During your Bachelor’s studies, you were supported by the Student Office of your respective institute. The examination office staff there managed your academic records and exam results, providing guidance on grade entries, registrations, deadlines, and other inquiries. Please note that registration for the Bachelor’s final module in Faculty 07 is handled centrally by the Faculty 07 Examination Office, rather than through the decentralized student offices. This applies to all students enrolled in a B.A. program.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) must register their final module with the University Examination Office for Teacher Education (Hochschulprüfung für das Lehramt, HPL).

Registering Your B.A. Thesis

Register your B.A. thesis with the Central Examination Office using the appropriate form. If possible, use the autofill fields provided. Otherwise, complete the form legibly, writing the thesis title in capital letters. Additionally, send the title via E-Mail to the responsible staff member. If you wish to have a B.Ed. thesis or a thesis from another subject recognized as your B.A. thesis, please read the notes on the recognition process in the FAQ section.

Next Steps After Submitting Your Thesis

The Central Examination Office will forward your thesis to the two designated evaluators. Once the evaluation is complete, you will be notified of the results via E-Mail. This E-Mail will also specify the end date of your four-week period in which you must complete your final oral examination. Make sure to arrange the examination date with your examiners in advance.

Registering for the Oral Bachelor’s Examination

Register for the oral final examination at the Central Examination Office using the appropriate form at least two weeks before the scheduled date. Ensure that the building and room number are included on the form. You can submit the completed form via E-Mail to your designated administrative officer at the Central Examination Office, deliver it in person during office hours, or drop it in the mailbox in the hallway in front of the Dean’s Office of Faculty 07.

Copies of the evaluations will be sent to you with the invitation to the oral examination at least one week before the scheduled date.

Illness/Inability to Take the Examination During the Bachelor’s Thesis Period

If you fall ill during the examination period, your thesis submission deadline may be extended. To request an extension, you must provide the Central Examination Office with the required medical certificate/form. A standard medical certificate of incapacity to work is not sufficient!

The Examination Office will send you written confirmation of whether your request has been approved, specifying the new submission deadline for your thesis.

For the Documents and Forms please use the German version of the Website.

Requirements for Registering Your Bachelor’s Thesis

You register for your Bachelor’s thesis at the beginning of your sixth semester, provided you have earned at least 120 credit points, including at least 80 in your major subject. Your first registration for the Bachelor’s thesis must be completed by the end of your sixth academic year (12th semester). If you have not registered by this deadline, the thesis will be considered as “failed on the first attempt,” and you will be required to attend academic advising.

Who certifies my credit points?
Your credit points are certified by the examination managers in the Student Office of your respective institute, who are responsible for managing module examinations.

The necessary form can be found under “Documents & Forms” on the German version of the website.

Registering Your Thesis

Decide on a topic for your thesis and contact potential supervisors. After agreeing on a topic, complete the application form and have it signed by your supervisor.

The relevant form is available under “Documents & Forms” (German pages). Make sure to submit the fully completed application to the Central Examination Office within three working days.

Once registered, you will receive a written confirmation, including your thesis topic and the submission deadline.

Eligible supervisors for a Bachelor’s thesis are specified in Section 8, Paragraph 2 of the relevant examination regulations. Normally these include all professors, habilitated faculty members, academic staff, contract lecturers, and lecturers with special duties. If in doubt, please contact the Central Examination Office.

At least one of the evaluators must be a university professor of Faculty 07 or a habilitated scholar. For instance, a thesis may be supervised by a academic staff as the first evaluator, while the second evaluator must be a university professor.

I want to submit my Bachelor’s thesis. What do I need to do?

You can submit your Bachelor’s thesis to the staff of the Central Examination Office during their office hours. Please be aware of the specified office hours and area of responsibilities of each staff member.

f submitting outside of office hours, you can place your thesis in the parcel box in the hallway next to the Dean’s Office of Faculty 07. Submission by mail is also possible; please ensure that the postmark is clearly legible, as this will be considered the submission date.

How do I know if I passed my Bachelor’s thesis?

As soon as the two evaluations are complete, you will receive an email notifying you of the result. Please schedule your oral final examination with your supervisors in advance and officially register for it using the registration form at least two weeks before the examination date.

The oral examination should take place within four weeks of the completion of the thesis evaluation.

You will receive copies of the evaluations along with the invitation to the oral examination.

How can I obtain my graduation certificate as quickly as possible?

Your graduation certificate is issued by the Central Examination Office. After your oral examination, the office will prepare your diploma, certificate, transcript of records, and diploma supplement (in German), and a preliminary certificate if required.

Certificates can only be issued once all modules have been completed and recorded by the Student Office staff. Make sure this is done before inquiring at the Central Examination Office

If your oral examination is not your final exam, please notify the office by email once all your modules are complete, so that your documents can be prepared. Please note that it may take some time to create your documents, and according to the examination regulations it can take up to six weeks to complete them.

Can I receive certified copies of my certificate?

Along with your Bachelor’s certificate, you will receive two certified copies. If you need additional copies, you can request them from your local municipal office for a fee. In Mainz, the Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) provides the first three copies free of charge.

The Central Examination Office can only issue additional certified copies after paying a fee of €5.00 per certification in advance. Please provide proof of payment:

• Bank: BBK
• IBAN: DE25 5500 0000 0055 0015 11
• BIC: MARKDEF1550
• Verwendungszweck: 6101, Objektkonto: 8793100, Kostenstelle 7931, Your Name

Official certification of a copy can also be arranged by the following public authorities: municipal administrations, county offices, local administrative authorities (e.g., mayors), city administrations, district administrations, courts, and notaries.

Schools, state preparatory colleges, or universities may only certify copies of documents they themselves issued.

Can I submit the electronic version of my thesis on a USB stick?

No. The electronic version of your thesis must be submitted as an email attachment in PDF format.

My thesis consists of multiple volumes. What should I keep in mind?

It is generally possible to submit multiple volumes (e.g., appendices to artworks, excavation drawings, sheet music editions). Please clearly label the text section and the appendix(es). The Statutory Declaration must be included at the end of the text section.

Can I receive my graduation certificate by mail?

Yes, we can send your certificate, diploma, and other documents if you provide a self-addressed, prepaid return envelope (registered mail with return receipt). For important documents, please use a secure envelope.

If the address on the envelope differs from the one stored in Jogustine, please include an originally signed declaration.

What should I do if I am unable to take an exam due to illness?

If you fall ill during the examination period, you must submit the required medical certificate to the Central Examination Office. A standard medical certificate of incapacity of work is not sufficient.

In cases of personal hardship (e.g., the death of a close relative or unforeseen personal issues such as a child’s illness), an extension of the deadline may be granted, or you may be allowed to withdraw from the examination.

Submit your written request and proof to the Central Examination Office without delay. You will receive written confirmation indicating whether your request has been approved and specifying the new submission deadline.

Whom should I contact for other examinations?
The Student Offices are responsible for all exams that are not part of the final module. For final modules (B.A./M.A. thesis, etc.), the Central Examination Office is your point of contact.

During your Master’s studies, you were supported by the Student Office of your respective institute. The examination office staff there managed your academic records and exam results, providing guidance on grade entries, registrations, deadlines, and other inquiries.

Please note that registration for the Master’s final module in Faculty 07 is handled centrally by the Faculty 07 Examination Office, rather than through the decentralized student offices. This applies to all students enrolled in an M.A. program.

Students pursuing a Master of Education (M.Ed.) must register their final module with the University Examination Office for Teaching (Hochschulprüfung für das Lehramt, HPL).

Register your M.A. thesis with the Central Examination Office using the appropriate form (Vordruck). If possible, use the autofill fields provided. Otherwise, complete the form legibly, writing the thesis title in capital letters. Additionally, send the title via email to the responsible staff members (see above).

If you wish to have an M.Ed. thesis or a thesis from another subject recognized as your M.A. thesis, please consult the notes on the recognition process in the FAQ section.

Next Steps After Submitting Your Thesis

The Central Examination Office will forward your thesis to the two designated evaluators. Once the evaluation is complete, you will be notified of the results via email. This email will also specify the end date of your four-week period in which you must complete your final oral examination.

Make sure to arrange the examination date with your examiners in advance.

Registering for the Oral Master’s Examination

Register for the oral final examination at the Central Examination Office using the appropriate form at least two weeks before the scheduled date. Ensure that the building and room number are included on the form. You can submit the completed form via email to your designated administration officer at the Central Examination Office, deliver it in person during office hours, or drop it in the mailbox in the hallway next to the Dean’s Office of Faculty 07.

Copies of the evaluations will be sent to you with the invitation to the oral examination at least one week before the scheduled date.

Illness/Inability to Take the Examination During the Master’s Thesis Period

If you fall ill during the examination period, your thesis submission deadline may be extended. To request an extension, you must provide the Central Examination Office with the required medical certificate/form. A standard medical certificate of incapacity to work is not sufficient!

The Examination Office will send you written confirmation of whether your request has been approved, specifying the new submission deadline for your thesis.

For the Documents and Forms please use the German version of the Website.

Requirements for Registering Your Master’s Thesis

You should register your Master’s thesis between the middle and end of your third semester. There is no minimum requirement for credit points. However, you must have registered for the Master’s thesis by the end of your fourth year of study (8th semester). Otherwise, your thesis will be considered as „failed for the first time“, and you will be required to attend academic advising. See here for guidelines on writing your Master’s thesis.

Registering Your Thesis

Decide on a topic for your thesis and contact potential supervisors. After agreeing on a topic, complete the application form and have it signed by your supervisor. Make sure to submit the fully completed application to the Central Examination Office within three working days. Once registered, you will receive a written confirmation, including your thesis topic and the submission deadline.

Eligible supervisors for a Master‘s thesis are specified in Section 8, Paragraph 2 of the relevant examination regulations. Normally, these include all professors, habilitated faculty members, academic staff, contract lecturers, and lecturers with special duties. If in doubt, please contact the Central Examination Office.

At least one of the evaluators must be a university professor of Faculty 07 or a habilitated scholar. For instance, a thesis may be supervised by a academic staff as the first evaluator, while the second evaluator must be a university professor.

How Can I Obtain My Degree Certificate Quickly?

Your degree certificate will be issued by the Central Examination Office. After your final oral examination, the Examination Office will prepare your certificate, transcript of records, diploma supplement (in German), and a provisional certificate if required. Your documents can only be issued once all your modules have been completed and recorded by the respective Student Office. Please ensure this is done before contacting the Central Examination Office.

If your final oral examination is not your last academic requirement, please notify us via E-Mail once all modules are complete, so we can begin processing your documents. Keep in mind that preparing your documents takes time, and according to examination regulations, it can take up to six weeks to complete them.

Can I receive my Degree Certificate by mail?

Yes, we can send your certificate and other documents if you provide a stamped, self-addressed return envelope (registered mail with return receipt). For important documents, please use a secure envelope. If the address on the envelope differs from the one stored in Jogustine, please include an originally signed declaration.

Can I Get Certified Copies of My Certificate?

You will receive two certified copies of your Master’s degree certificate along with the original. For additional copies, you can contact your local municipal office, which can certify your documents for a fee. In Mainz, the Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) offers free certification for the first three copies.

The Central Examination Office can only issue additional certified copies after paying a fee of €5.00 per certification in advance. Please provide proof of payment:

• BBK
• IBAN: DE25 5500 0000 0055 0015 11
• BIC: MARKDEF1550
• Verwendungszweck: 6101, Objektkonto: 8793100, Kostenstelle 7931, Your Name

Official certification of a copy can also be arranged by the following public authorities: municipal administrations, county offices, local administrative authorities (e.g., mayors), city administrations, district administrations, courts, and notaries.

Schools, state preparatory colleges, or universities may only certify copies of documents they themselves issued.

Submitting Your Master’s Thesis When the Office is Closed

You can submit your thesis during the office hours of the Central Examination Office. If you cannot submit it in person, you can use the package box in the hallway next to the Dean’s Office (Faculty 07) or send it by mail. In that case please ensure that the postmark is clearly legible, as this will be considered the submission date.

Can I Submit the Electronic Version of My Thesis on an USB Stick?

No. The electronic version of your thesis can only be submitted as an email attachment in PDF format.

My Thesis Consists of Multiple Volumes. What Should I Do?

It is generally possible to submit multiple volumes (e.g., appendices to artworks, excavation drawings, sheet music editions). Please clearly label the text section and the appendix(es). The Statutory Declaration must be included at the end of the text section.

How Will I Know If I Passed My Master’s Thesis?

Once the two evaluations are complete, you will receive an email notifying you of your result. The grade can also be viewed in Jogustine. Together with the invitation to your oral examination, you will receive copies of the evaluations.

Arrange the date of your oral examination with your two evaluators and inform the Central Examination Office of the date using the registration form at least two weeks in advance.

Procedure in Case of Illness During Exams

If you fall ill during the examination period, you must submit a specific medical certificate/form to the Central Examination Office. A standard medical certificate of incapacity to work is not sufficient!

In cases of personal hardship (e.g., the death of a close relative or unforeseen personal issues such as a child’s illness), an extension of the deadline may be granted, or you may be allowed to withdraw from the examination.

Submit your written request and proof to the Central Examination Office without delay. You will receive written confirmation indicating whether your request has been approved and specifying the new submission deadline.

Who Is Responsible for Which Exams?

The Student Offices are responsible for all exams that are not part of the final module. For final modules (B.A./M.A. thesis, etc.), the Central Examination Office is your point of contact.

The doctorate is an examination process designed to assess academic qualifications in a specific field. A list of the disciplines in which you can pursue a doctorate at Faculty 07 – History and Cultural Studies – can be found in the appendix of the Doctoral Regulations. For general information about pursuing a doctorate at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, please visit the university’s website: Promotion – Studium (uni-mainz.de).

Please see also the pages of the Gutenberg Academy for useful information.

Registration as a Doctoral Candidate

According to Section 34 of the Higher Education Act of Rhineland-Palatinate, all doctoral candidates at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz are required to register – regardless of whether they wish to enroll as doctoral students or not. If you intend to pursue a doctorate at JGU, you must apply for admission as a doctoral candidate through the online platform at jogustine.uni-mainz.de. Complete the online form, print it, sign it, and present it to your supervisor for their signature.

Recognition of Foreign Certificates

Doctoral candidates with foreign (university) certificates must have these certificates recognized by the International Admission Office. Information for candidates with foreign certificates is available here. Please note that the recognition process is subject to fees and may take some time. The recognition request must also be submitted online via the Jogustine portal. Detailed information and instructions for completing the application can be found here.

Before Admission as a Doctoral Candidate

Once you have printed the completed application for admission as a doctoral candidate and obtained your supervisor’s signature, you must submit it, along with all required documents (university certificates, recognition certificates if applicable, proof of university entrance qualification, language certificates if necessary), to the Faculty 07 Dean’s Office (Ms. Bergner). The admission requirements will be verified based on the doctoral degree regulations.

A detailed overview of the subject-specific requirements can be found in the appendix of the Doctoral Regulations.

Under specific prerequisites, it is also possible to pursue a doctorate in a former minor subject, a related field, or with a bachelor’s or university of applied sciences degree. For further details, please refer to Section 3 of the Doctoral Regulations. In this case, please contact the Dean’s Office in advance.

Admission as a Doctoral Candidate

If you meet the admission requirements, the Dean’s Office will issue a written confirmation of your admission as a doctoral candidate (referred to as an admission notice). The date of the admission notice is considered the official start of your doctoral program. With the issuance of the admission notice, your registration as a doctoral candidate is complete.

You may conclude a supervision agreement with your supervisor. A draft of such an agreement is available here.

Enrollment as a Doctoral Student (Optional)

If you wish to enroll as a doctoral student in addition to registering, you can indicate this during the application process. After you receive the written admission confirmation, the Dean’s Office will forward your application – along with any additional documents required for enrollment – to the Student Services Office. You will then receive further information regarding your enrollment.

Enrolled doctoral candidates gain student status, with all associated rights (e.g., semester ticket, voting rights in the student group) and obligations (e.g., payment of the semester fee). If you do not wish to enroll immediately, you may request enrollment at a later date through a separate application.

Submission of the Dissertation (Initiation of the Examination Process)

The examination process begins with the submission of the written examination (dissertation). For the required form and further details on admission to the doctoral examination process, please refer to the section on “Admission to Doctoral Studies” and choose the applicable Doctoral Regulations for your case.

Please schedule an appointment with Ms. Bergner at the Dean’s Office to submit your dissertation.

For the documents and forms please see the German pages.

Are there any formal requirements for the dissertation?

The examination regulations do not specify any requirements regarding the appearance of the dissertation. You have complete freedom in choosing the format. However, it is advisable to discuss font size, line spacing, margins, and similar aspects with your supervisor. Please avoid spiral binding!

Do I need to be enrolled at the time of the oral examination?

No, you do not need to be enrolled at any point during the doctoral process. However, registration is mandatory.

Who determines the second evaluator and the members of the examination committee? (old regulations)

According to the examination regulations, this is the responsibility of the dean. It is recommended, however, to suggest suitable candidates to the dean in consultation with your supervisor.

Can I use the title “Dr. des.” after the oral examination?

The examination regulations do not recognize the title “Dr. des.” so you are not permitted to use it. After successful publication, you may use the title “Dr. phil.” Please check section 22 of the 2000 Doctoral Regulations or section 24 of the 2016 Doctoral Regulations.

I want to pursue a PhD, but I have a Master’s/Magister’s degree in a different field. Is that possible?

Under certain conditions, it is possible to pursue a Docorate in a related or neighboring field. Please refer to the guidelines in section 3 of the doctoral regulations and seek advice from the examination office.

The Dean’s Office of Faculty 07 is responsible for habilitations. If you have any question, please contact Ms. Ines Bergner. You can find the current habilitation regulations here.