Because of the complexity of the rules and especially jurisdiction, all the facets of changing the field of one`s studies can not be shown at this point.  But you should know the policies.

1. A change in the field ought never be put off !!

2. The following requirements need to be fulfilled:

Changing the field of one`s studies must happen because of an important and  irrefutable cause. 

a) an important factor applies, if the current education can not be continued (for example the attempt of a change or after noticing performance incompletion).

b) One cannot change because of the decline in the general job market (BVerwG)

c) Hardship is a factor, when continuing the current desired occupation is senseless or impossible (e.g., a handicap caused by an accident of a sport student).

d) an important factor does not apply if the student fails a midterm or a final exam

3. Changing the field of one`s studies for an important reason must take place before the beginning of the fourth semester. Moreover the administration office is very stringent; passing this deadline is not accepted because of an important reason; your application can only be refused afterwards!!

4. If you are studying to become a teacher or are in a Masters Program the change of your main subject, for example from Psychology as a major to the minor German studies is also considered a change of field in one`s studies.  If either all semesters are recognized or if the course of studies is identical it is not considered a change of field, but a normal shift in your field of studies. A harmless shift in your fields of studies can be approved after the 4th semester.

5. The change of one´s major from a university to a college if carried out after the 4th semester can have a harmful affect.  In this case, if he recieves his diploma e.g., FH, in the same major at a college it is not the same diploma he would have received at a university.

6. A university change is given always then when one changes from a university to another university or from an advanced technical college to another advanced technical college under retention of the course of studies. If not all semesters are recognised ( in spite of a maintained course of study on grounds of another examination) the regulations with a university change, the scholarship – application leads to a refusal when the achievement proof cannot be shown after §48. After the scholarship, every semester counts as a professional semester, even the repetition semesters.

7.  But succesfully carried out changes in regards to the change of field in one`s studies have a negative effect on the support mechanism.  The semesters that were used in the old field of study are fully credited on the semester number of the new support benefits asked for. The then remaining semesters are promoted after the scholarship instead of normal 50/50 support only with a  bank loan where you pay interest.

Example:

Student A has changed his field of studies from chemistry after two semesters at the university of  Uni Magdeburg to mechanical engineering. Because he cannot transfer his credits he has lost two quarters. The last two semesters of the ten semester student grant will only be promoted with a credit from a bank loan.  
Even though we have only discussed a few questions and problems that may occur if you change your field of study, please do not hesitate to come to our office.  Our highly qualified staff will be happy to advise you in depth in the topic of changing one`s field of studies because it concerns money as well.