Forced deregistration: Suspension, consequences & what you can do 2026

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Marie – Expert for student counseling

Marie has been supporting students in critical situations for years and knows all the legal options after forced deregistration.

Forced deregistration is one of the hardest blows a student can face. Unlike voluntary deregistration, your university membership is revoked against your will – usually due to failing exams for the third time. The consequences are severe: you are barred from studying the same subject nationwide and cannot study it at any German university.

Forced deregistration from university affects every aspect of life. Health insurance, student loans, child benefits, and dormitory places – all of these are at risk. Particularly critical: you only have 14 days to arrange follow-up insurance. Those who miss this deadline risk substantial back payments and could even find themselves uninsured.

However, being expelled from university doesn't mean the end of your academic career. There are legal options, alternative degree programs, and ways to return to your studies. This article will tell you everything you need to know about the reasons for expulsion, the duration of the suspension, the consequences, and concrete steps to take after being expelled.

What is compulsory deregistration? Definition and meaning

Forced deregistration is the involuntary termination of your university membership by the university itself. Unlike voluntary deregistration , which you request yourself, forced deregistration is enforced against your will.

The university will remove you from the list of enrolled students, thus ending your studies. You will lose all rights and obligations as a student: access to libraries, cafeterias, study rooms, and, most importantly, the ability to take exams.

Reasons for compulsory deregistration: When does it threaten?

1. Final failed exam (third attempt)

The most common reason for compulsory deregistration: You failed your third attempt and therefore definitively failed the final exam or a module exam. In most degree programs, you have a maximum of three attempts for each exam – if you fail the third attempt, compulsory deregistration follows automatically.

This rule applies to:

• Module exams: Individual exams within the course of study
• Final examinations: Bachelor's thesis, Master's thesis or oral final examinations
• Retake exams: If you fail the retake exam on the third attempt as well

2. Unpaid semester fees

If you fail to pay your semester fees despite receiving a reminder, the university can deregister you. However, this deregistration is reversible: as soon as you pay the outstanding amount, you can re-enroll.

3. Attempted deception or fraud

In cases of serious cheating or examination fraud, the university can issue an immediate compulsory deregistration. This includes:

• Copying in exams
• Plagiarism in term papers or theses
• Ghostwriting (passing off someone else's work as your own)
• Technical aids in unauthorized tests

4. Exceeding the standard period of study

In some German states, significantly exceeding the standard period of study can also lead to compulsory deregistration. However, this is rare and is usually only applied in extreme cases (10+ semesters over the standard period of study).

Nationwide ban: The toughest consequence

The most serious consequence of forced deregistration due to a definitively failed exam is a nationwide ban . Specifically, this means:

What does "related courses of study" mean?

Universities check with every new enrollment whether the new degree program is related to the one that is currently blocked. Related degree programs are those that:

• Study content has similar content (>50% overlap)
• Similar examination regulations are used
• The same specialist group includes

How long will the ban last?

The nationwide ban on university admission following compulsory deregistration due to a third attempt is generally permanent and indefinite . There is no automatic lifting of the ban after 5 or 10 years. The only exceptions are:

• Hardship application: In extreme exceptional cases (serious illness, family disaster), a hardship application can lift the suspension.
• Studying abroad: The German ban does not apply abroad – you can study the same subject at foreign universities.

The critical consequences of forced deregistration

1. Health insurance ends within 2 weeks

The most critical and urgent consequence: Your student health insurance ends 14 days after your compulsory deregistration. You MUST arrange for follow-up insurance within this period.

2. BAföG entitlement ends immediately

Your BAföG entitlement ends with your compulsory deregistration from the day of deregistration. You must:

• Inform the BAföG office immediately.
• Repay payments already received for the current semester proportionally.
• Do not expect any further payments.

A new BAföG entitlement only arises when you enroll in a different (unrestricted) course of study.

3. Child benefit is discontinued

Your parents lose their entitlement to child benefit for you as soon as you are no longer enrolled at university. The family benefits office must be informed, otherwise they may be required to repay the money.

4. Dormitory place must be cancelled.

Dormitory rooms are reserved for students. After mandatory deregistration, you must move out – the notice period is usually 3 months.

5. Semester ticket becomes invalid

Your semester ticket immediately becomes invalid. Anyone who continues to use it is traveling without a valid ticket and risks hefty fines.

What to do after forced deregistration from university? Immediate action

The first few days after receiving your compulsory deregistration notice are crucial. Here's your checklist:

Appealing against forced deregistration: When is it advisable?

You have the right to file an objection within four weeks of receiving the notification. The objection has suspensive effect – you will remain enrolled for the time being.

When are the chances of success good?

• Formal errors in the notification: Incorrect deadline, missing information on legal remedies, incorrect address
• Procedural error: You were not properly informed about deadlines or consequences.
• Hardship case: Serious illness, death in the family, other exceptional circumstances during the examination period
• Exam unfairness: Demonstrable errors in the exam or unfair grading

How do I file an appeal?

1. In writing: The objection must be submitted in writing to the examination office.
2. Timely: Within 4 weeks of delivery of the notification
3. Provide reasons: State specific reasons (not just "I disagree")
4. Advice: Seek advice from the AStA (student union) or a lawyer.

What can I still study after being expelled from university?

Forced deregistration is NOT the end of your academic career. You can enroll in other, unrelated degree programs and continue your studies.

Criteria for "not related"

A course of study is considered unrelated if:

• The study content differs by more than 50%.
• Other disciplines (e.g., from economics to natural sciences)
• Other examination regulations and competencies

Be careful when choosing a subject!

Before enrolling in a new course of study, you should definitely:

1. Check with the target university: Is the new degree program considered related?
2. Seek academic advising: Obtain a professional assessment
3. Obtain written confirmation: Get written confirmation that enrollment is possible.

Alternative: Studying abroad

The nationwide ban only applies in Germany. Abroad, you can continue studying the same degree program from which you were forcibly deregistered.

Popular destinations:

• Austria: Similar study system, German language, no tuition fees for EU citizens
• Netherlands: English-language, practice-oriented degree programs
• Switzerland: High quality, but more expensive
• Scandinavia: English-language Master's programs

Alternative: Vocational training instead of university studies

Vocational training is a fully-fledged alternative to university studies and also opens up career paths. After your training, you can:

• Gain professional experience
• Master craftsmen/technicians
• Studying with professional experience is also possible without a high school diploma (in many German states)

Long-term prospects after forced deregistration

Being expelled from university feels like the end of the world – but it isn't. Many successful people have experienced setbacks during their studies and still managed to build successful careers.

Your long-term options:

Conclusion: Forced deregistration is not the end

Forced deregistration from university is undoubtedly a hard blow. The nationwide ban, the loss of student status, and the bureaucratic hurdles are burdensome. But there are ways back to studying and to a successful future.

"Forced deregistration is not a failure – it is a detour. Many successful people have taken detours and only ended up where they truly belong as a result."