Course Choice
Course Choice
At HSG, course places are allocated by a bidding process based on interest and demand. As in an auction, you have to place bids in the form of points for the courses you want to attend. Places are allocated at the end of a bidding round according to the points you have placed. Therefore, it does not matter when you place your bid within a round.
You can only take exams and earn ECTS points for the courses for which you have been allocated a place in the bidding. To be eligible to bid, you must have paid your semester invoice on time.
Bidding takes place in Compass. You can find a schedule, an explainer video and further instructions on StudentWeb.
Timetable
Timetable
If you would like to create a provisional timetable before or during the bidding process, the Student Union (SHSG) offers the Biddit app. Please note that only the official information in the course and examination fact sheets and the examination schedules are legally binding. If you experience technical problems, please contact the SHSG directly.
Once the last round of bidding is over, you can import your final timetable from Compass into your personal calendar. Your courses will also be displayed in the StudyNet (Canvas) calendar after the bidding.
How to plan your semester
ECTS: plan the time required
The HSG uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) for the weighting and assessment of credits.
For a full-time programme, 30 ECTS points must be earned each semester. 1 ECTS point corresponds to 30 hours of work spread over the semester. If you are working while studying or planning an exchange, it may be sensible to extend your studies by one or two semesters.
Study plan: follow the requirements of the curriculum
Each degree programme at the HSG follows a curriculum that consists of core and contextual studies.
The core studies are divided into compulsory subjects, core electives and electives. Compulsory subjects are mandatory for all students in a degree programme and are usually offered only once a year. Core electives and electives allow you to focus on subject matters that suit your interests. A range of subject-specific courses are available for this purpose. Please note that you must take a minimum number of core electives.
In the contextual studies, you will be required to take courses in skills, languages (only at Bachelor's level) and in the focus areas. Contextual studies account for a quarter of the ECTS credits of your degree programme (except for Computer Science programmes).
A graphical representation of the curriculum and further advice on planning your studies can be found on the website of your degree programme. If you have any questions about the curriculum, please contact the programme managers.
Course fact sheets: compare the content of courses and exams
A fact sheet is provided for each course, listing the expected prior knowledge, learning objectives, course and examination content as well as the mandatory literature.
The information in the course fact sheets is binding from the start of the bidding process.
The course numbers indicate the level and semester in which the course takes place. The courses of the Assessment Year start with numbers 1 and 2, the Bachelor's programmes with numbers 3 to 6 and the Master's programmes with numbers 7 to 9. Courses numbered 10 and above are at PhD level. Odd numbers indicate the autumn semester (HS), even numbers the spring semester (FS).
Languages: courses in school and foreign languages
School and foreign language
When you registered for your studies, you specified a school language. All other languages are considered foreign languages.
No language courses in the school language can be taken or credited. Bilingual students can take language courses in their second school language.
Languages of instruction
The languages of instruction at the HSG are German and English. In certain Bachelor's and Master's programmes, a minimum number of ECTS points must be earned in courses taught in both German and English.
Please consult the website of your degree programme for information on the language of instruction and other language requirements.
Recommended language level
The level of competence for the bachelor's degree is level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and for the master's degree level C1.
Please note that these levels of competence are recommendations only.
Support services
If you would like to refresh or improve your language skills, our Language Services offer a range of options (including conversation courses).
Exams: check the dates
The HSG distinguishes between centrally and decentrally organised exams. When bidding, it is important to take into account the different exam dates and possible clashes.
- Centrally organised exams take place in the examination block following the lecture period (January/February or June/July). The examination schedule is published on StudentWeb one day before the start of the bidding.
- Decentrally organised examinations take place during the lecture period. The date of the exam will be announced by the lecturer in charge of the course.
Registration for the exams takes place automatically after the end of the course drop period, which lasts two weeks and starts after the bidding. You only need to register for the Accounting exam in Compass yourself.
If you want to postpone or cancel an exam, you must withdraw before the exam starts. You can make up an exam at an alternative date. At HSG, it is not possible to repeat exams that have already been taken in the same study try.