Fees for exceeding the standard period of study

Thuringian universities must charge fees in accordance with Section 4 (1) of the Thuringian Higher Education Fees and Charges Act (ThürHGEG) in the version published on 21 December 2006 (GVBl p. 601), last amended by Article 12 of the Act of 3 June 2018 (GVBl. p. 229), if the standard period of study is exceeded.

The Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences (HSN) then collects Fees in the amount of € 500 for each additional semester of students who exceed the standard period of study of a degree programme leading to a first professional qualification or a consecutive degree programme by more than 4 semesters.

All semesters completed up to this point are free of charge.

The special situation of students is taken into account in a number of special regulations. In particular, the social situation of students who are justifiably unable to pay all or part of the fees is taken into account.

Legal basis for charging long-term tuition fees

The relevant legal basis is the Thuringian Higher Education Fees and Charges Act (ThürHGEG) in the version published on 21 December 2006 (GVBl p. 601), last amended by Article 12 of the Act of 3 June 2018 (GVBl p. 229)

§ 4 - Fees for exceeding the standard period of study (ThürHGEG)

1. The universities charge students fees in the amount of 500 Euro for each semester in which the standard period of study for a degree programme leading to a first professional qualification or a Bachelor's and consecutive Master's degree programme is exceeded by more than four semesters.
2. The standard period of study is determined by the respective examination or licensing regulations of the currently selected degree programme. In the case of consecutive degree programmes within the meaning of Section 50 (3) sentence 1 ThürHG, the total standard period of study of the first completed degree programme and the consecutive Master's degree programme is taken as the basis. For second degree programmes, in deviation from sentence 1, the standard periods of study of the currently selected degree programme and the successfully completed first degree programme are added together, provided that
   1. the study of two degree programmes is required under professional law in order to obtain the desired professional qualification or
   2. a degree from the first degree programme that is well above the average for the examination year.

A second degree programme within the meaning of sentence 3 is a second or further undergraduate degree programme following a degree programme completed at a higher education institution within the scope of the Basic Law.

3. All periods of study at universities within the scope of the Basic Law shall be taken into account when charging fees in accordance with paragraph 1; a one-off change of degree programme up to the end of the second semester and semesters on leave of absence shall not be taken into account. Part-time study periods are counted accordingly and rounded down to full semesters. Within the framework of the standard period of study, this only applies insofar as its calculation does not already take part-time study into account.
4. The obligation to pay fees in accordance with paragraph 1 is postponed at the student's request by periods
   1. the actual care of a child within the meaning of § 1 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 2 and para. 3 of the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act in the version of 27 January 2015 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 33) in the respective applicable version until the child reaches the age of 14, but at most until twice the standard period of study has been reached,
   2. caring for a close relative within the meaning of Section 7 (3) of the Caregiver Leave Act (PflegeZG) of 28 May 2008 (BGBl. I p. 874 - 896), as amended, insofar as the need for care within the meaning of Section 3 (2) PflegeZG is proven, but at most until twice the standard period of study has been reached, and
   3. active participation in university committees, insofar as these are not counted towards the standard period of study in accordance with Section 52 (5) sentence 1 ThürHG in accordance with the relevant provisions in the university statutes, but by a maximum of two semesters.

5. The obligation to pay fees in accordance with paragraph 1 does not apply to periods of leave of absence or to periods during which the student receives benefits in accordance with the Federal Training Assistance Act. In the case of simultaneous enrolment in two or more degree programmes, the fee is only payable once; the periods of the degree programme with the longest standard period of study are taken as a basis.
6. The fee shall be waived in part or in full on application in individual cases if its collection would lead to undue hardship. Undue hardship is generally deemed to exist in the case of
   1. the effects of a disability or chronic or serious illness that extend the period of study,
   2. consequences of being the victim of a criminal offence or
   3. an economic emergency in the immediate vicinity of the last section of the final audit.

Sentence 1 applies accordingly if the charging of fees would represent an unreasonable hardship for the student due to special circumstances of the individual case.

§ 5 - Duty to provide information  (THürHGEG)

Applicants for a study place and students are obliged to submit declarations on the semesters and semesters of study they have completed and on the examination of the requirements according to § 4. Suitable documents must be submitted at the request of the university. If necessary, the universities may request and accept a declaration in lieu of oath. Students who do not fulfil these obligations within the deadline set by the university must pay a fee in accordance with § 4 paragraph 1.

Further information

Payment modalities

Payment of fees is only due when you find your fee notice in your student account in HISinOne under Student Services -> Notifications/Certificates!

In addition to the notification of fees, you will be able to see in your student account in HISinOne that these fees are visible under Student Services - Payments.

Re-registration for the following semester can only take place once the full invoice amount has been settled. If there are reasons that justify a fee waiver, please submit an application for a fee reduction/waiver in your student account under Applications.

If you would like an instalment payment agreement, a notification of change - also to be found under Applications - is required.

Payment of the fee is made to the semester fee account. Please check your standing orders if necessary.