Withdrawal from Exams

Whether and until when you can withdraw from an exam without it being counted as a failed attempt depends, in particular, on the form of the exam:

Written and Oral Exams

Withdrawal from written and oral exams (so-called "scheduled exams") is possible without stating reasons, either in writing or online via the electronic study portal BASIS, up to one week before the respective exam date. Please note that withdrawal via BASIS is only possible within the registration phase for written and oral exams due to technical reasons. After that, withdrawal requests can only be submitted to the Examination Office via the contact form and up until the deadline (so up to one week before the exam).

Withdrawal requests must include the following information: matriculation number, module, form of exam, date (day & time), and the examiner(s).

Withdrawal requests received after the deadline can only be accepted with valid reasons. Otherwise, it will be considered a failed attempt. “Valid reasons” may include illness-related inability to take the exam, which must be proven by a medical certificate. Please note that to confirm the inability to take the exam due to illness, a doctor must be consulted on the day of the written or oral exam. The withdrawal must be credibly reported to the Examination Office within three days in writing. Along with proof of valid reasons, these withdrawal request too must include the following information: matriculation number, module, form of exam, and the examiner(s). If the Examination Committee accepts the evidence for the withdrawal due to illness or other “valid reasons,” the exam attempt is considered not taken.

Essays and Course-related Exam Formats

Withdrawal from essays and course-related exam formats (project work, presentations, reports, internships, or portfolios) is not possible without stating reasons after registration and topic assignment. In these cases, you can only withdraw subsequently for “valid reasons,” especially due to illness-related inability to take the exam. The withdrawal must be credibly reported to the Examination Office immediately within three days in writing. For proof of illness-related inability to take the exam, a medical certificate must be provided. In addition, these withdrawal requests must include the following information: matriculation number, module, form of exam, and the examiner(s). If the Examination Committee accepts the evidence for withdrawal due to illness or other 'valid reasons,' the exam attempt is considered not taken. Please note that when withdrawing from a term paper, you must use a new topic if you register for a new attempt.

Bachelor's or Master's Thesis

Withdrawal from a registered Bachelor's or Master's thesis is possible as follows: The topic of the thesis can only be returned once and only within the first month (Bachelor) or the first two months (Master) after it has been issued. This does not count as a failed attempt. The topic subsequently issued when re-registering for the thesis must differ substantially in content from the original one.