22.26 What types of part-time study programs are available?

As a rule, the respective state higher education law sets forth specific provisions governing the structure of part-time study programs. These provisions are decisive for the design of part-time study programs.

From an accreditation perspective, there are two types of part-time study:

In the case of a structured part-time degree program—which is often a variation of a full-time degree program—a separate standard period of study for the part-time program, which is longer than that of the full-time program, is specified in the regulations. For part-time study, a specific study plan is included in the program documentation.

In the case of a customized part-time degree program, students may apply to study on a part-time basis for individual semesters, with the course of study for the part-time semesters determined on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, conditions under which a part-time semester may be completed (e.g., working a certain number of hours, caring for family members, or similar) are specified, as are upper limits on the maximum number of credit points that may be earned in a part-time semester. The standard duration of study is not affected by this individualized part-time program; however, as a rule, a semester completed on a part-time basis counts only as half a semester. Individualized part-time study is often interdisciplinary and is sometimes regulated university-wide in general regulations, framework examination regulations, or specific part-time study regulations. In program-specific study and examination regulations, individualized part-time study is often not covered at all. At some higher education institutions, the study and examination regulations must specify that the specific study programme is suitable for an individualized part-time programme.

The widespread phenomenon in which students are enrolled in a full-time program but, based on their own decision, do not devote the time intended for that program is not relevant to accreditation under § 12(6) of the MRVO.