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Regelstudienzeit (standard period of study)

The Regelstudienzeit is the length of a degree programme as laid down in its study regulations. In Germany it is six years and three months for human medicine and five years for dentistry. It is a planning figure, not a rigid deadline.

German administrative term from higher education law

Sollstudienzeit (German term), standard period of study

standard period of study

The Regelstudienzeit is the reference point for BAföG (German student finance), semester fees, child benefit and scholarships. At most faculties, exceeding it does not automatically mean you are deregistered – what actually limits you is the number of examination attempts.

Elsewhere in Europe, human medicine follows the same Europe-wide minimum of six years, or 5,500 teaching hours, and dentistry five years. That requirement comes from Directive 2005/36/EC and is the basis for automatic recognition.

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