Tasks and Responsibilities

The Student Administration Center/ Examination Office at the University of Potsdam is responsible for the administration of examinations. In addition to the Student Administration Center/ Examination Office, there are the Examining Boards, which take care of related but separate tasks. It is often unclear as to whether questions are in the remit of an Examining Board or the Student Administration Center/ Examination Office. The following information helps you to make decisions regarding jurisdiction.

The International Relations Office recommends that you visit the orientation courses offered by your department so that you do not miss any important deadlines for course or exam registration. These deadlines might occur right as you begin your studies.

The Student Administration Center/ Examination Office is responsible for examination administration for most of the degree programs at the University of Potsdam. It is part of the Division of Student Affairs (D2). The degree programs for which the Student Administration Center/ Examination Office is not responsible are listed below.

The Student Administration Center/ Examination Office is in particular responsible for

• Administration of testing records
• Entry of grades for degree programs that are not administered on PULS
• Copying and distribution/shipping of final documents
• Advance certifications of Student Administration Center/ Examination Office records and certificates for use abroad
• Clarification of examination results upon student request
• Acceptance and recording of medical certificates in the event of illness
• Registration of final theses and oversight of deadlines for final theses (by the Examining Board, after topic assignment)
• Acceptance of final theses and delivery to reviewers
• Recording of grades for final theses
• Calculation of preliminary grade point average and provisioning of documentation of preliminary grade point average (for applications to master’s degree programs)
• Registration of non-binding examinations on the basis of discipline-specific regulations (exception: no registration required for first semester non-binding examinations)
• Students residing in halls of residence in Potsdam: Issuing a certificate to prove that the completion of their studies is imminent, to apply for an extension of the maximum period of residence
• Students receiving BAföG: necessary confirmations by the university regarding the form "Application for funding beyond the maximum funding period“ ("Förderungshöchstdauer") and the form "Reason for change of studies/drop-out of studies“
• International students: Confirmation of recognizable study progress, the standard period of study and the regular duration of study for the so-called study forecast for the Immigration Office

and advises students on matters related to examination administration. One special advising offer exists for the implementation of compensations for disadvantages.

Note: In order to successfully complete your university studies, it is necessary for you to know which regulations govern your degree program. To find out which examination regulations apply to you, go to the overview page in the PULS portal online.

Decentralized examination administration

The Student Administration Center/ Examination Office is not responsible for examination administration for the following degree programs; the responsible committees and offices are listed in the right column.

• Are institutions for one or several academic disciplines
• Are comprised of professors, academic staff, and students
• The chairperson and the deputy chair are authorized to conduct business on behalf of the Examining Board
• The Board makes decisions regarding subject and content and is therefore responsible for
  • Recognition of previous academic credentials earned abroad, at other universities, switching to new study regulations, or credits earned while enrolled in other degree programs
  • Assignment of final thesis topics
  • Administration of compensations for disadvantages upon application by the student due to an impairment / chronic illness or care of relatives or raising children, based on BAMA-O/BAMALA-O
  • Extension of time for final theses before the due date for important reasons, typically by up to one month (Section 26 subsection 7, Section 30 subsection 7 BAMA-O; Section 26 subsection 7, Section 30 subsection 9 BAMALA-O)
• and is also responsible for decisions regarding the admission of applicants for the respective master’s degree program