Aims and selection criteria
Every semester, Rhine-Waal University reaches out to students whose study progress differs significantly from the standard progression for their degree programme. These students are invited to make a non-obligatory appointment with their faculty’s Study Guidance team to discuss their situation and look for possible solutions.
This is a pro-active approach to catch students before they fall through the cracks so they can get back on track to graduation.
The criteria for identifying struggling students varies by semester:
Winter semester
- Two unsuccessful attempts at passing a module examination.
- Having earned fewer than 30 credits by the 3rd semester of a bachelor's degree programme.
- Having earned fewer than 60 credits by the 5th semester of a bachelor's degree programme.
- Having earned fewer than 15 credits by the 2nd semester of a master's degree programme.
Summer semester
- Two unsuccessful attempts at passing a module examination.
- Having studied for more than 10 semesters.
- Having earned fewer than 15 credits by the 2nd semester of a master's degree programme.
Invitations for a conversation are usually sent out in November and April. This ensures that students' most recent examination results are also taken into consideration.
Data collection
As part of the Reach-Out Initiative, select employees at Rhine-Waal University are authorised to collect specific study progress-related data in order to identify and contact potential candidates for the Reach-Out Initiative. Study Guidance does not know which students have been contacted. In other words, contacted students can decide of their own volition whether to reply and set up an appointment, and by doing so, grant their consent to meet with Study Guidance and discuss their individual circumstances.
A standardised form is used to document the discussion topics as well as the point in the student’s studies when the meeting occurred. This information provides valuable insight into general difficulties students are struggling with as well as problems in specific stages of study or degree programmes. Based on these findings, Study Guidance can develop support services targeting these issues and present recommendations to the faculties.
For more information, please refer to our data protection and processing overview for students.
