Amendment of Examination Regulations

There are many reasons why changes to examination regulations may become necessary. For example, the further development of a degree program after a program conference or quality assurance meeting may require adjustments to be made to the examination regulations. However, other occasions such as new requirements from professional practice or current developments in research and teaching can also make changes necessary.

Regardless of the reason and timing of the change, the process of amending examination regulations follows a fixed procedure within the Quality Management System (QMS). This procedure ensures that all necessary steps are carried out correctly and in a timely manner.

Ordnungsreview

A core element of this process is the so-called "Ordnungsreview" (Regulation Review). In this process, all relevant service units of the University of Münster are involved to provide comprehensive consulting services to the departments. Both higher education and accreditation law aspects as well as examination administration and other relevant issues are considered.

Through the Ordnungsreview, it is ensured that all external requirements and internal standards, as well as the timeline for the entry into force of the regulation, are met. Amending an examination regulation is a complex process that requires careful coordination and synchronization between different departments and institutions. Therefore, as a rule, only one amendment ordinance (ÄO) can be initiated per degree program per academic year.

  • Process overview

    When it becomes necessary to amend an examination regulation and the amendment goes beyond mere editorial adjustments, consultation with Department 1.4 and possibly other service units can be very helpful. This consultation can often identify solutions early on, contributing to a successful implementation of the underlying need for change in the regulation.

    Once the draft of the amended examination regulation has been created in the faculty, it is submitted to Department 1.4 for the Ordnungsreview (Regulation Review). Department 1.4 coordinates this process to review the regulation and involves the Legal Department and the responsible Examination Office. Any feedback from the Ordnungsreview is sent back to the faculty as a basis for creating the final version of the examination regulation.

    Committee procedure, publication, and information

    The final version of the examination regulation must then be presented to the necessary committees for approval. This process usually involves the Study Committee, the faculty Council, and finally the Rectorate. Once the required approvals have been granted, the amended examination regulation is published in the official announcements of the University of Münster.

    After the updated regulation has been stored in the examination administration system, the responsible departments inform their students about the changes made. Additionally, they offer counseling to students who may need to switch to the new version of the examination regulation. Depending on the specific degree program and the scope of the changes, it may also be necessary to adjust the Diploma Supplement or create English translations. The examination regulations that have been enacted can be viewed in the study guide provided by the central advise and counselling center.

    The graphic shows an overview of the process for changing examination regulations, including all parties involved.
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