Examination Schedule

• Examination Regulations
• Self-Service Functions
• Important Regulations ASPO 2008
• Important Regulations ASPO 2009
• Information on Bachelor’s Thesis

The General Course and Examination Regulations (ASPO) for Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs in the versions dated June 25, 2008 (PDF in German) and April 29, 2009 (PDF in German) apply.

The Bachelor’s thesis is an examination thesis that should conclude the Bachelor’s program. This information sheet contains notes on producing it in due time.

The thesis is meant to show that the candidate is able, within a designated time, to tackle a problem in his or her subject area independently by applying scientific methods. § 24 Para. 1 Sentence 2 ASPO

Candidates may only start work on their Bachelor’s thesis when they have accumulated at least 130 credit points on their Bachelor’s program. § 24 Para. 1 Sentence 3 ASPO

The Bachelor’s thesis must be written on a subject-related task assignment pertinent to the degree course. It may be set and supervised by any university teacher at the TUHH who is directly involved in the degree course. Students must be given the opportunity to put forward suggestions for a topic. § 24 Para. 2 Sentence 1, 5, ASPO

If the first examiner chosen by the student is not directly involved in the relevant course, he or she may also set the final thesis with the consent of the Chair of the Examination Board. In that case it it must be ensured that a university teacher on that degree course at the TUHH co-supervises the thesis as a second examiner. § 24 Para. 2 Sentence 3 ASPO 2008; § 24 Para. 2 Sentence 2 ASPO 2009

Work on Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis may, with the consent of the chair of the Board of Examiners, be performed in an extramural institution provided that a university teacher on the TUHH degree course can supervise it there. § 24 Para. 2 Sentence 6 ASPO

The Bachelor’s thesis must be assessed by two examiners. The second examiner may be a member of TUHH academic staff with a proven knowledge of the subject matter. § 24 Para. 8 Sentence 2 ASPO

Applications for admission to the final thesis must be submitted to the Examinations Office. The member of clerical staff responsible will supply a form. The Examination Office will check the conditions for admission to the Bachelor’s thesis.

When the Examination Office has granted admission the student will be given the form to pass on to their first examiner, who will enter the binding dates of issue and submission and pass on the form to the Examination Office. If a student attends courses in parallel, the time allotted is to be specified when the thesis is registered (prior consultation with the examiner is necessary).

Further details are set out in the Subject-Specific Examination Regulations (FSPO) for individual courses of study.

If the final thesis is graded 4.3 or below, it may be repeated promptly once and, only in an exceptional case for which there is good reason, a second time, taking a different topic. § 18 Para. 4 ASPO

The topic may be returned once, and once only, and only within the first four weeks of starting work on it. § 24 Para. 4 Sentence 2 ASPO

Students may apply for an extension only in exceptional cases for which there is good reason. The student must apply in writing to the Chair of the Examination Board, along with a statement from the first examiner.

In case of illness, the application must be accompanied by a medical certificate of incapacity to work. The time allotted for preparing the thesis will be extended by the period for which incapacity to work is certified. Further details are laid down in the Subject-Specific Examination Regulations (FSPO) for individual courses of study.

The results of the final thesis must be recorded in writing. The structure and formal design must be agreed with the first assessor. § 24 Para. 5 ASPO

The final thesis must include a statement whereby the student declares that he/she authored the work independently and used no other sources or aids than those stated. A signed copy of this declaration, stating the place and date, must be included in each copy submitted. § 24 Para. 5 ASPO

The thesis must be submitted in bound form. Ask the first examiner how many copies are to be submitted.

The thesis may be submitted in German or English. § 22 Para. 3 ASPO

The final thesis must be handed in at the Examinations Office punctually during normal opening hours (Monday 9.00–12.30; Tuesday, Thursday 13.00–16.00 hours) or at a time agreed by telephone. The submission date will be recorded on the Registration for Bachelor’s Thesis form. If the final thesis is not submitted by the due date, it will be graded “Fail”. § 24 Para. 6 ASPO

If the deadline for submission falls on a Saturday, Sunday or statutory public holiday, it will be postponed to the next working day. § 193 German Civil Code (BGB)

After submitting the written thesis the student must give a presentation lasting around 30 minutes on the findings of his or her work. The presentation will be followed by an open discussion within the university. The student must agree the date and time with the examiners himself or herself. The presentation and open discussion are a component of the final thesis. § 24 Para. 7 ASPO

The final thesis, including the presentation and open discussion, must be assessed within six weeks after submission of the final thesis. § 24 Para. 8 ASPO