Further Development of Studies and Teaching

The amending statute contains every change or addition to the existing content of a statute or regulation. The amending statute consists of a heading, a preamble, the changes to the subject matter, information on the entry into force, any transitional provisions and any annexes.

The reading version is an unofficial document without legal force. It is only intended for clarity and as a service for readers. In the reading version, all changes specified in the amending statute are inserted into the original text. The amendments are not labelled as such.

In Brandenburg, the Ordinance on the Regulation of Study Accreditation (Study Accreditation Ordinance - StudAkkV) in its current version and the substantiation of the specimen decree are relevant as an interpretation of the StudAkkV.

Newly established degree programmes are accredited for the first time. The initial accreditation must take place at the latest by the time the first cohort has completed the degree programme within the standard period of study. Existing degree programmes are reaccredited. The initial accreditation and reaccreditation are each valid for 8 years.

Approximately 3 years before the accreditation deadline, the accreditation process begins at the FH Potsdam. Degree programmes that have a high degree of subject proximity are grouped together and accredited jointly.

Based on the evaluations and the recommendations of the experts from the previous accreditation, all aspects of the degree programmes are examined and needs and potentials are identified. The further developments are fixed with the help of the degree programme documents, whereby the study and examination regulations and the module handbook are revised and the other documents are amended or also revised.

Once the adapted degree programme documents have been largely completed, work begins on the two-volume self-evaluation report. The first volume contains a description of the degree programme or degree programmes in the bundle. The structure is based on the StudAkkV. The second volume contains all the appendices that support the description in the first volume. These include degree programme documents, diploma supplements, overviews of personnel and material resources, evaluation results, student statistics and university-wide regulations/statutes/guiding principles.

Approximately 3 years before the start of the degree programme, the establishment process begins at the FH Potsdam. First, the department prepares a concept paper with the essential information on the profile and structure of the planned degree programme (including qualification profile, target group, content, subject context, type of degree programme, curriculum, examination concept, cohort size) and an analysis of the German higher education landscape in the relevant area. Following a positive vote by the faculty and university management, the degree programme documents are drawn up. Following a successful committee vote and approval by the MWFK, the programme is established. The initial accreditation must take place at the latest by the time the first cohort has completed the degree programme within the standard period of study.

For degree programmes whose establishment has been agreed within the framework of university contracts or target and performance agreements between the university and the member of the state government responsible for the universities, the shortened establishment process at the FH Potsdam begins approximately 2 years before the start of study operations. The concept paper is omitted, so that the creation of the degree programme documents can begin immediately. After a successful committee process and approval by the MWFK, the programme is established. Initial accreditation must take place at the latest by the time the first cohort has completed the degree programme within the standard period of study.

The following guidelines and regulations govern studies and teaching in Brandenburg:

• Brandenburg University Act (BbgHG)
• Brandenburg University Examination Ordinance (HSPV)
• Brandenburg University Admissions Act (BbgHZG)
• Brandenburg University Admission Ordinance (HZV).

The general statutes and framework regulations of the FH Potsdam contain regulations that apply to all degree programmes. These are published in the official announcements of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. The following framework regulations, as amended, are relevant for the creation of degree programme documents:

• Basic Regulations of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
• Framework regulations for studies and teaching at the University of Applied Sciences
• Framework regulations for access and admission at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
• Framework regulations for determining artistic aptitude for the artistic Bachelor's degree programmes at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.

The programme and examination regulations regulate the content and organisation of the respective degree programme, including practical study components and the final thesis. Admission requirements, form of study and standard period of study as well as the form of coursework and examinations are also set out in the subject-specific regulations. In particular, regulations on examination modalities such as examination deadlines, the number and form of examinations to be taken and their requirements (performance assessment process) are listed there. An exemplary study plan shows the structure of the degree programme during the standard period of study.

The module manual contains all modules to be taken in the respective degree programme. It provides detailed information on the content, the qualification objectives, the associated courses and the required coursework and examinations for the individual modules.

The selection statute regulates the selection criteria and the procedure for selecting applicants for the respective degree programme. In addition to the university entrance qualification, further criteria such as stays abroad, professional experience or internships can be specified. The selection criteria differ depending on the degree programme.

The aptitude test at the FH Potsdam serves to determine artistic aptitude for the respective degree programme. The aptitude test statutes regulate the assessment criteria and the procedure for determining aptitude. The assessment criteria differ depending on the degree programme.

If a degree programme includes compulsory work placement components, the respective framework conditions (in particular content, duration, suitable work placement locations and required coursework and examinations) must be regulated. This can be done in the programme and examination regulations or in a separate internship regulation.