Suspension of Academic Progress Control during the Corona Pandemic #

In the summer semester of 2020, due to the initial lockdown, rapid transition to online learning, and of course the pandemic itself, the Bavarian state parliament decided that the summer semester should not count towards the standard period of study (RSZ). In parallel, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) suspended academic progress control (SFK) for one semester, as well as certain deadlines such as basic and orientation exams (GOP) set by the faculties.

This regulation was reintroduced for WS20/21, SS21 and WS21/22.

In short: #

• SS20, WS20/21, SS21, and WS21/22 do not count as academic semesters and do not count towards the standard period of study (RSZ) or SFK requirements.
• SFK rule of thumb: Deduct 30 ECTS per Corona-semester from the requirements
• No obligation to take exams in a Corona-semester (including compulsory courses)
• Number of attempts for GOP exams still count (maximum of 2 attempts, except for “Joker subjects”)
• Corona-semesters cannot be transferred to a new degree program (e.g., BSEI -> MSEI)
• Suspension of SFK shifts deadlines for GOP exams and master core modules.

Academic Progress Control Explained in More Detail #

Academic Progress Control is meant to motivate students to complete their studies quickly and “on time” (meaning within the standard period of study). At TUM, it is defined by the APSO or FPSO, and is therefore applicable to (almost) all degree programs at TUM. Following the RSZ, one should achieve 30 ECTS per semester (exception: MSE with ES requires 35). SFK usually starts after the third semester. From the third semester on, 30 credits per semester are required. The exact numbers required can be found here:

• After the first semester: 0 ECTS
• After the second semester: 0 ECTS
• After the third semester: 30 ECTS
• After the fourth semester: 60 ECTS
• After the fifth semester: 90 ECTS
• After the sixth semester: 120 ECTS
• After the seventh semester: 150 ECTS
• After the eighth semester: 180 ECTS

The FPSO for the Bachelor’s degree program in EI has stricter rules for the first two semesters. This means that anyone who has passed the GOP with a total of 60 ECTS has already fulfilled the academic progress control by the 4th semester.

Our Master’s programs, however, only have 120 ECTS; therefore, the RSZ for the Master’s degree is four semesters. However, the SFK remains the same. Similar to the Bachelor’s degree program, the Master’s program has different regulations from the FSPO.

With the suspension of SFK, you have to deduct 30 ECTS from the required sum per Covid-semester. The four Covid semesters are: SS20, WS20/21, SS21, and WS21/22

You can find more detailed information here:

Note: The table only applies to the current degree program! If you switch to another program (e.g., Master’s), the rules apply from the new start of the program. Therefore, you cannot transfer Corona-semesters!