Flexibilization in studies

Working at the same time as studying is often necessary to secure a livelihood, but inevitably restricts the time available to focus solely on studying. If a lower workload than planned is studied over several semesters and correspondingly fewer study and examination achievements are completed, this leads to a study duration that exceeds the standard period of study (RSZ). There are various options for the individual adaptation of study plans planned by the university, including for the core study program. Changes can be made on request if you fail to register on time, withdraw from registered examination modalities, select an in-depth module without formal prerequisites or register for additional coursework. The relevant departmental examination offices can help with advice and the relevant forms.

Raising and looking after children and caring for family members are ongoing care responsibilities that often cannot be reconciled with regular full-time studies. Students who perform care work are rather dependent on being able to attend courses at very specific times. For parents, the need for care is not always foreseeable in advance, but sometimes arises at short notice. Accordingly, there are various offers for adequate support for studying with a child, the organization of basic childcare and several flexible childcare options. In addition, the Autonomous Parents' Office of the AStA is an established point of contact for issues relating to the compatibility of studies and family. There is also the option of taking leave of absence for semesters, e.g. in the form of maternity leave. There are also various support options for students who are caring for relatives. Students with limited time flexibility have the option of preferential enrolment in courses (drop-down menu "Preferential enrolment procedure") in the core study program and in some departments and institutes so that they can attend courses in time slots reserved for their studies. There is also the option of modifying examinations by compensating for disadvantages.

Depending on their severity and form, (health) impairments may lead to short-term or long-term adjustments to the planned course of study for the degree programs studied. If there is an impairment (or disability), the university will ensure that this does not result in any disadvantages, for example with regard to taking examinations on an equal footing. In the case of impairments, there are two options in particular for effectively making teacher training courses more flexible. On the one hand, there is compensation for disadvantages, which addresses existing challenges through various measures. On the other hand, there is the option of using a preferred admission procedure (drop-down menu "Preferred admission procedure"), which is organized by the relevant departments.

There is a wide range of subjects that can be studied at the University of Kassel for a teaching degree and, depending on the type of teaching degree, can be combined with each other. Existing sample timetables and study plans provide a good, basic orientation and are discussed in tutorials and introductory events. The time required for individual subjects and the modules within them and how suitable the combination of specific subjects is in terms of time are provided in the respective regulations on credits to be studied and empirical values are available in the Teacher Training Advisory Service. In addition, fellow students in student councils have knowledge of how flexible the course of study is in the context of specific subjects and subject combinations and which practices of making the course of study more flexible (e.g. in connection with a stay abroad) have proven successful. Some subject combinations (with natural science subjects) are somewhat less easy to combine in terms of time - although this should not be a decisive factor in choosing a subject. This is due to the use of certain rooms (laboratories) and the fact that the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences - until the new building on the main campus is completed - is located in the Oberzwehren district of Kassel (AVZ site), which necessitates changes between locations where courses are offered.

Entitlement to benefits under the Federal Training Assistance Act(BAföG) is generally linked to a standard period of study for students, which means that funding can generally last as long as the planned standard period of study. This circumstance restricts the possibilities for longer-term flexibility and extending the duration of studies. Thus, in connection with the receipt of BAföG benefits and before using the flexibility options provided by the university, it must be checked to what extent this will extend the course of study. If you receive BAföG benefits, it is also not possible to enrol for an official part-time course. There are various counseling services in the context of BAföG, which are offered by the Studierendenwerk Kassel. In addition, under certain conditions, BAföG representatives of the subjects can be consulted.

In the context of the practical school studies, the possibilities for flexibility are pronounced. For example, there is no specification as to when the basic internship/internship must be completed, although it is recommended that the basic internship be completed before the practical semester. In the course of individual case decisions, the groups involved in practical phases (school; pedagogical employees; mentors; Department for Practical School Studies, SPS Department) strive to take student flexibility concerns into account. In the case of a school internship abroad, however, there are various implementation conditions (e.g. choice of school) that cannot be handled flexibly. The SPS department is the central point of contact for questions regarding the planning and implementation of flexibilization in the context of parts of the degree course that are based on school practice.

At the University of Kassel, a stay abroad (study or internship) can be easily combined with the teacher training program. It is important to plan in good time and not at short notice, as different documents are or may be required depending on the destination (e.g. language skills). Against the background of completed and pending examinations, a suitable period for a stay abroad should be chosen and it should be clarified in advance how the recognition of achievements will be organized. The respective departments are responsible for this (drop-down menu, "Before starting your stay abroad"). In the context of studying abroad, information and requirements of established programs must be observed. It is also possible to organize a self-organized semester abroad as a freemover. The International Office is the central point of contact for all questions relating to a study-related and flexible stay abroad. However, if you are planning a school internship abroad, you must also observe the relevant conditions (e.g. with regard to recognition and choice of school). If you are considering an internship abroad, the International Office and the SPS department can provide you with information.