Amending examination regulations

There are many reasons why examination regulations need to be changed from time to time, e.g. after making changes to an existing programme or following a degree programme conference or quality assurance meeting. Other circumstances may also necessitate changes, for instance, in response to new requirements from the professional field or current developments in research and teaching.

Regardless of the reason and timing of the change, the process of amending examination regulations is defined within the quality management system (QMS). The procedure ensures that all necessary steps are carried out correctly and in a timely manner.

Regulatory review

The regulatory review is a core element of this process. It involves all relevant service facilities of the University of Münster which provide comprehensive consultation services to the faculties. The legal aspects of higher education and accreditation law, examination-related administrative concerns and other relevant issues are considered.

Through the regulatory review, University administrators ensure compliance with all external requirements and internal standards, as well as see to it that the regulation enters into force according to the given timeline.  Amending examination regulations is a complex process that requires careful coordination and synchronisation between different departments and facilities. Therefore, as a rule, only one amending regulation can be initiated per degree programme per academic year.

• Process overview

  Should examination regulations require changes and the amendment go beyond mere editorial adjustments, it can be quite helpful to consult with Dept. 1.4 and other service facilities in advance. The advisers can help identify solutions early on, thereby ensuring that the changes for addressing the underlying problem are successfully implemented.

  Once the faculty has drafted an amended version of its examination regulations, they are submitted to Dept. 1.4 for the regulatory review. Dept. 1.4 coordinates the review process in consultation with the Legal Advice Dept. and the responsible Examination Office. Any feedback resulting from the regulatory review is sent back to the faculty as a basis for finalising the amended version of the examination regulations.

Committee procedure, publication and information

The final version of the amended examination regulation must then be presented to the necessary committees for approval. This process usually involves the Study Advisory Council, the faculty board and the Rectorate. Once the required approvals have been granted, the amended examination regulations are published in the Official Announcements of the University of Münster.

After the updated regulations have been stored in the examination administration system, the responsible faculties inform their students about the changes made. They also offer counseling to students who may need to switch to the new version of the examination regulations. Depending on the specific degree programme and the scope of the changes, it may also be necessary to adjust the Diploma Supplement or create English translations. All newly enacted examination regulations can be viewed in the Study Guide provided by the Student Advice and Counselling Centre (ZSB).

For a detailed description of the amendment process, visit the QM Portal (internal)