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Study Prognosis for Extention of the Residence Permit

"Proper course of study" (Ordnungsgemäßes Studium)

means that you are not exceeding the average length of study in your field of study by more than three semesters (= bonus semesters for international students). If you are completing a Bachelor's degree program and immediately afterwards a Master's degree program, you are only entitled to the three bonus semesters once for the entire duration of your studies. You may apply those three bonus semesters as you wish.

It is important to know that the average length of study is not the same as the standard time for completing courses. It is the average number of semesters that is necessary for completing the course of study in the respective discipline at a given university. You can get information on the average length of study in your field from the International Office (incoming-degreeuni-potsdamde).

Whether or not your residence permit can be extended depends on your proof of sufficient funds for the extension period and on the positive progression of your studies. In order to check on the proper course of your study, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may ask you to provide a so-called study prognosis (Studienprognose) after a certain period of time. The study prognosis includes information about completed coursework, individual reasons for possible interruptions or irregularities, and details on the planned progression of your studies with regard to your current situation. The study prognosis is issued by a departmental advisor (Studienfachberater) or by the examination commissioner (Beauftragter für Prüfungswesen). Please bring a confirmation of your exam results (you can print them from PULS or request them in the examination office) to your appointment with the advisor.

  • The required form for the study prognosis is available in the International Office. Please write an e-mail to incoming-degreeuni-potsdamde stating your matriculation number and information about which Foreigners’ Registration Office is responsible for you.
    Please note that the study prognosis loses its validity 8 weeks after it is issued!

If the Foreigners’ Registration Office discovers that during the duration of your residence permit your academic progress is not satisfactory and that you do not fulfill the above requirements, they may revoke your residence permit.

Please note that the overall duration of your stay for the purpose of study in Germany may generally not exceed ten years. The overall duration includes preparatory work (language courses and preparatory classes), the time of your studies and parts of your education following your studies (internships), graduate and postgraduate studies as well as doctoral studies.

"Proper course of study" (Ordnungsgemäßes Studium)

means that you are not exceeding the average length of study in your field of study by more than three semesters (= bonus semesters for international students). If you are completing a Bachelor's degree program and immediately afterwards a Master's degree program, you are only entitled to the three bonus semesters once for the entire duration of your studies. You may apply those three bonus semesters as you wish.

It is important to know that the average length of study is not the same as the standard time for completing courses. It is the average number of semesters that is necessary for completing the course of study in the respective discipline at a given university. You can get information on the average length of study in your field from the International Office (incoming-degreeuni-potsdamde).

Information regarding the residence permit:

1. We recommend that you submit the PULS-Studienverlaufsbescheinigung ("Confirmation of periods of study"- this is a different document than your certificate of enrollment for the current semester) while applying for the extension of your stay. There, it is stated that the certain semesters were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can download the Studienverlaufsbescheinigung via PULS ("My Documents").

2. If your were unable to arrive in Germany or participate in courses due to the overall situation created by the CORONAVIRUS, we highly recommend that you keep track of all documents related to this. It might become important at a later stage of the extension of your residence permit. This applies to flight tickets or appointments at the embassy as an example.