Examination regulations

The general (ÜPO) and the course examination regulations (PO) regulate all procedures and regulations for the course of studies. The respective legally binding examination regulations can be found here (German ÜPO) and here (German PO).

The general examination regulations (ÜPO) apply to all Bachelor’s and Master’s courses of study of RWTH Aachen University.

There is no official English version of the general examination regulations. Important aspects of the general examination regulations are listed below. This is neither a legally binding nor a complete version of the general examination regulations.

§3 ÜPOAdditional courses

(6) The Examination Board may admit a student to a Master’s course of study on the condition that they obtain additional qualifications. Evidence of the completion of such additional requirements must be provided before registering for the Master's thesis […]. Results of examinations for additional qualifications will not be shown on the final academic transcripts, are not listed on other transcripts of grades achieved, and are not included in the calculation of overall grades. Separate certificates will provide evidence of successful completion of additional examinations.

Additional requirements can be courses that are taught in German language so it is recommended to have knowledge of the German language.

§10 ÜPOGrading System

(1) The grades for the individual examination performances are determined by the respective examiners.
The following grades are to be used for the assessment:

1 = very goodAn excellent performance
2 = goodA performance that is above average
3 = satisfactoryA performance that meets the requirements
4 = sufficientA performance that, despite its shortcomings, meets the requirements
5 = insufficientA performance that does not meet the requirements due to substantial shortcomings
By raising or lowering the individual grades by 0.3, intermediate values can be formed for a differentiated evaluation. The grades 0.7, 4.3, 4.7 and 5.3 are excluded.

§14 ÜPOInsufficient performances

(1) In the case of "insufficient" (i.e. failed) performances, the examinations can be repeated twice; the Bachelor’s or Master's thesis may be repeated once. If a resit examination has also not been passed, students are advised to speak with a departmental academic advisor. It is not permitted to repeat an examination that has been passed. If the student has not compensated for partial exam performances, as a rule, all partial exam performances must be repeated.

(2) If a candidate receives a grade of "insufficient" (5.0/failure) when resitting a written examination for the second time, the candidate has the option to apply for a supplementary oral examination before the examination is finally graded as “insufficient” (5.0). This does not apply if this grade was awarded based on an attempt to cheat, non-attendance, or withdrawal without valid reasons […].

§16 ÜPOType and scope of the Master's examination

(2) A further prerequisite for admission to the Master's thesis is the successful completion of the module "Scientific Integrity". If this module has already been completed as part of a Bachelor's or Master's degree course at RWTH Aachen University or an equivalent achievement, it does not have to be repeated.

The course specific examination regulations (PO) only apply to the respective course of study. In the case of "Railway Systems Engineering", it is the course of study "Transport Engineering and Mobility".
There is no official English version of the examination regulations. Important aspects of the examination regulations are listed below. This is neither a legally binding nor a complete version of the examination regulations.

§1 PODegree of this Master course

(2) Upon successful completion of the Master's programme, the Faculty of Civil Engineering awards the academic degree of Master of Science RWTH Aachen University (M. Sc. RWTH).

§3 POAdmission

Prerequisites

(2) Admission to the Master's programme is not possible if

  • in the field of mathematical-statistical fundamentals, additional courses of more than 8 CP would be necessary
  • in the field of basic mechanics, additional courses of more than 9 CP would be necessary
  • in the area of further engineering science fundamentals, additional courses of more than 8 CP would be necessary
  • in the area of technical fundamentals, additional courses of more than 8 CP would be necessary
  • or the total number of additional courses required exceeds 20 CP.

§4 POStructure of this course

(1) The standard period of study, including the completion of the Master's thesis, is four semesters (two years) full-time. The programme can be commenced in any semester.
However, it is strongly recommended that applicants begin their studies in the winter semester.

(2) The Master's program consists of three "Schalen". The first "Schale" is a compulsory area, the second "Schale" is an elective area. Modules do not necessarily have to be taken from the third "Schale". To successfully complete the course of study, a total of 120 CP must be acquired. The Master's examination is composed as follows:

Schale 146 CP
Schale 2Min 28 CP
Schale 3Variable
Master's Thesis24 CP
Total120

§12 POType and scope of the Master's examination

(2) The proposal of the master thesis can only be issued if 60 CP have been completed.

§13 POMaster’s thesis

(4) The processing time for the Master's thesis is usually 6 or 12 months during the course of study. In justified exceptional cases, the processing period can be extended by a maximum of six weeks upon application to the examination board. The scope of the written draft should not exceed 80 pages without Annexes.
However, it is recommended that Master's thesis should be finished within 6 months (full time).

(5) The results of the Master's thesis are presented by the candidate at a Master's degree colloquium.