University Language Dictionary

Especially for prospective and new students, the language used at the university with its own terms can be confusing. To help you, here are some terms that you will often hear on campus.

University termExplanation
Akademisches Auslandsamt (International Office)Contact point for foreign students as well as domestic students that are planning a stay abroad.
AudimaxShort for Auditorium maximum. Refers to the largest lecture hall at a university.
CreditsAlso called "Leistungspunkt"; a unit in which the effort of a lecture or tutorial is measured. One credit point is equivalent to about 25-30 working hours.
CurriculumA curriculum is a set of study regulations that defines the organizational framework of a course of study. For example, the standard period of study, the modules to be taken or admission requirements can be specified here.
c.t.Short for "cum tempore": Start of the session with 15 minutes time for room change, meaning that a lecture denoted as 9pm c.t. usually starts 15 minutes later (thus at 9:15pm).
ECTSShort for European Credit Transfer System; primarily makes it possible to compare academic achievements at different European universities.
Einschreibung (enrolment)In order to become a student and use university facilities, you must register.
Fachschaft (student council)All students of a faculty are members of the same student council. This elects the so-called Student Representative Council, which is regarded as a body representing the interests of students.
Fakultät (faculty)A faculty combines related sciences. Business Information Systems at the UDE, for example, is part of the Faculty of Economics.
Klausurzulassung (exam admission)In some lectures it is necessary that a certain condition must be fulfilled so that the exam can be taken. This can be, for example, handing in exercise sheets.
Leistungspunktesee credits
Maluspunkte (penalty points)If an exam is not passed (grade 5.0), you receive penalty points corresponding to the number of credits available for this exam. There is an upper limit on the number of penalty points that can be reached during studies. If this is exceeded, you will be exmatriculated.
ModuleA module combines related teaching events. For example, a module can include a lecture and a tutorial. Credits are credited for each successfully completed module.
Modulhandbuch (module handbook)This is a very important source of information for students, describing all modules to be completed for the corresponding study programme.
Moodle keyMoodle is the online learning platform with which most courses are organized. For example, the lecture slides or exercise sheets are uploaded here. To register for a course you need its password, the so-called Moodle key. This will usually be announced in the first session of the course.
NCShort for "Numerus Clausus"; comes from the Latin and means "limited number". Study programmes with NC can therefore only be attended by a fixed number of students.
Pflichtbereich (mandatory part)Courses that must be taken for the degree.
Plagiat (plagiarism)Plagiarism refers to the adoption of foreign intellectual achievements without marking them as such. A plagiarism in a qualification paper, for example, is to quote from a book without naming the original author. Plagiarism is a serious violation of the principles of science can be subject to severe fines.
Prüfungsamt (examination office)Is responsible for the registration and deregistration of examinations and supports the faculties in conducting examinations.
Prüfungsordnung (exam regulations)Formal document describing the course of study and its details, e.g. the standard period of study, the scope and type of examinations and how these are evaluated
SeminarSeminar describes a form of teaching in which knowledge is taught interactively in small groups. A seminar paper is a written student research project.
Skript (lecture notes)Lecture notes are the set of slides used by a lecturer during a lecture or tutorial.
Studium LiberaleIn Liberal Studies ("E3"), students must take subjects that are explicitly foreign to Business Information Systems. This aims at broadening the student's common knowledge.
SyllabusA syllabus is a summary of a course. It specifies the name of the teacher, qualification goals, literature or form of examination.
s.t.Short for "sine tempore": Event starts on time (which is in contrast to "c.t.")
TestatA testat can be either oral or written and refers to a pre-examination. These can be a condition for admission to the final exam.
TutoriumA tutorium is comparable to a tutorial. Usually, however, the difference is that the students at the tutorium work independently and the tutor is only available to answer any questions that may arise. A tutorium is usually smaller in group size than lectures and tutorials. 
Vorlesung (lecture)A lecture is a form of teaching in which a lecturer teaches through frontal instruction.
Wahlpflichtbereich (compulsory part)Students can choose a certain number out of several courses. Further information can be found in the module handbook or in the examination regulations.
zulassungsbeschränkt (registration-restricted)see NC
zulassungsfrei (not registration-restricted)Means that every applicant who fulfils the admission requirements for the study programme receives a place of study