The RPSO is changing – What does that mean for me?
On February 9, 2026, the Senate approved the new Framework Examination and Study Regulations (RPSO). They will take effect on April 1, 2026, and replace the previous RPSO.
The Framework Examination and Study Regulations contain general provisions regarding the course of study and examinations and establish a uniform and reliable framework. The specific provisions for individual degree programs, including their respective fields of study and subjects, will continue to be governed by the supplementary subject-specific examination and study regulations (FPSO).
Not all regulations are new. Below you will find key regulations at a glance. If you have any questions, please contact the program director (SGL) or department head responsible for your program. You may also contact the examination office.
How do I register for courses?
Students are responsible for registering for their courses during the period specified by the university and may also drop courses until a certain deadline. The deadlines are listed in the academic calendar. Late registration or withdrawal after the deadline has passed is only possible through the respective instructor.
Please note: Starting in the summer semester of 2026, degree programs will be gradually transferred to the campus portal. Registration for and withdrawal from courses will then take place via the portal. This currently applies to all students in the Master of Music program (starting April 1, 2026) as well as students in the Diploma in Church Music program. Additional degree programs will be transferred gradually. Students will be informed in a timely manner.
For all other students, registration for courses will continue to take place via the previously established methods (through the major instructor, Moodle, etc.).
How do I register for exams?
NEW: Students must register for exams themselves. Registration for exams is open during a specified period (see the academic calendar).
- For the winter semester: November 1–15
- For the summer semester: May 1–15
Registration is done by the student via the campus portal (applies to students in the Master of Music program [starting April 1, 2026] and the Diploma in Church Music program)
Registration is done by the student directly with the instructor/examiner or via the method specified by the department.
What does admission to exams mean?
Upon initial registration for an exam, a legal relationship regarding that exam is established (for the registered students). This relationship ends when either
a) the exam is passed, or
b) the student withdraws from the exam within the specified deadline, or
c) the student definitively fails the exam.
If the exam is not passed, the student is automatically registered for the retake exam on the next scheduled exam date. The exam period for a current semester ends six weeks after the start of classes in the following semester.
How do I withdraw from exams?
Students may withdraw from an exam up to three weeks before the start of the exam period. Withdrawal by the deadline terminates the exam registration for that semester. Students may re-register for the exam in the following semester.
New: Withdrawal must be submitted via the Campus Portal (applies to students in the Master of Music program [starting April 1, 2026] and in the Diploma in Church Music) or directly to the instructor/examiner, or via the method specified by the department.
Withdrawal from exams after this deadline or withdrawal from an exam is only possible for valid reasons. This must be requested in writing from the Examination Office.
What rules apply to unsupervised written examinations (essays, etc.)?
NEW: Term papers and other written (unsupervised) assignments must be submitted by the deadline set by the instructor, at least in electronic form. The final submission deadline is September 30 for summer semester assignments and April 30 for winter semester assignments.
What are the rules regarding retaking exams?
Students are generally allowed two attempts at each exam; that is, exams that are not passed may be retaken once. A second retake may be possible under certain circumstances. To request this, students must submit a written Request to the Examination Board (German, PDF), stating their reasons.
How are certificates awarded?
Academic achievements (certificates) must be confirmed (certified) by the instructor after the course has ended. The instructor must confirm the academic achievement no later than the following semester (by November 30 or May 31) via the Campus Portal or in the student record book (until the degree program is available on the Campus Portal). Please note that students are responsible for having their completed coursework confirmed by the instructor in a timely manner (by signature in the student record book).
By when must I have completed all my coursework?
There is a deadline for completing all academic requirements (certificates). All academic requirements must be completed by the end of one and a half times the standard period of study (SPS).
For the individual degree programs/types of degrees, this means:
- Bachelor of Music: 8 semesters (standard duration of study) + 4 semesters
- Master of Music: 4 semesters (standard duration of study) + 2 semesters
- Bachelor of Education: 6 semesters (standard duration of study) + 3 semesters
- Master of Education: 4 semesters (standard duration of study) + 2 semesters
- State Examination (NOTE: The regulations of the Thuringian Ordinance on the First State Examination for Teaching at Gymnasia (ThürEStPLGymVO) must be observed)
- Bachelor of Arts: 6 semesters (standard duration of study) + 3 semesters
- Master of Arts: 4 semesters (standard duration of study) + 2 semesters
If the academic requirements (certificates) have not been fulfilled by this point, the student may submit a justified request to make up the outstanding academic requirements. The request must be submitted to the Examination Board. The student then has up to two additional semesters to make up the academic requirements: Request to the Examination Board (German, PDF)
By when do I need to have taken all my exams?
There is a deadline for taking all exams. All exams must be completed by the end of one and a half times the standard period of study (SPS).
For the individual degree programs/types of degrees, this means:
- Bachelor of Music: 8 semesters (standard duration of study) + 4 semesters
- Master of Music: 4 semesters (standard duration of study) + 2 semesters
- Bachelor of Education: 6 semesters (standard duration of study) + 3 semesters
- Master of Education: 4 semesters (standard duration of study) + 2 semesters
- State Examination (NOTE: The provisions of the Thuringian Ordinance on the First State Examination for Teaching at Upper Secondary Schools (ThürEStPLGymVO) must be observed)
- Bachelor of Arts: 6 semesters (standard duration of study) + 3 semesters
- Master of Arts: 4 semesters (standard duration of study) + 2 semesters
All exams that have not been completed by this point are considered to have been taken for the first time and failed. A retake exam is then automatically required.
When is the deadline for my dissertation?
The requirements for the final examination are specified in the program-specific FPSO.
Students must register for the final examination. Admission to the final examination must be requested in writing from the Examination Office (see Form Center).
The written thesis must be submitted in the required format and by the deadline in bound form (single copy) and in electronic form (uploaded via Gigamove). Information regarding the submission deadline can be found in the admission letter.
NEW: There is a deadline for taking the final examination. All components of the final examination must be completed by the end of twice the standard period of study. For the individual degree programs/types of degree, this means:
- Bachelor of Music: 8 semesters (standard period of study) + 8 semesters
- Master of Music: 4 semesters (standard period of study) + 4 semesters
- Bachelor of Education: 6 semesters (standard duration of study) + 6 semesters
- Master of Education: 4 semesters (standard duration of study) + 4 semesters
- State Examination (PLEASE NOTE: The University of Music’s RPSO does not apply here. The regulations of the Thuringian Ordinance on the First State Examination for Teaching at Gymnasiums (ThürEStPLGymVO) must be observed)
- Bachelor of Arts: 6 semesters (standard duration of study) + 6 semesters
- Master of Arts: 4 semesters (standard duration of study) + 4 semesters
Note: In addition, the regulations of the program-specific subject examination and study regulations (FPSO) regarding the final examination must be observed. Students can find all relevant regulations for their programs in the Study Finder.
If the final examination requirements are not completed by the end of twice the standard period of study, they are considered to have been taken for the first time and failed. In this case, the student must submit a justified request to the Examinations Office. The student then has up to two additional semesters to complete the examination requirements.
How can I apply for disability allowance?
A request for accommodations should be submitted to the Examination Board as early as possible. To ensure that the request is considered during the examination period of the current semester, it must be submitted no later than the second meeting of the Examination Board. The dates can be found on the website or in the academic calendar.
The application must specify the exams or exam formats for which accommodation is requested. A medical certificate from a specialist or a comparable expert opinion must be submitted as proof. The certificate must indicate the limitations and the duration of the illness (a specific diagnosis does not need to be stated).
In the application, students should specify what they need to compensate for the disadvantage they face. It is best to discuss appropriate measures with the treating physician. Based on the medical report, the examination committee must decide whether the requested accommodation is appropriate. Therefore, the medical report must clearly state what disadvantage has arisen and how it can be compensated for.