Recognition

Before you submit your application for recognition, you must first obtain the following documents:
 

1) Certificate of Academic Achievement (sometimes referred to as a “transcript of completed modules and graded course components”): You can obtain this from your previous institution. Generally, only courses listed as passed on the academic transcript and showing the corresponding workload (usually ECTS credit points) will receive recognition. The documents must be signed and stamped by your previous university; purely machine-generated printouts are generally not accepted.

Note: We do not have access to the academic transcripts you submitted upon enrollment. We therefore definitely need a new original copy.

2) Module descriptions for all modules for which you are seeking recognition; we use these to assess the equivalency of your coursework. Typically, your previous institution makes these descriptions available on its website in the form of a “module handbook.” Please note that the module descriptions must be from the exact same examination regulations version under which you completed the respective coursework.

Notes

• For credits from foreign universities, the above documents must generally be submitted both in the original and as a certified German translation. In exceptional cases (e.g., for English-language documents), the documents in the original language may be sufficient.
• If you have already studied in multiple degree programs, we require a certificate for each course from the specific degree program in which the course was actually completed. This means: Only proof of original coursework will be recognized; proof of coursework that has already been recognized previously will not be accepted.

First, consider for yourself which courses are suitable for recognition. To do this, create a two-column digital summary table, for example in Excel (see template): On the left, list the courses you’ve completed at your previous university (the so-called “source courses”); on the right, list the corresponding courses for which you’d like to receive recognition (the so-called “target courses”). In the table, list all courses, including their workload (i.e., their credit points).
 

Notes

• To determine which source course corresponds to which goal course, examine the respective module descriptions for content matches. You can find the module descriptions for your new degree program on the program’s homepage under the “Curriculum” tab. Make sure to select the appropriate module handbook for the examination regulations version under which you are studying.
• If you’re unsure which target course “matches” a source course, simply note down all options. We’ll clarify everything else during the advising session (see Step 3).
• In general, “double counting” of competencies is not permitted for recognition. However, it is possible to combine several (smaller) source courses into one (larger) target course, or to “split” one (large) source course across several (smaller) target courses.
• As a rule, the grade for the source course is carried over in the case of recognition. However, if multiple courses are combined or split, graded recognition may not be possible (in this case, the evaluation “Successful Participation” is awarded).
• You can have entire modules recognized, or—if, for example, you passed a tutorial but not the corresponding written examination at your previous university—you can have only specific coursework or exam results recognized.

IMPORTANT: If you have begun a course of study in your new degree program, that course can no longer receive recognition later. For example, if you decide to take a written examination in your new degree program and fail it, that course credit can no longer be recognized. This rule applies to both coursework and exam credits. Therefore, carefully consider in advance which achievements you would like to receive recognition for. This rule applies to both course work and exam results. For achievements completed during the semester (e.g., course work or exam results in the form of “Practical Work and Oral Examination”), the following applies: If you enroll in these during a semester and apply for recognition by the deadline mentioned above during the same semester, the credits are still eligible for recognition. In such cases, we recommend submitting the application for recognition and, at the same time (in case the recognition is denied), enrolling in the course as a precaution and attending it during the first few weeks. If the achievement is recognized, you can simply stop attending the corresponding course.

This is followed by a consultation during which you will discuss with your recognition officer which benefits it makes sense to apply for. You can also ask any questions you may have at this time.
 

Please email the recognition officer(s) to schedule an appointment. Attach the following to your email:

• the summary table (see Step 2).
• the module descriptions for all relevant source courses (see Step 1).

These attachments are a requirement for the consultation.

The credit recognition officer will now examine the individual courses to determine whether they qualify for recognition in accordance with Hochschule RheinMain – University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ credit recognition regulations. Recognition is only possible if all of the following criteria are met:
 

• Quality (A): The source course demonstrates sufficient academic quality. In particular, it must have been completed at an accredited institution of higher education.
• Level (B): The source course must be at least comparable in academic level to the target course. For example, courses from bachelor’s degree programs cannot receive recognition at the master’s degree level.
• Learning Outcomes (C): The content and learning outcomes of the source and target courses must align sufficiently.
• Workload (D): The amount of work required must be sufficient to acquire the required competencies. In general, an application only makes sense if the source courses cover at least 70% of the target course’s workload. The better the coverage of the workload, the higher the chances of recognition.
• Profile (E): The content and learning outcomes must correspond to the degree program’s profile. Even if course content has the same name, it does not automatically imply comparable practical application skills or conceptual depth (for example, a “Programming” course for medical students may differ significantly from a course with the same name for Computer Science).

Note

The credit transfer officer examines the aspects mentioned above and also consults with the faculty member responsible for the respective course. This process may take several weeks.

Once we have processed your application, the office of the Registrar will send you an email to your student email address informing you of the outcome.
 

For courses whose recognition was denied, you will also receive a detailed notification by mail. Therefore, please make sure you have your mailing address on file in our campus system, “Compass.”

Recognized course credits will appear in the “Compass” exam system. Please note, however, that for subjects currently in session, this will not happen until after the exam period at the end of the semester—for technical reasons—once the lecturer has entered the grades for all students.

If recognition has been granted for a course, you may simply stop attending the corresponding course effective immediately.

Recognition course credits will be explicitly marked as such in your degree documents.