Regulations and documents
Your studies are subject to certain rules and guidelines, and predefined processes ensure transparency. Ideally, you should familiarize yourself with these details even without a specific reason, so that you already have a general overview should the need arise. Use the overview provided here and read through everything carefully. In addition to subject-specific knowledge, this “organizational knowledge” is essential for your academic success!
The following documents form the formal framework for the master’s program in Political Science:
- General Examination and Study Regulations (APO) of the Faculty of Social Sciences:
As the name suggests, the APO contains general rules regarding examinations for all degree programs in the faculty. - Study and Examination Regulations (FPO) for the Master’s Program in Political Science:
The FPO supplements specific regulations for Political Science. In particular, the appendix defines the requirements to be fulfilled in the module groups. An overview of the modules to be selected can also be found under “Structure.” The FPO in effect at the start of the program applies. A switch to a newer version of the FPO is possible upon request. - Module Handbook (MHB):
The MHB contains general descriptions of all existing political science modules. Here you will also find learning objectives, recommended prerequisites, and possible exam formats. In addition, specific courses have their own titles based on content (e.g., “Populism in Europe”), but are always assigned to exactly one general module title (e.g., “PWM-PP-A”). Regardless of when you began your studies, the current version of the Module Handbook for each semester applies.
In general, MA-level modules (“external modules” [Fremdmodul]) that were not completed as part of our degree program may be credited toward modules in the MA in Political Science (“target modules” [Zielmodul]). Please familiarize yourself in advance with the various options for credit recognition.
- Form for Credit Recognition of External Coursework(166.5 KB)(166.5 KB)
- Guidelines for Converting Foreign Grades (157.6 KB, 1 page)(157.6 KB, 1 Seite)
Please refer to the Examination Office’s website and use this medical certificate form. For decentralized exams, always submit the certificate to the department (secretariat) hosting the exam. To meet the deadline, a scanned copy sent by email is sufficient; the original can be submitted later. It is not necessary to send it by certified mail; a standard letter is sufficient. Please note that the medical certificate must be issued on the day of the exam. If you submit a medical certificate, it will be recorded accordingly in FlexNow, and the exam registration will not count toward your maximum number of attempts.
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These guidelines apply to all written assignments at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bamberg.
16% of all students have one or more health impairments. Accommodations are a tool used to compensate, on an individual and situation-specific basis, for disadvantages in exams that result from a chronic illness or disability. Please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities [Kontaktstelle Studium mit Behinderung] before submitting an application!
How do I apply for accommodations?
You can submit an informal request for accommodations via email to the Political Science Examination Committee. Your request should include the following:
- A brief description of your disability
- As specific as possible suggestions for appropriate accommodations
- An assessment from the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities
- Relevant medical certificates documenting your disability
Your information will, of course, be treated confidentially and is subject to professional confidentiality.
(No) Accommodations by Exam Type
In certain cases, the examination committee may generally grant you accommodations. A classic example of this is an extension of writing time (e.g., by 25%) for written exams. In many cases, however, the examination board will merely recommend certain measures rather than specifically mandating them. An example of this might be an illness that is unpredictable and, in episodes, limits a student’s ability to study. In such cases, it is up to the discretion of the respective examiners to respond flexibly to specific needs within the context of the exam. This may apply, for example, to:
- Deadlines for term papers: Instead of automatically extending the writing period into the next semester, examiners may be encouraged to respond on a case-by-case basis to impairments caused by chronic illnesses that became acute during the writing period.
- Reading/spelling difficulties in written exams: In such cases, it is generally sufficient to include a brief note on the exam or term paper yourself, which can then be confirmed by the exam committee.
- Replacing presentations with other forms of assessment: In most modules, this will not be possible, as the competencies to be demonstrated cannot be individually adapted. If necessary, contact your instructor in a timely manner to discuss what options are available to accommodate your specific needs. The Examination Committee’s recommendation on individual accommodations is helpful in this regard.
An extension of the maximum duration of study is only possible if your studies have been substantially disrupted over an extended period of time. A classic example is a chronic illness that repeatedly leads to unpredictable and severe limitations in your studies, since taking a semester off due to illness is not an option in such cases.
How do I apply for an extension?
You can apply for an extension of the maximum duration of study by sending an informal email to the Political Science Examination Board. Your application should include the following:
- A brief explanation of the challenges you face (including specific limitations and the time period)
- If applicable, an assessment from the representative for students with disabilities
- Relevant medical certificates documenting the disability
What do I need to keep in mind?
For your application, it is particularly important to be familiar with the general requirements, especially APO SoWi §3, paragraph 4. It explains in simple terms: If, after reaching the maximum study period of 6 semesters (10 semesters for part-time students), you have not successfully completed all required modules, you have one more semester—the so-called “additional semester”—to pass all required modules. For extension applications, this means:
- If you are certain that the additional semester will be sufficient for you, there is no need to submit an extension request.
- A request to extend the maximum period of study must generally be submitted within the maximum period of study—that is, by the 6th semester, or the 10th semester for part-time students!
- A request submitted only during the additional semester may only pertain to matters related to that additional semester itself. It can therefore no longer pertain to the previous 6 (or 10) semesters. In this case, you may only request an extension of the additional semester.
- As a general rule, you can only submit a request for an extension once it becomes clear that you will not be able to complete your degree within the maximum period of study. This means you cannot submit an application to extend the maximum period of study “just to be on the safe side” as early as your third or fourth exam semester. However, you should contact Dr. Scheller, your academic advisor, as soon as possible to informally discuss a potential extension. You should also have your limitations documented in a timely, comprehensive, and ongoing manner and carefully keep all medical certificates for a future application.
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Links to various online portals at the University of Bamberg
- Online Services for Students (for various certificates, e.g., mandatory internships, semester fees, etc.)
- FlexNow (Exam registration and withdrawal, academic transcript)
- UnivIS (Course catalog, timetable creation)
- Virtual Campus (Course materials and communication)
- Corporate Design Templates (e.g., for PowerPoint templates in the university's design style)