Academic and organizational issues
Questions or issues related to your studies may arise in areas such as:
- The variety of teaching, learning and examination formats
- Transparent and reliable academic operations (e.g. timely information about course and examination formats and dates, comprehensive module handbooks)
- Regular evaluations and feedback on results
- Stays abroad: opportunities, information, recognition of coursework
Questions about these topics are best addressed to the appropriate contacts at your faculty, where responsibilities and chains of communication are clearly defined.
If you are having issues in connection with a specific course, the first step is to speak directly to the teacher or module coordinator. If this doesn’t help, you can contact the degree programme coordinator. For personal issues, you can seek confidential advice from the Advisory and Counselling team (ZSB) at the Service Center Studium (see below),either alternatively or in addition to other support services.
The degree programme coordinator has an overview of the entire degree programme. They can explain organizational specifics or irregularities and address any concerns, if necessary.
If the degree programme coordinator is unable to help you with your problem, the dean of studies is responsible for complaints about academic operations. In accordance with section 26, subsection 5 of the Act on the Higher Education Institutions in the Land of Baden-Württemberg (Landeshochschulgesetz – LHG), students have the right to inform the dean of studies of any deficiencies and to request a review by the curriculum committee. The students submitting the request will be informed of the outcome.
In justified cases – for example, if the relevant department or office does not respond – you may contact the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs.
Personal challenges
The Service Center Studium is your first point of contact for any questions about your studies. If we can’t resolve the issue directly, we will refer you to the appropriate contact person.
For administrative questions, (i.e. about enrolment, your student status, leaves of absence, degrees), please contact the Advisory and Counselling team (ZSB) at the Service Center Studium.
During periods of stress, anxiety and/or depressive thoughts, the following services may be helpful:
If you are in contact with someone from your circle of friends or studies who is currently experiencing a crisis, you will find information and support in this article.
Of course, you can also make an appointment with the Central Academic Advising Office at the Service Center Studium to discuss the issue and find a good way of dealing with it.
If you have any legal questions or issues, you can contact the following advice centres. They can provide support on both legal matters relating to your studies and everyday legal issues.
Offers and tips on the topic of mental health
Serious Order Violations by Students
The University of Freiburg is a place of humanity and is distinguished by a climate of mutual respect and tolerance. All its members strive to treat one another with appreciation. Nevertheless, occasional behaviour of individual students can occur that may disrupt teaching and affect the well‑being of everyone.
“Order violations” are understood as actions that, through the use of, the demand for or the threat of violence, significantly impair the university’s operation; that considerably restrict the rights of other university members; that constitute intentional offences against university members; or that involve serious cases of sexual harassment. In such cases you may contact the Committee on Order.
The Committee on Order is not responsible for everyday conflicts, misunderstandings or minor infractions – for those matters the regular advisory and clarification services of the university are available (listed above). The university is committed to resolving conflicts as early as possible, with low thresholds and in mutual agreement.
Measures imposed under our statutes do not replace immediate, protective actions that are required to terminate a situation on site. Those measures are sanctioning; they retrospectively address serious misconduct and may impose penalties. They are not intended as emergency safety interventions. The structured procedure of the Committee on Order ensures an objective, fair investigation and guarantees legally binding consequences.