FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Personal ID Number

The personal ID number is a unique identifier for each study (one student may have multiple studies and therefore multiple personal ID numbers). You will need to enter this number, for example, when filling out applications. You can find your personal ID number in IS/STAG next to your name and surname. It looks like this: e.g. I1912345.

2. Confirmation of Study

Confirmation of study for the academic year can be issued only from the date of enrolment into the academic year – this applies to both first-year and continuing students.

A first-year student will have the confirmation dated from the date of enrolment into the first year (an applicant becomes a student only on the day of enrolment).

A continuing student will have the confirmation dated from 1 September.

Confirmation of study is issued up to the end of the academic year in which the student is enrolled, typically until 31 August (unless otherwise specified by a Rector’s directive).

Students can obtain confirmation of study from IS/STAG: My Study – Course of Study and Timetable, under the Documents portlet. There are two options:

• Printed Confirmation of Study – A traditional paper confirmation. The student generates the document, prints it, and brings it to the Study Department. The study officer will verify, stamp and sign it.
• Electronic Confirmation of Study – An electronically signed confirmation (valid only in electronic form; a printed version is not valid). The student generates the document which is automatically sealed with UHK’s digital seal. The document appears in IS/STAG under My Study – File Overview, where it can be downloaded.

Before generating the confirmation, students can select the academic years for which they need the confirmation and adjust the print content from the available options.
We recommend using the default setting: Academic year, dates (based on the Academic Year Schedule).

Confirmation of other special forms from authorities (e.g. transport companies, social security office, etc.) will also be confirmed by the Study Department. Please fill in your basic personal details on the form beforehand.

3. Recognition of Courses

Recognition of part of the study is governed by the Study and Examination Code of UHK, Article 21, and Dean’s Directive FIM No. 1/2020, Article 18.

How to submit a request for recognition of part of the study: Submit the signed original of the request in paper form in person at the Study Department. Alternatively, send it by post, or electronically only via the student’s data mailbox (for natural persons) + attach proof of payment of the applicable fee.

4. CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDY (1st year of Bachelor’s or 1st year of Follow-up Master’s study), the first credit check is carried out on the last day of the examination period of the winter semester – the date is specified in the Academic Year Schedule.
By this date, a first-year student must have earned at least 15 credits.

TO PROGRESS TO THE NEXT YEAR OF STUDY (2nd year and higher), the credit check is carried out on the last day of the academic year (typically 31 August) – the date is specified in the Academic Year Schedule.
By this date, the student must have earned the following number of credits since the beginning of the evaluated study:

In FULL-TIME study:

• for enrolment into the 2nd year:                             at least 40 credits
• for enrolment into the 3rd year:                              at least 80 credits
• for enrolment into the 4th year:                              at least 120 credits
• for enrolment into the 5th year:                              at least 160 credits
• for enrolment into each additional year:                at least another 40 credits

5. REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF COMPULSORY COURSES

If a student fails to do an exam in a compulsory course that is required for their study programme and is enrolled in the course for the second time (or again based on the Dean’s decision), their study will be terminated.

If the student fails to meet the above conditions, their study will be terminated in accordance with § 56(1)(b) of the Higher Education Act. The date of termination is the date on which the relevant decision becomes legally binding. If a student does not meet the conditions for continuing their studies, they do not have to wait for the faculty’s decision and may voluntarily submit the Notification of Withdrawal from Studies.

6. FINAL STATE EXAMINATION (SZZ) AND COMPLETION OF STUDY

What should I arrange in the penultimate year of study to stay on track in the final year?
In connection with the Final State Examination (SZZ) and thesis defence, it is essential to follow the Academic Year Schedule and note all important dates and milestones. Keep an eye on the FIM website, FIM Facebook page, and read the instructions for final exams (see link above).

When are the final exams held?
There are three examination periods for the SZZ during the academic year: September, January, and May–June. The exact date range (from–to) is listed in the Academic Year Schedule.

How will I know my final exam date?
Students must first pre-register for the SZZ in IS/STAG for the relevant examination period. The Academic Year Schedule specifies when this registration must be completed. Based on this registration, departments will assign specific dates and student lists for each field of study / study programme. The schedules are published on the website. Students must confirm their assigned date at the department by contacting its administrative assistant.

Can I choose my own final exam date?

The date of the Final State Examination (SZZ) is assigned by the department and students cannot choose their own date. If a student is aware in advance of a serious obstacle (e.g. a scheduled surgery, due date, etc.) and provides documentation, they may arrange a date with the department. However, this must be within the examination period defined in the Academic Year Schedule and subject to the department’s availability. These are exceptional cases. It is important that any request regarding the SZZ date is discussed with the administrative assistant at the department before the specific dates are published on the website – that is, immediately after the registration period for the SZZ in IS/STAG ends.

When will I find out who is on my examination committee?

Most departments publish the composition of the examination committee along with the specific SZZ dates. Some departments publish the committee on the day of the exam. The committee must consist of at least three members. Changes to the committee members are reserved.

What should I do if my thesis supervisor does not respond to emails about my bachelor’s/master’s thesis?

If your supervisor does not respond to emails regarding your final thesis for an extended period, you may try other means of contact – by phone to their office at the department, during office hours, or during their teaching hours at the faculty. If the issue persists, contact the administrative assistant at the department. It is important that all email communication from the student is sent exclusively from the university email address.

What is the required length of the final thesis?

The student must follow the Dean’s Directive – Methodological Guidelines for Writing Bachelor’s and Master’s Theses, and consult the requirements individually with their thesis supervisor.

How are questions selected during the final exam?

Questions from the compulsory examination subjects for the given field of study/study programme are selected by the chair of the committee together with the examiner of the subject immediately after the thesis defence. Questions are chosen, if possible, to relate thematically to the topic of the final thesis. The exam questions or possible thematic areas are published on the website along with the announced SZZ dates. Students usually answer without preparation, demonstrating that they understand the topic comprehensively and can address it in a broad interdisciplinary context. Upon request, the chair of the committee may allow a short preparation time.

For the language component of the Final State Examination and for the state exam in an elective subject, students draw their questions.

7. Withdrawal from Studies – Termination of Studies by the Student