According to Section 12 (2), sentence 4 of the NHG, if you are studying several degree programmes at the same time, the longest standard period of study applies to you.

Semesters spent at higher education institutions are used to calculate your study credit. Semesters are regarded as all periods of study at universities within the scope of the Higher Education Framework Act (periods of study at universities in the Federal Republic of Germany).

No, periods of study at universities in other countries do not affect your study credit.

If you obtained your Bachelor’s degree (or, if applicable, your Master’s degree) required for enrolment in a consecutive Master’s degree programme at the University of Oldenburg outside Germany, your study credit amounts to twice the standard period of study for the Master’s degree programme.

Once you have used up your study credit, you will have to pay 500 EUR per semester. This is on top of the contributions towards the student body and the Student Administration and Social Welfare Organisation (Studentenwerk) and the administrative fees.

 Semester contribution

Your study credit is not affected by semesters in which you

• are active as an elected member of a body of the University, of the student body or of the Student Administration and Social Welfare Organisation (Studentenwerk), or
• are serving as an equal opportunities officer.

This provision applies for a maximum of two semesters.

Students who are enrolled at the University exclusively for their PhD programme do not have to pay long-term study fees – as long as they are not enrolled in another degree programme.

You will not be charged long-term study fees in semesters in which you are on a leave of absence.

Students are exempt from paying the long-term study fees in the following situations:

1. They are caring for a child within the meaning of Section 25, paragraph 5 of BAföG, who is under the age of 14 at the start of the semester.
    
2. They are caring for a close relative who is in need of care, in accordance with a report issued by the health insurance company’s medical service.
    
3. They are simultaneously enrolled at another university in order to follow a joint degree programme and they pay the long-term study fees at that university.
    
4. They are completing a period of study abroad, as provided for in the study regulations.
    
5. They are completing a placement semester, as provided for in the study regulations.
    
6. They are completing or following up a placement year in accordance with Section 1 (2) (1) in conjunction with Section 3 (1), sentence 5 of the medical licensing regulations.

Any exemptions must be requested via the Admissions Office as part of a consultation process.

Students can be exempted from paying the long-term study fees if they are experiencing undue hardship
Generally speaking, students are considered to have suffered undue hardship if they have been forced to extend their studies due to a disability or severe illness or as a consequence of being a victim of a crime. The corresponding guidelines for hardship requests is currently being revised.

Students aged 60 or over who already pay 800 EUR in fees are exempt from the long-term study fees.