Information on recognition

One aim of any study visit abroad is to get course work and exams completed abroad recognized as a contribution to your degree program at the University of Bonn.

Getting recognition for examinations passed abroad

Which documents must be submitted for recognition?

Please email the following documents to Dr. Simone Giertz:

Transcript of records from the host university
Transcript of Records from the University of Bonn
recognition from for BSc/MSc (467 KB) Geography or for teaching degree the application (143 KB) and the performance overview (178 KB)
Learning Agreement (if not completed as ERASMUS-OLA)
Experience Report

What criteria apply to the recognition of examinations from abroad?

The Learning Agreement must be completed and signed by the International Coordinator in order to spend a semester studying abroad. Erasmus students have required an Online Learning Agreement (OLA) since 2021.
Recognition is confirmed by the International Coordinator based on the student’s Learning Agreement, the Transcript of Records from their host university and their current ToR from the University of Bonn. Modules that have already been completed or put forward for examination in Bonn cannot be swapped retrospectively for work completed abroad.
As a basic principle, recognition will only be granted if there are no fundamental differences between the achievements earned abroad and required in Bonn.
Only a maximum of 78 credit points on a Bachelor’s program or 36 on a Master’s program can be earned abroad and recognized in Bonn.

Can my examinations still be recognized if I take a vacation semester?

The number of semesters you have completed will be increased in the following situations despite you taking a leave of absence:

1 semester abroad and 1 semester on leave of absence: number of completed semesters increased by 1 if more than 20 credit points are recognized.
2 semesters abroad and 2 semesters on leave of absence: number of completed semesters increased by 1 if between 21 and 40 credit points are recognized and by 2 if more than 40 credit points are recognized.
2 semesters abroad and 1 semester on leave of absence: to be discussed with the International Coordinator.

Forms for recognition

Module-specific information on recognition

Geography courses taken abroad can also be recognized as part of non-subject-specific electives, but language and key skills courses cannot (i.e. only scientific or academic courses).

A stamp with the imprint "passed" next to it

Possibilities for recognition

...on the Geography bachelor’s degree program

Non-subject-specific electives: credit points earned abroad will be recognized (this includes geography modules). Language courses and key skills can't be recognized.
B0-B4: these modules cannot be recognized.
B5 Regional Geography and spatial planning: by arrangement.
B6 Statistics: by arrangement.
B7 Geomatics: by arrangement.
B8 Methods: ideally to be taken while studying abroad
B9 Fundamentals of methods: by arrangement.
B10 Learning in the field/Excursions: by arrangement.
B11/B12 Physical geography project/Human geography project: by arrangement.
B13 Bachelor’s thesis seminar: this module cannot be recognized.
B14 Geography Professions: this module cannot be recognized.
B15 Specialization course: ideally to be taken while studying abroad