Compatibility
Compatibility
How can I reconcile studying with my life situation?
Nowadays, many students have other commitments in addition to their studies:
- Around two thirds of students work alongside their studies.
- More and more students already have families or are caring for relatives.
- Others, on the other hand, are very busy with hobbies or competitive sports, for example.
Here you will find tips and further information on the topics of time resources, studying while working, financing your studies, the recognition of academic appointments and studying with care work.
How much time do I have to study?
A degree programme requires a high degree of initiative and personal responsibility. This is particularly challenging when other responsibilities, such as academic appointments or family, are added to your studies.
This makes good time management all the more important. It can be helpful to first look at how much time you actually have available for your studies. How much time would you have for your studies?
How much time do I need to study?
After you have reflected on how much time you would have to study, let's look at the other side, namely how much time it takes to study. Here's what you need to consider:
- As a rule, a full-time degree programme should be assumed to be a 40-hour week (an average of 24 to 26 hours of face-to-face events including preparation and follow-up work).
- There are lecture periods and lecture-free periods. During lecture periods, events can take place between 8 am and 8 pm.
- Even though there are usually no events during the lecture-free period, this does not mean that there is nothing to do. Examinations often take place during these times, which take some time to prepare for through self-study.
- In other degree programmes, examinations must also be taken during the lecture period. This also means that the distribution of the workload and the scope vary greatly from subject to subject. Degree programmes function very differently.
Tip: Find out early on what everyday life is like on your degree programme. The student body can help you here. Student bodies are made up of students from the respective degree programmes. They can tell you about their personal experiences.
Do you want a realistic insight into your degree programme? Try it out and take part in the taster programme. You can also attend some courses as a guest student.
Academic appointment and studies - is that possible?
- Are you working and can't or don't want to interrupt this to study?
- Do you have family commitments and want to combine them with a degree programme?
Although a full-time degree programme is generally based on a 40-hour week, you can structure your course flexibly within the framework of the examination regulations. This means that you decide to what extent you want to study.
Every degree programme at the University of Oldenburg can also be studied part-time if the respective examination regulations allow for this. Please note, however, that the status of part-time student has consequences under social law.
Please note: It should be noted that an equalised scope of study can lead to an extended standard period of study. Such an extension of the standard period of study has financial and social law consequences (e.g. BAföG, long-term study fees, insurance). You should therefore seek advice on social law issues at an early stage.
If you haven't found what you're looking for in the regular range of courses, take a look at what the Centre for Lifelong Learning (C3L) has to offer. As part of the University of Oldenburg, the C3L offers part-time degree programmes. These degree programmes are specially designed to meet the needs of working students.
Please note that relevant professional experience is generally required and that these degree programmes are subject to fees.
Student financing
Studying has to be paid for somehow. There are various financing options for this, such as scholarships, student loans or BAföG.
Would you like advice on your individual financing options at an early stage? Please contact the Student Financial Counselling Service.
We have listed a selection of funding opportunities explicitly aimed at those with academic appointments here:
Advancement scholarship
This federal scholarship is aimed in particular at experienced professionals who have gained the opportunity to attend university through training, further education or work experience.
The advancement scholarship supports a full-time or part-time first degree at a state or state-recognised university.
Further information on scholarships, grants and awards can also be found here:
Studying with care work
Do you have a family and/or are you caring for relatives? Here you will find the first points of contact at the University of Oldenburg to help you cope with everyday student life and further information:
Information on studying with a child
Information on caring for relatives