Credit check for bachelor's students at TU Munich: How not to fall behind

Credit check is one of the biggest causes of panic for students. Students fear being kicked out of university after 2 years due to missing the credit check. I am here to ease your mind and show you how it is possible to fulfil all requirements without stressing too much.

In general, the credit check works as such:

A student must achieve 30 credits per semester (the standard expected amount) with a 2-semester buffer.

So a student must have:

• 30 credits by the end of the 3rd semester
• 60 credits by the end of the 4th semester
• 90 credits by the end of the 5th semester
• 120 credits by the end of the 6th semester
• 150 credits by the end of the 7th semester
• 180 credits by the end of the 8th semester

If a student falls under the credit amount, they will be directly exmatriculated from the program and not receive the degree.

Note that the exact requirements might differ between programmes, so you should always check this specifically for your programme and year.

Students are terrified of this as it seems like you can get kicked out quite easily (since many exams have around a 40% fail rate), and the later on in your studies, the stricter it gets. But this really is not as much of a concern as it might seem. To fall under the credit check, you have to fail a significant portion of your exams and really fall behind. Additionally, taking more than 30 credits in a semester is very doable. I personally did 53 credits in my 4th semester to aid my ETH application, and it was one of my highest scoring semesters.

Follow these tips to not fall behind

Don't push exams to a later date

Many students decide not to take some exams (e.g. Electrical Engineering in BSc Aerospace) and push them to later semesters. The idea is that it's a 7-credit course that you'll understand much better the later you are in your studies. Do not do this. The examination schedule aligns best if you take the exams in their intended time frame. There is a study period assigned for each exam. If you take electrical in your 3rd semester, it's going to be one day after a different exam (Fluids, usually), and this will continue on until your 5th semester. Do not stall exams to later dates, take them when they're in your schedule.

Don't underestimate any exam

Treat every exam as if it's a GOP, especially if you've already failed some courses. The exams are very doable as written in the schedule, but get challenging when you have normal exams plus some retakes overlapping with the real exam schedule. Try not to let that happen by ensuring you're aiming to score well, not just pass. If the worst-case scenario where you really mess up is a 4.0, and you average a 2.3, you're not going to have issues with the credit check.

Take some electives early if you need

Many students worried about credit checks take their free elective (such as a language course) earlier on in the semester plan. This is a very valid way to knock out 3 easy credits in a semester, especially if it's a language you're already competent in.

Take an Urlaubsemester if you're really falling behind

Urlaubsemesters do not count towards the semesters in the credit check, and allow you to retake exams. If you're in your 6th semester and have 90 credits, take an Urlaubsemester, do the professional internship during it and retake exams you previously failed. This way you gain many credits while technically being in your 5th semester. Note that you are not allowed to take an Urlaubsemester without giving a proper justification (a professional internship is a good reason). During the Urlaubsemester, you are exclusively allowed to retake exams that you have attempted before and failed. You cannot take any new exams.

If you follow these tips, the credit check should not be a concern at all in your studies.