Extension of Standard Periods of Study and Examination Deadlines due to the Coronavirus Pandemic

In order to mitigate hardship for students during the coronavirus pandemic, the individual standard periods of study and the deadlines for completing coursework and examinations (orientation examinations, intermediate exams, deadline for the maximum period of study) have been extended.

Extension of the individual standard period of study

The extension of the individual standard period of study (see section 29 subsection 3a of the act on the higher education institutions in the Land of Baden-Württemberg (LHG) and the ordinance on the extension of the standard period of study of the Land of Baden-Württemberg (RegelstudienzeitverlängerungsVO)) is particularly important for students receiving BAföG funding since the maximum period for BAföG funding will be extended accordingly. Students who were enrolled in the spring semester 2020, fall semester 2020/2021, spring semester 2021, and/or fall semester 2021/2022 are subject to an individual standard period of study deviating from the standard period of study as it is extended by one semester for each of these semesters. For more information, please contact the Studierendenwerk.

The President's Office decided that the individual standard period of study will not be extended for students who were on an academic leave of absence during these semesters. However, the students concerned may submit a request to the BAföG Office to have their period of BAföG funding extended, provided that they have serious personal reasons.

Extension of the examination deadlines

The extension of examination deadlines (see section 32 subsection 5a LHG) is relevant to all students who were enrolled in a program in the spring semester 2020, fall semester 2020/2021, spring semester 2021, and/or fall semester 2021/2022 and who did not pass the orientation examination of this program by the end of the third subject-specific semester or failed to complete the coursework and examinations required for taking the final bachelor's or master's examination within the maximum period of study (bachelor's degree: usually by the end of the 9th subject-specific semester; master's degree: by the end of the 7th subject-specific semester).

In practical terms, this means that students who were enrolled in the spring semester 2020, fall semester 2020/2021, spring semester 2021, and/or fall semester 2021/2022 will be granted an extension of the examination deadline for each of these semesters by one semester, but by a maximum of three semesters in total.

Please write an informal e-mail to your Student Services advisor if you wish to have your examination deadline extended. Please only reach out to us if you are currently studying in your last semester before the deadline expires (i.e., in the 9th subject-specific semester of a bachelor's program or in the 7th subject-specific semester of a master's program) and know that you will need to make use of the extension of the examination deadline in order to be able to complete your degree. Many times this is not necessary at all.

You can use the following e-mail template:
In the spring semester 2020 / fall semester 2020/2021 / spring semester 2021 / fall semester 2021/2022, I was enrolled in the program in XXX. In accordance with section 32 subsection 5a LHG, I hereby request an extension of the examination deadline by one / two / three semester/s for the orientation examination / the intermediate examination / the maximum period of study. I have transferred the semester fee (and the tuition fee, if applicable) for the following semester.”
It is not necessary to state any further reasons.

As soon as the fee has been received by the University of Mannheim, we will record the extension in the system and inform you via e-mail.

In case you are affected by the above mentioned regulation and you need more than the number of additional semester that have been granted for passing the orientation examination or completing your program, you need to send a standard request for extension of the maximum period of study/examination deadline in accordance with the examination regulations to the examination committee, stating the reasons why you are not responsible for having to exceed the deadline. If you have any questions, please contact the examination committee.