Examination regulations - ÜPO
The general (ÜPO) and the course examination regulations (PO) regulate all procedures and rules for the course of studies. The respective legally binding examination
regulations can be found here (ÜPO) and
here (German PO).
The general examination regulations (ÜPO) apply to all Bachelor’s and Master’s courses of study at RWTH Aachen University.
There is no official English version of the examination regulations. Nevertheless, a translation of the general examination regulation is provided by the RWTH.
Essential aspects of the examination regulations are listed below. All translations are provided for reference only and are not legally binding.
(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. Thus, it is recommended to know the German language.
(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 good | An excellent performance |
| 2 = good | A performance that is above average |
| 3 = satisfactory | A performance that meets the requirements |
| 4 = sufficient | A performance that, despite its shortcomings, meets the requirements |
| 5 = insufficient | A performance that does not meet the requirements due to substantial shortcomings |
Incremental grades can be assigned by adjusting the individual grades by 0.3, but grades such as 0.7, 4.3, 4.7, and 5.3 are excluded. Ungraded assessments receive a grade of "passed" or "failed" (5.0).
(1) Students are permitted to retake exams or resubmit assignments up to two times in cases of "insufficient" (i.e., failed) performance.
Assessments related to the Bachelor's or Master's thesis module may be resubmitted once if they do not meet the required standards on the initial attempt. If a resit exam or
assignment resubmission does not result in a passing grade, students are advised to seek guidance from their departmental academic advisors. Once an exam, assignment, or thesis
has been successfully completed, it cannot be retaken or resubmitted.
(2) If a student has not fulfilled all partial assessment requirements through available alternative options, they are generally required to retake all partial assessments to
fulfill degree requirements. If a student receives a failing grade of "insufficient" (5.0) on a second retake of a written exam, they may request a supplementary
oral examination before the final grade of "insufficient" (5.0) is recorded. This option is not available in cases where the failing grade results from academic
misconduct, non-attendance, or withdrawal without valid justification, as specified in § 15 (2). […]
(2) ) […] To be admitted to the Master's thesis, students must have completed the "Scientific Integrity" module. If this requirement has already been met in a previous Bachelor's or Master's program at RWTH – or if an equivalent course has been completed – the requirement does not need to be repeated.
(3) 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).
Prerequisites
(2) […] admission to the Master's program 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
- the total number of additional courses required exceeds 20 CP.
(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 1 | 46 CP |
| Schale 2 | Min 28 CP |
| Schale 3 | Variable |
| Master's Thesis | 24 CP |
| Total | 120 |
(2) ) […] The proposal of the Master's thesis can only be issued if 60 CP have been completed.
(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 the 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.