FAQs

Here you can find answers to the most important questions regarding Studium Generale and the ZfS.

In the event that you cannot find an answer to your question, feel free to send us an e-mail to: studiumgenerale@service.uni-mannheim.de

 

FAQ

General Information

Where is the Studium Generale office?

This is our address:

L9,7

1st Floor, Room 110

68161 Mannheim

Currently, our office can only be reached via e-mail or WhatsApp – until further notice.

 

 

I have problems registering / signing up for a course.

If you should encounter any problems when registering or when signing up for a course, send us an e-mail or contact us via WhatsApp.

Universität Mannheim Service und Marketing GmbH

Studium Generale

Tel.: +49 621 181 1162

WhatsApp: +49 159 01944005

E-mail to the Studium Generale team

Who can sign up for courses at Studium Generale?

Our courses are open for anyone who is interested. All you have to do is register. You can take part in our courses as a university or college student, a school student, a vocational trainee, an au pair, an employed person, a senior – as anyone, actually. However, the prices could vary, depending on your status. To find out how much you have to pay, check our Terms of Payment below.

What is a “teaching unit” (German: UE)?

A teaching unit is 45 minutes long. If a course goes from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., for example, one session will comprise 2 teaching units (= 90 minutes).

Do I have to buy the required textbook(s) prior to the first lesson?

Required textbooks have to be procured and purchased by the participants themselves However, it is recommendable to wait until after the first session before you buy the book.

Do I get a certificate at the end of the course??

A certificate is issued at the end of each course.

In the language courses, an achievement test or a home assignment or presentation will take place at the end of the course. A graded certificate of participation will be issued if the final test is passed. If the test is failed, an ungraded certificate will be issued, provided the participant attended the course regularly (i.e. not more than four teaching units of non-attendance, which generally corresponds to two sessions). One teaching unit is 45 minutes.

For weekend courses, IT courses, or Communication courses (less than 24 teaching units), you are required to be in attendance for the complete course to receive a certificate (unless you were ill and can verify that with a doctor’s certificate).

Certificates that are not picked up will be kept at the Studium Generale office for 4 semesters.

These certificates do not qualify as proof of academic achievement according to the study and examination regulations of regular study programs!!!

You can pick up your certificate at our office after arranging an appointment with us via e-mail. As an alternative, we can send you the scanned-in certificate by e-mail.

Can certificates be sent to me by regular post?

This is only possible if you first send us a large (A4) self-addressed and sufficiently stamped envelope.

Information for students of other universities and colleges

Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Students of the HdBA (University of Applied Labour Studies) can – under certain circumstances – attend the courses of Studium Generale free of charge.

Further information can be found here.

Hochschule der Wirtschaft für Management

Students of the HdWM can – under certain circumstances – attend the courses of Studium Generale free of charge.

Further information can be found here.

Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft Ludwigshafen

Students of the HWG Ludwigshafen can attend courses of the Studium Generale. For a possible full or partial reimbursement of participation fees, conditions of the university must be met, in particular pre-registration. You can find all information on this on the website of the HWG Ludwigshafen.

Duale Hochschule Baden Württemberg

Students of the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg Mannheim (Cooperative State University Baden-Württemberg, Mannheim) can sign up for the courses of Studium Generale.

Further information can be found here.

Terms of payment / Cancelling

How much are the course fees?

Information about course fees can be found under the respective course.

Our fees are divided into two categories: reduced fees, and fees for external participants.

The following participants are eligible for reduced fees:

  • students of all universities and colleges in Germany
  • school students
  • vocational trainees
  • employees of the University of Mannheim
  • members of the Studierendenwerk Mannheim
  • ABSOLVENTUM members
  • au-pairs

People who do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups are charged the regular fees for external participants. 

NOTE: Possible exceptions are stated directly under the course in question.

Other terms of payment apply for students of the DHBW Mannheim and the Hochschule Ludwigshafen. See above under “Information for students of other universities and colleges”.

How do I pay the course fees?

You have the following options to pay your course fees:

  • Google Pay
  • Apple Pay
  • Direct debit
  • Credit card

 

Can I change the course after I’ve already signed up?

In principle, signing up for a course is binding.

Changing a course is possible if the instructor of the original course fills out a “course changer” note for you and a place is still available in the desired course.

What happens if I cancel my registration after the cancellation notice period, or if I don’t show up to the course?

The participant can cancel the agreement no later than 6 days (to the day) before the course begins without stating a reason. You can cancel directly on the registration portal. If you cancel in good time, and you have already paid for the course, you will get your fees refunded.

A cancellation of your registration for a course after the cancellation notice period (i.e. later than 6 days before the course begins, to the day) is only possible via e-mail, but the fees cannot be refunded unless the participant can provide someone to take their place. You are not entitled to receive a voucher for another course.

If you are forced to cancel on account of circumstances beyond your control (e.g. illness [in which case a doctor’s certificate needs to be presented]), the course fee will be refunded. This is also the case if you are required to attend a compulsory event at your university or college that takes place at the same time as the course and can verify this with a relevant certification.

Not showing up for the course does not constitute a formal cancellation. Non-attendance will lead to the course fee being charged or, if it has already been paid, it will not be refunded.

What happens if a course is cancelled?

  • Should the course be cancelled on our part, or if you are forced to cancel on account of circumstances beyond your control (e.g. illness [in which case a doctor’s certificate needs to be presented]), the course fee will be refunded.
  • In the event that too few people sign up for a course, the course generally has to be cancelled, as each course needs to pay for itself with the course fees.

Is there compulsory attendance?

The identity of the course participants can be checked by the course instructor at any time through a student ID-card or any other form of official photo ID.

Also check the “Information for students of other universities and colleges”.

Signing up for a course

How do I register?

Your way to the registration

How do I sign up for a course?

Registering and signing up for a course can be found here.

 

ZfS

Who are the ZfS courses offered by Studium Generale for?

ZfS courses are only for those students for whom such a course is required according to the study regulations.

How do I sign up for a ZfS course?

You can only sign up via Portal². Please note the registration deadlines here. To sign up for leftover slots, please send us an e-mail.

Do I have to register for an exam in Portal2 for the ZfS course?

Yes, by all means. Even if you do not write the exam, we can only enter your passing a course in Portal2 if you have registered for the exam. This applies to all our courses! Please note the registration deadlines here.

What happens if I miss the deadline to register for an exam?

Report to the Express Service. A delayed registering for an exam is generally possible.

How can I change a course?

You can find all the important information on the ZfS homepage. Basically, there are two possibilities to change a course: either you find someone who can take your place, or there is still an available slot in one of the courses you wish to change to. Please get in touch with us via e-mail as soon as possible if you wish to change a course.

Can I cancel a course after it has started?

Yes. Please get in touch with us by e-mail. Cancelling the registration for an exam, however, is only possible up to a certain time before the end of the course via the Express Service.

Can I sign up for more than one course per semester?

Yes. However, Portal2 will only allocate one course to you. If you want to sign up for more than one course within a semester, send us an e-mail. We can then accept you for any available leftover slots.