Lehrveranstaltung

Lehrveranstaltung is a term used in German-speaking higher education to denote an organized unit of teaching offered by universities and other degree-granting institutions. It refers to a formally scheduled course or class that delivers instructional content and earns students academic credit, typically in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

The concept covers several formats, including Vorlesung (lecture), Seminar (seminar with discussion and tasks), Übung (exercises or practical training), Praktikum (laboratory or field work), and Projekt. These formats may appear alone or in combination within a module or degree program, and they are collectively managed through the institution's study regulations.

In official course catalogs, a Lehrveranstaltung is described by a code, title, type, lecturer, timetable, and credit value. Students participate and receive a Leistungsnachweis (performance confirmation) such as a "Schein" or "Bescheinigung" upon satisfactory completion; the course may also yield a grade that appears on the transcript.

The term is common in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. While Vorlesung is a common teaching form, not every Lehrveranstaltung is a Vorlesung; the designation emphasizes the organized teaching event rather than a single format.

Lehrveranstaltungen support modular study programs, with modules aggregating several courses to achieve the required ECTS credits. Scheduling is typically semester-based, and attendance, participation, and assessment rules vary by institution and program.