Bachelor's thesis failed - for many, the absolute worst-case scenario. Months of work, countless nights in front of the laptop, and then the devastating "not passed" grade. The first reaction: panic. The second question: What now?
The good news: A failed bachelor's thesis is not the end of the world. In most cases, there is a second attempt, and many students pass easily on the second try. This article explains the most common reasons for failing, your options for the second attempt, and how to do better next time.
The Most Important Points in Brief
- 5-10% of all bachelor's theses fail - you are not alone
- A second attempt is almost always possible with a new topic
- ChatGPT use is detected and leads to failure
- Most common reasons: plagiarism, formal errors, lack of original work
- Failing twice can lead to exmatriculation and a nationwide ban
Bachelor's thesis failed - how common is this?
About 5-10% of all bachelor's theses fail. At some universities and especially at distance learning universities like IU or FOM, the rate is sometimes higher. This means: Every year, dozens of students fail their final thesis - you are definitely not alone.
Public universities: 5-8% | Distance universities (IU, IUBH, FOM): 8-12% | Private universities: 4-7%. The higher rate at distance universities is due to less intensive supervision and a higher proportion of self-study.
Important to know: A failed bachelor's thesis is not a career killer. Employers are only interested in your degree and your final grade - not how many times you had to retake the thesis.
The most common reasons for failing
1. Plagiarism - even unconscious
The classic: Too much copy-paste without correct citation. Modern plagiarism software like Turnitin detects even the smallest text borrowings. "Rewordings" are also often detected if the structure of the source is maintained.
Even forgotten quotation marks can be considered plagiarism. If you copy a sentence 1:1 and forget to cite the source, it counts as an attempt to deceive - even if you didn't do it intentionally.
2. ChatGPT and AI generation
Bachelor's thesis failed due to ChatGPT - this now affects every tenth failure. Universities use special AI detectors (GPTZero, Copyleaks) and trained examiners recognize AI-typical formulations.
Typical AI characteristics: Generic phrases, lack of depth, overly perfect grammar in weak students, inappropriate examples. Those who use ChatGPT for entire chapters are almost always caught.
In the case of proven ChatGPT use, the work is not only graded "failed" - a deception procedure with possible exmatriculation also threatens. Most examination regulations explicitly prohibit AI-generated texts.
3. Formal errors and disregard of guidelines
- Too many/few pages: More than 10% deviation often leads to failure
- Incorrect citation style: Switching between APA, Harvard, Chicago
- Missing elements: Abstract, declaration of originality, appendices forgotten
- Formal deficiencies: Inconsistent formatting, missing page numbers
4. Lack of scientific quality
The work is formally correct, but weak in content: No independent research question, superficial literature review, missing methodology, no clear argumentation. Many fail because they deliver an "extended term paper" instead of actual research.
5. Defense botched
In some degree programs, the oral defense accounts for up to 30% of the overall grade. Those who cannot explain their own work or have no answers to critical questions can fail despite good written work.
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Learn moreBachelor's thesis failed - what then?
After the first failure, you usually have a second attempt. The rules:
Process after failing
- Review the assessment: Have the evaluation given to you in writing and analyze the criticisms carefully
- Consultation: Talk to your supervisor about the reasons and what needs to be done differently for the second attempt
- Inform the examination office: Clarify deadlines, registration procedures, and formal requirements
- Choose a new topic: This time, choose a clearer, more precisely defined topic
- Work more structured: Create a detailed timetable with milestones
Special cases: IU, FOM, HFH
IU/IUBH Bachelor's thesis failed
At the IU (International University, formerly IUBH), there is special support for the second attempt: Intensive online supervision, interim feedback after each chapter, and access to writing workshops. The IU has recognized that distance learners need special support and offers significantly more support for the second attempt.
FOM Bachelor's thesis failed
The FOM (University of Applied Sciences for Economics & Management) has strict formal requirements. Many fail due to formatting errors or non-compliance with FOM-specific citation rules. For the second attempt: meticulously follow the FOM guidelines!
HFH Bachelor's thesis failed
The HFH (Hamburger Fern-Hochschule) usually allows 6 months of processing time for the second attempt. Important: The HFH often has long correction times, plan this into your schedule.
Failed twice - what then?
After the second failure, forced exmatriculation threatens. You can no longer study this subject at any German university - nationwide ban.
After definitively failing the bachelor's thesis, you are banned from this degree program at all German universities. Switching to another university does not help. The only option: Study a completely different subject.
Options after definitive failure
- Different subject: You can start a completely different field of study from scratch
- Abroad: You can often continue studying abroad, but the degree may not be recognized in Germany
- Apprenticeship: A vocational apprenticeship is often the most pragmatic way
- Career entry: With 90% of your studies completed, you can often still find good jobs as a career changer
You can find more about your options after academic failure in our guide on dropping out of university and alternatives.
Bachelor's thesis second attempt: How to succeed this time
- Choose a clearer, more precisely defined topic
- Weekly coordination with supervisor instead of monologues
- Professional proofreading before submission (not just spelling!)
- Use plagiarism software yourself before submitting
- Plan a time buffer - better to finish 2 weeks before the deadline
- Organize peer review by fellow students
Typical mistakes in the second attempt
Many make the same mistakes in the second attempt: Starting too late, too little communication with the supervisor, repeating old mistakes. Those who ignore the assessment of the first attempt often fail again.
Trying the same topic with minor changes in the second attempt. This will almost always be rejected! You MUST choose a substantially new topic.
Can you appeal?
Yes, you can appeal the grading of the bachelor's thesis. However, the chances of success are low, as academic evaluations have a lot of discretion.
When is an appeal worthwhile?
- Formal errors: Examiner violated the examination regulations
- Unequal treatment: Other works with the same errors were graded better
- Arbitrariness: Evaluation is not comprehensibly justified
- Bias: Personal conflict with examiner
In cases of alleged deception (plagiarism, ChatGPT), legal assistance is often useful, as exmatriculation can also be a threat here.
Conclusion: Failing a bachelor's thesis is not the end of the world
- 5-10% fail - you are not alone
- A second attempt is almost always possible
- ChatGPT use is detected and leads to failure
- Main reasons: plagiarism, formal errors, lack of original work
- Failing twice: Nationwide ban for this subject
- Approach the second attempt with a new strategy!
A failed bachelor's thesis feels catastrophic - but it's usually just a detour, not a dead end. Most students pass on the second attempt because they learn from their mistakes and proceed more structured this time.
"Failure is only a mistake if you learn nothing from it. With the second attempt, you have the chance to do better."
