Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs

For Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, there are two options for recognition: recognition as a TUM module or recognition within the elective areas.

• Recognition within the elective areas

Here, it is assessed whether the module to be recognized meets the requirements of the degree program and is meaningfully related to the study content. All B.Sc. and M.Sc. programs in Sport and Health Sciences include elective areas where recognition is possible.

Language courses or other interdisciplinary or non-subject-specific courses can only be recognized in elective area C or under extracurricular qualifications / extracurricular complementary subjects.

In such cases, the number of credits from the foreign module will be adopted.

• Equivalence with a TUM module (1:1 recognition)

The learning outcomes/competencies acquired abroad must not differ significantly from those of a TUM module. This means that for a foreign module to be recognized as a compulsory TUM module, the learning outcomes and workload should overlap.

In such cases, the number of credits from the TUM module will be adopted.

Please also note:

• Credits from a foreign module are recognized as a whole. They cannot be divided (e.g., between two elective areas).
   
• Only as many credits as specified in the curriculum can be recognized. Modules whose credits exceed this number are not listed in the TUM transcript under “Additional achievements” (but they do appear in the transcript of the host university).
   

Teacher Education (Lehramt)

The recognition of academic achievements acquired abroad is primarily possible in the area of elective catalogs and elective modules within the Free Elective Area.

Recognition of achievements abroad within compulsory modules is only possible in exceptional cases.

 

Modules that you have already successfully completed at TUM cannot be taken again abroad and recognized within the elective areas.

Modules for which you have already attempted and failed an exam cannot be taken abroad and recognized, as per APSO regulations, failed exams at TUM can only be repeated at TUM.

Only as many foreign modules can be recognized as are required for the TUM curriculum. Any additional modules will not be recognized and will not be listed on the TUM Transcript of Records.

For teacher education programs, the following also applies: recognition of practical sports modules or oral-theoretical state examinations is not possible. Language courses or extracurricular qualifications also cannot be recognized.

Students who wish to have the academic achievements they obtain abroad recognized at TUM must contact the academic advising office in advance to clarify recognition matters. The form “Equivalence Agreement” is used for this purpose.

Erasmus+ students must enter both the modules at the host university and the planned recognition at TUM in the Online Learning Agreement (OLA). The OLA can only be signed after the recognition possibilities have been discussed using the Equivalence Agreement.

Students studying abroad through TUMexchange are also recommended to use the Equivalence Agreement form for better clarity.

How it works:

• Select suitable modules from the foreign host university and find the corresponding module descriptions.
  
  These must include information on learning outcomes and workload. If you cannot find this information yourself, please contact the partner university.
   
• Complete and sign the “Equivalence Agreement” form, and send it — including the links to the module descriptions — to international.sh.sto(at)mh.tum.de .
   

Please note:

• Documents are only accepted in German or English. If they are in another language, a translation must be submitted.
   
• If you are requesting 1:1 recognition for a TUM module, please also submit the module description of the TUM module.
   
• If you are requesting general recognition within the elective areas, submitting a TUM module description is not necessary. In this case, please enter “Recognition Abroad” and the name of the elective area on the right-hand side of the form.
   

Consultation

A consultation appointment is of course possible before completing the Equivalence Agreement. 

Please contact international.sh.sto(at)mh.tum.de as early as possible.

Please note that processing may take 2–3 weeks.


Change of course selection after arrival abroad

If your course plan changes after arriving at the host university, you must update your Equivalence Agreement and resubmit it.
 

Please note that the recognition of your academic achievements after returning from abroad does not happen automatically — it must be explicitly requested.

How it works:

• Submit the fully completed and signed form “Application for Recognition” along with the official transcript or other proof of achievement from the foreign university to international.sh.sto(at)mh.tum.de .
   
  • Include a document from the host university that shows how grades are awarded (e.g., what the highest grade is and the minimum passing grade).
     
  • If the credits at the foreign university do not correspond to ECTS (1 ECTS credit equals approximately 30 hours of total workload per semester), you must also provide proof of the total workload of the module/course.
     
• Grade conversion is carried out using the Bavarian Formula.
   
• Modules passed at the host university without a grade will be entered in TUMonline as “passed” without a grade.
   
• Credit allocation:
   
  • In the case of 1:1 recognition, the number of credits from the TUM module is adopted — regardless of whether it is a compulsory module or an elective.
     
  • In the case of general recognition within the elective areas (e.g., SGAKAL), the number of credits from the foreign module is adopted.
     
  • If the foreign university’s credits do not follow the ECTS system, conversion is based on the total workload.
     
• After your application is processed, the grades will be entered in TUMonline. Please note that processing may take 2–3 weeks.