Multiple Degrees / Joint Programs

As soon as the decision to establish a multiple degree / a joint program has been made, detailed information is collected and clarifications are made with the partner universities to provide an assessment of the feasibility of the program. During the clarification phase, a planning outline ("Planungsskizze") is drawn up, which the the University Executive Board will use as a basis for whether this is approved.

In addition to the questions already raised during the identification phase, important detailed decisions should be made with the partner(s) during this clarification phase. Particularly noteworthy here are the type of degree and certificate, the study plan and the admission and entry requirements. The information is bundled in the planning outline that describes the planned program. The Administrative Unit for Teaching and Studies supports faculties in filling out the planning outline and coordinates the clarification of individual questions with the Administrative Unit for University Development and Capacity Planning, the Legal Office and the Administrative Department for Student Affairs (esp. the Student Office and Central Examination Office).

Those initiating the degree program then approach the dean's office of the responsible faculty with the planning outline and a description of the project, supplemented by possible funding options, in order for the faculty council to arrange further planning. After a positive decision by the faculty council, the Administrative Unit for Teaching and Studies will submit the planning outline to the University Executive Board for its approval. The person responsible for the degree program and the dean of studies are present to represent their concerns when the University Executive Board makes their decision. The University Executive Board then issues a planning order, which may contain conditions or recommendations for the further planning process.

After the University Executive Board decides on a planning order, the course of study is specified, regulations are created or updated and the cooperation agreement is concluded with the partner(s). The Administrative Unit for Teaching and Studies draws up a detailed schedule for implementation, which is used to coordinate the process for accreditation and regulations and to clarify the administrative steps. The following documents are required so that the establishment of the program can be decided by the Academic Senate at the end of this phase:

• Cooperation agreement with the partner university(s), which contains agreements on the cooperation, regulations of the admission of students and the study program, as well as quality management. The appendix contains a coordinated study plan, the examination requirements and a grade conversion table for the partners. The legal office is responsible for this step and becomes involved at an early stage by the Administrative Unit for Teaching and Studies.
• Approved admission regulations (or entry and admission regulations) for master's programs or an approved amendment to the existing statutes for bachelor's programs at the University of Bremen.
• The draft of a widely agreed examination regulation with essential examination regulations for students of the multiple degree program, including a study plan and the grade conversion table from the cooperation agreement.

If a new degree program (which is usually the case for joint degrees) is planned, accreditation of the degree program is also required. This step must be considered during the process and planned for in advance. It takes place after the University Executive Board issues the planning order by and before the faculty council makes its final decision on the regulatory means, and is a prerequisite for the establishment of the program by the Academic Senate.

Once the establishment of the program has been approved by the Academic Senate, its implementation in the online portals (MOIN and PABO), advertising for the program and finally the application of the students begins. Before the start of the program, the examination regulations are finalized and the event planning, including space requirements, is carried out.

The implementation phase should begin no later than one year before the start of the program in order to be able to implement all application requirements in terms of conception and technology and to enable adequate advertising for the program. In particular in case of international study programs, the application period begins earlier than for regular programs, since visa issues for interested non-European students must be clarified before the start of the program and admission must therefore be confirmed at an early stage.