matrikelnummer

Matrikelnummer, literally matriculation number, is a unique numeric identifier assigned to a student by a university at the time of enrollment. It functions as the primary key for the student’s records within that institution and is used to distinguish one student from another in administrative systems.

The primary purposes of the Matrikelnummer are to link course registrations, examination results, transcript data, and degree records to the correct individual. It may also appear on the student ID card and be used for accessing online portals, library services, and invoicing related to tuition or fees. In many universities, the number remains the same throughout the student’s studies and is retained in archival records after graduation for reference and verification.

Scope and variability: The term is common in German-speaking higher education systems, particularly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. While many institutions still use Matrikelnummer as the internal student identifier, some universities have shifted to other labels such as “Studentennummer” or rely on a separate login credential, with the Matrikelnummer still appearing on official documents.

Privacy and terminology: The Matrikelnummer is personal data and should be protected under applicable data protection laws. It is distinct from national identity numbers or tax numbers and generally does not serve as a public identifier outside university administration. Users should share it only with authorized university staff as required for official processes.