Section §62a of the Higher Education Act stipulates that universities in North Rhine-Westphalia should organise their courses in such a way that students can also study on a part-time basis.

Characteristics of part-time studies

• The curriculum of the identical full-time course of study is stretched to a maximum of twice the number of semesters (i.e. instead of 6 semesters for the Bachelor's course of study, a maximum of 12 semesters in part-time form).
• The examination regulations of the program contain two curricula (full-time and part-time studies)
• In part-time studies, no separate courses are offered (e.g. in the evening or on weekends; this would be a part-time study program)
• Study and examination achievements are identical
• No BAföG funding currently possible
• Students decide at the time of enrollment whether they wish to study full-time or part-time
• The social security status of students in part-time studies is not affected by the reduction of the study volume if this is at least 51% of the full-time study volume.