Questions & Answers

Here you can find the most frequently asked questions and respective answers. Please note that the information given by the course guidance isn’t legally binding. The information given by the Board of Examiners as well as the study guidelines is mandatory.

Application and admission

What requirements do I have to fulfil in order to be admitted to the Master's programme?

The programme is aimed at prospective students with a university degree in social sciences, mathematics, economics, psychology or another subject area relevant to statistics with an overall grade of at least "good" (2.5) and knowledge in statistics/quantitative methods amounting to 30 ECTS credits or knowledge in statistics/quantitative methods amounting to at least 50 ECTS credits and an average grade of at least 2.5 for the modules considered. As a non-native speaker you must further provide proof of a B2 (or higher) language level.

 

Which courses/modules are taken into account for the 30 ECTS (or 50 ECTS) as part of the admission requirements?

All courses related to quantitative methods, statistics, computer-aided statistics (R, SPSS, STATA) and mathematics, as well as theses with a clear quantitative reference can be considered. In addition, modules from computer science with reference to mathematics/data analysis as well as programming languages used for data analysis (Python/SQL, etc.) are also relevant.

If the module title does not clearly indicate the statistical or methodological reference, please submit an excerpt from the module handbook. In addition, the modules that could be considered for recognition of the 30 ECTS (or 50 ECTS) should already be marked in colour.

 

What cannot be taken into account within the framework of the 30 ECTS (or 50 ECTS)?

Qualitative modules, ungraded internships and activities as a student assistant/tutor are not taken into account.

 

What can I do to provide missing ECTS points?

If you are unable to gain the required ECTS points within the framework of your studies, either in the regular course of studies or as a voluntary additional subject, you have the option of completing a module course at the University of Bamberg. There you can take appropriate courses (e.g. Fundamentals of Econometrics, Multivariate Methods,...). Missing ECTS points can also be acquired within the framework of a summer school.

 

Can I already apply for the Master's programme even if I have not yet passed all the examinations for the successful Bachelor's degree?

Yes, this is possible. However, at the time of application, all achievements of the 30 ECTS required for admission must be documented, i.e. these modules must already have been completed.

 

What deadlines do I have to observe when applying/enrolling?

The admission process takes approximately two weeks, which is why an application should be submitted no later than two weeks before the end of the enrolment period of the respective semester.

 

Which documents do I have to submit with the application for the Master's programme?

Bachelor's degree certificate or transcript of records, printed online application form, curriculum vitae and the certificate of higher education entrance qualification.

 

What can I do if I do not yet have my Bachelor's degree certificate at the time of application?

You apply with your Transcript of Records. Your grade point average will be calculated on the basis of your performance to date and you will receive provisional admission if your application is successful.

 

How many study places are available?

There is currently no restriction.

 

Who can help me with problems in the course of my online application?

In this case, please contact the Student Office.

Who will answer my questions regarding the organisation of the internship?

Organisational questions can be sent by email to miss(at)uni-bamberg.de.

 

Who is responsible for the approval of internships and the recognition of the internship?

The responsibility for the approval of internship places and internships as well as for the final recognition of the internship, if the report is available and the internship place has been approved in advance of the completion at the University of Bamberg, is the responsibility of the study representative or the subject-related study counselling.

Further information can be found here.
 

How much time do I have to plan in advance to be sure that my internship will be recognised by the Otto-Friedrich-Universit?t Bamberg before the internship starts?

Contact should be made with the relevant office at least four weeks before the start of the internship in order to be able to count on a timely response before the start of the internship.

 

Where can I do my internship?

In the Master's programme Survey Statistics, you can complete your internship either in a privately organised company, in official statistics or at other public research institutions.

In principle, the choice of internship location requires prior approval by the examination board (exception: subsequent recognition of an internship). In your application, describe the circumstances of the internship in bullet points, if the internship has not already been recognised by the Examination Committee Survey Statistics (pa.ma-miss(at)uni-bamberg.de). Internships that have already been recognised can be viewed during the office hours of the study programme officer.

 

Can I also do the internship part-time, e.g. at the weekend?

In principle, part-time internships are possible during your studies. The examination and study regulations do not state whether your working hours are at the weekend. However, you should be in contact with the supervisor of the internship.

 

Is it possible to complete an internship or research project at a university department or institute?

Yes, this is possible. The application there is the same as for an "external" internship.

 

What is the difference between a research project and an internship?

An internship is a research or practical activity and can be completed either in a privately organised company, in official statistics or at other public research institutions. Within the meaning of section 22(1) sentence 2 MiLoG, this is a compulsory internship with a workload of 240 or 480 hours.

A research project involves working on a suitable research project at the University of Bamberg or one of its cooperation partners. Although the research project is rather project-related, the temporal scope should be oriented towards 240 or 480 hours.

 

Which companies and institutions in Bamberg and the surrounding area offer internships?

You can find possible companies and institutions under job portals for "MiSSians". A list of potential internships in Bamberg and the surrounding area can be viewed during the office hours of the study programme officer at the Chair of Statistics and Econometrics.

 

Can the load of courses and study and examination credits be reduced or lifted during the internship?

Since an internship within the meaning of Art. 48 S. 2 of the Bavarian Higher Education Act (BayHSchG) is considered an "important reason", an exemption from the obligation to study properly ("leave of absence") can be granted for the period in which the internship and/or research project is completed.

 

When should the internship in the Master's degree programme be completed?

In the full-time degree programme, the internship or research project should be completed before or after the 3rd semester as part of a semester off or while studying. In the part-time degree programme, the research and practical work can also be completed part-time before the 4th semester: either during the course of study or as a block during the semester break.

The recognition of research project or internship work that was already completed before the start of the Master Survey Statistics programme is not possible!

 

Is it possible for working students or part-time students to complete the internship at their own workplace?

Yes, but the generally applicable requirements of a suitable internship placement must be met, i.e. among other things, a subject-specific supervisor must be available and an internship report on an agreed specific topic must be written.

 

Are there possibilities for other professions to have their previous work recognised?

No. The internship must take place in the course of the Master's programme after enrolment in the Master's programme in Survey Statistics. It is also recommended to have gained a relevant insight into various module groups and diverse study modules of survey statistics in advance of the internship, before a really profitable and demanding internship or research project can be completed.

Which modules can be taken in the area of application in module group 5?

The selection of Master's degree programmes from which elective modules can be taken can be found in the examination and study regulations. The taking of a module should be discussed with the respective lecturer beforehand.

Do I have to be enrolled at the time of submitting the Master's thesis?

Yes, the Master's thesis must be registered at least 6 months before the end of the maximum period of study.

 

I am currently writing my final thesis. Do I still have to re-register for the coming semester with the Student Registry if I cannot be sure that the grade will be available in the same semester?

It is the time of submission that counts, not the time of grading.

 

Who can supervise my Master's thesis?

Prof. Dr. A?mann, Prof. Dr. Leucht, Prof. Dr. Schmid, Dr. Meinfelder and Dr. Messingschlager can be considered for this. In the case of chairs from other disciplines, the approval of the examination board is required. In principle, supervision by Prof. Dr. Engelhardt-W?lfler and Prof. Dr. Trappmann is approved.

 

Do I have to find a topic myself?

Students should always choose a subfield in which they would like to write their thesis.

 

Is there a colloquium for the Master's thesis?

Within the framework of the Master's thesis, a colloquium takes place (usually a presentation in the Statistical-Econometric Main Seminar).

 

Is it possible to write an external Master's thesis in cooperation with a company?

External Master's theses that build on an internship in a company or research institution, for example, are welcome.

I would like to do a stay abroad. What are the possibilities?

There are currently two Erasmus places per semester at the University of Florence. For more detailed information on how to apply etc., please refer to the pages of the International Office. There is also the possibility to go abroad on your own initiative. In both cases, we strongly recommend contacting the study programme representative before going abroad to clarify questions regarding credit transfer.

 

I am a foreign student applicant and my mother tongue is not German. What do I have to consider when applying?

Foreign applicants whose native language is not German and who have not graduated from a German university must provide proof of the C2 language certificate in German when applying. If you can prove B2 or C1 level, please contact the International Office. In this case, you can also be approved for admission to the Master's programme after passing the DSH examination.

The recognition/certification of certificates and degrees is carried out by the Students' Office.

 

I will soon be going to a foreign partner university. Which modules can I have credited?

Please have the content equivalence/credibility confirmed before providing the service. You can find the form for Learning Agreements here.

 

I would like to receive credit for modules that I completed abroad. How does the conversion of grades work?

For this, please contact the examination board of the Master's programme in Survey Statistics.

 

I obtained my Bachelor's degree abroad and am now interested in studying Survey Statistics. Can I apply for this degree programme?

See FAQs on application and admission. Foreign students are also asked to contact the Registrar's Office to arrange the necessary language skills. General information for foreign students can be found here.

I have written an exam and failed it. Do I have to repeat the exam at the next regular exam date?

The examination must be offered again at the next possible date, but there is no compulsory registration obligation. Therefore, there is no automatic registration in FlexNow for the next regular examination date.

 

How often am I allowed to repeat an exam?

A failed module examination or partial module examination can be repeated up to the end of the maximum duration of study at a regular examination date and without limitation of the number of failed attempts (see Examination and Study Regulations).
 

I have discovered that, contrary to expectations, a certain compulsory elective module does not suit me. Can I change the module?

Even if a compulsory elective module is not passed, another compulsory elective module can be taken instead and brought in.

 

Are exams that I have not passed listed in the certificate? Are voluntary additional achievements listed in the certificate?

They are not listed on the transcript, but you can have a transcript of records created in FlexNow with or without failed attempts.

 

Can I already take Master's modules in the Bachelor's programme and credit them in my later Master's programme?

Yes, modules from the Master's programme that were already completed in the Bachelor's programme can be credited.

 

I have changed my degree programme. Where can I get credit for my previous achievements?

Please contact anrechnung.stat-oek(at)uni-bamberg.de with your completed form for the crediting of examination achievements.

 

I have changed my degree programme. How does the placement in the right semester work?

See the examination and study regulations for this.

 

Can I also take Bachelor modules in the Master's programme?

Generally not, unless the module in question is also part of a Master's degree programme at the Otto-Friedrich-Universit?t Bamberg.

 

A variety of courses are offered at the VHB (www.vhb.org). Which courses can I have recognised?

Crediting of courses is possible in principle, but should be discussed with the examination board.

 

Unfortunately, I was prevented from attending the introductory days (EETs) and have not made a timetable now. Which courses should I best take in the first semester?

Information on this can be found in the freely accessible VC course Master of Survey Statistics.