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Examinations in the winter semester 2020/21 and transition to the summer semester 2021
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Students,
Due to the restrictions caused by the Corona pandemic, there will be numerous changes in the conduct of examinations for the exam periods ahead. Most of these will not be able to take place on site, and at this point we would first like to thank all lecturers for their commitment to transfer examinations in whole or in part to online formats, thus ensuring that students can take examinations and do not have to postpone them.
As already communicated in the mail of January 24, the Corona Higher Education Supplementary Ordinance (Corona-HEVO) came into force last Saturday. With this, the Ministry of Science has made further regulations that are relevant for the examinations and has set guidelines for the universities.
The new regulations and measures to combat the pandemic reach us at a time which, under normal circumstances, is already a great challenge. So close before the examination periods, the Corona-related regulations mean a considerable burden for all those involved in the organisation and preparation of examinations. After a year of the pandemic, the energy reserves of all of us are reaching their limits. We are aware that the current regulations and measures place a high additional burden on students, lecturers and administration beyond what should be managed. We thank you for your tireless enga in the various domains of this university and, above all, for your willingness to accept the regulations and the resulting changes and restrictions in teaching, studying and examinations. In order to also master this joint effort, we must continue to pull together and also always keep in mind that the situation is difficult for all members of the CAU. We would now like to inform you about the implementation of the new guidelines at the CAU.
Free attempt
In the winter semester 2020/21, the Corona Higher Education Law Supplement Ordinance (Corona-HEVO) provides that examinations taken and failed, will be deemed not to have been taken under certain conditions (free attempt). This regulation applies from January 23. Together, the University Board, the deans and deans of studies of all faculties have decided that all examinations taken and failed after January 23, regardless of the type of examination, will be considered as a free attempt. This also includes, among other things, examinations on site and term papers.
The following applies to the free attempt regulation in the winter semester 2020/21 at the CAU:
- A free attempt will be granted for all examinations taken and failed during the examination periods of the winter semester 2020/21.
- A fail by not appearing also leads to a free attempt.
Exception: Please take into account the different regulations for special examinations at the Faculty of Law (German only).
- This also applies to examinations that are assigned to the 2020/21 winter semester but take place at a later date for organisational reasons.
- Examinations that were taken and failed in the current winter semester before January 23 are not affected by this regulation.
- For students who care for or look after children under the age of 14 and whose learning or examination situation is significantly impeded due to the closure of schools and day-care facilities, any examination taken and not passed in the winter semester 2020/2021 is considered a free attempt. A copy of the child's birth certificate must be submitted to the Examinations Office as proof.
- The free attempt regulation refers to university examinations. Free attempts cannot be granted for examinations within the framework of the Staatsexamen, as these are not subject to the regulations of the Higher Education Act and thus not subject to the Corona HEVO.
- Failed exams due to an attempt to cheat do NOT result in a free attempt.
Note for students
Please take into account that the lecturers and the examination offices have a significantly higher workload than in regular semesters due to the free attempt regulations, and due to the other challenges in organisation and teaching related with the Corona measures. In order to be considerate and avoid planning difficulties, we therefore ask you to only register for examinations for which you have prepared and which you wish to take. If you will not be taking an exam at short notice, please inform the respective examiners and the Examinations Office, especially in the case of oral exams, so that this can be taken into account when organising the exams. Please also understand that it may take longer to respond to enquiries or that complications may arise with online examinations. In case of difficulties, please contact the persons listed below. In the case of examinations on site, you will be informed in good time before the respective date about the hygiene rules then applicable.
Note for lecturers
Details and assistance on the implementation of the free attempt as well as further information can be obtained from your dean's office and examination office shortly. A general extension of the correction times or the grade entry deadlines is not possible. Those examiners who, due to an increased correction load as a result of the free attempt regulation, do not see themselves in a position to adhere to the scheduled correction deadlines, are requested to contact the examination office responsible for them in order to arrange an individual extension of the correction deadlines.
Free semester
The Corona Higher Education Supplementary Regulation (Corona-HEVO) stipulates that Section 103 of the HSG also applies to the winter semester 2020/21:
- Therefore, the CAU does not count the winter semester 2020/21 as a „Fachsemsester“ for regulations under higher education law that are linked to the standard period of study or the number of „Fachsemester“ (e.g. compulsory course guidance).
- The semester count will be continued on the CAU certificates (e.g. course of study certificate). CAU will soon make a certificate available for download for the winter semester 2020/21 via the CAU portal in accordance with § 103 (2) HSG. This certifies that studies may be delayed due to the Corona pandemic. It can be attached to the study progress certificate if required.
- The exemption regulation also applies to regulations under education funding law that are linked to the standard period of study or the number of semesters. If you have any questions regarding the procedure, evidence to be submitted, etc., please contact the Office for Educational Funding (BAföG Office) or your scholarship-granting institution.
Provisional Master's enrolment
For students who will provisionally enrol in a Master's degree programme in the summer semester 2021 the deadline for proof of Bachelor's degree is extended from June 10 to September 30, 2021. According to § 102 HSG, provisional Master's enrolment is possible if, on the basis of the course of study and examination achievements to date, it can be expected that the degree will be completed in time by the end of the deadline. Further information can be found on the pages of the Student Services (German only).
Summer semester 2021
At the present time, there are no plans to postpone the start of the summer semester. The currently valid term dates can be found here (German only).
Teaching will continue to be conducted online in the summer semester 2021. Classroom teaching will only be possible in the known exceptional cases. You will be informed about this by your faculties in good time before the start of the semester.
You will be informed about current developments in the usual way by email. Please also check the Corona Website of the CAU regularly.
If you have any questions, please contact corona@uni-kiel.de.
For students, Sandra Elstner is the contact person at coronaberatung-studium@uv.uni-kiel.de for general questions about studying in times of Corona as well as for challenges in this regard.
Yours sincerely
Claudia Ricarda Meyer, Chancellor
Prof. Dr. Markus Hundt, Vice President for Studies & Teaching, Continuing Professional Education
