Dear students,
I will be at your disposal during the entire program. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any subject-specific questions on structuring your program or spending a period of study abroad. We will get to meet for the first time during the orientation events and I will be there to assist you throughout your studies.
Your program manager for Political Science
Documents (in German)
Examination regulations
The examination regulations inform you about your rights and duties as a student and about the coursework and examinations you are required to complete during the course of your studies. This document also contains information on examination deadlines, circumstances in which an examination can be re-taken, the number of ECTS credits required to start the final thesis, and the exact degree awarded.
Module catalog
Degree plan
Frequently asked questions
How do I register for courses?
There may be different periods to register for courses. Please regularly check the School’s website for up-to-date information. Usually, the respective program managers will also inform you about the registration periods for the courses in your core subject and the supplementary modules by e-mail. An additional registration period may apply to your minor, depending on the subject you choose.
You need to register for courses during the semester break between the fall and the spring semester. You can select your courses for the fall semester from early to mid-August and your courses for the spring semester in January/
February. Registration is done via Portal².
How do I register for examinations?
Each semester, you need to register online for those examinations you would like to take at the end of the lecture period. You will need to do so within a period defined by Student Services.
Please note: The exam registration period falls within the lecture period, which means that you cannot register for your examinations via the Student Services’ campus management system before the lecture period starts.
Each semester, the periods during which you can register for exams will be published on the Student Services’ website.
Online registration is done via Portal².Can I take a second minor or obtain additional ECTS credits?
Can I review an exam?
According to the examination regulations, students are entitled to being granted access to their examination records after taking an exam. Exam reviews are scheduled and carried out by the chairs. It is the students’ responsibility to look up when a review is scheduled to take place (i.e. via the chair’s website).
Can I go abroad without having to extend my studies?
It is possible to spend a semester abroad and still complete your degree program within the standard period of study. In fact, we encourage you to go abroad during your studies.
If you would like to have the courses and examinations you take at a university abroad recognized, please contact the program managers or the departmental exchange coordinators before leaving. A Learning Agreement is required to make sure the credits you obtain abroad are recognized.
When do I apply for academic leave of absence?
You can apply for leave of absence during your studies citing a valid reason (section 61 subsection 1 of the Act on Higher Education of the Land of Baden-Württemberg (LHG)).
A valid reason for being granted an academic leave of absence is for example:- an internship,
- a semester abroad,
- maternity leave / parental leave / parenting, or
- health issues.
The application must be filed before the semester it corresponds to begins. Further information can be obtained from Student Services.
What is Portal²?
What is ILIAS?
ILIAS is the e-learning platform we use at the University of Mannheim. On this platform, teachers can upload important course material, such as lecture scripts and slides, to make them available to you. If you have not yet joined the ILIAS group that corresponds to one of your courses, please contact the teachers of the respective course or their secretaries. The University IT will help you in case you have any technical questions.
How does the attempt at improvement work?
According to the examination regulations, students can voluntarily resit an examination they have already passed from their core subject to improve their grade, which is possible once during the entire bachelor’s program. The better of the two grades will count. Please contact Student Services during the exam registration period either in person or by e-mail to register for your attempt at improvement.
When do I write my bachelor's thesis?
According to the degree plan, students write their bachelor's thesis during the sixth semester of the program. The final module includes the bachelor's thesis and a colloquium. Colloquiums help you plan your bachelor's thesis, and you attend them during the preparation period, usually only during the spring/
summer term. A bachelor's thesis in the fall/ winter term is only in extraordinary cases possible. The colloquia enable you to discuss your thesis with your teachers and your fellow students and to exchange ideas. You will write your bachelor's thesis on a topic that is associated with one of your advanced modules. You must have completed the corresponding advanced module prior to registering your bachelor's thesis. The registration period for the colloquiums is the same as the general registration period. Registration for the bachelor's thesis is done during a colloquium session, where the students fill in the registration forms together. The teachers are responsible for forwarding the forms to Student Services. No additional registration via Portal² is necessary.
The preparation period for your bachelor's thesis is 12 weeks.
You will receive an e-mail from the program managers informing you about the exact dates in due time.
How do I disenroll?
If you have any questions on disenrollment, please contact the Student Services team.
Disenrollment either happens
- automatically at the end of the semester if a student has fulfilled all degree requirements, thereby completing the program, or
- on request (completion of the program, transfer between universities during the semester).
Please be aware that it may be favorable for you to remain enrolled until the semester ends, since this entitles you to a low-priced student health insurance plan, and your parents may continue to receive child benefit.
Services for students
Do you have any more questions? We’re happy to advise you!
If you have any subject-specific questions regarding your degree program (course contents, program structure, stays abroad), don’t hesitate to contact our program managers. If you have any questions on organizing your studies (examinations, grades, re-registration, academic leave of absence), please contact the Student Services office II team. International students can also turn to the International Office for information. Please adhere to the consultation hours.
Student Services office II
Practical experience and career development
Center for Development of Key Competencies (ZfS)
Advising for international students
Central Examination Committee (ZPA)
The office of the Central Examination Committee (Zentraler Prüfungsausschuss, ZPA) has multiple responsibilities, including but not limited to:
- Recognition of credits obtained abroad
- Advising students on the examination regulations
- Advising students in special cases (such as maternity leave or extension of deadlines)
- Approval of reasons given for de-registering from or not showing up for an exam
- Extension of examination deadlines
- Declaring the failure of the final examination attempt
- Dealing with severe cases of cheating or violations of the rules
- Annulment of examination results
- Appeal procedure
Photo credit: Katrin GlücklerDepartmental student committee
