Long-term study fees
Long-term study fees
The study credit (remaining number of semesters you can study without paying tuition fees) you are entitled to is equal to the standard period of study (in semesters) for your chosen Bachelor’s degree programme plus six additional semesters.
If you go on to do a consecutive Master’s degree programme, your study credit increases by the standard period of study (in semesters) for this Master’s degree programme.
This means that you do not have to pay long-term study fees during the standard period of study for a consecutive Master's degree programme, as previous semesters completed during the preceding Bachelor’s degree programme are not taken into account.
Previous semesters studied free of charge at state-funded universities in Germany are deducted from your study credit.
The University of Oldenburg charges 500 EUR per semester to students who have used up their study credit, starting with the semester after the study credit is used up.
Recent ruling by Lüneburg Higher Administrative Court
Pursuant to a recent court ruling by Lüneburg Higher Administrative Court (ruling dated 24/11/2021, 2 LB 127/21), students who pursue a consecutive Master’s degree programme and are within the standard period of study for a consecutive Master’s degree programme are entitled to a study credit equal to the standard period of study. Previous semesters, taken as part of the preceding Bachelor’s degree programme, are not taken into account.
The impact of the above-mentioned ruling on previous semesters and any additional consequences are currently being examined in cooperation with the other universities in Lower Saxony and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK).
The Admissions Office has contacted all students who might be entitled to a refund.
If you have not yet been notified, you can submit a request here:
The schools and counselling services of the University of Oldenburg have created a range of activities specifically for long-term students to help them get back on track and to get on top of and complete their studies:
Endspurt - finishing your studies
FAQs on long-term study fees: Regulations and exemptions
By when and to which bank account do I have to transfer the long-term study fees?
You must pay the long-term study fees at the same time as the other fees (semester contribution) when you re-register. The fees must be transferred to the following bank account:
Bank details
| Recipient | University of Oldenburg |
| IBAN | DE15 2805 0100 0001 988088 |
| BIC | SLZODE22 |
| Bank | Landessparkasse zu Oldenburg |
| Payment reference (NOT in the reference field) | Student ID number, surname and first name |
I am studying several degree programmes. How do I calculate my study credit?
According to Section 12 (2), sentence 4 of the NHG, if you are studying several degree programmes at the same time, the longest standard period of study applies to you.
Do periods of study at other universities count towards my study credit?
Semesters spent at higher education institutions are used to calculate your study credit. Semesters are regarded as all periods of study at universities within the scope of the Higher Education Framework Act (periods of study at universities in the Federal Republic of Germany).
Do periods of study at universities abroad count towards my study credit?
No, periods of study at universities in other countries do not affect your study credit.
If you obtained your Bachelor’s degree (or, if applicable, your Master’s degree) required for enrolment in a consecutive Master’s degree programme at the University of Oldenburg outside Germany, your study credit amounts to twice the standard period of study for the Master’s degree programme.
How much are the long-term study fees?
Once you have used up your study credit, you will have to pay 500 EUR per semester. This is on top of the contributions towards the student body and the Student Administration and Social Welfare Organisation (Studentenwerk) and the administrative fees.
Semester contribution
Does working on university committees and as a women’s officer/equal opportunities officer result in an extension of the standard period of study?
Your study credit is not affected by semesters in which you
- are active as an elected member of a body of the University, of the student body or of the Student Administration and Social Welfare Organisation (Studentenwerk), or
- are serving as an equal opportunities officer.
This provision applies for a maximum of two semesters.
I plan on doing a PhD soon. Will I still have to pay long-term study fees?
Students who are enrolled at the University exclusively for their PhD programme do not have to pay long-term study fees – as long as they are not enrolled in another degree programme.
What about leaves of absence?
You will not be charged long-term study fees in semesters in which you are on a leave of absence.
In which situations are students exempt from paying the long-term study fees?
Students are exempt from paying the long-term study fees in the following situations:
- They are caring for a child within the meaning of Section 25, paragraph 5 of BAföG, who is under the age of 14 at the start of the semester.
- They are caring for a close relative who is in need of care, in accordance with a report issued by the health insurance company’s medical service.
- They are simultaneously enrolled at another university in order to follow a joint degree programme and they pay the long-term study fees at that university.
- They are completing a period of study abroad, as provided for in the study regulations.
- They are completing a placement semester, as provided for in the study regulations.
- They are completing or following up a placement year in accordance with Section 1 (2) (1) in conjunction with Section 3 (1), sentence 5 of the medical licensing regulations.
Any exemptions must be requested via the Admissions Office as part of a consultation process.
Can I be exempted from paying the long-term study fees?
Students can be exempted from paying the long-term study fees if they are experiencing undue hardship
Generally speaking, students are considered to have suffered undue hardship if they have been forced to extend their studies due to a disability or severe illness or as a consequence of being a victim of a crime. More information can be found in the guidelines for hardship requests.