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Waiver of long-term tuition fees

Section 12 of the Nieders. Higher Education Act (NHG) in conjunction with the corresponding ordinance stipulates that students can study at German universities without having to pay long-term tuition fees as long as their study credit has not been used up.

As soon as students no longer have a study credit balance, the university charges tuition fees on behalf of the state in accordance with Section 13 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG). Higher Education Act (NHG), due to the increased utilisation of the state-financed university infrastructure, a long-term tuition fee of € 500 for each semester.

Declaration of study credit

A study credit is calculated from the legal basis as follows:

Standard period of study of the respective degree programme in which you are currently enrolled, plus 6 tolerance semesters.

This also takes into account periods of study that have already been completed at other German universities.

Study credit Bachelor programmes

Examples

Bachelor's degree programme in Tourism Management:
6 semesters standard period of study + 6 semesters tolerance = 12 semesters study credit

Bachelor's degree programme in Business Law:
7 semesters standard period of study + 6 semesters tolerance = 13 semesters study credit

Study credits for consecutive Master's programmes

For consecutive Master ' s degree programmes, in addition to any remaining study credit from the Bachelor's degree programmes, the semesters within the standard period of study for the Master's degree programme are generally exempt from the long-term study fee (3 or 4 semesters). However, previous periods of study in other consecutive Master's degree programmes must be taken into account.

fee-based continuing education programmes and online degree programmes

There are no study credit accounts for fee-based continuing education programmes and for online study programmes, as no long-term tuition fees are incurred for these study programmes.

Application

Special life circumstances may mean that the student credit account can be increased or that students can be exempted from paying long-term tuition fees on application.

You can claim reasons for exemption at the latest with the notification of the long-term tuition fee obligation, which you will receive from the Enrolment Office as soon as your tuition credit has been used up. To do this, submit the application (form can be found in the downloads section) together with the necessary proof to the Enrolment Office.

Application for an increase in study credit

Reasons for not reducing the study credit according to § 12 NHG:

  • Childcare within the meaning of § 25 para. 5 BAföG (only up to the age of 14)
  • Caring for a close relative in need of care
  • Elected representatives in a body of the university, the student body, the student union or the faculty
  • Exercise of the office of Equal Opportunities Officer

Application for a waiver of the long-term tuition fee

Reasons for exemption from long-term tuition fees according to § 13 para. 1 NHG:

  • Childcare within the meaning of § 25 para. 5 BAföG (only up to the age of 14)
  • Caring for a close relative in need of care
  • Completion of a period of study abroad as provided for in the study and examination regulations
    Abroad
  • Practical semester according to study regulations

or waiver of long-term tuition fees according to § 14 para. 2 NHG:

  • Undue hardship - effect of extending the period of study due to a disability or serious illness

Download & Links

Applications for the winter semester 2025/26 can be submitted until 12 June 2025.

Application for an increase in study credit (WS 2025/26), PDF, 106.86 KB (opens in a new window), (not accessible)
Application for waiver of long-term tuition fees (WS 2025/26), PDF, 70.37 KB (opens in a new window), (not accessible)

Legal basis

Contact persons

Enrolment office

Office hours:

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Friday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm