Final failure

According to your examination regulations, there is a limited number of attempts for final module examinations.

What happens if I have failed an examination three times and no coronavirus free attempt is available?

It depends on whether the module is a compulsory module or a compulsory elective module:

If the examination is a compulsory module, a notification of final failure of the degree programme will be issued with the third failure. You will be blocked from re-registering for the degree programme and will no longer be able to continue your studies in this form.

However, if the examination is a compulsory elective module, it is possible to compensate for the failed module by taking and passing another compulsory elective module. But be careful:

• This compensation is only possible once. If you have definitively failed two compulsory elective modules, you will be notified that you have definitively failed the degree programme.
• In the core subject German Studies, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, there is an exception for certain compulsory elective modules: failing a basic module three times results in the loss of the right to take exams. This leads to de-registration by the Student Registry once the relevant decision of the Examination Board has become final. The basic modules are therefore treated as compulsory modules in this degree programme.

Please contact the student counselling service responsible for you to check the possible alternatives.

What options do I have to successfully complete my degree programme at the University of Bonn despite finally failing?

It may be possible for you to change your subject via the Student Registry.

This can be done in the Bachelor's programme, for example, by continuing to study the subject you have finally failed in a different degree programme model and changing the subject combination for this purpose (e.g. from a two-subject degree programme to a core/accompanying subject combination). In a new combination of the previous subjects, different requirements may apply and the module that has been definitively failed is either not included or is only included there as a compulsory elective module. With this solution, please consider what a change would mean for your other subject. You may lose credits you have already achieved or have to study additional modules.

If this approach does not work, an alternative option could be to change your subject by choosing a completely new partial degree programme instead of the partial degree programme that you have finally failed, which has nothing to do with the content of your original and unfortunately finally failed subject. In this way, you could continue the previous partial degree programme in which you did not fail without any cuts.

In both cases, the next step is to check whether any previously taken exams can be credited to the new programme. Please note that credits are not automatically transferred; you must actively apply for credit transfer. Please contact your subject advisor for intensive specialist advice.

Can I simply transfer to another university with my existing subject combination and continue my studies there despite my final failing grade in Bonn?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. The final failing grade applies to the specific degree programme combination at all state universities in Germany. However, you may be able to continue your studies at the University of Bonn or another university by changing the programme combination (either the subjects or the combination itself) as described above.

Do I also have three attempts for my thesis?

The examination regulations only allow two attempts for the Bachelor's and Master's thesis (exception: due to the Corona free attempt regulation, there is one additional attempt for theses that were completed in the period SS 20 to WS 21/22. If one of these attempts was a deception/case of plagiarism, it is excepted from this rule).

I'm about to start a final attempt and I'm afraid that I won't pass. Shouldn't I drop out of the programme straight away?

Before you decide not to continue your studies, we strongly recommend that you talk to your academic counsellor. The central student advisory service at the University of Bonn can also help you in case of difficulties and doubts about your studies.

As part of the preparation for a third attempt, it is also advisable to talk to your previous examiners: what failed in the two previous attempts, where can you start preparing differently now? You can also request access to the exam documents from the Examination Office if the exam took place within the last three months. Please read our answer to the question "How can I inspect my examination documents?", which you can find in the FAQs.