Self-assessment 2.0 - Virtual immersion in studies

“Self Assessment gave me important insights into the Chemistry degree programme before I signed up. It was a great help to me with my choice.” Student, 1st semester, Chemistry

A virtual insight into your desired studies
Using the University of Göttingen’s Online Self-Assessment tool potential students can find out whether the subject they are interested in matches their abilities and expectations before the application process. The core of this tool are the subject-specific orientation modules, which it currently offers for about 30 Bachelor and Master Degree programmes. In addition, the “Brückenschlag” project offers a module for potential students who will be the first from their family to attend university. The interactive study taster takes about 60 minutes and people can choose to either register or take part anonymously.

Interactive and multimedia content
All modules offer information on course contents and requirements, the organisation and culture of the degree programme, and potential careers. Everything is presented in brief texts, graphics, and interactive elements such as film clips and slideshows. Videos of students talking about their subject and graduates reporting on starting a career, as well as recordings of courses, offer first hand insights and convey a feeling of the everyday life as student and what life is in the faculty.. In the “Study requirements” section, users can become involved and challenge themselves with exercises and case studies typical of the subject.

Improvement of students’ ability to assess their choice and reduction of the number of drop-outs
With its Online Self-Assessment, the University of Göttingen wants to improve the information it provides and the ability of potential students to assess their choice of course. This makes the project an important tool for improving success in studies and reducing the number of students who drop out. Reasons given for dropping out often include a lack of information about the learning path and the individual choice of specialisms. In many cases too, extraneous criteria such as aspects of life in the university town or a lack of basic technical skills for the academic work play an important part.