Recognition of Achievements Within and Outside the University System

• General Regulations
• Procedure for First Semester Students
• Procedure for Applicants for a Higher Semester
• Recognition of Achievements from a Stay Abroad
• Subject Representative Responsible for the Recognition of Examinations

General Regulations

The general regulations for the recognition of study and examination achievements can be found in the examination regulations of your respective degree program:

• Bachelor of Science Biology: SPO BA 2017, § 19
• Master of Science Biology: SPO Master 2014, § 18
• Bachelor of Education Biology: SPO Bachelor of Education 2015, § 18

Accordingly, the achievements required in the curriculum can also be achieved through the recognition of external achievements. External credits may have been acquired as follows:

1. Within the university system (worldwide)
2. Outside the higher education system (at institutions with standardized quality assurance systems): Recognition may be denied if more than 50% of the higher education studies are to be replaced.

Recognition is granted at the student's request, provided that there is no significant difference between the competences acquired and the achievements or qualifications that are to be replaced. The examination board is responsible for recognition and credit transfer and decides on recognition and, if applicable, placement in a higher semester after consulting the relevant subject representatives. Achievements that were not completed at KIT are shown as "recognized" in the transcript of records. If the grading systems are comparable, the grade will be accepted; if they are not comparable, a conversion may be made.

Procedure for First Semester Students

The formal recognition of the respective achievement takes place at the request of the student within the first semester after successful enrollment.

Procedure:

1. Compare the content of the external course with the current version of the module handbook of your degree program valid at KIT.
2. Provide certified copies of your certificate/transcript of records and corresponding excerpts from both module handbooks as proof of the external coursework. It is always necessary to submit proof of the content and scope of the work completed.
3. If it is an achievement acquired at educational institutions outside the higher education system or a professional achievement, such achievements can only be recognized if it is ensured that the institution at which the achievement was acquired has a standardized quality assurance system. Enclose a corresponding certificate from the respective institution with the application for recognition.
4. Discuss your planned application with the Student Advisory Service Dr. Urszula Weclawski (please note office hours).
5. Please complete the recognition form and send it to biologiestudium∂chem-bio.kit.edu with the relevant supporting documents.
6. The application you submit will be forwarded internally to the relevant subject representatives and the Examination Board.
7. After review and approval by the examination board, the recognized achievement will be entered by the degree program coordinator. You will be notified accordingly in the event of a rejection.

Procedure for Applicants for a Higher Semester

The application must be accompanied by a current transcript of records with all passed and failed coursework and examinations. In addition, extracts from both module handbooks are required for the relevant achievements in order to be able to carry out a balance check. The Examination Board decides on the placement in a higher semester on the basis of the documents submitted. The formal recognition of the respective achievement takes place upon application by the student within the first semester after successful enrolment.

It is strongly recommended that you make use of a student advisory service before applying. For applicants to the 4th or higher semester, a prior consultation with the Central Student Advisory Service is mandatory. The certificate of counseling must be enclosed with the application documents.

Procedure:

1. Compare the contents of the external course with the current version of the module handbook of your degree program valid at KIT.
2. Provide certified copies of your certificate/transcript of records and corresponding excerpts from both module handbooks as proof of the external performance. It is always necessary to submit proof of the content and scope of the work completed.
3. If it is an achievement acquired at educational institutions outside the higher education system or a professional achievement, such achievements can only be recognized if it is ensured that the institution at which the achievement was acquired has a standardized quality assurance system. Enclose a corresponding certificate from the respective institution with the application for recognition.
4. Discuss your planned application with the Student Advisory Service Dr. Urszula Weclawski (please note office hours).
5. Please complete the recognition form and send it to biologiestudium∂chem-bio.kit.edu with the relevant supporting documents.
6. The application you submit will be forwarded internally to the relevant subject representatives and the Examination Board.
7. After review and approval by the examination board, the recognized achievement will be entered by the degree program coordinator. You will be notified accordingly in the event of a rejection.

Recognition of Achievements from a Stay Abroad

Study and examination credits earned during a stay abroad at a recognized foreign university can and should be recognized as far as possible. For this purpose, the possibility of recognition must be checked before the stay abroad and documented within a confirmation of recognition. If you skip this step, no recognition can be guaranteed. The actual application for recognition of individual achievements must be submitted within 6 months of returning from the stay abroad in view of the processing times.

Procedure BEFORE the stay abroad:

• Arrange a consultation appointment with the expert advisor for stays abroad Prof. Dr. Andreas Diepold.
• Apply to the relevant subject representative for a confirmation of recognition of achievements by completing the application form for the confirmation of recognition and sending the application to biologiestudium∂chem-bio.kit.edu.
• The confirmation of recognition has been approved by the chair of the examination board and sent to you. Please keep it until the actual recognition.

Procedure AFTER the stay abroad:

• The application for recognition of individual achievements must be submitted within 6 months of returning from abroad.
• Send the confirmation of recognition and the recognition form to biologiestudium∂chem-bio.kit.edu.
• After review and approval by the examination board, the recognized achievements will be entered by the degree program coordinator. You will be notified accordingly in the event of a rejection.

Subject Representative Responsible for the Recognition of Examinations