FAQ for students
Note: The information in this FAQ is intended as support and guidance. We endeavour to update the content regularly, but cannot guarantee that it is complete or binding. The relevant examination regulations and module handbooks are authoritative. All information is primarily adapted to the mathematics degree programmes; regulations for other subjects (including second and applied subjects) may differ.
Use the "Expand all" function to search the page.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 01/08/2025 at 08:35:16.
Here you will find brief explanations of commonly used terms related to studying (mathematics). These descriptions are intended to give you an initial overview, but do not replace the more detailed information provided in the respective sections of the FAQ.
Additional important information for the start of your studies can be found here.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 01/08/2025 at 08:50:03.
The following study programmes are offered:
A brief description of all degree programmes can be found here.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 01/08/2025 at 11:05:01.
The Examination regulations (or study regulations) are the official regulations for the respective degree programme. Among other things, they specify which examinations must be taken and which modules must be completed during the course of the degree programme.
All degree programmes follow a modular structure. This means the programme is divided into several modules that are completed during the course of the degree programme. Each module consists of one or more courses that you can take, and the corresponding examinations that you must register for. You can find out which courses belong to which module and which examinations are required, in the respective Module handbook and in the semester-specific supplements to the Module handbook.
ECTS points are awarded for each module if the required work is completed. The number of ECTS points allocated to a module is specified in the Examination regulations and the Module handbooks. ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits measure the workload within degree programmes; 1 ECTS is corresponds to 30 hours of work (on average).
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 01/08/2025 at 10:44:19.
Depending on the degree programme and module, each required achievement is either a graded examination or a pass/fail assessment.
In consultation with the Examination office, achievements from other degree programmes can be transferred or recognised, for example when changing from a similar degree programme or for the elective area in a double degree programme.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 01/08/2025 at 11:04:38.
The typical courses in mathematics are lectures, exercise tutorials, programming exercises and (pro-)seminars.
You can find out which mathematics courses are offered in the current semester in the Course catalogue. Please refer to the (semester-specific) Supplements to the Module handbooks for the exact requirements you must fulfil in order to complete all pass/fail assessments and graded examinations for a course.
There are also BOK courses (profession-oriented skills), for which ECTS points can be acquired within the framework provided for in the Module handbook. You can find a wide range of BOK courses at the Centre for Key Qualifications (ZfS). After consultation with the ZfS, other courses can also be recognised as BOK courses, for example foreign language courses at the Language Teaching Centre (SLI).
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 01/08/2025 at 11:08:28.
The application subject in B.Sc. Mathematics complements the mathematics curriculum with content from another subject of your choice. Standard application subjects include Business Administration (BWL), Biology, Computer Science, Physics and Economics (VWL). Other application subjects may be possible upon request and are referred to below as "special application subjects". Information on choosing an application subject and the corresponding study plans can be found here.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 03/08/2025 at 17:17:46.
Courses include lectures, tutorials, programming exercises and (pro-)seminars, as well as BOK courses at the Centre for Key Qualifications (ZfS).
This FAQ provides brief answers to the most important questions about courses. More detailed information - including programme-specific information and an overview of the typical format of the different types of courses (including application subjects and non-subject electives) - can be found here.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 03/08/2025 at 17:14:38.
To enrol in a course, log in to HISinOne. Use the quick links or "My studies" to open your study planner where you can register for courses that are planned for your degree programme (instructions in the HISinOne Wiki). If you cannot find the desired course, go to the course via "Study programmes > Search courses" and select "enrol". You must then select the module to which you would like to assign the course. You can find further details on enroling in courses here.
Enrolment in a course is merely an expression of your wish to take part in it. It does not generally oblige you to perform any work in the course. On the other hand, enrolment is required for some administrative processes (e.g. the allocation of exercise groups, e-mail communication or access to ILIAS courses). Enrolment in a course does not replace exam registration or registration for pass/fail assessments!
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 28/05/2025 at 13:45:52.
For lectures: Lectures can be taken from 1 September (winter semester) or 1 March (summer semester) until approximately one month after the start of the lecture period.
For the allocation of places in the exercise groups:
For (pro-)seminars: Places and lecture topics are allocated in preliminary meetings, which usually take place in the last week of lectures of the previous semester. The exact dates can be found in the annotated course catalogue.
For BOK courses of the ZfS: You can find out more about the ZfS's enrolment procedure here.
For exam registration: See Dates and deadlines.
Please note that different deadlines may apply for courses in other subjects (especially in the application subject).
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 28/05/2025 at 13:36:04.
You can find out which modules you have to complete in your degree programme in the module handbook of your degree programme or as an overview in the module plans. On the overview page of your degree programme, you will find an exemplary course of study which can help you to decide which modules make sense in which semester. However, you can also deviate from this. You can find further information on the timetable and the course of the B.Sc. Mathematics and the 2-Hf-B. Mathematics. The overview of the mathematical specialisations will help you to plan your courses sensibly and to develop a direction in terms of content - for example for your Bachelor's thesis.
An overview of the mathematics courses offered in the respective semesters can be found here. All courses offered are listed in the Course Catalogue and you can also filter according to their applicability to your degree programme. When choosing a course, please also note the comments, which contain further information on content, required prior knowledge and usability. These are supplemented at the beginning of the semester by the semester-dependent additions to the module handbook, in which the requirements for the coursework to be completed for the respective courses are listed.
Not all lectures are offered every semester: An overview of the regular courses and required prior knowledge can be found here. If you are interested in a topic that is not offered, there is the possibility that a reading course will be offered as required in the M.Sc. Mathematics or in the M.Ed. Mathematics.
If you have any questions about planning your studies, you can contact the Student Advisory Service at any time.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 26/05/2025 at 08:01:20.
The course language is noted in the comments on the course in the course catalogue and is usually based on the language of the course title. Introductory mathematics lectures in the Bachelor's degree programmes are offered in German. Advanced lectures and seminars can be held in both German and English. All courses for the M.Sc. Math in Data are held in English.
By arrangement, it is often possible to hold lectures or give exercises in German for English-language seminars or exercises. Please contact the respective lecturers or assistants.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 28/05/2025 at 13:44:03.
In the compulsory elective modules of the degree programmes B.Sc. Mathematics and M.Sc. Mathematics, a subdivision of the mathematics lectures into those belonging to Pure or Applied Mathematics is relevant. However, some courses are also assigned to both areas. For information on the allocation, please refer to the usability in the comments of the Course Catalogue. Further information on the applicability of mathematics lectures can be found here.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 26/05/2025 at 09:30:23.
As a rule, you can stop attending a course at any time. If you have only attended the course up to that point and have not registered for any coursework or examinations, this is possible without any consequences. If you have already registered or registered for coursework, please note the information on Withdrawal (link). This applies in particular to seminars, as no enrolment is required here.
During the enrolment period, enrolments can be cancelled in the same way. As a registration usually has no negative effects, there is generally no formalised procedure for cancelling a registration. In the case of small courses (such as tutorials), it is a matter of courtesy to inform the lecturer (or tutor) if you decide not to attend the course during the course.
One exception is BOK courses: Attendance without participation can lead to blocking. In this case, please note the Conditions of Participation of the ZfS and the information on Cancellation.
For exercises, registration can be cancelled in HISinOne in the period from 01/11/2025 - 31/01/2025 (winter semester) or from 01/05/2025 - 30/06/2025 (summer semester).
Last edited by Markus Junker on 25/06/2025 at 11:30:19.
This FAQ provides brief answers to the most important questions about coursework and examinations. More detailed information - including programme-specific information and, for example, information on oral examinations - can be found here, Questions about final theses here (link).
The terms coursework and examinations are explained here (link).
If you have any questions or problems, please contact the Student Advisory Service or the Examination Office. Please always state your degree programme and your matriculation number.
Last edited by Markus Junker on 25/06/2025 at 11:34:26.
Whether something is an academic or examination achievement depends on the degree programme and the module in which the achievement occurs. An examination for the same course can be coursework for some students and examination work for others (even in the same degree programme, if it is used in a different module or study area).
Which coursework and which examinations are required for a mathematics course is described - depending on the degree programme and module - on a semester-by-semester basis in the Supplements to the module handbooks.
You can find an overview of which coursework must be registered for in your degree programme and how in the respective module plan.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 04/08/2025 at 13:55:34.
All examinations must be registered in good time (see Deadlines and dates) before the examination is taken and the vast majority of academic achievements must be registered. With a few exceptions (see below), this can be done via the study planner in HISinOne.
Everything is explained step by step in the HISinOne Wiki. Here is a quick guide:
If online enrolment or registration is planned but is not possible or does not work, please contact the Examination Office in good time and in compliance with the enrolment deadline! Further details on enrolment or registration for courses and typical problems with online enrolment can be found here.
Some examinations must be registered in writing at Prüfungsamt Mathematik:
In the following cases, no prior registration of coursework is required:
No examination may be taken or assessed without prior registration and admission.
Registration and admission to an examination creates a legal examination relationship, which generally only ends when the examination is passed or finally failed, and not, for example, through exmatriculation or a change of degree programme.
Last edited by Markus Junker on 25/06/2025 at 12:10:40.
The exam dates are usually entered in HISinOne: After registering for an exam, you should be able to see the date of the exam in HISinOne under "My assignments and exam registrations", otherwise please contact the Examinations Office. You must enquire about the examination dates in the application subjects or for non-subject elective modules in the course itself.
You can find an overview of all dates for maths exams in a semester in this calendar. There you will also find the examination-free period for mathematics, which covers approximately the last three weeks of August.
The dates of the lectures are usually set during the preliminary discussion in the last weeks of the previous semester.
Last edited by Markus Junker on 25/06/2025 at 12:12:48.
You can submit examiner requests for the oral module examinations in Analysis and Linear Algebra. If you have registered for the exam, you will receive an email in the week after the registration deadline to submit your examiner requests. If you have not received an email one week after the registration deadline, please contact the Examination Office.
TIP: In the PC pool, you can view transcripts of past examinations. This can be helpful not only when preparing for the exam, but also when choosing an examiner.
Last edited by Markus Junker on 25/06/2025 at 12:13:32.
The term Orientierungsleistung is used here for coursework in B.Sc. Mathematics and in 2-Hf-B. Mathematics, which must be completed by the end of the 3rd semester. This term cannot be found in the respective examination regulations, but the regulation is specified under "Programme content".
In B.Sc. Mathematics, the orientation course comprises the two examinations on "Analysis I" and "Linear Algebra I".
In the 2-Hf-B. Mathematics, at least one of the two examinations on "Analysis I" or "Linear Algebra I" must be passed on time.
If you do not pass the respective examinations on time, you will lose your examination entitlement for the B.Sc. Mathematics or for the subject Mathematics in the Polyvalent Two-Major Bachelor. In justified exceptional cases, an application for an extension of the orientation examination deadline can be submitted.
Last edited by Markus Junker on 25/06/2025 at 12:15:28.
A basic distinction is made between cancelling and withdrawing from an examination. In many cases, cancellation is possible up to 7 days before the examination date without justification. However, if you are ill at short notice, you must apply for cancellation, which must be approved by the examination board. If you take an examination while ill, the examination attempt counts in any case.
For online registrations, you can deregister independently in HISinOne during the registration period.
Afterwards, you can still deregister up to 7 days before the examination date in writing at the Examination Office. The written cancellation must be received by the Examinations Office for Mathematics at the latest on the last working day seven days before the examination. Working days are Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Cancellation of your registration will set you back to the status as if you had never been registered.
You should apply to withdraw from the examination as soon as you become aware of the reasons for withdrawal. If you are ill, you must consult a doctor on the day of the examination at the latest. The application for withdrawal together with a medical certificate (not a certificate of incapacity for work) must be received by the Examination Office no later than the third day after the examination. If the application is sent by e-mail, the original certificate must be submitted to the Examinations Office within one week (in person or by post). In the case of cancellation for other reasons, proof of the reason for cancellation must be enclosed.
In the case of oral examinations, you should also inform the examiner by email if you withdraw at short notice.
After withdrawing, you must take the examination at the next possible date (usually in the following semester).
Please also note the further information on cancellation and withdrawal!
Last edited by Markus Junker on 25/06/2025 at 12:23:41.
If you have failed an examination and still have retries, you will receive a notification with an information sheet on retaking the examination (2-Hf.-B. - B.Sc. - M.Ed.
- M.Ed. extension subject 120 ECTS](https://www.math.uni-freiburg.de/static/pdf/pruefungsamt/Merkblatt-Pruefungswiederholung-MEH21.pdf)
- M.Ed. extension subject 90 ECTS](https://www.math.uni-freiburg.de/static/pdf/pruefungsamt/Merkblatt-Pruefungswiederholung-MEB21.pdf)
- M.Sc. Mathematics](https://www.math.uni-freiburg.de/static/pdf/pruefungsamt/Merkblatt-Pruefungswiederholung-MSc14.pdf) - M.Sc. Math in Data), which you should read carefully.
In principle, examinations can be repeated once, and in some cases twice, in accordance with the examination regulations of the individual degree programmes. You can find an overview of the number of repetition options here.
Repeat examinations must always be taken as soon as possible** (usually this means in the following semester at the latest); you will be registered for the repeat examination by the Examinations Office. You can find more information on registering for repeat examinations here.
Coursework can be repeated as often as you like. Exceptions are the Orientierungsleistungen in B.Sc. Mathematics and in 2-Hf-B. Mathematics. If you have failed a course achievement and would like to repeat it, you must register it for the next attempt yourself on HISInOne. If this is not possible, please contact the Examination Office.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 11/07/2025 at 09:02:37.
This FAQ provides brief answers to the most frequently asked questions about theses. You can find more detailed information, including programme-specific information, on the Thesis information page.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 08/07/2025 at 11:20:11.
It is best if you already have an idea of the direction your thesis should take or in which specialisation area you want to write your thesis. Then you can specifically approach lecturers who work in this field or are active in this specialisation area. To do this, take a look at the pages Lecturers and their research areas and Typical study programmes in the focus areas.
Further information on finding a topic and planning your degree programme with a view to your thesis can be found here. Please note that you must fulfil certain requirements before starting your thesis, in particular a specified number of ECTS credits.
A consultation appointment is usually the best way to get in touch with potential supervisors. Lecturers with whom you are currently attending a lecture or seminar can of course also be approached in person. There is also the possibility of external supervision, for example at another faculty or in a company.
You can find out who is suitable as a supervisor and what you need to bear in mind for external supervision here.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 01/07/2025 at 11:43:54.
You must register your thesis in writing at the Examination Office using the form provided (German-language degree programmes - M.Sc. Math in Data) no later than two weeks after the topic has been submitted. The processing time for the thesis begins with the registration.
Please note that you can only register a thesis if you fulfil the degree programme-specific requirements, i.e. if you have already obtained a minimum number of ECTS credits.
When registering, you can also apply to write the thesis in another language.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 08/07/2025 at 11:24:45.
In mathematics, the bachelor's thesis is typically the first major project to be written during the degree programme - in M.Ed. Mathematics it can also be the master's thesis. Good supervision is therefore particularly important. Regular supervision meetings during the preparation of the thesis should be a matter of course, and you should also request them if the supervisor does not insist on them anyway. Of course, this also applies to a Master's thesis if you have already written a Bachelor's thesis in mathematics. You will often also be supervised by a research assistant from the supervisor's team. This person is often your first point of contact in everyday life, provides feedback on the progress of your work and is available to answer any content-related or technical questions.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 25/06/2025 at 15:15:21.
As a general rule at the University of Freiburg, application for a Master's degree programme does not require completion of the underlying Bachelor's degree programme. IMPORTANT: The application deadline (in mathematics 15 September for the winter semester and 15 March for the summer semester) must not be missed under any circumstances, regardless of the status of the Bachelor's thesis!
For enrolment, however, the Bachelor's degree programme must have been completed. For Freiburg Bachelor's graduates, it is sufficient if the completion of the Bachelor's programme is documented in HISinOne; the certificate does not necessarily have to be available yet. Applicants from abroad, on the other hand, need the certificate for enrolment.
The deadline for enrolment is usually the beginning of October for the winter semester and the beginning of April for the summer semester. However, this deadline can be extended in consultation with the Student Office until around the end of the second week of lectures if, for example, the reports for the Bachelor's thesis are still outstanding.
In concrete terms, this means for Freiburg students who want to continue with a Master's programme at the University of Freiburg: If time is running out, you should re-register for the Bachelor's programme in the following semester and plan the registration for the Bachelor's thesis so that the report is available by the beginning of the lecture period at the latest, so that you can then transfer to the Master's programme. How much time the supervisor needs for the assessment should be discussed with him/her in advance. The Examination Office usually only needs one day to enter the grade in HISinOne, but may not be staffed every day.
For example, if you would like to write your thesis between June and August, the six weeks allowed for the assessment will be sufficient for you to transfer to the Master's programme in mid-October. If, on the other hand, you would like to write your thesis between July and September, the assessment must be completed within two to three weeks so that you can be enrolled or re-registered in good time: This is only possible after prior consultation with the supervisor!
For enrolment at other universities, the certificate must usually be available and, of course, the application and enrolment deadlines of the respective university must be observed, which may end much earlier. It is therefore difficult to give a general timetable. In addition, the examination office also needs time to prepare the certificate and have it signed, especially if the typical summer holiday period is involved. A few universities allow conditional enrolment, but this must be clarified with the university.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 28/07/2025 at 09:27:51.
Here you will find brief answers to the most frequently asked questions about stays abroad.
The Institute of Mathematics provides an overview of the various ways to go abroad as well as links to the central offers of the University of Freiburg on its International Exchange Programmes page. It also presents the university networks in which the University of Freiburg participates and which you can use as a student. There is also helpful information for Incoming International Students.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 03/08/2025 at 17:44:54.
When a stay abroad fits best into the course of study depends on the degree programme and the individual study structure. It is quite common for a stay abroad to extend your studies by one semester - but a period at another university is usually worthwhile both professionally and personally.
When planning, you should definitely take into account the semester times of the foreign universities: In many countries, winter and summer semesters start earlier than in Germany, sometimes as early as August or September or as late as January or February. Particularly if you are staying in the summer semester, there may therefore be overlaps with the preceding German winter semester or its examination phase.
For the B.Sc. Mathematics, the 3rd academic year is usually the best time to study abroad. The compulsory programme with the lectures in linear algebra, analysis, numerics and stochastics and ideally also the application subject is completed in the first two years, so that more specialised courses can be taken in the 5th or 5th and 6th semesters. These are well suited to choosing from the lecture programme abroad. It is quite common for Bachelor's students to also attend Master's lectures abroad. If you are considering whether a stay abroad is more suitable for the Bachelor's or Master's stage, the following may be helpful: The more advanced you are in your studies, the more selectively you can choose universities with suitable specialisms. It is also possible to plan a semester abroad in both the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes.
In the M.Sc. degree programmes, a semester abroad is particularly suitable in the first year before you start your Master's thesis and the concrete planning for it. If you would like to go abroad "between" your Bachelor's and Master's degree, you can enrol on the Master's programme after completing your Bachelor's thesis and go abroad directly in your first Master's semester.
A semester abroad in the Master's programme often serves to deepen your knowledge in specialist areas and offers the opportunity to attend specialised courses that may not be offered in Freiburg. Talk to lecturers in Freiburg in advance. They can provide valuable information on suitable universities and courses in your specialisation.
In the 2-Hf.B. Mathematics, the 3rd year of study is usually suitable for a stay abroad. When planning your course of study, you should bear in mind that the courses in numerics and stochastics in the polyvalent degree programme are often split between the second and third year of study. However, if you are planning a semester abroad, it may make sense to complete both courses in the second year in order to avoid overlaps. You should also take the programme structure and requirements of your second subject into account when planning.
In M.Ed. Mathematics, a semester abroad is particularly suitable in the first year, as the second year is usually heavily tied up with the practical semester and the Master's thesis. It is also possible to complete part of the practical semester abroad or to gain teaching experience abroad in the interim period between completing your Master's degree and starting your traineeship. Information on these options can be found on the FACE website.
Internships provide valuable professional experience and can also be completed abroad. Suitable times are, for example, the transition between Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes (make sure that you are frequently enrolled for this), the first year of the Master's degree programme or the time after completing the Master's degree. Many funding programmes provide financial support for internships abroad, especially for graduates up to one year after graduation. Further information on internships abroad can be found here.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 28/07/2025 at 07:27:50.
As a rough guide, for a stay in ...
Organising a self-organised stay is usually more time-consuming, so you should find out about application deadlines early on.
For intra-European exchange programmes, you can usually apply every six months (e.g. for Erasmus, the application deadlines for the winter semester run until the end of February and for the summer semester until the end of July). Worldwide exchange programmes often only have one application round per academic year.
You can find an overview of the various routes abroad and further links here.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 28/07/2025 at 09:15:20.
If the examination period overlaps with your semester abroad, it is possible to bring forward an oral examination. Please contact your examiner and the Examinations Office in good time. Examinations that are brought forward must be officially registered using the relevant form, which you can find at Downloads.
If a written examination is scheduled during your stay abroad, you can usually also arrange an early oral examination as a substitute.
Last edited by Anika Schlosser on 04/08/2025 at 13:47:53.
Wenn Sie im Ausland an einer anderen Hochschule Leistungen erbracht haben – zum Beispiel im Rahmen eines Austauschprogramms oder eines selbstorganisierten Aufenthalts – können Sie die Anerkennung dieser Leistungen beim Prüfungsamt beantragen. Verwenden Sie dafür das entsprechende Formular, das Sie im Bereich Downloads finden.
Dabei ist wichtig: Sie müssen nicht für jede Veranstaltung im Ausland ein exaktes Äquivalent an der Universität Freiburg finden. Besonders im Bereich der Wahl- und Wahlpflichtmodule in den Mathematikstudiengängen können ausländische Veranstaltungen oft unter ihrem Originaltitel und mit den entsprechenden ECTS-Punkten angerechnet werden. Um sicherzugehen, dass die geplanten Veranstaltungen wie gewünscht anerkannt werden, empfiehlt sich eine frühzeitige Rücksprache mit der/dem Auslandsbeauftragten und der/dem Prüfungsausschussvorsitzenden.
Für bestimmte Austauschprogramme – wie zum Beispiel Erasmus oder EUCOR, – wird die Anerkennung bereits im Vorfeld über ein Learning Agreement geregelt. Weitere Informationen dazu finden Sie auf den jeweiligen Programmseiten.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact: studienberatung@math.uni-freiburg.de