We use capacity planning to calculate the number of students that can be admitted for the first semester of any given study programme. This calculation is completed annually by 1 January. The outcome determines whether admission restrictions are put into place for particularly popular study programmes.
In order to determine a study programme’s capacity, we compare the teaching demand (curricular value) in the corresponding study programmes against the number of courses available within the teaching unit (i.e. the overall teaching load measured in weekly teaching hours (SWS)).
Besides the number of available courses, which is contingent upon the availability of staff and resources, the curricular value is the essential input variable for calculating capacity. It determines the effort expended across all participating teaching units (measured in teaching hours) required for teaching a student in the respective study programme.
The Ministry provides the curricular values for state examination degree programmes. For bachelor’s and master's programmes, however, the curricular value is determined by the university on the basis of the applicable examination regulations. Predefined parameter ranges for these values must be adhered to. The curricular value is revised and updated whenever changes are made to the examination regulations.
Determining the teaching demand and supply per teaching unit also helps us to calculate the university’s annual capacity.