The most frequently asked questions
General
No - there is a distinction in terms of the percentage distribution of applications:
If 65% of school leavers from technical and vocational secondary schools etc. apply and 35% from grammar schools, the same percentage of applicants from these schools will be admitted.
Important information about the current study programme (lecture cancellations, course offerings, etc.) is generally communicated on the "Schwarzen Brett" on the Internet; you will receive a personal notification by email if you subscribe to the corresponding newsletter.
There is currently an NC for the following study programmes: Physician Assistance.
You can find the timetables for the summer and winter semesters under Lecture / examination & lecture-free periods.
Contributions totalling to € 72.00 are charged for the student services. The semester ticket will no longer be used from the 2024/2025 winter semester.
Different conditions may apply for non-EU citizens.
Numerus clausus (from the Latin numerus for ‘number’ and clausus for ‘closed’) means ‘closed number’ and is commonly used to describe the limitation of a number.
Numerus clausus values - or better: the ‘admission rank’ - are not fixed, neither by the state nor by the university. Rather, they are determined anew in each procedure based on the current requirements of the individual applicants. An admission limit (admission rank) expresses the grade (usually the average grade of the Abitur) or how many semesters of waiting time (time without enrolment since acquiring the higher education entrance qualification) the last person admitted has.
Numerus clausus values - or better: the ‘admission rank’ - are not fixed, neither by the state nor by the university. Instead, they are determined anew in each procedure on the basis of the current requirements of the individual applicants. An admission limit (admission rank) expresses the grade (usually the average grade of the Abitur) or how many semesters of waiting time (time without enrolment since acquiring the higher education entrance qualification) the last person admitted has.
For your non-binding information, you will find the NCs of past admission procedures on the Zulassungsverfahren page.
There are numerous student residences at both locations in Amberg and Weiden (flats).
You will also find private providers offering flats or rooms.
Application procedure and change of degree program
You can find information on this on the page "Admission procedure". If you have specific questions about special quotas, hardship regulations, etc., please contact the Admissions Office.
Yes, it is possible to apply for several degree programmes via the online application portal.
Yes, you can apply to OTH Amberg-Weiden with a school-leaving certificate not obtained in Bavaria. The examination of the HZB (university entrance qualification = certificate) is carried out by the study office.
Foreign applicants must submit their certificates (in addition to the application to the OTH) to Uni-Assist for preliminary examination documentation (please apply in good time, a processing time of 4-6 weeks is needed).
In principle, successfully completed credits (including internships) can be recognised - even from a completed first degree. After enrolment at the OTH, a corresponding application with an official grade confirmation from your previous university must be submitted to the study office. The respective lecturers will then check whether the content and scope (credit points or semester hours per week) etc. of the subjects already completed meet the requirements of our subjects. Depending on this, recognition may or may not be granted. You can make your own assessment by comparing your previous subjects with the descriptions in the module handbook of the respective OTH degree programme.
The application must be submitted within the first 4 weeks after the start of the semester.
P.S.: As experience has shown that it can take several weeks to process the application, we recommend that you clarify with the relevant lecturer in person (e.g. during consultation hours) immediately at the start of the semester if you are applying for subjects in the first semester, so that you have clarity at short notice as to whether or not you have to attend the lecture or whether you still have to provide any certificates of achievement. If possible, bring relevant documents (e.g. module handbook from your previous university) with you to enable a comparison (excerpts are also attached to the application).
See "Applying" and "Changing degree programme".
Applications to OTH Amberg-Weiden must be submitted online from the start of the respective application periods on the university's homepage. When applying online, all required documents must be uploaded in electronic form.
No problem - simply upload an electronic version of your certificate by 27 July (current year) at the latest.
If you have already obtained your HZB (higher education entrance qualification) in the previous year or earlier, the cut-off date of 15 July applies and you must upload the HZB from your online application straight away.
This is reserved exclusively for students changing degree programmes. Entry into a higher semester is possible depending on the number of places available and your previous academic achievements. As soon as your application, including proof of previous academic achievements, has been submitted online, the Admissions Office and the Examination Board will decide on
a) Admission yes/no
b) provisional placement in a subject semester (based on the subjects you have already successfully completed in a previous degree programme compared to those we have planned for the respective semesters); you can make your own initial assessment in this regard by consulting the study and examination regulations with the associated curriculum and module handbook on our homepage for the respective degree programmes; if necessary, you can also contact the respective subject advisors.
Only after you have started your studies at our university will the respective lecturers make a binding decision on the basis of the subject content taught at your previous university as to whether the individual subjects will be recognised; this will then result in the final classification into a study semester.
Applications for a higher semester must be accompanied by an official transcript of records/confirmation (stamp and signature of the issuing university) of previous achievements.
Grades completed at another university can generally be recognised, provided they are comparable in terms of content and scope of work.
The application can be found in the student portal PRIMUSS and must be formally submitted with the relevant evidence via the Student Office ( after enrolment) and will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the responsible examination board.
The application must be submitted within 4 weeks of the start of the semester.
An application to OTH Amberg-Weiden is only possible online.
If you follow the instructions, you will receive an e-mail with a link where you can track the status of your application. You can also find the application status on the homepage.
The applicant can also check in the upload area of the application whether all documents have been uploaded on time and in the correct order or whether anything else needs to be submitted.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Admissions Office.
Final enrolment by OTH AW before the start of the semester can only take place if all required documents have been uploaded. Sufficient health insurance cover is also required; the documents are transmitted digitally between the statutory health insurance provider and OTH Amberg-Weiden.
Contributions totalling € 162.00 are due for the student services. The amount is made up of € 72.00 student services fee and € 90.00 semester ticket.
After successful enrolment by OTH Amberg-Weiden, your student ID card will be sent to you by post (Amberg department only).
Enrolment will be denied if, for example, you have definitively failed the preliminary or diploma examination or the Bachelor's examination in the same degree programme.
For degree programmes with restricted admission, admission at OTH Amberg-Weiden is coordinated via Hochschulstart in the so-called "dialogue-oriented service procedure", or DoSV for short.
Physican Assistance (BA), PA for short, is currently the only degree programme at OTH Amberg-Weiden with restricted admission and therefore takes part in the DoSV. To apply for the PA degree programme, you must first register with Hochschulstart and then register and apply to OTH Amberg-Weiden in the application portal. The data synchronisation between Hochschulstart and OTH Amberg-Weiden is automated. Further information can be found directly on the Hochschulstart homepage at https://dosv.hochschulstart.de and on the OTH Amberg-Weiden homepage at https://www.oth-aw.de/studiengaenge-und-bildungsangebote/jetzt-studieren/bewerbeneinschreiben/
At the OTH Amberg-Weiden, it is mainly possible to start your studies in the first semester during the winter semester. Studies then begin on 01st October each year.
Application period winter semester (every year):
01 May to 15 July for all Bachelor's degree programmes (selected Master's degree programmes until 15 June)
Application period hochschulstart.de/ DoSV:
Application period for the winter semester: 15 April to 15 July of each year
Application period summer semester (every year) :
15 November to 15 January
ATTENTION: only higher semesters and all Master's degree programmes and selected Bachelor's degree programmes can be as freshmen semester
The application documents/ upload section must be submitted online to OTH Amberg-Weiden during the above-mentioned periods. Attention: Deadline !!!
(Pre)internship
A (pre)internship is required for the following degree programmes:
- Energy Technology, Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection
- Plastics technology
- Mechanical engineering
- Mechatronics and digital automation
- Medical Engineering
- Motorsport Engineering
- Patent Engineering
- International Technology Management
- Bio and environmental process engineering
- Industrial Engineering and Management
You can find detailed information on the (pre)internship for your degree programme under your respective degree programme on the Apply page.
Examinations
It is important to find out where the examination will take place. The lecture hall allocation is communicated in advance online on the homepage of the respective degree programme and on the notice board. You should then go to the respective room in good time and have your identity card with you. It is also important that everyone signs the signature list and that you take the printout of your exam registration with you as proof.
If you are ill and cannot take part in an examination, the study office requires the "Certificate of incapacity for examination from family doctor/specialist". You can find this in the Primuss portal under "Notification of incapacity for examination - template for the doctor". Please have the doctor fill it out on the day of the examination and hand it in to the Student office promptly during the examination period. If you are ill for the second time during an examination, please contact the study office.
Examination schedules are announced on the homepage of the respective degree programme. Changes at short notice will be posted there first. Please note that some examinations are held before the actual examination period, but this will be announced well in advance.
Semester off
An application must be submitted before the start of the semester in question (at the latest within the first 4 weeks after the start of the semester).
Yes, the deadlines for repeat examinations are not extended by a semester break, i.e. repeat examinations can and must be taken during the semester break. However, new examinations may not be taken.
Yes, you must re-register as normal and the student services fee for the Studentenwerk Oberfranken must be paid.
The student services fee is € 72.00. The semester ticket will no longer be used from the 2024/2025 winter semester.
The semester off does not count towards the standard period of study!
You can apply for a semester off in the following cases:
- Military service (photocopy of call-up notice)
- Civilian service (photocopy of call-up notice)
- Maternity leave (maternity certificate)
- Parental leave (birth certificate)
- Individual cases (supporting documents)
- Serious illness (medical certificate)
UNIcert
UNIcert® stands for university-related foreign language training. The UNIcert® system is intended to guarantee the equivalence of language training at universities, ensure quality standards and an internationally comparable level of training. As an additional qualification, the UNIcert® certificate promotes the mobility and competitiveness of university graduates on the international labour market. Around 50 German universities are currently UNIcert® certified, and their number, and thus the recognition of this quality seal within Germany and Europe, is constantly growing.
The lessons and examinations are certified according to UNIcert® standards.
If you successfully complete the course, OTH Amberg-Weiden will award you a UNIcert® certificate at basic level, level I, II or III (out of four levels). You will receive a foreign language certificate in which your individual skills and abilities are listed and assessed in detail. The certificate describes the skills you have acquired in several languages and provides a much more detailed overview of your foreign language skills than a "normal" certificate grade. A UNIcert® certificate therefore offers a decisive competitive advantage, e.g. when applying for a job.
The various certification systems all have their own special features that make a direct comparison less meaningful. The comparison is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which all certification systems now use as a benchmark. However, the UNIcert® levels can also be compared with TOEFL, the Cambridge qualifications and many other certificates in this way.
The courses are aimed at students of all degree programmes at Amberg-Weiden University of Applied Sciences as well as external participants who wish to improve their oral and written language skills in English, Czech, Russian or Polish. Irrespective of any compulsory courses, these courses are offered additionally and on a voluntary basis. The prerequisite for participation in levels II and III is the certificate of the respective lower UNIcert® level or the passing of a assessment test or interview. A prerequisite for lateral entrants to level I (Russian Amberg, course 3) is also the passing of an assessment test. The assessment test usually takes place on the first day of the course.
The courses are offered if there is a sufficient minimum number of participants. Participation is limited to 25. If the number of registrations exceeds 25, the grade of the assessment test will be decisive.
In addition to successfully passing the UNIcert® exam, the prerequisite for obtaining the certificate is participation in at least 75% of the courses in the chosen language and level.
UNIcert® examinations take place after the last course of a level (exception: cumulation). Participation in UNIcert® examinations is voluntary.
The OTH is accredited for the following languages and levels:
UNicert® level A2 | Unicert® I B1 | Unicert® II B2 | Unicert® III C1 |
Polish | Polish | Polish |
|
Russian | Russian | Russian | Russian |
Czech | Czech | Czech | Czech |
|
| English | English |
Each level comprises of 8 SWS.
Slavic languages: Basic to II level - general language, Russian and Czech level III - university-specific and professional language.
English: UNIcert® II covers business and technical English as part of the 'English for Engineers' programme and is ideal for WI students (after successful participation in the compulsory course 'English' in the 1st semester of WI) or all engineering courses in Amberg and external participants. UNIcert® III is pure business English, recommended for BW and SP students.
Further information on course duration etc. can be obtained from the respective course heads.
There are basically 4 levels. At the OTH Amberg-Weiden, levels I to III are currently offered, depending on the language.
The aim of the basic level and UNIcert® - Level I is to acquire basic knowledge as a solid basis for further study of the language. Previous knowledge is not required. UNIcert® - Level I is orientated towards CEFR-B1.
The aim of UNIcert® - Level II is to teach language and cultural basics. This lays the foundations for a longer stay abroad and for further independent learning. Sufficient communication skills are achieved to communicate in professional/academic situations (lowest mobility level). UNIcert® - Level II is orientated towards CEFR-B2.
UNIcert® - Level III is an advanced level of language competence that allows you to study abroad or to move confidently in a professional environment (recommended mobility level).
UNIcert® - Level III is based on CEFR-C1.
Students register online for the courses offered by the Language Centre. External participants should register with Ms Petra König, Language Centre Assistance.
Students "with a native speaker background" can only take the UNIcert® II and III certificate.
Normally, the levels UNIcert® I-III build on each other: e.g. I can only attend UNIcert® II if I have successfully completed UNIcert® I or an equivalent examination or if I have successfully passed a corresponding entrance test or interview that confirms this level of knowledge.
For students who have Russian as their language of origin, there is a special Unicert® III programme, which focuses primarily on writing skills. Participants do not have to take the previous levels I and II.
The attendance requirement of at least 75% must be met in all UNIcert® courses.
You can find further information on our homepage (Language Centre).
Information options for choosing a course of study
It is possible for interested pupils to attend lectures - please note the following:
1. Wait for a certain "settling-in phase" after the start of the semester and only visit classes from the 2nd or 3rd week of lectures onwards
2. Take note of the timetables: this will allow you to choose one or more lectures that are of interest to you and fit in with your schedule;
P.S.: You can use the "notice board" to identify any short-term lecture cancellations
3. Contact the respective lecturer briefly before the start of the lecture and inform them that you would like to join the lecture as a student = guest
Of course, this rule only applies to individual students or small groups (approx. up to 4 people); separate procedures must be agreed for larger groups. In such cases, please contact the study office.
- for programme-specific questions: the academic advisors of the respective degree programme
- for questions regarding admission, enrolment, internship and examination law: Study office
- for general questions: the Study and Career Service
You can find the relevant contact details on the study programme webpages.
Enrolment
No.
After successful enrolment by OTH Amberg-Weiden, your student ID card will be sent to you by post (Amberg department only). You must have the validity date of the semester printed on your identity card at the beginning of your studies. You will find a card printer in Amberg in front of the library and in Weiden in the administration building in front of the student office.
You apply for enrolment online in your application portal, please refer to your letter of admission which is available in your application portal. OTH Amberg-Weiden will confirm your enrolment once all the required documents have been received online and the student services fee has been paid.
Your student ID card will then be sent to you by post (around September for the Amberg department only).
Exam registration
Yes, you must register for all subjects in which you want a grade. This is independent of whether or not it is a written examination (e.g. "only" coursework during the semester as proof of performance).
You can register online via your PRIMUSS portal. There you select the option Exam registration and can register for the exams. Please print out your receipt for each registration. You can check your registration status at any time from the following day.
Yes, exam registration is binding at the OTH Amberg-Weiden.
The exact registration period for the examinations can be found in the Primuss portal and is announced publicly via the university notice board and Facebook.
Deadlines for examinations
The number of second and third attempts for module or partial module examinations is not limited (but: Bachelor's or master’s thesis may only be repeated once with a new topic). This means that you may write each examination three times.
Each student is also entitled to a third retake examination (fourth attempt) during the entire degree programme.
If the standard duration of study is exceeded by more than 2 semesters (4 semesters for diploma programmes), the examinations not yet taken (including the Bachelor's or Master's thesis) are deemed to have been failed for the first time (see RaPO § 8 para. 3) - for examinations in which a 5 has already been received, the normal retake deadlines apply.
This means that students on bachelor’s degree programmes at the OTH receive the grade "fail" in open subjects after the ninth semester, and in Diploma degree programmes after the twelfth semester. In the master’s degree programmes, this deadline is five after the fifth semester. After this, students have the regular opportunity to retake examinations.
Exceptions are regulated by RaPO § 8 para. 4.
If you have failed an examination for the first time, you must retake it in the next semester or have 1 year to do so, depending on the examination regulations to which you are assigned.
The second or third (one fourth attempt) repeat examination must be taken within twelve months of the announcement of the result of the grade of the previous repeat examination. You will also find the deadlines for retaking examinations on your marksheet.
Language center
As a rule, yes, but there are also courses that students from other degree programmes can take as compulsory elective modules or „Vertiefung” modules. These students then have priority for course participation. We regulate it in such a way that we reduce the registration list in the online registration accordingly, i.e. instead of offering 25 free places, we only offer 15, because 10 places must be secured for specific study groups such as e.g. WPM.
Our language courses are taught exclusively face-to-face.
With the exception of the A2.2 course, for which there are special conditions, language courses taken at the Language Centre cannot replace the language certificate required for admission to studies.
Students from all four faculties of our university take part in our SZ courses. Each faculty or degree programme has different requirements for credit accreditation, so we would ask you to first check the module handbook of your degree programme and, if necessary, ask the Students’ Office whether a language course can be accredited to your degree programme.
Please note that it is generally not possible to join a course after the second lesson.
We ask for your understanding that we do not admit native speakers to our courses. Our teaching staff are in close contact with the Students’ Office on this matter and will not admit native speakers to the examination.
Yes, more detailed information on external participation can be found here.
The Language Centre can only issue certificates of the UNIcert® language programme for UNIcert® courses, e.g. the English UNIcert® II, III courses. The German courses are not part of this language programme; if you need proof for your application, you can add the grade confirmation from Primuss together with a copy of the module description of your course to your application.
Our language course groups have a maximum of 25 course participants.
Online registration is active from 1 August to 1 October and from 10 February to 15 March.
If a language course does not take place, those who have registered will be informed in good time.
The UNIcert® training programme lasts several semesters, as it consists of various modules that are offered alternately in the winter and summer semesters. If you are aiming for a UNIcert® certificate, you must achieve a minimum participation rate of 75%. Furthermore, all skills (listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension and text production) of each module should be taken and passed with a minimum grade of 4.0.
A language course will only take place if there are enough (at least 8) registrations. Should the number of participants shrink considerably within the two lecture dates, we reserve the right to cancel the course.
No, our English courses are reserved exclusively for students on German-language degree programmes. As a rule, English courses are not creditable for English-language degree programmes.
Then you can still sign up on the waiting list („Nachrückerliste”).
You can register for language courses at the OTH Language Centre (SZ) from around 1 August for the winter semester and 10 February for the summer semester.
All room and time details of the language courses are published in the timetables.
Semester abroad
In principle, you can take courses according to your previous knowledge as you wish (with the risk that these will not be recognised at OTH Amberg-Weiden or in specific addition to the content of your studies), but in order to maximise the benefit for your further studies, you should proceed as follows before your stay abroad:
1) Pre-select courses of interest to you (browse the internet, compare with your study plan)
2) Discussion or email correspondence with the responsible examination board chairperson at the OTH Amberg-Weiden as to whether the respective course can be recognised for the relevant subject in your degree programme (you should provide the lecturers with corresponding subject descriptions including information on the time required, e.g. from the Internet)
3) Decision regarding attendance depending on whether the course can be recognised or not
Submit a corresponding application for recognition after your stay abroad (bring official proof of the content, scope and grade of the subjects!)
You may have to observe certain additional restrictions, e.g. for funding reasons or similar: you can also enquire about this with the staff at the International Office.
A semester abroad is not only counted towards the maximum duration of study if a semester abroad has been applied for and approved; however, this may result in other disadvantages.
If you want to take examinations abroad that will be credited to your degree programme at OTH Amberg-Weiden, you cannot apply for a semester off.
See: International Office
Re-registration
All students who wish to continue their studies, including those who are in the practical semester, must re-register, as those who do not do so will be Ex matriculated (de-registered).
Ex matriculation can take place at the earliest after the correction of the last examination (correction of the final thesis or written examination) or colloquium. The date of de-registration is the end of the current semester. The submission of the final thesis is irrelevant.
Pregnancy during studies and studying with a child
Here are some brochures and websites to give you an initial overview:
Brochure " Balancing work and family life"
Family-friendly university
Brochure "Studying - with a child!"
If you become pregnant during your studies, you can contact the Centre for Gender and Diversity (ZGD): www.oth-aw.de/informieren-und-entdecken/einrichtungen/zentrum-gender-diversity/ueber-uns/ for advice and information on period of protection.
In your PRIMUSS portal you will find an application to report a pregnancy.
- Psychosocial counseling
- General study conditions
- Individual study plan
Academic advisors for the respective degree programs
- Semester off
- Flexibilization of examination regulations
- Deadlines for taking certain examinations (see Framework Examination Regulations and General Examination Regulations)
- Repeat examinations
- Withdrawal from examinations.
The binding examination registration applies. If you are unable to take an examination for which you have registered, please contact the Office of Student Affairs/Examinations Office. The decision on withdrawal will then be made by the examination board of your degree program. If you or your child are ill on the day of the examination, please submit a corresponding application (see PRIMUSS portal) to the study office as soon as possible and enclose a corresponding medical certificate.
- Financing your studies
- BAföG
- Special regulations for pregnant women and student parents
- BAföG
- Scholarships
- Student loans
- Social assistance
- Childcare
ID cards and keys
In order to be able to use the card as a student ID card, you must provide it with a validity date at a validation station/card printer!
The validation station is located in Amberg in the foyer of the library and in Weiden in the main building, ground floor in the corridor in front of room 006 (Student Office).
If you are successfully re-registered, the card should be printed with the new semester end date at the validation station.
Please do not insert any bent cards into the validation printer! This can damage the printer!
The chip card/student ID will be sent to you by post after successful enrolment by OTH Amberg-Weiden and contains the following functions:
- Student ID card (only with printed validity date!)
- Library card (the library number printed next to the photo is also used to use the OPACS and for interlibrary loan requests)
- Payment function (e.g. canteen, photocopier)
- Access authorization (e.g. to IT rooms, entrances, parking lot opener, 24-hour library after request)
If you need access to laboratories, please contact the responsible laboratory supervisors of the faculties.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the chip card/student ID card, please contact Mr. Schuhbauer.
If the chip card is lost or defective, this must be reported immediately to the OTH Student Office or by email to webmaster@oth-aw.de in order to avoid misuse of the card.
You will be issued a new card, which you can collect here:
Amberg: Administration building, IT administration (room 017)
Weiden: Main building, student office (room 008)
You will receive an e-mail notification when the new card has been issued.
The credit on the card will be transferred to the new card. To do this, you must report to the cashier in the canteen with the new card.
Please note the following when using the chip card:
- Please handle your chip card/student ID card with care!
- High temperatures (washing machine, in the car in summer) and mechanical stress (use as an ice scraper, carrying it unprotected in your back pocket) can damage the card!
If the card is defective through your own fault, a processing fee of 15 Euros will be charged for the new card.
Am Standort Amberg funktionieren die Schließfächer durch Münzbetrieb. Am Standort Weiden erhält man auf Nachfrage einen Schließfachschlüssel im Studienbüro.
At the Amberg campus, the lockers are coin-operated. At the Weiden campus, you can obtain a locker key from the Student Office on request.
Certificate
The calculation of the overall grade varies depending on the degree program, often also within a degree programme depending on the study and examination regulations.
The applicable study and examination regulations (SPO) are always decisive for the calculation. For details, please refer to your degree programme; the SPO that applies to you can be found on your marksheet in the PRIMUSS portal.
FAQ about studying part-time
General
The part-time study model at OTH Amberg-Weiden means that students earn an average of 20 ECTS credits per semester, i.e. they have a lower workload per semester. For comparison: In the full-time course, a semester is usually completed with 30 ECTS points.
The content as well as the study and examination achievements do not differ from the full-time course. As a result, a total of 210 ECTS credits are acquired in an extended standard period of study of 11 semesters. The bachelor’s degree is awarded upon successful completion of the course.
Schedule of studies
This depends on the degree programme you choose. If this programme provides for specializations/focus areas, you must choose one in accordance with the study and examination regulations.
Part-time students are integrated into the full-time curriculum. They attend the same courses as students on the full-time course, but with fewer modules per semester. As a rule, lectures take place Monday to Friday in the mornings and afternoons.
In the first few semesters, the basic subjects provide the necessary technical foundation for your training. Depending on your chosen degree course, after the practical phase you decide on your preferred specialization and deepen your specialist knowledge. In the integrated practical phase, you will complete an extensive industrial internship in a company or institution.
In the full-time program, the practical phase comprises an internship of 100 working days, which should be completed in one continuous period. In part-time studies, this corresponds to an equivalent of 100 working days, which can be spread over two semesters, provided the internship provider allows this. By submitting an informal application, you can also combine the practical phase and complete it full-time in one semester if the 100 working days are completed full-time in this semester. The standard period of study is shortened by one semester accordingly. In the eleventh semester, you usually complete your studies by writing your bachelor’s thesis.
The weekly attendance time for part-time students is around 9-12 hours of 45 minutes each. In addition, there is time for preparing and following up on courses, possible group work outside the courses and time for self-study.
Part-time study is easily compatible with (flexible) employment of around 20-25 hours/week. However, students are expected to show a certain flexibility and willingness to adapt their working hours to the course times. Employers must also expect that working hours may change each semester.
No. Part-time students choose their courses from the same range of courses as full-time students. OTH Amberg-Weiden strives to adapt the teaching times to the needs of the students.
Please bear in mind that, unlike working professional students, your lecture times will not be in the evenings or at weekends.
Winter semester: from the beginning of October to mid-March, the exams usually take place in the first weeks of the lecture-free period from mid/end of January. Lectures are held from October until the beginning of the lecture-free period.
Summer semester: from mid-March to the end of September, examinations usually take place in the first weeks of the lecture-free period from the beginning/mid-July. Lectures are held from mid-March until the beginning of the lecture-free period.
You can find all information on courses and lecture times on our website under the relevant degree program. Once you have received your letter of admission, you can draw up your semester timetable and coordinate the times with your employer or childcare facilities if necessary. The Student Advisory Service will be happy to help you with your planning.
Financial
According to the current legal situation, part-time students are not entitled to BAföG funding (as of 13.08.2018). Please check other consequences of part-time study (e.g. health insurance, child benefit, etc.) well in advance.
Since the winter semester 2013/14, tuition fees have no longer been charged in Bavaria. The basic fee for student services is currently 72 euros. This also applies to students on leave of absence, students on internships and students on semesters abroad.
No, the semester fee must be paid each semester.
Change
A change from full-time to part-time and vice versa is possible once, after a discussion with study counselling, provided that a place is available in the respective degree program. Prior to this, a discussion with the study counselling must be held in which the reasons for a change are discussed and documented for the examination board. A further change is also only possible upon application. Proof must be provided that the reason for the first change no longer exists. It is not possible to switch to the other study model in the event of de-registration due to a failed full-time or part-time examination!
For students who were once enrolled on a full-time degree course, all examination deadlines continue to run as they did on the full-time degree course. Switching to a part-time degree course does not extend these deadlines further.
In addition, the change should only be made after a personal consultation. Here you will discuss with the student advisor whether a change (still) makes sense and how to proceed. After thorough examination and planning, submit an application for transfer to the Student office. You must also submit an online application for a higher semester. Please note the following deadlines: Beginning of May to July 15 for a transfer to the winter semester and mid-November to January 15 for a transfer to the summer semester.
Crediting of previously completed examinations
Yes, all credits earned on the full-time course will be credited to the part-time course and vice versa. Please complete the application for credit transfer. Please note, however, that all (repeat) deadlines will also be taken into account.
In principle, every examination achievement must be checked by the module supervisor. The module supervisor will decide whether the work completed so far can be credited. To do this, you must also complete an application for credit transfer and submit it to the Examinations Office.
This depends on the degree programme you choose. If this requires a (pre)-internship, you must complete this in accordance with the requirements of the study and examination regulations.
Competences acquired outside of the university sector may not replace more than half of the competences to be proven. The Chair of the Examination Board decides on the comparability and creditability of achievements and skills acquired outside of the higher education sector.
Requirements
The same admission requirements apply for the part-time course as for the full-time version. There is no NC, but a university entrance qualification recognized in Bavaria is required.
Professionally qualified students can also apply for a place on the course. Information on application and admission can be found on our website.
Application
No, you can only apply for part-time or full-time study. If you apply for both types of study, only the application for full-time study will be considered. However, you can withdraw an application up to the end of the application period and submit a new one for the other type of study.
Miscellaneous
No, in principle you can do any job alongside your studies. The important thing is that you have a flexible job so that you can adapt your working hours to the lecture times as soon as the course catalogues are online.
No, ECTS points are valid ‘for life’.
FAQ to the dual study programme
Yes. Both in the case of joint studies and in the case of studies with in-depth practice, the holiday entitlement is regulated in the education contract (contract on dual studies) with the practice partner and is based on this.
Dual students should have the same holiday entitlement as regular trainees in the respective training company. In principle, the holiday entitlement for students of full age is also based on the Federal Leave Act. This stipulates a statutory minimum holiday entitlement of 20 working days with a 5-day working week in 52 working weeks per calendar year. If the holiday entitlement is regulated by collective agreement and the collective agreement is applicable, this regulation also applies to composite students. After passing the final chamber examination, the contractual regulation for the period after the completed vocational training and the Federal Leave Act apply.
The leave is taken during the practice period in the lecture-free period. If more days of leave than prescribed by law are granted per year, lecture-free days during the semester can be counted towards the leave.
There are two variants of how dual students can participate in vocational school classes and prepare for the final vocational examination:
Variant 1: Participation in the regular vocational school class (frequent variant):
Dual students attend the regular training class in the 1st year of training. Under certain circumstances, they can attend the 2nd school year straight away. In the second and third apprenticeship year they study on their own. Old examination papers can be requested from various publishers for preparation. Information on this can be obtained from the competent chambers.
Variant 2: Participation in own vocational school classes or special courses (rare variant):
Dual students are taught in their own vocational school classes or in special courses during the lecture-free period. The vocational school classes and university schedule are coordinated in terms of content and time. Thus, dual students can attend vocational school classes in all 3 years of training.
The establishment of a separate specialised class is only possible with a minimum of 16 participants per study programme / training occupation in the academic year. In the start-up phase, the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and Art also approves a smaller number (approx. 12 participants).
Composite students do not necessarily have to attend vocational school. (Fach-) Abitur holders are entitled to attend vocational school, but are not required to attend vocational school.
The amount of remuneration is based on the regular training salary of the practice partner. Remuneration is obligatory for all company phases; remuneration is highly recommended for the theory phases at the university. In the joint study programme, the remuneration during the training corresponds to the remuneration of a traditional apprentice. For the periods of in-company practical and study phases that lie after the announcement of passing the final examination (AP Part 2), we also recommend observing any relevant collective agreement TV. Once you have completed your vocational training, the remuneration is usually agreed individually between you and the practice partner. The practice partner must also observe the applicable minimum wage regulation for the period after the vocational qualification until the end of the dual study programme (Bachelor's degree).
Before the start of the joint study programme, the future students conclude a contract on the dual study programme with the practice partner, in which the type and scope of the practical assignments, remuneration and holiday entitlement as well as all other general conditions are regulated.
In addition to the education contract, the future students conclude a vocational training contract:
You can download the IHK's vocational training contract directly here. It is entered in the register by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce.
Contracts for the skilled trades are available directly from the Chambers of Skilled Trades.
A sample training contract for the combined study programme in business administration and training as a tax assistant is available from the respective Chamber of Tax Advisors.
In addition, the practice partner clarifies the most important cornerstones of the dual study programme with the university (e.g. level of practical training, entry and admission requirements for the study programme). This agreement with the university should be made in writing.
The dual study programme is particularly suitable for highly motivated and goal-oriented prospective students.
The remuneration of students is obligatory at least for the operational phases. Their salary should initially be at least 80%, and from the 3rd semester onwards 100% of the remuneration of corresponding apprenticeship occupations in the second year of training. The practice partner must also observe the applicable minimum wage regulation for the additional practical phases in the degree programme with in-depth practice. The level of remuneration for Master's degree programmes should be appropriately higher than the remuneration in Bachelor's degree programmes.
There are no tuition fees. Only the student union fee of €72 is due per semester.
Dual stands for the combination of two places of learning: the university is responsible for the academic transfer of knowledge, the company, public authority or social institution for the practical side. In Bavaria there are two different study models:
- Composite study: in 4.5 years, one combines a Bachelor's degree and vocational training. At the end of the study programme, you have a Bachelor's degree and completed vocational training. This study programme is also known as a training-integrated study programme.
- Studies with in-depth practice: Here you combine a regular Bachelor's or Master's degree with intensive practice. The Bachelor's programme lasts 3.5 years. The Master's programme lasts 1.5 - 2 years full-time and 2.5 - 3 years part-time.
During the semester, students attend the regular lectures at the university. During the semester break, the practical semester and while writing the Bachelor's or Master's thesis, you work for a partner in the practice. At the end of the dual study programme, you earn a full academic degree and have already gained a lot of professional experience.
This is understood as the combination of intensive practical experience in the company and studies at a university. The students gain extensive practical experience parallel to the regular Bachelor's or Master's programme at the university. Vocational training, as in the case of combined studies, is not a component. The following formulas apply to studies with in-depth practice:
Bachelor's degree: Regular Bachelor's degree at the university + intensive practical experience in the company with own projects + preparation for the later area of responsibility in the company + Bachelor's thesis (usually partly in the company). Duration of the Bachelor's programme: 3.5 years.
Master's programme: Regular Master's programme at the university + intensive practical work in the company with own projects + preparation for the later area of responsibility in the company + Master's thesis (in the company). Duration of the Master's programme: 1.5 to 2 years full-time and 2.5 to 3 years part-time.
The company assignments are divided into practical phases that precede the study programme, the lecture-free period, the practical semester and the time of the final thesis. In most cases, the timetable corresponds to that of regular non-dual studies, so that dual students attend the same lectures and seminars together with non-dual students. In this way, dual students receive a broad, high-quality, application-oriented theoretical education and acquire a large portfolio of professional skills through the additional extensive practical units in the company.
Dual study programmes are geared towards "initial vocational training". For example, the combined study programme combines academic studies with in-company training in a recognised training occupation, whereby the places of learning involved are contractually interlinked. Dual students are subject to compulsory insurance in all areas of social security. Therefore, dual students also benefit from the resulting entitlements to benefits, such as the crediting of the dual study period towards pension insurance entitlements.
Working students usually pursue paid employment parallel to their studies; the embedding of this practice in the initial vocational training is irrelevant. Likewise, the interlocking of learning locations is not an essential component of this model. Provided that the weekly working time does not exceed 20 hours, working students are generally exempt from labour, health and long-term care insurance.
At the state universities of applied sciences in Bavaria, two main models of dual study are currently offered:
Model 1 Composite studies: combination of academic Bachelor's studies at a Bavarian university with vocational training in a company.
Model 2 Study with in-depth practice: combination of academic Bachelor's studies at a Bavarian university with intensive practical work in a company.
Both models are offered in the dual Bachelor's programme. The dual Master's programme is organised exclusively as a programme with in-depth practice.
Which of the Bachelor's study models is chosen most often?
Currently, two-thirds of the students are enrolled in the combined study model and one-third of the students are enrolled in the study with in-depth practice model.
As a rule, any company / authority / institution can offer the dual study programme. Nevertheless, there are some requirements that must be met:
Ensure a high level of practical training that is professionally oriented towards later professional activity
Ensuring a qualified mentor who accompanies the dual students and is in contact with the university. Furthermore, it is recommended that the mentor has an academic background in order to ensure the best possible supervision during the practical semester and during the Bachelor's or Master's thesis.
In the case of a combined study programme: fulfilment of the suitability criteria for the combined training occupation in accordance with the BBiG (training authorisation).
You can study all degree programmes at OTH Amberg-Weiden on a dual basis (except for part-time study programs). To do so, you need a company that supports your plan and a degree programme that matches your field of study. You can find existing cooperation and study combinations in our database.
The following degrees are possible:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.)
- Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.)
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Master of Engineering (M. Eng.)
- Master of Science (M. Sc.)
FAQ to the work-study programme?
Most of our master’s courses are offered in three in presence block weeks per semester. This means that you can continue to work full-time by planning your vacation. An exception is the LL.M. Tax Law and Taxation, where lectures are regularly held on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the lecture period. We recommend a maximum professional workload of 30 hours/week for this degree program. The other LL.M.s require attendance once a month from Thursday to Saturday during the lecture period.
You can get an impression of the attendance times by looking at the timetable for the respective degree programme.
You can have your previous qualifications from further education, advanced training or a previous course of study credited and thus shorten your studies. The assessment of the crediting and the crediting itself always depends on the individual case.
Depending on the course, it is possible to start in the winter semester only or in the winter and summer semesters.
Application periods:
Winter semester: 01.05. - 15.07.
Summer semester: 15.11. - 15.01.
It may also be possible to extend an application period. Please contact the OTH Professional programme coordinators directly.
Contact OTH Professional
A work-study program is organized in such a way that it can be completed while working. Lectures take place in the evenings, on weekends or in a few block weeks per semester. In contrast to full-time study, self-study, i.e. independent learning from home, takes up a larger proportion of the course. The advantage of this is that students can organize their learning workload according to their own rhythm, regardless of time and place.
This varies depending on the degree course and previous qualifications. On average, you should plan 9 semesters for a work-study bachelor’s degree, while a work-study Master's degree usually takes 4 to 5 semesters.
You can find more information about the bachelor’s program here.
You can find more information about the master’s program here.
The costs for a work-study program at OTH Amberg-Weiden vary between €1,928 and €3,720 per semester, depending on the course.
In addition, the student services fee of currently €72 per semester is to be paid (as of July 2022).
For a master’s degree, you must have at least one year of relevant professional experience after completing your bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, professional experience before or during your bachelor’s degree cannot be taken into account.
You can also attend the module of a master’s degree program individually and parallelly build up professional experience.
A work-study degree course is a degree course in which students are employed or have an independent occupation during the period of study. However, employment is not usually a prerequisite for admission to the course. The course takes place in the evenings, at weekends or in a few block weeks per semester.
The requirements vary depending on the course. For a bachelor’s degree, a university entrance qualification is required (Fachabitur, Abitur or professional qualification), for a continuing education Master's degree, you need a Bachelor's degree and at least one year of professional experience afterwards. All information on the requirements for the work-study program can be found here.
Bachelor:
Trade and Service Management (B.A.)
Master:
Labor Law (LL.M.)
Digital Business Management (MBA)
Digital Marketing (MBA)
Commercial and Corporate Law (LL.M.)
Management in Healthcare (MBA)
Medical Law (LL.M.)
Technology Management 4.0 (MBA)
Tax Law and Taxation (LL.M)
Further information on all degree programs can be found here.
- The course opens up new potential areas of work and qualifies you for higher-level roles.
- The results and knowledge gained during your studies can be put directly into practice in the workplace.
- The theory you learn can be put directly into practice and have a positive influence on your work results.
- During your studies, you will already qualify for higher-level jobs.
- The thesis can solve a real problem in your company and can therefore directly recommend you for a specific area of responsibility or a new position.
Extra occupational study has a number of advantages, such as financial independence, as you continue to receive a salary, you can put what you have learned directly into practice and you continue to gain professional experience.