From orientation test to bachelor's thesis - examination regulations 2023

Which examination regulations are valid in my case?

You started your studies before winter semester 2023/24 and haven't requested a change to the new examination regulations 2023? In this case, you may find  the regulations of 2017 valid for you on this website.

You started your studies in winter semester 2023/24 or later or you requested a change to the new examination regulations 2023? In this case, you are right on this website!

Exam dates

At the Department of Economics, you have two opportunities each semester to take exams:

  • The main dates in February and July
  • The supplementary dates in April and October

Please register in a timely manner via ZEuS for all exams. The possibilities to withdraw from exams will be communicated to you via the mailing list of your study programme at the beginning of the exam registration period.

At the Department of Mathematics, there are also two examination periods each semester. Please look up the registration regulations in mathematics here (in German only).

Orientation test

Your orientation test according to the examination regulations of 2023 comprises the exams from the courses in Linear algebra I, Analysis I, Statistics I and Corporate finance.

You must pass this exams sucessfully until the beginning of your fourth semester. You have two attempts regarding the courses from the Department of Economics, Statistics I and Corporate finance, and four attempts in the case of the courses from the Department of Mathematics, Linear algebra I and Analysis I.

Seminar and bachelor's thesis

Typically, you will attend one seminar in the third and one in the sixth semester. Following your bachelor’s seminar (mostly the second seminar), you will write your bachelor's thesis. You must attend the seminars either in Economics or in Mathematics.

Register for a seminar in economics

A pre-registration is conducted at the beginning of the lecture period of the semester before the semester the seminar actually takes place. It serves to calculate how many spots are needed. Therefore, the participation is necessary to get a spot surely. You will be informed via the mailing list of your study programme when the pre-registration starts.

The list of seminars is published shortly before the start of the respective registration period. Information about seminar content and dates can be found on the websites of the respective chairs. To register for a seminar:

  1. Log into ZEuS  during the registration period.
  2. Go to the course index for the current semester: seminars -> registration for seminars.
  3. Rank all the seminars which interest you by order of priority.
  4. You may change your registration or withdraw as long as the registration period is still open.
  5. Please pay attention to the information at the bottom of the page.

After the end of the registration period, the seminar places are allocated under consideration of your current average grade and you will be assigned the best available spot. You can increase your chances of being allocated a place by specifying as many priorities as possible. Registration is binding. We will notify you when the spots have been allocated. Withdrawal is then no longer possible.

Register for a seminar in mathematics

Registration periods are relatively flexible and depend on the professors. Please contact the professor whose seminar you want to attend in a timely manner.

Relation between seminar and bachelor's thesis

It is up to you whether you write your bachelor's thesis after the 1st or the 2nd seminar. You usually have to commit yourself in the first session to whether you are going to write your bachelor's thesis in that seminar.

The regulations regarding the bachelor's thesis can be found in §§ 26 and 27 of the examination regulations.

Bachelor's thesis at the Department of Economics

Conditions: Orientation test, 120 ECTS credits and seminar attendance

When should I register? During the exam registration period for the written exams for the main date (January / June)

What you need:

  • Form “Registration for bachelor's thesis”
  • Declaration of examination entitlement
  • Current certificate of enrolment

Where? In the exam administration office (Annette Herbst, F 259) during office hours

The 8-week writing period of your thesis commences on the first working day in March or August respectively. We will send you your tpoic in a timely manner beforehand by registered post and email.

You can find details of the formal requirements in the information sheet on how to write academic papers and in the examination regulations. If you need any help during the writing process, the Writing Centre is happy to assist you.

Your bachelor's thesis should be no longer than 20-25 pages.

The titel has to be exactly as announced to you.

We recommend a soft cardboard binding with a spine. Please do not use ring binding and stiff cardboard.

Learn more

Only in exceptional circumstances, for which you cannot be held responsible, the deadline can be extended by a maximum of four weeks. If you are ill, you must apply for an extension by submitting a medical certificate, otherwise you should submit an informal application stating your reasons (to be handed in to exam administration).

If, after the end of the extension, you are still prevented from submitting your thesis for the same reason, you will be allocated a new topic once you are ready for assessment.

Please submit:

  • The statutory declaration that you have compiled your thesis by your own and stating whether you consent to your thesis being published in the library (page 3 of the registration form, please leave loose)
  • Your contact address after the end of your studies (page 4 of the registration form, please leave loose)
  • A current certificate of enrolment
  • One copy of your bachelor's thesis to exam administration
  • A PDF file of your thesis by email to your supervisor and the exam administration

You may also send your bachelor's thesis by post. Please make sure that the date of posting (at the latest the submission date) is clearly visible on the envelope.

We will generally send you your supervisor’s report by post after four weeks.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don’t pass an exam at the first attempt?

Exams from the compulsory areas 6-10 (economics) may be repeated once, normally during the resit period. Please register via ZEuS for the resit. After the second unsucessful attempt you may request a thrid attempt two times during your studies.

Exams from the compulsory areas 1-5 (mathematics) may be repeated more often. Nevertheless, be aware that from the third attempt onwards, you have to have an obligatory study counselling before you may register for another attempt.

In the elective area, you may repeat exams once. If you failed a second time, please register for another course.

What happens if I don’t pass the exam of a compulsory economics course at the second attempt either?

You may apply in writing for permission to resit an exam a second time for the courses from the compulsory areas 6-10 twice during your bachelor studies. No second attempt at a resit is possible for economic exams which are part of the orientation test (Corporate finance and Statistics I).

What should I do if I am ill on the day of the exam?

Please follow exam administration’s instructions. 

How do I get a transcript?

You can obtain a transcript through ZEuS. If you choose the version with verification code the recipient will be able to prove it is an original transcript issued by the University of Konstanz.

How can I calculate my final grade?

How your marks from written exams, seminar and bachelor's thesis influence your final grade is explained in the examination regulations applicable for you.