Frequently Asked Questions – Final State Examination (SZZ)

What should I arrange in the penultimate year of study to stay on track in the final year?

In connection with the SZZ and thesis defence, it is essential to follow the Academic Year Schedule, note all important dates and milestones, regularly check the FIM website, FIM Facebook page, and read the SZZ instructions (see link above).

When are the final exams held?

There are three SZZ examination periods during the academic year: in September, January, and May–June. The exact date ranges are listed in the Academic Year Schedule.

How will I find out my SZZ 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 assign specific dates to students. The assigned date will appear in IS/STAG under: My Study – Exam Registration. This date must be confirmed with the Administrative Assistant at the Department by the deadline set in the Academic Year Schedule for the relevant examination period (see the note attached to the assigned date in IS/STAG). If the student does not confirm their participation in the SZZ within the deadline, they will be automatically deregistered from the examination. Students cannot modify the assigned date in IS/STAG (e.g. cancel or reschedule it); this is managed exclusively by the Administrative Assistant at the Department.

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.