Advanced module (AM )

Advanced modules are teaching units of a degree programme. They are defined in the examination regulations and usually build on the content of basic modules. In some cases, the successful completion of certain basic modules is a prerequisite for taking advanced modules.

Audimax (AM)

The Audimax is the largest lecture theatre at a university: at Paderborn University, the Audimax has 626 seats.

General Students' Committee (AStA)

The General Students' Committee (AStA) is an organ of the student body. It represents the student body, implements the resolutions of the student parliament (StuPa) and deals with the day-to-day administration of the student body. The AStA represents the interests of the student body (e.g. vis-à-vis the Rectorate or the Presidential Board). However, the AStA not only takes on representative tasks, but also helps students as a constant contact for problems.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is an academic degree that is awarded to graduates of social sciences, linguistics and cultural studies, for example. It is a first academic degree that qualifies you for a profession.

Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)

The Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) is an academic degree awarded to graduates of the undergraduate teacher training programme.

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

The Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) is an academic degree awarded to graduates of mathematics, computer science, natural and technical sciences or engineering, for example, but also economics, depending on the specialisation. It is a first academic degree that qualifies you for a profession.

Basic module (BM)

Basic modules are teaching units of a degree programme.

They are defined in the examination regulations and generally serve as introductions to certain subject areas.

Campus

A campus is the entire campus of a university. Paderborn University is a "campus university"; this means that most of the university institutions are located in one place (Warburger Str. 100, Paderborn), i.e. they are close to each other or even architecturally connected. This has the great advantage that there are no long "journeys" between the individual courses.

Cum tempore (c.t.) / academic quarter

The academic quarter is the quarter of an hour that a course starts later. For example, a lecture that is listed as starting at 4.00 pm c.t. (Latin: cum tempore = "with time") actually starts at 4.15 pm.

Curriculum

Curriculum means syllabus and represents the content structure of a degree programme.

Dean's Office

The Dean's Office manages and coordinates the various tasks and activities of the respective faculty.

DeliCard

The DeliCard is the cashless payment system of the Paderborn Student Union. For a deposit of €5, the Studentenwerk issues payment cards that can be used to make cashless payments at all Studentenwerk institutions. The cards can be topped up at special "top-up machines" at Paderborn University or at the cash desks of the individual institutions.

In order to be considered for the allocation of study places in the admission-restricted single-subject Bachelor's degree programmes (at Paderborn University), you must first submit an application in the dialogue-oriented service procedure (DoSV) via the Hochschulstart service platform.

Diploma Supplement

The Diploma Supplement is a certificate that is handed out together with the examination certificate or issued upon request. It contains information about the academic qualification and degree as well as additional information about the programme content, the course of study, the academic and professional qualifications acquired with the degree and the awarding university.

Lecturer

A person who teaches at a university or similar institution is called a lecturer (lat.: docere = to teach).

European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS ) is a credit point system with which students can acquire credit points in the Bachelor's/Master's system. By using the system, academic achievements are made more comparable both nationally and internationally.

Erasmus (European exchange programme for universities)

The Erasmus programme is a European Union programme for the exchange of students at European universities.

Exmatriculation

Exmatriculation literally means "call for proposals". Exmatriculation automatically cancels the student status. Students can de-register voluntarily or may be automatically de-registered. There can be various reasons for de-registration, e.g. voluntarily dropping out of a degree programme, finally failing an examination, not properly re-registering for the degree programme, not having an insurance certificate or successfully completing the degree programme.

Student Council (FS)

A student council is an institution of student self-administration and representation of interests at universities.

Subject semester

Subject-relatedsemesters cover the periods of the current degree programme. Semesters already completed at other universities or in other subject areas are not included. Semesters on leave do not count as subject-related semesters, but as university semesters.

University Sports Health Training Centre (GTZ)

The GTZ is Paderborn University's fitness centre where students can train for a small monthly fee.

Habilitation

A habilitation follows a doctorate and is the highest university examination in Germany. By writing a habilitation thesis as part of an academic examination procedure, the ability to teach in an academic subject area is established. Upon application, a teaching authorisation can also be issued, which allows the use of the title "Privatdozent*in".

University semesters

Universitysemesters include all semesters in which students are enrolled at a university. If you change degree programmes within a university, the university semesters continue to be counted; they are not tied to a specific subject area. However, the number of subject semesters then starts again at 1. Semesters on leave are also counted as university semesters.

Enrolment

Enrolment means "enrolment". Anyone who applies to a university and receives a place can be enrolled and thus becomes a student at the university.

International Office (IO)

The International Office is an institution of the university. The main task of the International Office is to advise and support students who come from abroad and would like to study at Paderborn University as well as Paderborn students who are planning a semester abroad.

Colloquium

A colloquium is a discussion or conversation and is generally understood as an academic discussion / exchange of ideas.

Credit points (LP or CP)

The credit points are the points with which the student's workload is measured. They are intended to reflect the amount of work in hours that students spend on average on a module of the degree programme. One LP/CP (the abbreviation) corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work. For the Bachelor's degree at Paderborn University, students must collect 180.

Course (LV)

The term course covers all teaching units of a university degree programme. There are different types of courses, which differ, among other things, in who teaches the subject matter or how the subject matter is taught (e.g. lectures, seminars, exercises, tutorials, etc.).

Master of Arts (M.A.)

The Master of Arts (M.A.) is the academic degree awarded to graduates of a Master's degree programme in social sciences, linguistics and cultural studies.

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education is the academic degree awarded to graduates of a postgraduate Master's degree programme for the teaching profession. Successful completion of the Master of Education is a prerequisite for entry into the state preparatory service (traineeship).

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

The Master of Science is the academic degree awarded to graduates of mathematics, computer science, natural and technical sciences or engineering, but also economics, depending on the specialisation.

Mensa

Mensa (lat. table) is the canteen in a university. Students and employees of the university can eat meals here at discounted prices.

MINT

MINT is an umbrella term for subjects in the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciencesand technology.

Module

A module is a teaching unit consisting of several courses on a common sub-area of a subject. Each component of a module - including oral or written "final module examinations" - is weighted with credit points (according to the European Credit Transfer System) in accordance with the time required for participation.

Due to a health impairment (physical disability, chronic/mental illness), special situations may arise in the course of a degree programme and during examinations. For example, attendance requirements must be met and internships or stays abroad must be completed during the degree programme. Students with disabilities are often unable to do this in the prescribed manner or in the prescribed time. Compensation for disadvantages compensates for individual and situation-related disadvantages in the degree programme.

Nomen nominandum or nomen nescio (N.N.)

Nomen nominandum (Latin: name to be given) or nomen nescio (Latin: name unknown), abbreviated to "N.N.", is the name given to a course for which no teacher has yet been appointed

Numerus clausus (NC)

Numerus clausus (lat.: number closed) refers to degree programmes with restricted admission (abbreviated: NC). An admission restriction can be set for degree programmes or subjects if the possible number of applicants could exceed the number of available study places and thus a proper course of study can no longer be guaranteed. This means that not all applicants may be admitted to a degree programme.

Orientation phase for first-semester students (O phase)

During the O-Phase (or O-Week), first-semester students at Paderborn University receive important information about their degree programme and the organisation of their studies. The O-Phase is always in the week BEFORE the start of lectures and should definitely be used.

PAUL

PAUL (Paderborn Assistance System for University and Teaching) is the self-administration system for students at Paderborn University. This is where prospective students apply for a study place and students manage their studies. PAUL is used, for example, to select courses and register for examinations. Lecturers can also write to specific participants in their courses and provide information on lectures and seminars.

Compulsory course (P)

A compulsory course is a course that students are obliged to attend.

Examination regulations (PO)

All degree programmes are legally regulated by examination regulations. Examination regulations contain provisions on, for example, the structure of the degree programme, the duration and type (written/oral) of examinations, examination areas, deadlines or the university degree awarded after passing an examination. In principle, a degree programme must be completed in accordance with the examination regulations that were valid at the time the student started the degree programme at Paderborn University. It is possible that the examination regulations may change during the course of the degree programme. The extent to which this also applies/can apply to existing students can be found, for example, in the "transitional regulations" of the amended examination regulations. First-semester students in particular should familiarise themselves with their specific regulations before starting their studies.

PLAZ
(Centre for Educational Research and Teacher Training - PLAZ-Professional School)

The abbreviation PLAZ originally stood for "Paderborn Teacher Training Centre" and is still used today as an abbreviation for the "Centre for Educational Research and Teacher Training - PLAZ-Professional School" at Paderborn University. The PLAZ serves to support future teachers and advises prospective and current students on teacher training programmes. In addition, the PLAZ takes on specific tasks in the field of study and teaching, in the field of research and in cooperation with university and non-university partners.

Doctorate

A doctorate is the highest academic degree awarded in Germany. With a doctorate, a graduate demonstrates the ability to carry out in-depth independent academic work. A doctorate entitles the holder to use the doctoral degree with an addition that indicates the department (e.g. Dr. med. = Doctor of Medicine).

Proseminar (PS)

The proseminar is a course for undergraduate students which generally concludes with a written examination.

Examination board (PA)

The examination board is usually made up of university lecturers, academic staff and students and ensures that the provisions of the examination regulations are adhered to. It decides on all examination matters, e.g. on appeals against decisions made in examination procedures.

Examination performance (PL)

An examination is a procedure in which certain knowledge or performance is tested. How the examination is conducted is usually specified in the examination regulations.

Semester ticket (SeTi)

The semester ticket is the ticket for students that allows them to use public transport.

Semester week hour (SWS)

A semester hour per week is used to indicate the amount of time spent on a course. The indication "1 SWS" means that the corresponding course is taught for 45 minutes per week for the duration of one semester.

sine tempore (s.t.)

If a course starts punctually at 9.00 a.m., the time is indicated as 9.00 a.m. s.t. (Latin: sine tempore = "without time").

Student assistant (SHK)

Studentassistants are students who work as temporary staff in the field of the university.

OWL Study Fund

The OWL Study Fund Foundation is a cooperation project between the five universities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in East Westphalia-Lippe (Paderborn University, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Ostwestfalen Lippe University of Applied Sciences, Detmold University of Music) that is unique in Germany. The founders and board members of the study fund are the presidents and rectors of the five participating universities.

Studying with disabilities (SmB)

Paderborn University endeavours to support students with disabilities or chronic illnesses in their studies in such a way that they can participate in higher education on an equal and self-determined basis. In accordance with the Higher Education Framework Act, care is therefore taken to ensure that students with a disability are not disadvantaged in their studies and can take advantage of the university's programmes without outside help as far as possible. The representative for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses at Paderborn University is Cornelia Wagner (Central Student Advisory Service).

Studium Generale (SG)

Within the framework of the Studium Generale , subject areas can be chosen from the entire range of courses offered by the university (not possible for all degree programmes). It is intended to broaden students' knowledge horizons, provide an insight into other disciplines and improve their general education.

Summer semester (SoSe)

A semester is the common term for a half-year of study at a university. A summer semester usually runs from the beginning of April to the end of September. A winter semester usually runs from the beginning of October to the end of March. The semester includes both the lecture period and the lecture-free period.

Student Parliament
(StuPa)

The student parliament is the elected representation of the student body and the highest decision-making body of student self-administration. The student parliament is made up of students from various groups and lists. It elects and monitors the AStA, determines the student body's budget and decides on motions that affect students.

University Library
(UniBib, BiBo)

The university library is located in the BI section of the building and provides students with an extensive selection of books and journals. In addition to reference literature, users can also access electronic information media.

UPB

UPB is the official abbreviation of Paderborn University.

Specialisation module (VM)

Specialisationmodules are teaching units of a degree programme. They are defined in the examination regulations and usually expand on the content of the basic and advanced modules.

Lecture and tutorial (V+Ü)

Certain lectures are linked to the attendance of tutorials , which repeat the content of the course and generally prepare students for the subsequent examination.

Compulsory elective course (WP)

Students can choose certain courses that they would like to attend from a range of courses on offer. These courses are called compulsory elective courses.

Waiting period

This is the time that has elapsed since you obtained your university entrance qualification and is counted in semesters. The waiting period does not include semesters that you may have already been enrolled at a German university. These semesters are counted as "Parkstudium" and are deducted when calculating your "Waiting semesters". Your waiting period is recalculated each time you apply for a place. Even if you do not apply in the meantime, your waiting time will be taken into account when you reapply.

Winter semester (WiSe)

A semester is the common term for a half-year of study at a university. A winter semester usually runs from the beginning of October to the end of March; a summer semester usually runs from the beginning of April to the end of September. The semester includes both the lecture period and the lecture-free period.

Workload (WL)

Workload is an element of the new ECTS system that specifies the amount of time spent on a course. This is intended to ensure the comparability of achievements throughout Germany and internationally.

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)

The Central Student Advisory Service is a contact point for those seeking help in the university field. It informs, advises, helps and supports prospective students and students in all phases of their studies. The ZSB comprises four areas of work: general student counselling, psychosocial counselling, career service and counselling on studying with a disability or chronic illness.

Centre for Information and Media Technologies (IMT)

The IMT is responsible for the technical support of Paderborn University and its students. In addition, technical equipment such as cameras, notebooks and the like can be borrowed from the IMT free of charge for study purposes and events.

Centre for Language Teaching (ZFS)

The Centre for Language Teaching is a Paderborn University institution where students can take various language courses. The Centre offers a wide range of different language courses from Arabic to Finnish, English, Japanese and Turkish. Students can also catch up on missing language skills (e.g. Latin or Ancient Greek) at the Centre for Language Teaching.