A distinction is made between the following types of qualification:
Bachelor's degree programme (B.Sc./B.A./LL.B.)
Two-subject Bachelor’s degree programme (B.Sc./B.A.)
Single-subject Master’s degree programme (M.Sc./M.A./M.Eng./LL.M.)
Master of Education (M.Ed., various school types)
Diplom (Diplom)
Master’s (M.A.)
Teacher training (LA., various school types)
Doctorate

Students who have passed a final examination are counted as graduates.

International students are students with international citizenship. A further distinction is made between students with a higher education entrance qualification obtained in Germany (nationals with a German university entrance qualification) and those with a higher education entrance qualification obtained abroad (foreign nationals with a German university entrance qualification).

Based on the number of students within the standard period of study, the total teaching demand for each teaching unit – for both the assigned and non-assigned degree programmes – is calculated using the relevant standard curriculum allocation ratios (in semester hours per week (SWS)) and compared with the available teaching provision. This is carried out for all teaching units. The capacity utilisation calculation for an academic year is based on the teaching provision calculated in the annual capacity calculation with a reference date of 1 February and the demand for teaching determined on the basis of student data from the previous winter semester (reference date 1 December).

Studying two degree programmes at the same time. Enrolment takes place in the first and second degree programme.

Students who are enrolled at a German university for the first time. (Due to studies abroad or recognition of academic achievements, in exceptional cases also in higher semesters).

The semesters that students have completed in a particular degree programme. Semesters on leave do not count as subject-related semesters.

The duration of study is the number of semesters in each individual subject (case statistics) up to the final examination. The duration of study ends with the determination of the overall grade. The arithmetic mean is given.

A School is an organisational unit of the university that combines teaching units and subjects with similar content.

Case statistics (students and first-year students):

Total number of students or first-year students in each degree programme and subject.

Case statistics (graduates):

For degree programmes with several subjects, the graduates are shown for each subject.

Pre-university students are pupils of above-average ability who are enrolled on special study programmes. Exams they have passed may be recognised towards a degree programme they undertake at a later date. They are not counted as regular students.

Anyone interested can enrol as a guest student without the requirement of a university entrance qualification. They can only take part in courses that are open to them. It is not possible for guest students to undertake specialised studies with a final examination. They are not counted as regular students.

The total number of semesters that students were enrolled at German universities. In contrast to subject-related semesters, university semesters also include semesters on leave and semesters in previously studied degree programmes.

The capacity (admission capacity) is calculated for each degree programme per academic year on the basis of the range of courses offered, the amount of training required and other capacity-determining criteria in accordance with the Capacity Ordinance. The calculated admission capacity forms the basis for determining admission numbers for degree programmes that are in high demand.

Co-operative students study one subject at the University of Oldenburg and another at the University of Bremen. In addition, there are other cooperative subjects that are jointly supported by both universities.

Student figures (students and first-year students*):

Total number of students or first-year students in their first degree programme and first subject. Students or first-year students who are enrolled in more than one degree programme at the same time (double degree) are therefore counted only once. Auditors and pre-university students are not counted as students.

Headcount statistics (graduates):

For degree programmes comprising multiple subjects, the enrolment figures are attributed to the first subject in each case. Whilst the enrolment figures for students only count those in their first degree programme, all final examinations (first and subsequent degree programmes) are listed here. By contrast, official statistics usually only include final examinations from the first degree programme.

A teaching unit is a specialised unit that provides a range of courses and is defined for the purpose of determining capacity. If possible, a degree programme should be assigned to the teaching unit that has the largest share of the courses offered.

Students who are enrolled for the first time at the University of Oldenburg (first or higher semester), but not for the first time at a German university.

An examination group is the grouping of students according to the degree they are aiming for.

An examination year (for graduates) comprises the winter semester and the following summer semester; for example, the 2019 academic year consists of the 2018/19 winter semester and the 2019 summer semester.

The period of study specified in the examination regulations during which the degree can be obtained in the case of full-time study.

The calculated capacity (corresponding to capacity before attrition) assumes that all first-year students study until graduation. However, as the retention behaviour of students varies between degree programmes, the calculated capacity is increased by an attrition factor. This results in the actual admission capacity after attrition. The attrition factor is determined empirically from the student numbers of the individual semesters.

A semester refers to half a year of study. A distinction is made between winter semesters (1 October to 31 March) and summer semesters (1 April to 30 September). Enrolment on a degree programme usually takes place in the winter semester. A winter semester and the following summer semester together constitute an academic or examination year. For example, the 2009 academic or examination year comprises the 2008/2009 winter semester (also 20082) and the 2009 summer semester (also 20091). With regard to individual study programmes, a distinction is also made between subject semesters and university semesters.

First-year students in their first semester:

Students who have enrolled for the first time and those newly enrolled in their first semester, as well as students who have taken a leave of absence immediately after enrolment. Doctoral students and students ‘without a degree’ (language courses, etc.) are also included. Students from co-operations and joint degree programmes are only included if they are enrolled at the University of Oldenburg. Auditors and pre-university students are not counted as students.

First-year undergraduates in their first university semester:

First-year students are defined as all students who are enrolled at a German higher education institution for the first time. Doctoral students and students ‘without a degree’ (language courses, etc.) are also included in the figures. Students from co-operation programmes and joint degree programmes are only included if they are enrolled at the University of Oldenburg. Auditors and pre-university students are not counted as students.

A degree programme is the combination of one or more subjects and the desired degree.

Unlike the official statistics, an academic year at the UOL comprises the winter semester and the subsequent summer semester; for example, the 2019 academic year consists of the 2018/19 winter semester and the 2019 summer semester.

Total number of students, including PhD students and students ‘without a degree’ (language courses, etc.). Students from co-operations and joint degree programmes are only included if they are enrolled at the University of Oldenburg. Visiting students and pre-university students are not counted as students. Unlike the official statistics, all internal reports include students on leave of absence.

The progression rate describes the proportion of graduates from an undergraduate degree programme (Bachelor's degree programme or dual-subject programme) who progress to a consecutive degree programme (single-subject Master’s or Master of Education) within the same university. For Bachelor's degree programmes, the transition to a single-subject Master’s degree is specified, stating the previous and subsequent subjects. For dual-subject Bachelor's degree programmes, the transition to both single-subject Master’s degrees and Master of Education programmes is specified. To ensure clarity, no distinction is made here between the different Master’s subjects. As the students in question are not required to enrol immediately after completing their Bachelor’s degree, the data for more recent academic years in particular should be regarded as provisional.

Notional number that results if each student is weighted according to the full-time proportion in each subject. The weighting coefficients for major/minor subjects of different degree programmes/degrees can be found in the table Equivalence calculation. For example, a student on a two-subject Bachelor's degree programme is calculated with 0.5 equivalents in each of the subjects.

Academic university staff includes professors and other academic employees. It does not include technical and administrative staff (MTV).