Enrollment is confusing for many first-year students and can easily be overwhelming. If you would like to be enrolled using your chosen name, things might become even more difficulty. The university requires your university entrance qualification (usually the Abitur / A levels) for enrollment. If it contains your dead name, the university will want to enroll you under this name and there may be difficulties if you want to be enrolled under a different name. At the same time, your chosen name (and of course your pronouns) can also change during your studies. You can find out what you can 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 who give seminars and your trainers. For this reason, attendance lists are used in many modules, on which the name under which you are enrolled is listed. You will also register for modules or groups via eLearning and this name will also be listed here (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, but also for checking attendance at exams, for example.
Changing your name ahead of your enrollment
Since the beginning of 2024, students have been able to enrol 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 enrol, you can enrol directly under your chosen name and marital status (you can also find the application at the end of the official announcement). In this case, all documents you receive will be issued in this name.
You can also 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 decide 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). In this case, you can also submit a DGTI supplementary card if you have one. When your name or gender entry has been changed, you will receive an e-mail from the URZ (they 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 really only applies to the OvGU and that you should apply for an official change of civil status yourself. If, for example, your degree certificate is issued in 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 also possible that your semester ticket will not be recognized by the MVB. Unfortunately, we have not yet had any experience with this.
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.
We are still in talks with the OvGU about this. If you encounter any problems, please contact us so that we know about them and can possibly help. Until then, however, it is possible to reverse your name change at any time, e.g. to have your degree certificate issued in 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 take some time for this.
Getting help
If something is not working and you need help, you can contact us or the OvGU Equal Opportunities Officer. In both cases, the help will be absolutely 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.