Recognition of study and examination achievements

If you have already achieved credits at other universities or in other degree programmes, you can submit an application for recognition of these credits.

Recognition at a glance

Principles and criteria for recognition

The legal basis and guidelines for recognition are explained here.

Principles and criteria for recognition

Process of recognition

The recognition process sets out in a structured way the steps that are taken in a recognition procedure at the FH Potsdam.

Process of recognition

Placement in a higher semester

If you change your degree programme or transfer to Potsdam University of Applied Sciences, you have the opportunity to apply for recognition in a higher semester.

Placement in a higher semester

FAQ on recognition

Frequently asked questions about the recognition of academic achievements at the FH Potsdam are answered here.

FAQs on recognition

Principles and criteria for recognition

Recognition is based on the Lisbon Convention, also known as the "Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region", the Brandenburg Higher Education Act and Section 24 of the Framework Regulations for Studies and Examinations of the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.

Your achievements will be recognised provided that no significant differences can be identified between the competences already acquired and those to be acquired as part of the module at the UAS Potsdam.

  • The main difference relates to five criteria that are decisive for successful recognition:

    • the quality of the institution: the issuing institution must meet the standards of a German higher education institution.
    • the learning outcomes: The learning outcomes of the achievement to be recognised and those from the student's own degree programme do not have to match in every detail, but they must essentially match.
    • The level of study: The level of achievement (according to the Higher Education Qualifications Framework) must match.
    • the profile of the study programmes: The content of the achievements to be recognised must essentially correspond to that in the reference degree programme.
    • the workload: The workload of the coursework to be recognised must essentially correspond to that of the student's own degree programme.

Process of recognition

The process of recognition essentially involves four steps, which we will briefly explain below.

Recognition is only granted upon application. The applicant can seek advice in advance from the Student Advisory Service on questions regarding content and from the Central Student Advisory Service or the Examination Service on questions regarding the application process. Students can download the application for recognition of examination and study achievements from myCampus or the website, fill it out completely, sign it and send it by email to the Examination Service.

You can find a step-by-step description of the application process here.

Formal application review: All documents submitted will be checked by the examination service for formal completeness and correctness. If necessary, evidence or additions will be requested from the applicant.

The complete documents will be forwarded to the responsible examination board or the study commission.

Subject-related application review: The application is assessed by the examination board or the study commission for each (sub-)module applied for. The core of the recognition assessment is the examination of the essential difference in relation to the criteria: Quality of the institution, learning outcomes, level of study, profile of the study programme and workload.

Achievements are recognised by the responsible examination board or the study commission if the acquired learning outcomes do not differ significantly from the learning outcomes of the modules applied for in the respective degree programme at the FH Potsdam. Otherwise, recognition is only possible in part, with conditions or not at all.

The applicant will be informed of the decision of the recognition examination by the examination service by means of a notification. The (partially) recognised achievements are recorded in the examination system (overview of achievements). If the decision differs from the application, the applicant will be informed of the reasons.

The recognition decision can be objected to in writing within 4 weeks.

Placement in a higher semester

Placement in a higher semester at the UAS Potsdam initially depends on whether you have already achieved credits in an identical or related degree programme.

At least 30 ECTS credit points must be recognised in the target degree programme. In addition, the corresponding capacities for the higher semester must be released for degree programmes with restricted admission. In this case, please submit the application for recognition when you apply for a study place via our university portal MyCampus.

After your enrolment, your achievements will be recognised.

Please note the deadlines: 15 January for the summer semester and 15 July for the winter semester!

If you have any questions about being placed in a higher semester, please contact the Student Service Centre.

Application for a higher semester

FAQ on recognition

The FAQ section provides answers to frequently asked questions on the topic of recognition. Answers to general questions on the subject of recognition and credit transfer can be found here.

There is no limit to recognition as long as there is no significant difference in the skills acquired.

Always enclose proof of achievement with the application, e.g. in the form of a transcript of records or a certificate. You should also enclose the module descriptions and the study and examination regulations.
If you are applying for recognition from a stay abroad, you must also submit the Learning Agreement.

It is in the nature of the recognition of acquired competences that achievements can be "used" several times. However, the recognition of a complete degree programme is abusive and should therefore be rejected (letter from the Accreditation Council dated 6 October 2016).

Yes, if you have successfully completed modules or courses and these are compatible with the curriculum of your current degree programme, you can apply for recognition.

No. Recognition takes place on application, so students can decide for themselves whether they want to have their achievements recognised.

No, if you have already started the examination procedure in the relevant module or have definitively failed an examination, recognition for this module is no longer possible.

It is also not possible to improve an already recognised achievement by taking the module examination at the FH Potsdam.

Yes, students from all faculties have the opportunity to complete the FLEX modules as part of their Bachelor's and/or Master's degree programme. The relevant details (scope of the elective area and possible more precise provisions) can be found in the study and examination regulations of your degree programme.
If you have acquired credits in another degree programme at the FH Potsdam or at another university, please send the proof and the desired FLEX module by e-mail to the examination service.

Yes, recognition may be refused in part or in full if the submitted work does not fulfil the required criteria regarding the quality of the university or the respective study programme:

  • Quality of the university or the respective study programme
  • Level of competences acquired and to be acquired
  • workload
  • Profile of the study programmes
  • learning outcomes

is fulfilled and thus a significant difference is demonstrated. You will receive a written notification with a statement of reasons.

You can lodge an appeal with the Examination Service within four weeks of receiving the letter of recognition.

If you have any questions regarding the content of your application, please contact your student counselling service. If you have any questions about submitting an application, please contact the Central Student Advisory Service or the Examination Service.

Contact us

Specialist advice

If you have any questions regarding the assessment of your previous achievements, please get in touch with the relevant contact person for your degree programme.

Student counselling

Advice on the application process

For questions regarding application, processing and recognition or credit transfer, please contact the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) or the Examination Service.

zsb@fh-potsdam.de

pruefungs-service@fh-potsdam.de

Advice for audit committees

Examination boards should contact the Central Recognition and Recognition Advisory Service(ZAAB).

zaab@fh-potsdam.de