Frequently Asked Questions
Questions related to the study and examination regulations
For Finance students, both the subject-specific examination regulations and the general framework regulations are relevant. Since there are examination regulations from different years, please check which set applies to you. You can find your specific examination regulations in various places on Campusonline; for example, they are listed on your Transcript of Records. Note that the current framework regulations may reference the older ones for certain topics. Please read through the examination regulations carefully, as they contain many important details. An overview of the examination and framework regulations can be found here.
By the end of your fourth semester, you should have earned at least 75 credit points. By the end of your sixth semester, you must complete the entire program, including your Master's thesis. If these deadlines are not met, your right to take exams may expire, potentially resulting in the loss of your study place and preventing you from completing your degree in Ulm.
To identify the area your course is eligible for, visit Campusonline and refer to the module handbook, which provides detailed course descriptions and shows the allocation of modules to specific areas and specializations.
After logging into Campusonline, go to "Study" > "Browse Module Descriptions" on the left, then select Master of Science Finance PO 2021. From there, navigate to the relevant specialization and course. You can click on the (i) icon or download the module description as a PDF.
Alternatively, you can download the complete module handbook by selecting "Module Handbooks" instead of "Browse Module Descriptions." This handbook contains all relevant information, including the allocation of courses to areas and specializations.
By default, you will be assigned the specialization "Actuarial Science" because it is first alphabetically. The Student Administration Office will ask you to confirm or change this selection before the examination period of the first semester, typically contacting you via email before Christmas. You still have the option to change your specialization in the second semester, but the decision must be finalized before the examination period of that semester begins. This is your last chance to change your specialization. To make any changes, simply contact the Student Administration Office via email. After the start of the examination period in the second semester, further changes are not permitted.
Questions related to the Master's thesis
Yes, you must register for the Master’s thesis within three months of your final exam. Your final exam is the last exam you need to complete all requirements for finishing the program, apart from the Master’s thesis. You may register earlier if you have earned at least 60 credit points. Once registered, the thesis must be submitted within six months.
If you have completed your last examination with exception of the Master's thesis and are subsequently granted a leave of absence, the deadline for registering for the Master's thesis is postponed accordingly. In individual cases, please contact the Student Administration Office to clarify your registration deadline.
You can find information on the registration process and the application form on this website of the Student Administration Office.
The Master’s thesis must be submitted six months after registration. You can check the exact deadline on your certificate of registered examinations which can be found on Campusonline.
You should find a professor who can supervise the topic of your Master’s thesis. Many institutes list available topics and supervisors on their websites, so please check there for information. If you are unable to find a supervisor in time, you may request the examination board to assign you a topic and supervisor.
The first supervisor must be a professor at Ulm University. The second supervisor does not have to be a professor at Ulm University. If the second supervisor is external, they must be appointed by the examination board and meet all requirements for supervising and evaluating the Master’s thesis. Please obtain approval from the chair of the examination board if you choose an external second supervisor. Common requirements are that an external second supervisor must hold a doctoral degree, have sufficient experience and expertise in academic research, and that the first supervisor agrees with the appointment.
Questions related to academic leave
Yes, if you have valid reasons for pausing your studies for a semester, you can apply for academic leave. Common reasons include internships, studying abroad, the birth of a child, extended illness, or caring for family members. Before applying, please consult with program coordinator Stefan Rausch to confirm whether your reason qualifies for academic leave.
Please note that academic leave is not the same as de-registering from the program. Only de-register if you intend to permanently withdraw from your studies!
Once you have confirmed with program coordinator Stefan Rausch that your reason qualifies, you can submit an official application. The application form and additional information can be found here. Please read the information carefully, complete the application form, and attach any required proof (e.g., internship certificate). Submit your application to the program coordinator first. After it’s signed by a member of the Finance Examination Board, you can forward it to the Student Administration Office.
Please note that you have to apply for an exemption of the tuition fees seperately. More information is available here. Please contact the Student Administration Office regarding tuition fees during a leave of absence.
Applications for academic leave must be submitted to the Student Administration Office before the start of the lecture period.
Questions related to additive key qualifications and German courses
First-semester Finance students are automatically registered for German language courses if they submitted their language test results before starting their studies. From the second semester onward, you need to register for German courses online through the CoronaNG platform. Registration for additive key qualification courses typically takes place at the beginning of each lecture period. For any specific questions regarding language courses, please contact Katrin Husemann.
Questions related to graduation
Once you have completed all requirements for graduation, please wait for the evaluation of your examinations and the entry of your grades. After all grades have been entered, your Transcript of Records will show a new section at the bottom confirming that you have earned at least 120 credits and successfully completed the Master’s program. The Student Administration Office will then prepare your graduation documents and contact you.
Therefore, there are no further steps required on your part. For any questions regarding the preparation or issuance of your certificate, please contact the Student Administration Office.