Examinations
The registration for all examinations and term papers in seminars and lectures at the Institute of Political Science is to be completed online via heiCO.
Please mind that in the summer semester 2024, you must register for presentations with the teacher in each course, not via heiCO. You will get more information on the registration in the course’s first session. The registration deadline is May 5, 2024.
Who needs to register online?
All students must register online in order to receive credit. Illustrated guides to online registration and withdrawal can be found in the section “exam management” here.
What do I need to register for?
You must register on time for everything you wish to receive credits points for (examinations, presentations, and term papers) via heiCO.
When are the registration deadlines?
- Presentations: Registration and deregistration possible until the 3rd Sunday of the lecture period
- Term papers: Registration and deregistration possible until the last day of the lecture period
- Written examinations: Registration and deregistration possible until seven days prior to the examination date. Please mind the exam dates published on the institute’s homepage. You can choose whether you want to write the examination on the first or second date.
What happens if I miss a registration deadline but still take the exam/write the paper?
Due to the examination regulations and in order to ensure transparent, fair, and equal conditions for all students, credit will only be given for examinations, presentations, term papers, etc. which have been registered.
Can I register directly with the instructor of a course?
No. Exams, presentations, term papers, etc. can only be registered for via heiCO.
Is registration binding?
Yes! Should you not show up for an examination for which you have registered or fail to turn in a paper by the designated due date, you will not receive credit and automatically fail this exam/paper (grade of 5).
In cases of illness or injury: Instructors should be notified as soon as possible by submitting a doctor’s note. The examination regulations state that the instructor (and not the doctor) decides whether the note suffices to excuse a student from an exam.
Can I choose when I will take a written examination?
Yes! You can choose on which of the two dates you will take your exam (with the exception of the IT-Test in the statistic seminar). Please note that students who do not pass an exam on the first date will not be automatically registered for the second date and have to do so in heiCO.
Important information about choosing an exam date:
Most compulsory courses are taught every other semester. Should you choose to take an exam on the second date and fail it, you will have to wait two semesters to take the exam again. Students are not entitled to re-take exams in the following semester.
Some elective and compulsory elective courses may only be taught once. Please consider these aspects when planning your studies and the corresponding examination dates (for more information see the respective program’s FAQs).
Can I split module exams in the compulsory modules?
Module examinations in compulsory modules – comprising a seminar and lecture component – should be completed in the same examination period and cannot be split between the first and second examination dates.
How will I get my grade?
Grades from classes attended at the Institute of Political Science will be entered in heiCO. Students who are enrolled at the institute must make sure to register each examination in the correct module.
Students from other departments who register an examination outside of a study context must get in touch with their point of contact at the respective examination office or at the international office to make sure their grade is assigned to the correct study context.
Whom do I contact about questions or problems with registration?
Emails should be sent to the institute’s examinations office: pruefung@ipw.uni-heidelberg.de. We will be happy to answer your questions about registration/withdrawal as well as related inquiries.
