If you forget to register for the course achievement during the registration period, there are two options.

1. It is still "early enough" in the semester (before the end of the course achievement deregistration period) so that you can submit an application for late registration to Examinations Management. Please note that this is only possible twice during the entire degree programme for all types of late registrations. This means that if you apply once for late registration for a course achievement, you can only register late for an examination once, for example.
2. You can also register for the course achievement in the second registration period for examinations (for the second dates). Please note: This is not possible via PAUL. You must write an email directly to the person responsible for you in Examinations Management and ask for registration. Please also let your lecturer know so that they can enter the course achievement accordingly as soon as it has been registered. 
   Please also note: You cannot take an exam without registering for the course achievement. If you take this route, you can only take part in the second exam and not the first!

You are probably seeing one of the following error messages:

• You cannot register because some requisites fail.
  You are only allowed to select at most X module offerings in this exam regulations area. This selection exceeds this number or the number allowed for one of the superordinate exam regulations areas.
• You cannot register because some requisites fail.
  This selection exceeds the allowed number of module offerings for one of the superordinate exam regulations areas.

You cannot register an unlimited number of modules. Your examination regulations state how many modules you can register in each area. In the Bachelor Informatik v5, for example, you can choose a maximum of four elective modules in the specialisation area, of which a maximum of three may come from a single focus area. In the Master Computer Science v1, a maximum of 9 compulsory elective modules can be selected.

If you would like to register for an additional module even though you have already registered for enough modules, one of the modules you have already registered for must be cancelled. You can also find out how this works here in the FAQs.

To deregister from an entire module, you must deregister from all coursework. This means that you must no longer be registered for any examinations and must also be deregistered from the course achievement. If PAUL does not offer you the option to deregister from the coursework, please contact Examinations Management and ask them to deregister you from the coursework. 

Please note: This is generally only possible if there are no failed attempts! If there are failed attempts, you must compensate or deregister from the module, if your examination regulations allow it, despite failed attempts. You can also find out how this works here in the FAQs.

If there is no credit in the module, the module can be deregistered in PAUL within the deregistration period. If PAUL does not offer you this option, even though there are no more achievements and no failed examinations in the module, you can contact PAUL support(paul@upb.de) and ask to deregister. Such a “standard” withdrawal can be performed for any number of modules and is not subject to any limits.

Firstly, you need to check your examination regulations to see whether they offer compensation(Bachelor Informatik v5 and Master Computer Science v1: yes). If your examination regulations do not offer compensation, you must deregister the module (see FAQ). 

If compensation is allowed you need to register another module that you can in principle exchange with the previous module as an additional module. You can also find out how registration for an additional module works here in the FAQs. Please note that you cannot take an unlimited number of additional modules. The number of credit points that can be earned as an additional module is specified in the examination regulations.

For example, all compulsory elective modules can be exchanged. Pay attention to possible limitations in the examination regulations (e.g. Bachelor Informatik v5: no more than three compulsory elective modules from a single focus area may be taken). As soon as the additional module has been passed, you can contact Examinations Management and ask them to exchange the new module for the old one.

You can deregister modules using a form in PAUL. You can find it under Study > Requests > PM: Informatik Bachelor & Master - Modulabwahl.

Please note: You cannot deregister modules as often as you like! You can find out how often you are allowed to do this in your examination regulations. In Bachelot Informatik v5 and Master Computer Science v1, for example, it is possible to deselect a compulsory elective module a total of four times.

Please note: Before you use one of the limited deregistrations, try whether you are allowed to deregister from the module in the normal way (see FAQ: Module deregistration). Only if this does not work, because you have definitely failed, should you deregister via the application.

In Paul you will find your current study programme under Study > Semester administration > Module and course registration. Once you have selected your study programme there, you can register for an additional module under Zusatzleistungen or Additional modules.

Are you on a semester abroad during the examination phase and therefore unable to take the exam? In this and similar cases, you can apply for an alternative form of examination. To do so, send an informal application by email to the Study Service with a request for an alternative form of examination. Important: We need proof that it is not possible for you to take the examination normally. The Study Service will then contact Examinations Management and the examiner and request an alternative form of examination.

You can apply for compensation for disadvantages via the responsible contact person of the Examinations Management. Get in touch with the Central Student Service before submitting your application. They will tell you which documents are required and which deadlines apply. It is important that you submit the application early, ideally before registering for examinations or at the beginning of the semester.

Der zweite Studienabschnitt beginnt in der Regel ab dem 5. Semester. Du wählst dabei Module aus den vorgesehenen Wahlpflichtmodulen. Diese sind mindestens einem der folgenden vier Gebiete zugeordnet: Softwartechnik, Algorithmen und Komplexität, Computersysteme und Daten und Wissen. Es sind insgesamt vier Wahlpflichtmodule aus mindestens zwei verschiedenen Gebieten zu wählen.

Zusätzlich absolvierst du ein Proseminar und schreibst eine Bachelorarbeit. 

Zur Planung solltest du den empfohlenen Studienverlaufsplan nutzen, dir einen Überblick über die angebotenen Module im PAUL machen und die Informationsangebote des Instituts wahrnehmen (z.B. zum Ablauf des Proseminars).

Im Bachelor Informatik (Prüfungsordnung v5; ab WiSe 24/25) musst du 12 ECTS-Punkte im Studium Generale absolvieren. Du kannst dafür Veranstaltungen aus dem universitätsweiten Angebot wählen, die nicht zum Kerncurriculum der Informatik gehören und nicht zu “informatiknah” sind. 

Einen Überblick über angebotene Veranstaltungen findest du im PAUL im Vorlesungsverzeichnis unter “Studium Generale und Hörer aller Fakultäten”.

Deine Gesamtnote wird als gewichteter Durchschnitt der Modulnoten berechnet. Die einzelnen Modulnoten gehen mit den in der Prüfungsordnung festgelegten Gewichtungen in die Endnote ein. Die genauen Regelungen findest du in der für dich gültigen Prüfungsordnung.

Zur Berechnung der Note multipliziert man die eigene Note im Modul mit "Gewicht für die Note" und dividiert anschließend durch die Summe der Notengewichte. Hier nicht aufgeführte Veranstaltungen gehen nicht in die Note ein.

Unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen kannst du bereits im Bachelor einzelne Master-Veranstaltungen belegen. Ob dies möglich ist, hängt von deinem Studienfortschritt ab und muss individuell geprüft werden. Normalerweise gilt, dass wenn du schon mindestens 151 abschlussrelevante Leistungspunke erworben hast, du für ein(!) Semester zu allen Modulen des Masterstudiengangs Informatik - mit Ausnahme der Module Project Group und Key Skills - im Umfang von 30 LP zugelassen werden kannst.

Achtung: Dies ist nur für ein Semester gültig. Insbesondere kann das zu Problemen führen, wenn du deinen Bachelor später abschließt, als von dir selbst erwartet. Wende dich daher immer frühzeitig beim Studienbüro um deinen individuellen Fall zu erörtern.

Wenn du dir sicher bist, dass du Mastervorleistungen beantragen möchtest, wende dich ans Prüfungsmanagement. Wenn diese dir bestätigen, dass du Mastervorleistungen anmelden darfst, kannst du diese Bestätigung an den PAUL-Support schicken und diese bitten, dich für die von dir ausgewählten Module anzumelden. Sobald du zu den Modulen angemeldet bist kannst du dich normalerweise selbst zu den zugehörigen Lehrveranstaltungen anmelden.

Eine nicht bestandene Prüfung darf bis zu dreimal wiederholt werden. Du hast also vier Prüfungsversuche. 

Solltest du bereits zum dritten Mal nicht bestanden haben, besteht die Möglichkeit als vierten Versuch eine mündliche Ersatzprüfung zu wählen. Diese wird allerdings nicht über das volle Notenspektrum bewertet, sondern ist auf “ausreichend” (4.0) und “mangelhaft” (5.0) begrenzt.

Sollte die Prüfung nicht im Pflichtbereich endgültig nicht bestanden sein, sondern im Wahlpflichtbereich, besteht die Möglichkeit der Kompensation. Mehr dazu liest du in den FAQ unter Probleme mit Modulen und Prüfungen.

Im Bachelor Informatik v5 gibt es die Möglichkeit der Notenverbesserung (Anmerkung: In der alten Prüfungsordnung und auch im Master Computer Science ist dieses nicht möglich!).

Voraussetzung ist, dass das Modul aus dem Basisstudium stammt und bestanden wurde. 

Es kann dann beim Prüfungsmanagement beantragt werden, die Prüfung zu wiederholen. Es wird immer die bessere der beiden Noten gezählt, es gibt also keine Gefahr der Verschlechterung einer Note.

Achtung: Die Prüfung kann nur einmal und nur am genau nächsten Termin, zu dem die Prüfung angeboten wird, wiederholt werden. Der nächste Termin orientiert sich dabei an dem Termin, an dem die Prüfung bestanden worden ist.

Yes, even if you have completed your Bachelor's degree at Paderborn University, you must apply separately for the Master's degree programme in Computer Science. The application is made via the university's official application portal.

According to the Master's examination regulations, the externally acquired Bachelor's degree must be equivalent to the Paderborn Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. In the case of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from a German university, it can generally be assumed that equivalence is given. However, in the case of minor deviations, access to the Master's degree programme may only be granted subject to conditions (catching up on Bachelor's courses).

In the case of Bachelor's degrees in computer science-related subjects (such as bioinformatics, business informatics, information technology) and/or from universities of applied sciences, vocational academies or similar, equivalence cannot be assumed from the outset. In these cases, an individual review of the prior achievements must therefore be carried out. These are typically recognised as Bachelor's achievements and a placement in a corresponding (high) semester in the Bachelor's degree programme is made, so that after one or two semesters in the Bachelor's degree programme, the Paderborn Bachelor's degree in Computer Science can be obtained and then the transfer to the Master's degree programme can take place.

If you have any questions, please contact the Study Service.

For international applications, the equivalence of the previous degree programme with the Paderborn Bachelor's degree in Computer Science must also be checked. This includes individual achievements, the overall degree programme structure and the university's classification. In these cases, it is usually not an option to catch up on credits as part of a Bachelor's enrolment, as the Bachelor's programme is only taught in German throughout. Further information can be found on the page Information for international students.

The examinations in the Master's degree programme in Computer Science are completed in modules. These include nine compulsory elective modules, a project group, key skills, general studies and the Master's thesis.

The compulsory elective modules can be chosen from the following five focus areas:

• Classical and Quantum Algorithm Design
• Computer and Communication Systems
• Data Science and Intelligent Systems
• Security
• Software Engineering

It is possible to specialise in the Master's degree. To do this, one of the Focus Areas becomes the Specialisation Area. At least three compulsory elective modules must be chosen from the selected Specialisation Area and at least one must not be from the Specialisation Area. The remaining modules can be chosen freely. The Master's thesis must also be written in the Specialisation Area.

The Project Group is a project group that runs for 2 semesters and works on a given topic in a group of usually 8 - 16 students. You can find more details on our websites.

The KeySkills programme starts with a course on academic writing and is followed by a seminar. Here, students work independently on a topic, then present it in a lecture and conclude with a written paper.

The current module handbook will help you plan the modules in the Master's degree programme.

If you have any questions about planning, please contact the Study Service.

The new Computer Science project groups are introduced each semester in the last week of lectures in the previous semester. The contact person is Dr. Matthias Fischer. You can find information about the project groups on the project group page. It also tells you exactly how to join a project group.

You can only start a project group if you are officially enrolled on the Master's degree programme (i.e. not as a prerequisite for the Bachelor's degree!).

If an examination is not passed, it can be repeated twice. You therefore have three examination attempts.

The following applies: A module examination that has been attempted once must either be passed or compensated for. Compensation is possible for a maximum of four modules. Compensation means that a module that has been passed and is booked under additional work can be exchanged for another examination that has not yet been passed or has been definitively failed. You find more information under FAQ - Problems with modules and examinations.

We recommend waiting until shortly before the Master's thesis to apply for compensation so that you do not have to swap modules back and forth several times. If you have any questions, please contact the Study Service.

Think about which department you are particularly interested in and which you enjoy the most. News about Bachelor's and Master's theses can be found on the websites of the respective professors and their departments as well as on the information boards in the usual places.

An overview of open theses can also be found on the following website: https://cs.uni-paderborn.de/en/studies/study-components/open-topics-for-theses. If you are interested in a thesis on offer or in the subject area of a department in general, speak to a member of staff or go to the professor's office hours.

Yes, you can work in a company and develop or be suggested an idea for a thesis there. However, you then have to visit a professor with the idea (and preferably also a contact person from the company) and convince him/her that the topic is suitable for a thesis and that he/she will supervise it. Formally, only a university lecturer can supervise the thesis, but can be supported by a company representative. However, this does not formally play a role in the procedure.

The Bachelor's thesis can be registered if at least 110 credit points have been earned at the time of application for admission. It is recommended to complete the proseminar before beginning the Bachelor's thesis.

The Master's thesis can be registered if modules totalling 48 credit points have been successfully completed. If a specialisation is to be chosen, the topic of the Master's thesis must be selected in the Specialisation Area. The topic is assigned to a focus area by the first assessor. Any conditions imposed during enrolment for the Master's programme must be passed by the time you register for the Master's thesis at the latest.

In both cases, you must also have agreed a work plan (target agreement) with your supervisor. This plan describes the work and is therefore a kind of specification. It contains a description of the problem, motivation, objectives, structure of the work and time planning. Once the work plan has been finalised, admission to the thesis is applied for via PAUL. The supervisor must sign the application and then also enter the final start date.

More information on this can be found on the websites on the subject.

An individually justified application for an extension of the processing time must be submitted to the examination management.

The justification should make it clear that the delay in processing is not due to personal reasons but to factual reasons for which you are not responsible. For Bachelor's theses, you can apply for a one-off extension of the submission deadline by two weeks, for Master's theses by six weeks. This request must be submitted at least one week before the regular deadline and countersigned by the supervisor.

If you have problems with your studies (e.g. subject-related, organisational or personal), you can contact the Academic Advisory Office. There you will receive support with questions about study planning, examinations or individual difficulties. There are also other support services such as our mentoring programme or the Computer Science Learning Centre.

Information on scholarships and funding programmes can be found on the corresponding pages of Paderborn University. There you will also find information on application deadlines and requirements.

Information on semesters abroad, partner universities/institutions and application procedures can be found on the study abroad pages of the Institute and the University. Contact persons and deadlines are also listed there. Early planning is strongly recommended.

Speak to the members of the specialist groups or ask the professor directly. Students who are already working as SHKs often also know where SHKs are still needed. Particularly at the beginning of the semester, job advertisements can be found on the websites of the specialist groups and on their information boards.

Jobs are also regularly advertised on the student mailing list.

There is a special jobs mailing list for the EIM faculty where you can register to receive all job offers. You can register at lists.upb.de.

The name of the job mailing list is Jobs-eim@upb.de. How to register on this mailing list and other sources of information for jobs are described on the website of the Computer Science student council.

You can find information on career entry and careers via the university's job and careers portal, at job fairs (e.g. "LookIn") and via university job portals. Lectures, company contacts and alumni networks also offer orientation for the transition to a career.