Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Recognition of Academic Achievements

How can I have coursework or exam achievements from another program or university recognized for the Geography degree program?
First, please consult the Student Advisory Service to determine whether recognition is possible.
Recognition is granted by assigning previous achievements to modules in the Geography program using a designated form. Recognition requires an official certificate of achievement (e.g. Transcript of Records).

Recognition of Achievements From Abroad
If you're planning a stay abroad under ERASMUS, a Learning Agreement must be arranged in advance. Recognition is granted upon submission of your Transcript of Records from the host university.
In all other cases, prior consultation with the Student Advisory Service is recommended. Recognition will also be discussed and processed through them.

Course and Exam Registration

How, when, and where do I register for courses and exams?

• Register for courses via Stud.IP to access materials, updates, and communications. Be sure to check the course-specific registration deadlines.

• Register for exams via HISinOne Exa. Exam registration periods are listed under “Prüfungsangebot” in HISinOne Exa and may differ from course registration deadlines.

Exception:
In the M.Sc. GEO-GUZ program, specific regulations apply to module assignments and HISinOne entries.

Contact for exam registration issues:

• Exam registrations: Geo-Secretariat

• Missing grades or coursework: Geo-Secretariat

• Incorrect bookings or module assignments: Examination Office, FB 1

• Missing registrations or grades in the system: HISinOne / virtUOS

Missed a Registration Deadline?

I missed the deadline for a course or exam – what can I do?
Late registration is generally not possible.
In exceptional cases, you may submit a hardship request to the Examination Board, clearly stating your reasons or why a missed registration would cause serious disadvantage.

You must attach:

• A supporting statement from the relevant lecturer

• The hardship request, sent via email to the Chair of the Examination Board and cc’d to the Examination Office

Placement in a Higher Semester

Who issues a certificate for higher semester placement?
Please contact the Student Advisory Service, and bring both the official form and your Transcript of Records.

Alternatives to Required Excursion Days

If you can't attend official excursions, there are recognized alternatives:

• TERRA.vita Nature and Geopark offers guided tours (fee-based).
  Participation for at least 6 hours counts as one excursion day. Use the routing slip as proof.

• You may also attend excursions by other geography-related organizations.
  Please get approval in advance to ensure these can be credited.

More information is available on the Geography Institute website under your degree program’s section.

Long-Term Tuition Fees

When do I have to pay long-term study fees?
If you exceed the standard period of study by more than six semesters, you will be charged long-term tuition fees of €500 per semester in accordance with §13 NHG.
Example: For a six-semester bachelor’s + four-semester master’s program, this applies after 16 semesters.

BAföG – Certificate According to §48

Who signs my BAföG certificate of achievement (§48)?
For Geography-related achievements, please contact the Student Advisory Service.
Have your form and Transcript of Records ready.

Issues with HISinOne Exa / Transcript of Records

Why are some credits missing from my HISinOne Exa account or transcript?
Please contact the Geo-Secretariat.

Why are some credits listed twice or incorrectly assigned to modules?
For booking errors, contact the Examination Office for Geography (FB 1).

Can I reassign credit points to different modules?
Yes, in some cases. Please consult the Student Advisory Service with your Transcript of Records and a clear proposal for reassignment.

Withdrawing From Exams Due to Illness

If you are ill and cannot attend an exam, you must either:

1. Submit a medical certificate stating that you're unfit for exams (a general "yellow slip" is not sufficient), or

2. Use the form “Krankheitsbedingte Prüfungsunfähigkeit”, completed and signed by your doctor.

Multiple exams can be listed if affected by the same illness. Please also inform your examiner(s) of your absence.

Study Organization

How do I know what courses I still need to complete?
Check the study plans for your Geography degree program on the institute’s website.
These outline required modules, credit points, and components. You’ll also find this information in your examination regulations and module handbook.
When in doubt, consult the Student Advisory Service, and bring your Transcript of Records.

Where can I find info on credit points, exam types, and passing criteria?
All this is included in the module descriptions, available on the university’s central pages under your degree program.

Study Plan – Is It Binding?

No. The study plan is a recommendation for organizing your degree efficiently. It’s a useful planning tool, but not binding.

Repeating an Exam to Improve Your Grade

Can I retake an exam I’ve already passed?
Yes — once per degree program.
You may use a so-called "Joker" to retake an exam you passed, or one you failed definitively, to improve your grade.
Apply at the Examination Office referencing §14(3) of the APO.

Contact Overview – EXA / HISinOne Issues

What is the Excursion Card and What Is It For?

At the start of your studies, you’ll receive an Excursion Card (either handed out or sent by mail). You need to:

1. Fill it out

2. Attach a passport photo

3. Submit it to the Geography Office (Secretary’s Office)

The card is used to both document your excursion days and support organisational planning.

How Are Excursions Documented and Credited?

When you participate in an excursion, your attendance is recorded and the corresponding days are entered on your Excursion Card by the office.

Excursion days are usually credited to the relevant modules only once all required days for that module are completed. To request this:

• Contact the Registrar's Office (Geography) by email

• Specify which modules the excursion days should be credited to

Note: If you drop out or transfer to another university, partial bookings per module are also possible.

Which and How Many Excursions Are Required in Geography?

Participation in excursions is a mandatory part of the program:

• Two excursion days are required in each of the following modules: GEO-11 and GEO-25 (total of four days)

• You can complete these days through day excursions or multi-day excursions

• Additionally, you may count up to four excursion days per module in the Professional Skills Development Area – the content of these excursions is flexible

What Is the Geographical Colloquium, and Do I Need to Register?

The Geographical Colloquium usually takes place on Wednesdays at 4 p.m.

• For the GEO-11 module, attendance of at least 10 colloquium lectures is required

• You can collect these across several semesters

• Use the routing slip (available under Documents A–Z) to track attendance. After each lecture, a lecturer will sign it

• In the semester you attend your final (10th) lecture, register for GEO-11 in HISinOne Exa

• Submit the completed routing slip either as a scan to geographie@uos.de or hand it in at the Geography Office

The office will then enter the credit in HISinOne Exa.

How Are the Basic Modules GEO-12 and GEO-13 Assessed?

Yes, it’s true:
Each of these modules includes three exams, but only the two best grades count toward your module grade and your overall subject grade.

However, you must still pass all three exams.

Where Can I Find an Overview of Compulsory Geography Courses?

You’ll find this information in both the:

• Examination Regulations

• Study Plan (Curriculum)
  Available on the university’s or institute’s website.

Why Do Some Geography Courses Appear Under “Professional Skills Development ” in My Exam Account?

This area includes:

• Courses from the Core Curriculum for Teacher Education (KCL)

• Modules related to professional specialization in the subject-specific Master’s program (including the four-step model, “Plus” options, etc.)

What Is the Specialization in the Professional Skills Development Area?

In Geography, specialization within this area consists of the modules:

• GEO-35

• GEO-36

You must complete at least one graded performance in each module.
These grades do not count toward your Geography subject grade, but they do factor into your grade for the Professional Skills Development Area.

Why Are "Social Geography" and "Economic Geography" Lectures Scheduled at the Same Time?

These two lectures alternate within the semester:

• The semester begins with “Economic Geography”, taught over four hours per week during the first half of the semester

• It is followed by “Social Geography”, also for four hours weekly in the second half of the semester

Advantage:
You can take the Economic Geography exam in December, which helps reduce your workload during the main exam period at the end of the lecture period.

Are the Tutorials for Lectures Mandatory?

No, the tutorials are optional.
They are designed to deepen your understanding and help you prepare for exams.
More information about tutorials is provided during the respective lectures.

How Do I Prepare for Teaching Practice Phase I (BFP)?

To prepare for the Teaching Practice Phase I (BFP), you must take the seminar “Planning Geography Lessons”, which is offered every semester.

• Participation in this seminar is mandatory for BFP preparation.

• Successful completion is documented on your internship routing slip or confirmed directly by the course instructor.

When Can I Complete Teaching Practice Phase II (EFP)? Can It Be Done in Summer?

Yes, both the BFP and EFP can be completed during the lecture-free period:

• In the winter semester

• Or in the summer semester

Please contact the Center for Teacher Education (ZLB) for details on:

• Organization

• Registration

• School placement

Which Courses Do I Take for Teaching Practice Phase II (EFP)? What Does the Follow-Up Involve?

In Geography, both BFP and EFP are followed up not with a written internship report, but with a reflection seminar:

• Usually held in a block format (Friday/Saturday) at the beginning of the following semester

• Includes:

  • Presentations about your internship experiences

  • Group discussion and exchange of insights

After the seminar, the instructor will confirm your participation and sign the ZLB routing slip.

When Does the Major Excursion Take Place, and How Can I Register?

Participation in a major excursion is mandatory (part of module GEO-MEd-VT).
Key information:

• The excursion usually takes place in the summer semester, following a preparatory seminar.

• An info event is held in December or January (winter semester), open to all enrolled students.

  • Lecturers present available destinations, estimated costs, dates, and other details.

• Registration typically opens right after the info event.

• Excursions usually take place during the summer lecture break, ideally within school holidays.

When and How Does the Master’s Colloquium Take Place?

The Master’s colloquium is arranged individually with your thesis supervisor.
Key points:

• It should take place after the thesis has been submitted and graded.

• In exceptional cases (e.g. transition to a traineeship), an earlier date may be agreed upon.

• No registration in HISinOne Exa is currently required.

• A record of the colloquium will be prepared and forwarded to the Examination Office.

Can I Take Master's Courses Before Official Enrollment in the Master’s Program (Lehramt Geography)?

Yes, under certain conditions, you may "pre-study" selected Master’s modules:

• You must apply in advance to the Examinations Office (before the semester starts).

• Requirements:

  • Your Bachelor’s thesis must be registered

  • You must have earned at least 150 credit points in your Bachelor’s program

Important:

• Recognition of these courses is only possible after enrollment in the Master’s program.

• There is no legal entitlement to recognition — for example, if exam regulations change in the meantime.

Registration for Courses and Services: Exception for M.Sc. GEO-GUZ – Module Theses and HISinOne/Exa

• No registration in HISinOne Exa is required for module theses in the modules GEO-GUZ-Zu1 and GEO-GUZ-Pr1.

• To successfully complete a module assignment in these modules, please fill out a “module certificate”, have it signed by the lecturer, then get it stamped at the secretary’s office and submit it to the Examinations Office for processing.

• Role plays and thesis defenses are booked based on a protocol (no separate registration needed).

• Excursion days are generally registered via Stud.IP and documented in the index card (see also FAQs: Dual-Subject Bachelor / Geography).

Do I Have to Register for Coursework or Exams in the Main or Master’s Seminars in Exa?

• For GEO-GUZ-Pr1, registration is only for coursework. The examination consists of the module assignment, which requires a separate registration process (see above).

• For GEO-GUZ-Pr2, only one graded examination must be registered.

• Your choice of module and course type at the end of the registration period is binding, so please consider carefully.

Which and How Many Excursions Must I Participate In?

• In Professional Practice I (GEO-GUZ-BP1), you must complete four excursion days.

• These can be fulfilled by either day excursions or multi-day trips.

• Note: Not all Geography excursions are suitable for the specialist Master's degree. Some are designed primarily for Teacher Education or Physical Geography students.

What Is the Geographical Colloquium? Do I Have to Register? Where Is the Routing Slip?

• The Geographical Colloquium usually takes place on Monday at 6 p.m. and/or Wednesday at 4 p.m.

• For GEO-GUZ-Zu1, attendance of at least eight lectures is mandatory.

• Attendance can be spread across multiple semesters.

• Proof is provided using a routing slip, available under Documents A-Z. After each lecture, the slip must be signed by the attending lecturer.

• You must register in HISinOne Exa in the semester you attend your final lecture.

• Submit a scanned copy of your routing slip via email to geographie@uos.de or hand it in at the secretary’s office. The HISinOne Exa entry will then be processed.

How Do I Register for the Role Play?

• Arrange a date with two lecturers, who will each provide a possible topic.

• There are no fixed registration deadlines; you can schedule the role play anytime during the semester, depending on availability.

• One week before the role play, you will receive two topic options and must choose one. Notify the lecturers of your choice after consultation.

• You have one week to prepare before the role play date.

What Are the Requirements to Register My Master’s Thesis?

• Detailed requirements are in the examination regulations.

• The primary prerequisite is proof of at least 76 credit points earned.

How Do I Find and Book an Internship?

• You are responsible for finding your internship. The Access database on the PC in the Geo Library (C4) contains information on previous internships and can be searched by sector, region, field of activity, and duration.

• Discuss your planned internship with a Geography lecturer (see module GEO-GUZ-BP2). The internship must be relevant to your degree program and should be at least half-time.

• If splitting the required two months into shorter periods or multiple positions, arrangements should be made with the same lecturer.

• Internships must be informally registered with the internship supervisor (currently Dr. Hans-Jörg Brauckmann). Inform him/her of your internship location, period, and supervising lecturer.

• After completing the internship, submit a report of 6,000 to 8,000 characters to the supervisor.

• Register the internship in EXA/HISinOne. Upon document review, the internship supervisor will officially book the internship.

Registration for Courses and Services: Exception for MA WSG – Module Theses and HISinOne Exa

• No registration in HISinOne Exa is required for module theses in the modules GEO-WSG 2 and GEO-WSG 3.

• To successfully complete a module thesis in these modules, please fill out a “module certificate”, have it signed by the lecturer, then get it stamped at the secretary’s office and submit it to the Examination Office for processing.

• Registration in HISinOne Exa is required for the module paper in GEO-WSG 6.

• Role plays and Master's thesis defenses are scheduled based on a protocol (no separate registration needed).

• Excursion days are generally registered via Stud.IP and recorded in the index card (see also FAQs: Dual-subject Bachelor / Geography).

Do I Have to Register for Coursework or Examinations in the Main Seminars in Exa?

• This depends on the module:

  • In GEO-WSG 3 and GEO-WSG 6, registration is only for coursework. The examination consists of the module assignment, which requires a separate registration (see above).

  • In GEO-WSG 4, where at least one graded examination must be completed, registration is possible for both coursework and examination.

• Please note: Your choice of coursework type is binding after the registration deadline.

Which and How Many Excursions Must I Participate In?

• In the module “Specialist Specialization I” (GEO-WSG 3), four excursion days are mandatory.

• These can be fulfilled by day excursions or multi-day trips.

• Please note: Not all excursions announced in Geography are suitable for the specialist Master’s degree; some are designed primarily for Teacher Education or Physical Geography students.

What Are the Requirements to Register My Master’s Thesis?

• Detailed requirements are listed in the examination regulations.

• The main prerequisite is proof of 88 credit points.

• Under certain conditions, admission is possible upon application with at least 80 credit points.

How Do I Register for the Role Play?

• You need to arrange a date with two lecturers, who will each propose a topic.

• There are no fixed registration deadlines; you can schedule the role play anytime during the semester, depending on availability.

• One week before the role play, you will receive two topic options and must choose one. Notify the lecturers of your decision.

• You have one week to prepare for the role play.

• Additional details are available in the module description (GEO-WSG 7).

Which Economic and Social Geography Majors or Specializations and Minor Subjects Are Available?

• We recommend reviewing past semesters’ course catalogs to explore available main subjects.

• The degree program does not include minor subjects; however, within the “Specialization” module, you may take courses from related disciplines and have them credited toward your degree.

Which Courses from Related Disciplines Can Be Selected for the "Specialization" Module?

• Suitable courses include Master’s classes from Political and Social Sciences, as well as Law, Business Administration, and Economics.

• If in doubt, discuss credit recognition with the Student Advisory Service before the semester begins.

What is the "4-Steps +" model and where can I find information about it?

The "4-Steps +" model is part of the professional skills development area within the dual-subject Bachelor's degree programs, specifically in profiles 2 and 3. The Professional Skills Development Office (KoPro) oversees this program. The core subjects involved provide subject-specific courses for the four steps, while the “Plus” component is covered by courses coordinated by KoPro.

How are the 14 credit points (CP) for the subject-specific specialization in the professional skills development area structured and credited?

If you study two core subjects, you can split the 14 CP between them. For a single major subject, all 14 CP must be completed in that subject.
In Geography, the specialization consists of:

• GEO-35 (6 CP from Geography courses)

• GEO-36 (8 CP from “Studium Generale” courses)

Are there specific requirements for the two specialization modules?

• GEO-35: You can choose any geography courses not already counted in compulsory or elective modules. Excursion days are limited to a maximum of four.

• GEO-36: Includes all subject-specific academic achievements at Osnabrück University except non-subject-specific courses (e.g., language courses). Excursion days are also limited to four.
  At least one graded course must be completed in each module.

How is the preparatory course credited and in which modules?

In Geography, the preparatory course covers the first and second steps of the "4-Steps +" model. It is offered in the winter semester (first semester recommended, not suitable for the third semester).
You must register for this course in Stud.IP and HISinOne Exa. Upon successful completion, you will receive 4 CP for both the first and second steps.

Who should attend the preparatory course in the winter semester? Must students aiming for the Teacher Education Master's take part?

The preparatory course, along with the other two initial steps, is part of the Geography offer in the professional skills development area for profiles 2 and 3.
Students pursuing a dual-subject Bachelor's in Geography who plan to enroll in the Teacher Education Master’s (profile 1) are not required to complete the four steps but instead follow the Core Curriculum for Teacher Education (KCL). However, voluntary participation in the 4-Steps + program is possible and beneficial for study preparation and organizational support.

What are the next steps in the "4-Steps +" model in Geography?

Please visit the Institute’s homepage for detailed information on upcoming steps and further guidance.

How can I complete the fourth step in the "4-Steps +" model in Geography?

The fourth step can be fulfilled by completing a project work related to Geography. This can cover a wide range of subject-related or organizational topics.
The research question, scope, deadlines, components, and content must be agreed upon with a Geography lecturer. There is no fixed registration or completion deadline.
After completion, a certificate is issued via a KoPro form and submitted to the Examinations Office for credit booking.
Possible project topics include subject-specific research or organizational tasks such as evaluations, surveys of degree programs, graduate studies, and more.

What does the “Plus (+)” in the "4-Steps +" model represent? What can I do for it?

The “Plus” refers to subject-specific and/or additional interdisciplinary key competencies. A wide range of courses fulfilling these competencies can be found under “Interdisciplinary Key Competencies” in the “Professional Skills Development Area / Key Competencies” section of Stud.IP.

Can language courses be credited in the "4-Steps +" model? If so, in which modules?

Language courses are generally credited not within the subject-specific specialization but rather in the interdisciplinary “Plus” area, usually via KoPro. For detailed advice, please contact KoPro (see “Further Advice Centers”).

Internships in the M.Sc. "Geography: Society – Environment – Future"

For detailed information about internships in this program, please refer to the program-specific FAQs section above.

How do I find an internship?

• The Institute of Geography occasionally sends internship advertisements and offers via email and posts them on the pinboard on the second floor.

• Past notices can be viewed through the internship coordinator or program management.

• There is also a folder with current and past internship offers in the Stud.IP event "Infoplatform Geography".

• In the library location C4, you can access a PC database with internships from previous years, including approved internship reports, available via the internship coordinator or program management.

• Additionally, many students find internships successfully through spontaneous applications or by networking with lecturers and cooperation partners associated with the degree programs.

Where can I get a certificate confirming the internship as compulsory?

Please contact the Student Advisory Service to obtain this certificate.

What documents do I need to submit after completing my internship?

You must submit:

• A printed copy of your internship report

• A certificate from the internship site

• A completed questionnaire

More detailed information can be found  here.

Can I submit these documents digitally?

No. Please submit all required documents in printed form, either via the university’s internal mail (post office in building 15, EW) or directly to the mailbox of the degree program management.

Can internships be replaced by other achievements in the dual-subject Bachelor's program?

• One of the two required internships can be substituted by a “small study project” (GEO-31).

• Additionally, relevant prior training or professional experience may also be recognized in place of one internship.

• All arrangements must be made through the Student Advisory Service.