A false declaration of authorship (Eigenständigkeitserklärung) is not a minor matter. With it, you confirm for a written paper that you have disclosed all aids you used. If it later turns out that this statement was untrue, the consequences can be serious for you, up to and including exmatriculation.
Short answer: A false declaration of authorship can be treated as an attempt to deceive, for example when aids were not disclosed. The University of Kassel names exmatriculation as the worst case, and an academic title can also be revoked later. Which measure applies is decided by the examination board and the university under your examination regulations and the state higher education act. The details rest on the undated FAQ of the University of Kassel and are to be read as the example of a single university. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The declaration is meant to make all aids used in a written paper transparent.
- A false or incomplete statement can be treated as an attempt to deceive.
- The University of Kassel names exmatriculation as the worst case in its FAQ.
- According to the same page, an academic title can also be revoked after the fact.
- AI use is not generally prohibited according to this page, but it must be cited as a source when AI has generated text suggestions.
- What counts is the examination regulation of your university and the higher education law of your federal state.
What does the declaration require from you?
The declaration is part of many term papers, seminar papers and theses. Its purpose is clearly defined. The University of Kassel describes it in the FAQ of its faculty 07 as follows: the declaration serves to make all aids used in a written paper transparent. You therefore do not only confirm that the text is yours, but also that you have disclosed what you worked with.
The exact wording matters. A declaration that only confirms that you wrote without outside help is something different from a declaration that lists every aid. Read every sentence of your university form before you sign it. Templates found online do not always match the examination regulations of your degree programme.
Why the rules differ between universities
Universities operate within state law. Each German federal state has its own higher education act, and universities build their examination regulations on that basis. A rule that applies to a university in one state therefore cannot simply be transferred to a university in another state. This also affects when deception is considered to exist and which measures are permitted.
For you, this means that the regulation governing your degree programme comes first, and only then general information such as this guide. You can usually find the examination regulation on your university website. Check the version that applies to your year of enrolment.
Which consequences are possible?
The consequences depend on the individual case. The table below summarises the consequences that the University of Kassel names on its page and assigns them to typical situations. The German terms are used because they appear in the official documents.
| Situation | What is examined | Possible consequence according to the university page |
|---|---|---|
| Important aids not disclosed | Whether an attempt to deceive exists | Treated as an attempt to deceive, in the worst case exmatriculation |
| Incorrect statement discovered later | Whether the paper is assessed again later | Revocation of an academic title also possible afterwards |
| AI text without a source note | Whether the use was disclosed | Consequence depends on the examination regulation and the individual case |
The statements of the University of Kassel are marked as simplified information without guarantee. The examination regulation of your degree programme therefore remains the binding document.
Is every mistake an attempt to deceive?
It is not that simple. The Kassel FAQ stresses that the consequences can be avoided through correct and complete statements. It explicitly asks students to list all aids used in detail. The university therefore expects completeness rather than polished wording.
Whether a specific mistake is treated as deception is decided in the examination procedure of your university. Do not rely on experiences from other subjects or other universities. Similar wording may have been handled differently there because other regulations apply.
How do you make sure the declaration is correct?
The best precaution is clean documentation while you write. If you only think at the end about everything you used, you easily forget sources, translation tools or text suggestions. The following sequence helps you bring the declaration into line with how you actually worked.
- Read the form of your university and the examination regulation of your degree programme before you start writing.
- Note every aid as you work: literature, software, translation services and AI tools.
- Mark AI-generated passages and disclose them as your subject and regulation require.
- Before submission, check that every statement in the form matches your documentation.
What to do if you notice a mistake?
If you notice after submission that a statement is wrong, raise the matter promptly. Write to the examinations office or the supervisor, state what you want to correct, and record what you actually used. We advise correcting the error openly rather than waiting until the university discovers it.
For the legal assessment of your individual case, advice from the student representation or a specialist lawyer for administrative law is suitable. General information such as this guide does not replace that review.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be exmatriculated because of a false declaration of authorship?
The University of Kassel names exmatriculation as the worst case of a violation. Whether it is a realistic outcome in an individual case depends on the seriousness of the violation, the examination regulation and the state higher education act. There is no general answer, because the rules differ between states and universities.
Can an academic title still be revoked years after submission?
According to the same university page, an academic title can be revoked after the fact. How long that is possible and which procedure applies is governed by the higher education law of your state and the statutes of your university. If in doubt, legal advice is worthwhile.
Does the declaration also apply to group work?
That depends on the form and the examination regulation. Some universities require a separate declaration from each person, others regulate it differently. Check which statements are expected from you personally before you sign.
Do I have to disclose AI use if I only improve wording?
The Kassel FAQ requires a note in the table and in the body text when an AI has produced text suggestions. Whether pure spelling assistance falls under this depends on the lecturer and the examination regulation. If in doubt, ask before you submit.
Does it help not to sign the declaration at all?
No, that is not a solution. Whether a paper without a declaration is accepted is determined by the examination regulation. Anyone who avoids the declaration risks a conflict that is harder to resolve than an open question to the examinations office.
Where can I find the rules for my university?
The examination regulation of your degree programme is usually published on the university website, often in the section for official announcements. You will also find the declaration form there. If something is unclear, the examinations office is the right contact.
What you should do now
- Get the current form from your university and read it in full.
- Keep a list of all aids as soon as you start working on the paper.
- Clarify open questions about AI and translation tools with your supervisor before submission.
- If you have already spotted a mistake, correct it in writing and seek advice.
Related reading
- Prüfungsordnung verstehen: Der Überblick für Studierende
- Täuschungsverdacht: Was du im Klärungsgespräch wissen solltest
- Plagiatsverdacht: Ablauf des Prüfungsverfahrens und deine Rechte
- Plagiat vermeiden: Darauf musst du beim Schreiben achten (in German)
- KI im Studium: Was erlaubt ist und wie du Tools richtig nutzt (in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
