention: In order to be able to use the trains and buses, you must always carry a valid photo ID (e.g. identity card) in addition to your student ID!
In addition, the semester ticket also includes the culture ticket. This offers students free or greatly reduced admission to various cultural institutions in Göttingen, such as the Deutsches Theater.

Seminar

On the one hand, a "seminar" refers to a teaching session (e.g. a course), on the other hand, the term also stands for an institute. For example, there is the "Seminar for German Philology" or the "Seminar for Arabic Studies/Islamic Studies".

Subject Combination

In addition to the mono-subject Bachelor's degree programmes "Ancient Cultures", "East Asian Studies/Modern Sinology" and "World Literature", the two-subject Bachelor's degree programme can be chosen at the Faculty of Humanities. Here you study two subjects simultaneously and equally. You can choose two subjects from the corresponding offer. Here you will find an overview of all possible subjects.

Not only subjects within the Faculty of Humanities can be combined; subjects from other faculties can also be combined with each other or with a subject from the Faculty of Humanities.
All subjects of the two-subject Bachelor's programme from this list can be combined with each other. The only exception: The two subjects of East Asian Studies (Modern China and Chinese as a Foreign Language) cannot be combined with each other. There are some restrictions in the teaching profession profile.

Subject (Study) Counselling

In addition to the central counselling services and the Faculty's study counselling in the Office of the Dean of Studies, the individual subjects also offer subject (study) counselling. These are the right people to contact if you have questions about the subject. You can find a list of the subject advisors here.

Subject Semester

Subject semesters are the number of semesters that you have studied a subject. Subject-related semesters differ from university semesters in that university semesters describe the number of semesters that one is/was enrolled at a university.

Succession Procedure

Some applicants receive a place at the University of Göttingen but do not accept it for various reasons. This place is then given to applicants who could not be considered before. This procedure is called "Succession Procedure“ (Nachrückverfahren).

Standard Period of Study

This is the time in which a subject is usually completed according to the examination regulations. For a Bachelor's programme this is six semesters, for a Master's programme four semesters. When determining the standard period of study, the university undertakes to structure the degree programmes in such a way that they can actually be studied in this time. Due to various circumstances, this standard period of study can be exceeded, and long-term tuition fees may be charged after a certain length of time.
Due to the Corona pandemic, the standard period of study for students enrolled during this time has been increased by three semesters. (Updated: June 2021)

Student Assistant

In order to support lecturers (e.g. as tutors) or the administration in their tasks, the university employs students as student assistants. In principle, all interested students who meet the necessary requirements can become student assistants. Look out for notices in seminars or speak to lecturers about positions.

Studentenwerk

The Studentenwerk takes care of the social needs of students. It not only administers BAföG, but also organises halls of residence, day care facilities, psychosocial counselling and canteens, among other things.

Student ID Card

In addition to identification, the Student ID Card also offers many other functions, including cashless payment in canteens, printing and copying, and borrowing books in libraries. It also serves as a semester ticket.

Student Loan

A student loan is another way for students to finance their studies. An oveview of student loans is provided by the Studentenwerk.

Stud.IP

A platform of the university for courses. You will receive the registration data when you pick up your student ID (chip card). Many teachers use Stud.IP, e.g. to register for courses and to network with students in their courses and provide information material. Stud.IP can be found here.
Instrutions on the functions of Stud.IP can be found here.

StudIT

StudIT is the University of Göttingen's service facility for student internet access. The comprehensive service provided by studIT is offered at several counselling points. The most important location is the chip card issue (also called "glass box" by students) in the Central Lecture Hall Building (ZHG). There you will receive your student user account, which gives you access to many systems such as eCampus, Stud.IP, FlexNow and your university e-mail box. Futher information can be found on the support pages. Information on account collection and the creation of your student ID card can be found here.

Studying Parents

Balancing studies and children presents students with special challenges. Here you will find information on studying with children.

T

Term Paper

An examination performance prepared by students that promotes the ability to work scientifically. It can be compared to a term paper or a long essay. A term paper or seminar paper is written in free time. The lecturers set a submission date and provide advice during the process. Help is also available at the International Writing Lab, for example.

Theologicum (Theo)

The Theology/Religious Studies building on campus is located opposite the main entrance of the SUB. You will find a library in the building. In addition, events from other subjects/institutes also take place there.

Timetable

Students also follow a timetable at the university. This is compiled independently and individually by students of the Faculty of Humanities each semester. At the beginning of their studies, students are helped to draw up their timetable, e.g. during the O-phase. The student advisory service of the Dean of Studies of the Faculty of Humanities also helps with this. There is a video tutorial, that explains how to create a timetable step by step.

Transcript of Records

A transcript of records provides an overview of the examination achievements to date. You need a transcript of records for many things, including for the student advisory service or the Master's application. If you receive BAföG, you must also provide proof of the work you have completed during your studies at certain intervals. More information can be found on the BAFöG Office's website. Transcripts of Records can be generated via FlexNow.

Tutorial

A tutorial is a course offered in addition to seminars or lectures, in which the work is partly in-depth and partly repetitive. Tutorials can be compulsory or voluntary and are usually supervised by students from higher semesters.

Two-subject Bachelor

The two-subject Bachelor's degree combines two different subjects, which are studied equally and simultaneously. In each subject, 66 credit points (also called "credits") must be earned.
It is up to you in which of the two subjects you write your thesis. Here you can find more information about the Bachelor's programme at the Faculty of Humanities.


U

University Semester

Number of semesters in which you are or were enrolled at one or more universities. See also subject semester.

UniVZ

The UniVZ is the university's former digital course catalogue. The new system is called EXA.

W

Waiting Term

If you do not start your studies immediately after obtaining your university entrance qualification, you may have to collect waiting semesters. These make it easier to start your studies later, e.g. if the NC alone is not enough for study programmes with admission restrictions. You can find more information here.

Workload

The term "workload" refers to the time required to earn one credit. For one credit, this is 30 hours. The workload per semester thus refers to the time required for all credits scheduled in a semester, i.e. for 30 credits 30x30=900 hours. This is made up of the attendance time (i.e. the time students have to be present in a seminar, for example) as well as all other study time spent (e.g. self-study time at home or in the library, etc.).

Written examination

A written examination is a written performance at the end of the semester. You must register for this in FlexNow in time.

Y

YLAB

The humanities laboratory for schoolchildren YLAB enables schoolchildren to get to know humanities and cultural studies subjects more closely. However, it is also aimed at students, e.g. it gives student teachers the opportunity to try out teaching concepts. At the same time, practising and prospective teachers can take advantage of a wide range of didactic offers for training and further education.