Enrollment is confusing for many first-year students and can be very overwhelming. If you would like to enroll using your chosen name, things might become even more difficult. The university requires your university entrance qualification (usually the Abitur / A levels or similar) for enrollment. If it contains your deadname, the university will use this name and there may be difficulties if you want to be enrolled under a different one. Similary, your chosen name (and of course your pronouns) can change during your studies, and you may want the university to change it as well. You can find out what to do in these cases here.
Where your name appears at OvGU
Here at the OvGU you will constantly meet new people. The same goes for the lecturers, the people giving seminars, and your trainers. For this reason, attendance lists are used in many modules, which list the name under which you are enrolled. You will also register for modules or groups via eLearning, where your name will be listed (sometimes publicly).
Of course, you will also receive a student ID card with your official name on it. This is used for paying in the canteen (where the name won’t be checked) or for checking attendance at exams (where the name will matter), for example.
Changing your name ahead of your enrollment
Since the beginning of 2024, students have been able to enroll here at OvGU under a name of their choice. The university has published an official announcement containing everything you need to know. If you submit the corresponding application for a name change to the OvGU together with your identity card when you enroll, you can enroll directly under your chosen name and marital status (you can find the application at the end of the official announcement). In this case, all documents you receive will be issued with this name.
You can additionally submit a DGTI supplementary card if you have one. However, we do not know whether this will affect the application in any way, as it is not mandatory.
Changing your name while you are enrolled
If you want to change your name during your studies, the process is similar. Simply fill out the relevant application and submit it to the Campus Welcome Center (you can do this in person, by post or by e-mail). You can additionally submit a DGTI supplementary card if you have one. Once your name and / or gender entry has been changed, you will receive an e-mail from the URZ (who are responsible for student administration) and, if applicable, your new e-mail address.
What you need to pay attention to
It is important to know that this change only applies to the OvGU and that you should apply for an official change of civil status yourself, because you may still face problems later on if your chosen name at the university doesn’t match your legal name. If, for example, your degree certificate is issued with the name you have chosen, this could cause problems later in your application process if the name on your ID card has not been changed yet. It is possible that your semester ticket will not be recognized by the MVB. Unfortunately, we do not yet know, how a case like that would be handled.
There may also be complications if you work for the OvGU alongside your studies (e.g. because you have a tutor position). Unfortunately, the current regulation only applies to students and not to employees, and so you might not be able to change your name if you hold a working position alongside your student status.
We are still in talks with the OvGU about these issues. If you encounter any problems, please contact us so that we know about them, and we may be able to help. Until then, keep in mind that it is possible to reverse your name change at any time, e.g. to have your degree certificate issued to match your legal name.
You can find out how to apply for an official change of civil status using the Self-Determination Act in the next paragraph. As soon as this change has been completed, you must present a copy of your new civil status document at the Campus Welcome Center.
Changing your name using the Self-Determination Act
The new Self-Determination Act has been in force since 01.08.24. This makes it possible to officially change your civil status (i.e. first name and gender entry). You can find out exactly how to do this here. Please note that this will be a lengthy process of at least 3 months, so set aside some time for this.
Getting help
If something is not working and you need help, you can contact us or the OvGU Equal Opportunities Office. In both cases, getting help will be fully confidential.
If you don’t have a printer at home and can’t fill out the form, you can also contact the student council of your faculty or the general student council of the university and print it there if necessary. They are always friendly and happy to help. If you are already enrolled at the OvGU, you can also print at several places on campus, e.g. in the library.