General university entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) earned after taking the final examination at the end of secondary education in Germany, typically after twelve or thirteen years of schooling.

Teaching staff of a subject who are available to answer questions about program structure, content focus, and subject-specific planning of your studies and can usually help with the recognition of coursework

A semester-long break during a student’s studies if studies at JGU cannot take priority for certain reasons (such as illness, study abroad, a long internship); the student remains enrolled during this period

Semester in which a student is or was enrolled in a particular subject (cf. university semester)

A seal of quality; degree programs are regularly reviewed and accredited based on quality assessment criteria, provided they meet the quality standards

Building where lectures and courses are held, located at Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 5; not to be confused with Mensa/Zentralmensa; see the campus map

Graduates of a university (singular: alumnus, alumna), former students of a university

Some bachelor’s and master’s degree programs require applicants to take an aptitude test (e.g. Sports, Music, Fine Arts); even if these degree programs are non-selective, the application deadlines for selective degree programs apply

General Students’ Committee (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss); AStA represents the interests of the student body and is responsible for the regional transit ticket (semester ticket), for advising and supporting students with emergencies, and for organizing cultural and recreational events such as the AStA Summer Festival, among other things

Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundes­ausbildungs­förderungs­gesetz); financial support from the federal government for the first degree program or training; one of the most common ways for students to finance their studies; more information is available from JGU’s Federal Training Assistance Office (BAföG-Amt), including information on how to apply

Browser-based, data protection-compliant web conferencing system at JGU, used for holding and recording audio and video conferences, collaborating using a whiteboard, and integrating presentations

Student canteen; not to be confused with the Alte Mensa building

Established position of a full professor; sometimes also used as a synonym for all of the professor’s staff

Form of class; roundtable discussion in which, for example, an ongoing research project or a final thesis is presented to other students and lecturers

Body responsible for the organization of courses within the student advising office

Also called ECTS or LP (Leistungspunkte in German), describes the (quantitative) workload of individual classes, courses, and modules, including preparation and follow-up; comparable between different universities throughout Europe

Latin for “cum tempore” = with the “academic quarter”; classes that begin c.t. begin 15 minutes later, for example 10 c.t. = 10:15; also see: s.t.

German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst); promotes academic and scientific exchange abroad; offers information on stays abroad and funding options

The Data Center (Zentrum für Datenverarbeitung, ZDV) is the central service provider for all IT/software/hardware issues related to studying, such as online learning, internet access, software licenses and software courses, printing, copying, graphics services, etc.

Deans are the heads of faculties and chairpersons of the faculty councils and their deputies are typically called vice deans, although at the Mainz Academyof Fine Arts and the Mainz School of Music, they are referred to as rectors and vice rectors, respectively

Describes the objectives, content, and course of studies for the degree program within the standard period of study; overview or suggestion of the sequence in which courses are to be taken; often supplements the module catalog; not binding in many subjects of study

Academic degree in German-speaking countries, awarded after completion of a one-tier program of study at a university; often equivalent to a master’s degree. Most Diplom programs have been replaced by equivalent bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Document that is automatically appended to the university degree, free of charge and in English; describes the knowledge and skills acquired

Doctoral thesis; paper written for the purpose of earning a doctoral degree

Academic degree concluding in the right to use the title of doctor; ability to work and research independently

Simultaneously studying in two degree programs at different universities with the aim of obtaining two degrees in different subjects or having credits recognized at another university; only one degree program may be a selective degree program in the respective semester

European Credit Transfer System; also known as credits or LP (Leistungspunkte in German), describes the (quantitative) workload of individual classes, courses, and modules, including preparation and follow-up; comparable between different universities throughout Europe

Prerequisite for commencing or continuing a program of study; if you have failed an examination with no option to re-sit, you will lose your eligibility to take examsEuropean Credit Transfer System; also known as credits or LP (Leistungspunkte in German), describes the (quantitative) workload of individual classes, courses, and modules, including preparation and follow-up; comparable between different universities throughout Europe

Registration as a student at the university after accepting a spot; once enrolled, you have all the rights and obligations of a student

For certain degree programs, you will need to accept your spot with the help of the enrollment assistant in JOGU-StINe

Protestant University Chaplaincy (Evangelische Studierendengemeinde)

Area of a student advising office that is responsible for the organization of examinations

(Legal) basis of a degree program; regulates the rights, obligations, requirements, procedure, and evaluation of examinations

De-registering as a student; after exmatriculation, one is no longer a member of the university

Grouping of several subjects with a similar academic focus, such as the Faculty of Social Sciences; sometimes called Fakultät at other universities

The other students (of a university or subject)

General assembly (Vollversammlung) of all students in a subject, called together, for example, to discuss current issues or hold student council elections

Georg Forster-Gebäude (Georg Forster building); home to the Institute of Education, the Institute of Sociology, the Institute of Political Science, and Communication Studies, the Dean’s Office and the central examination office of Faculty 02; it also houses the Institute of Art History of Faculty 07, the departmental library, and a canteen run by the Studierendenwerk; Jakob-Welder-Weg 12

Gutenberg International School; central contact for exchange students at JGU (Mainz campus)

Plural: Gymnasien; secondary school in Germany that prepares pupils for higher education at a university. Pupils attend Gymnasium from 5th to 12th/13th grade, usually with the goal of obtaining the Abitur , which grants admission to German universities.

Organizational unit within a faculty; usually includes various chairs on a topic or subject (such as the Institute of Sociology); often offers one or more degree programs

Name of a student residence on campus, Jakob-Welder-Weg 30-40; run by the Studierendenwerk

Internships enable students to put theoretical knowledge into practice and gain practical experience in potential future professional fields either within or outside of the university and lab courses take place in university laboratories and practice rooms or as practical periods outside the university; both are intended to provide career orientation

JGU’s web portal for organizing your studies, for registering and withdrawing from classes, for transcripts of records, and much more

Position that entitles researchers with a doctorate and outstanding achievements but without a postdoctoral lecturing qualification (habilitation) to teach and conduct independent research

Catholic University Chaplaincy (Katholische Hochschulgemeinde)

Learning Management Systems: At JGU, Moodle is the central LMS along with ILIAS; lecturers use it to provide materials and information to supplement their classes.

Period during the semester when regular (in-person) courses take place; cf. semester break (vorlesungsfreie Zeit)

University teacher; teaches classes (such as seminars, practice classes, etc.) for students; often employees of the respective institute who also conduct research activities in addition to teaching

Type of course where a university lecturer (professor) gives lectures on a specific topic throughout the entire semester

German school-leaving certificate that is usually awarded after ten years of schooling; in most cases, students cannot be directly admitted to a German university, but must attend another school that awards the Abitur . Some courses of study at JGU allow admission with Mittlere Reife, provided that students pass an aptitude test (e.g., Piano Bachelor of Music).

In bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, modules are self-contained course units/classes on the same subject area which are coordinated chronologically and by topic, usually concluding with a module examination

Contains information on the duration, credits, types of examinations, requirements, learning outcomes, workload, forms of learning, and content of a degree program and defines admission requirements for individual modules of a degree program

In bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, these are examinations during courses for which credits are earned

Shell-shaped lecture hall building, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 25

Latin, stands for “Numerus Clausus” = limited number; selective entry to a subject; the N.C. represents the minimum grade needed for admission during the semester in question, which is determined by the grade of the last person admitted into the chosen degree program

All forms of learning using electronic or digital media; ILIAS and Moodle are used to communicate and for teachers and students to exchange information; Panopto is used to record courses; Virtueller Campus Rheinland-Pfalz (Virtual Campus Rhineland-Palatinate, VCRP) is used for all universities in Rhineland-Palatinate

Highest university examination; proof of teaching qualification in an academic subject after receiving a doctorate; normally a prerequisite for becoming a professor

Type of course that supplements the lecture material and goes into greater depth

Practical phase following the Master of Education in the teacher education degree program or the first legal examination in the law degree program; also called Referendariat in German

University lecturer who independently researches and teaches within their subject area; often holds a chair

Reviewing of the equivalence of school-leaving certificates or academic degrees acquired abroad; relevant for applying to JGU

Notification to Student Services each semester that you are continuing your studies; this is done by paying the semester fee on time; re-registration must take place by the re-registration deadline

Teacher or legal traineeship: Practical phase following the Master of Education in the teacher education degree program or the first legal examination in the law degree program; also called Vorbereitungsdienst in German (preparatory training).

Law and economics building (Haus Recht und Wirtschaft), new building = Jakob-Welder-Weg 9, old building = Jakob-Welder-Weg 4

Financial grant for the time spent studying provided by a funding agency/provider (often foundations) for certain groups of students; scholarships often have specific entrance requirements (such as outstanding academic performance, particular involvement in social causes, etc.)

Half-year term, winter and summer semester (six months each); study periods are often measured in semesters (compared to trimesters, for example); semesters consist of a lecture period and a semester break

Period during the semester when no regular (in-person) courses take place; examination periods are usually at the beginning; can basically be used as desired (such as for vacation, taking a job, internships, etc.), also called Semesterferien in German

Required fee upon enrollment or re-registration; includes social contributions and the fee for the semester ticket

Number of hours per week that a course takes place throughout a semester; 2 SWS means the course takes place for two hours weekly for one semester

Type of course where a small group of students usually examines or debates a given topic from various points of view

Also called term paper (Hausarbeit); written coursework or exam paper on a topic related to a seminar; it falls under the generic term of academic writing, which the campus-wide Writing Center is happy to provide further information about

Summer semester; from April 1 to September 30 (Lecture period: mid/end of April to mid/end of July)

Latin for “sine tempore” = without the “academic quarter”; classes that begin s.t. begin on the hour, for example 10 s.t. = 10:00; see also: c.t.

Number of semesters in which a degree program can be completed according to the examination regulations, provided that you can devote the majority of your week to your studies; however, degree programs usually do not necessarily have to be completed within the standard period of study

An examination and degree required for certain professions, such as law, medicine, pharmacy, and teaching. The examination is usually, but not always, divided into two independent stages: the first and the second Staatsexamen. For some professions, such as psychotherapy, there is only one state examination.

Organizational unit within a subject that is responsible for studies and teaching; the following people are part of the student advising office: studies managers, examination managers, and course managers

Elected representatives of all students studying a certain subject; the student council advocates on behalf of student interests, organizes events for students, and advises other students and prospective students

Numerical registration of all students; used, for example, for identification purposes for examinations or applications

Service provider for the catering facilities (canteens, cafeterias on campus) and several student residence halls

Head of the student advising office

General education courses for students of all disciplines; a separate program is published every semester

The parallel study of two degree programs at the same university with the aim of earning two degrees in different subjects; not to be confused with dual enrollment or earning a second degree

Student Parliament; decision-making body of the student body elected by all students; enables students to participate in processes and decisions within the university

Transaction number; number required to confirm certain actions on JOGU-StINe, such as registering for or withdrawing from examinations

Members of the teaching staff are professionally qualified persons who teach courses but generally are not members of the university, such as people from the working world

Also called seminar paper; written coursework or exam paper on a topic related to a course; it falls under the generic term of academic writing, which the campus-wide Writing Center is happy to provide further information about

Document with information on the status of your studies; overview of all courses attended, credits earned in passed and completed modules, current overall grade, academic semester, etc.

Head of a tutorial, also supervisor of students in residence halls; usually a student themselves

Type of course where experienced students (tutors) pass on their knowledge and skills to less experienced fellow students; typically more in-depth coverage and discussion of specific topics or concepts from lectures or seminars; exercises in small groups

University Library (Universitätsbibliothek), also called Central Library, Jakob-Welder-Weg 6

Semesters in which a student is or was enrolled at a higher education institution in Germany regardless of the subject (cf. academic semester)

Confirmation that a university applicant has completed their secondary education and is qualified to apply for admission to university. In Germany, a common form is the Abitur. In the English-speaking world, this could be a high school diploma or A-levels.

Winter semester, October 1 to March 31 (Lecture period: mid/end of October to mid/end of February)

Central Student Representative Council (Zentraler Fachschaftenrat); coordinating committee of all student councils