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Navigation auf uzh.ch
Start of the study program
I would like to start the Bachelor at IKMZ in spring semester. Is this possible?
Transfer of credits
Can I have modules from my former studies credited?
Transitional rules
Who do the transitional rules concern?
How many ECTS from the Studium Generale can I get credited to my Bachelor’s degree?
If a module from an old study program does not have the same amount of ECTS as the equivalent module in the new program, how many ECTS are credited to me?
Should I choose the 6 or the 15 ECTS Bachelor Thesis?
How do I know what achievements will be credited after changing into a new study program and which modules I still have to book?
How many core elective modules do I have to complete if I started my BA major (120) before fall semester 2019?
If a module of a new study program gives more ECTS than the old equivalent, do I have to gain extra ECTS in order to pass the module?
Booking modules
I am soon starting my Bachelor studies in communication science and media research. What should I book in my first year?
What is a compulsory module?
What is the difference between elective modules and core elective modules?
How do I know which module group a module belongs to?
How do I find a module in the course catalogue?
What to do if having technical problems with the booking or cancellation of modules?
I missed a deadline. Can I still book a module?
Overlap
Exams
How many times am I allowed to fail an exam?
Do I have to register separately for the exam?
How can I register for a retake in a compulsory module?
What do I have to do if I failed an exam?
Plagiarism and self-plagiarism
What is plagiarism?
May I use my own texts for more than one paper?
Changing degree or study program
I would like to switch my major with my minor. Is this possible?
Bachelor Thesis
Pre-Master's modules
Can I book Master modules while still being in my Bachelor's program?
Which modules can I book as pre-Master's modules?
Graduation
I would like to graduate my Bachelor’s program. What do I have to do?
How is the grade in the Bachelor’s diploma composed?
Contacts
Who can I contact if my question was not answered here?
Start of the study program
I would like to start the Bachelor at IKMZ in spring semester. Is this possible?
In general, it is possible to start in the spring semester. However, a start in spring takes one semester longer compared to a start in the fall semester. This is due to the different prerequisites of the individual modules and module groups, as well as the rhythms in which they are offered. If you start in the spring semester, you can already book the two compulsory modules "Basistheorien der Kommunikationswissenschaft" and "Statistik und Datenanalyse: Einführung". In addition, you can book elective and core elective modules from the groups "Gegenstandsbereiche der Kommunikationswissenschaft" and "Weitere Themenfelder der Kommunikationswissenschaft".
Transfer of credits
Can I have modules from my former studies credited?
Modules can only be credited if they have not been credited to another degree before. If a module is already listed in a certificate, it can no longer be credited for another degree.
In some cases, compulsory modules can be transferred. The respective ECTS, however, will have to be compensated.
Recognition of academic achievements
Transitional rules
Who do the transitional rules concern?
The transitional rules apply to all students who:
a) began their studies before the fall semester 2019 (August 1, 2019) in one of the old programs and
b) resume or continue their studies in the major study program of communication science and media research up to and including 2023. If conditions a. and b. are not met, the appendix to the study regulations valid at the time of the change will be applied.
Transitional Rules BA 120 (available in German only)
Transitional Rules BA 60 (available in German only)
How many ECTS from the Studium Generale can I get credited to my Bachelor's degree?
Studium Generale is only available in the transitional rules. If all the requirements of the module groups are met, 4 ECTS points for minor students and 10 ECTS points for major students can be credited as Studium Generale.
The new programs starting from fall semester 2019 do not contain Studium Generale anymore!
Transitional Rules BA 120 (available in German only)
Transitional Rules BA 60 (available in German only)
The amount of ECTS of the module you passed will be credited. If, for example, you have successfully completed an old core lecture to the extent of 4 ECTS, 4 ECTS will be credited to the corresponding module group.
Transitional Rules BA 120 (available in German only)
Transitional Rules BA 60 (available in German only)
Should I choose the Bachelor Thesis for 6 or 15 ECTS?
The 6 ECTS Bachelor Thesis is normally only chosen by students who have already successfully completed an old two-semester research seminar (12 ECTS). In these old research seminars, a large part of the workload was already used as a preparation for the thesis, which was then only awarded 6 ECTS.
You are free to choose the 6 or 15 ECTS version. If you, however, choose a new research seminar and the old Bachelor Thesis, you have practically no support for the thesis and, of course, you have to acquire the missing points from other areas.
With the requirements lists from the different module groups and the equivalence tables in the transitional rules. The transitional rules indicate how many ECTS are required for each module group and which compulsory modules are required.
Transitional Rules BA 120(available in German only)
Transitional Rules BA 60 (available in German only)
According to the transitional rules for major students, at least 3 ECTS have to be gained in the module group “Gegenstandsbereich der Kommunikationswissenschaften”This means you have to complete at least one core elective module.
Transitional rules BA 120 (available in German only)
No, you completed the module group if you successfully completed all the modules from the equivalent table, even if you reached less ECTS than you would with the new modules. In total you do obviously need 120 resp. 60 ECTS in order to complete your studies. If you, however, met all the requirements of the modulegroups, you can then choose any modules to reach the full amount of ECTS.
Transitional rules BA 120 (available in German only)
Transitional rules BA 60 (available in German only)
Booking modules
In the first two semesters you should book the compulsory modules from the study entry phase. These are mostly modules from the module groups 'Einführung in die Kommunikationswissenschaft und Medienforschung', as well as 'Grundlagen Methoden und Statistik'. Additionally you can choose lectures from the module groups 'Gegenstandsbereiche der Kommunikationswissenschaft' and 'Weitere Themenfelder der Kommunikationswissenschaft'. Make sure to consider the module requirements before booking a module.
How to book modules
Sample curriculum BA 120 (available in German only)
Sample curriculum BA 60 (available in German only)
Compulsory modules are offered regularly (each semester or each spring or fall semester) and are obligatory for all students of the given study program. A failed compulsory module can be repeated once. A substitution is not possible. A compulsory module failed twice will lead to a definite rejection from the program.
General Study Guide Chapter 3.3
What is the difference between elective modules and core elective modules?
Both types of modules have in common that you can choose from a certain offer of modules.
For elective modules, the offer changes from semester to semester. This means that each module is usually offered only once. Failure to pass an elective module results in a failed attempt, but has no further consequences. In a following semester you can book another elective module from the module group.
In the case of core elective modules, the same modules are offered regularly (either in the spring or fall semester). A core elective module can only be repeated once. If you fail twice, you must replace it with another core elective module. Unlike compulsory modules, failing an elective module twice does not result in a subject ban.
How do I know which module group a module belongs to?
There are two ways to determine to which module group a module belongs:
1. All core elective and compulsory modules, as well as many of the elective modules, can be found in the module catalogue of the study program. In this document, the module group is mentioned for every module. You can find the module catalogue in the legal bases of the faculty of arts and social sciences.
2. The module groups and their associated modules can be viewed in the UZH course catalog.
Legal bases Bachelor (available in German only)
Legal bases Master (available in German only)
Course catalogue
How to book modules
How do I find a module in the course catalogue?
The modules of our BA programs are listed under Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (RVO19) – 120 (Major) or 60 (Minor) Communication Science and Media research. The search function helps to directly find modules, courses and lecturers.
What to do if having technical problems with the booking or cancellation of modules?
If you have technical problems with the booking or cancellation of modules, please contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Student Services: modulbuchung@phil.uzh.ch
I missed a deadline. Can I still book a module?
The deadlines are binding!
After these dates, bookings or cancellations are generally no longer possible.
For questions concerning bookings and cancellations please contact: modulbuchung@phil.uzh.ch
Booking and Cancellation Deadlines
Overlap
This is a problem many students are facing during their studies. Considering the large number of subjects and possible combinations it is unfortunately not possible to prevent this.
First make sure whether you can complete one of the modules later in your studies without prolonging them. If this is not possible, you can think about starting your minor only in your second study year. Do not forget, however, to make sure your minor can be completed in only four semesters if you do not want to prolong your studies.
General Study Guide Chapter 2.5
Exams
How many times am I allowed to fail an exam?
Compulsory modules can be repeated once. If a compulsory module is failed twice, this leads to a subject ban. Other modules can be substituted. The type of repetition is indicated in the module catalogue.
Framework Regulation on the Bachelor and Master programmes at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University Zurich (RVO PhF) (available in German only) Repetition of modules, §28, §29
Do I have to register separately for the examination?
If you book a module, you are automatically registered for the exam. You don’t have to register separately for the exam.
How can I register for a retake in a compulsory module?
If you have not passed the exam of a compulsory module on the first date or were unable to take it, you can register for the retake in the same semester. You need to register yourself within a defined period (see course catalog).
General Study Guide Chapter 3.5
What do I have to do if I failed an exam?
For compulsory modules, a retake is offered in the same semester. If you did not pass the exam on the first date or were unable to take it, you can register for the retake. You need to register yourself within an indicated time period (see course catalog). If you do not want to take the repeat exam, you can book the module again in a subsequent semester. For elective modules no possibilities for repetition are offered. In that case you need to book another module in a following semester. Remember that you have the right to access the examination papers after receiving a grade.
General Study guide Chapter 3.4 and 3.5
Study regulations §23
Framework Regulation on the Bachelor and Master programmes at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University Zurich (RVO PhF) (available in German only) §28, §29
Plagiarism and self-plagiarism
Plagiarism is the complete or partial adoption of another's work without indicating the source and the author. Plagiarism is basically a violation of copyright.
If a paper or a part of it is a plagiarism, the assessment will be graded as unsatisfactory and disciplinary action may be taken. Verbatim quotes that are not marked as such with quotation marks and are only referenced like a paraphrase are also considered plagiarism.
Factsheet plagiarism UZH [German]
May I use my own texts for more than one paper?
Self-plagiarism is also plagiarism. This applies to whole papers or parts if the latter have already been submitted as part of another paper. Therefore, you are not allowed to use your achievements twice. In case of double utilization of a work or even only parts of it, both performance records will be graded as insufficient (because the double utilization affects both works). Since you are informed of this, such an attempt will be considered cheating and may also result in further disciplinary action.
If you take over text passages from your own work, these must also be marked with quotation marks or, in the case of content takeovers, marked as paraphrases. In the bibliography, your work will then be listed as gray literature.
Changing degree or study program
I would like to switch my major with my minor. Is this possible?
Generally, this is always possible. All our Major and Minor Study programs have the same amount of ECTS in the assessment phase of two semesters. During this phase, you can switch your Major and Minor Study Program without prolonging your studies.
Changing Degree and/or Study Program
Bachelor Thesis
As a BA major student, you will have to write a BA Thesis with a scope of 15 ECTS. For more information regarding the required length and other formal guidelines, please ask your supervisor.
The theoretical and empirical approach will be developed in the research seminar. Therefore, the research seminar is generally linked to the BA thesis. You will be informed about support and procedure in the research seminar.
Important: You have to book the Bachelor Thesis separately from the research seminar!
Study regulations §25-28
Pre-Master's modules
Can I book Master's modules while still being in my Bachelor's program?
If you have earned at least 120 ECTS credits in a Bachelor's degree program at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (PhF), you may complete pre-Master's modules from the PhF worth a maximum of 30 ECTS credits (overall & including all semesters) in the following semester. You can book these modules yourself via the module booking tool.
General Study guide Chapter 3.8
Which modules can I book as pre-Master's modules?
The module catalog indicates whether the module is suitable as a pre-Master’s module. At IKMZ, this includes the compulsory modules "Multivariate Statistik" and "Wissenschaftstheorie und Forschungslogik", but also all elective modules from the group "Forschungsbereiche der Kommunikationswissenschaft".
Graduation
I would like to graduate my Bachelor's program. What do I have to do?
You can register for graduation via the app “study progress and graduation” in the student portal. You can only register for graduation when you have fulfilled all requirements of your program.
Study guide Chapter 6
Further information about completing Bachelor's studies
How is the grade in the Bachelor's diploma composed?
The degree is assessed with a weighted overall grade. The graded modules flow into the respective study program with the weight of their ECTS. The study programs flow into the weighted overall grade with the weight of the given study program size. Both the study program grades, and the weighted overall grade are calculated with unrounded initial values.
Contacts
Who can I contact if my question was not answered here?
General questions about the studies at the faculty of arts and social sciences:
studium@phil.uzh.ch
Module bookings and cancellations:
modulbuchung@phil.uzh.ch
Informations about graduating:
abschluss@phil.uzh.ch
Specific questions about IKMZ study programs:
programmkoordination@ikmz.uzh.ch
