Study Requirements

However, the specific types of higher education institutions you are authorised to study at depend on the type of school you graduated from or the training you have completed.

• With a general qualification to study at a higher education institution (allgemeine Hochschulreife), you are entitled to study all degree programmes at all types of higher education institutions.
• If you have a specialised qualification to study at a higher education institution (fachgebundene Hochschulreife), you can study the subjects listed on your certificate (e.g. social work, technology, business) at all types of higher education institutions.
• With the qualification to study at a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife), you can be admitted to all degree programmes at a University of Applied Sciences. In Bavaria, there is also a specialised qualification to study at a university of applied sciences (fachgebundene Fachhochschulreife), which allows you to study certain subjects at this type of university.

A Bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from a university in terms of admission to a further degree programme. Bachelor's graduates from universities of applied sciences can therefore generally also take a Master's degree programme at a university. A subsequent doctorate at a university is also possible. It is best to find out in advance from your chosen university which admission requirements apply to the respective Master's programme.

Transferring from a university of applied sciences to an identical or closely related university degree programme during the course of your studies is regulated differently in the federal states; in some cases (e.g. in Bavaria) it is possible after two semesters if you have achieved 60 ECTS credit points.

Anyone who has completed professional training and would like to continue their studies can find out in advance about the possibilities of having their training or further education recognised. If these are recognised, the corresponding work does not have to be completed again during the degree course. The relevant offices at the universities usually decide which credits can be recognised.

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences has developed the central information platform DAbeKom (www.dabekom.de) to provide an overview of the universities at which competences from professional training and further education are recognised. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Schools and Education of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. (See also section 2.4.4 ‘Continuing education programmes’

Anyone wishing to study at a German university must have the necessary German language skills. In some cases, C1 is required, but it is also possible to prove your language skills in other ways (see www.kmk.org/themen/deutsches-sprachdiplom-dsd/deutsche-sprachkenntnisse-fuer-den-hochschulzugang.html). An exception to this are international degree programmes, which are usually offered in English. German language skills can be proven with examinations and tests in the home country or in Germany. Information on language courses and examinations can be found on the Goethe-Institut website (www.goethe.de) and at www.sprachnachweis.de. The German Academic Exchange Service DAAD (www.daad.de) also offers comprehensive information.

Applicants for art, design, interior design, architecture, music, drama or sports degree programmes must prove their aptitude. Depending on the degree programme, you may have to submit a portfolio of your own artistic and creative work, audition or sing, play an instrument or take a sports aptitude test.

If you can prove that you have a particular artistic talent and a general education that is sufficient for the course, you can be admitted to certain artistic, performing arts, design or music degree programmes even without proof of a qualification to study at a higher education institution.

As such aptitude tests often take place before the start of the general application deadlines, you should obtain all the information about the aptitude tests a year and a half before you intend to start studying.

For some subjects, the examination regulations stipulate mandatory foreign language skills, which must either already be existent at the start of the degree programme or must be acquired during the course.

• Knowledge of Latin: Especially in humanities subjects such as German studies, philosophy, linguistics or history, as well as in teacher training programmes, knowledge of Latin is sometimes one of the entry requirements. However, Latin is no longer required to study (dental) medicine or law.
• As a rule, the Graecum and Hebraicum are required to study theology. Most students only learn the languages during the first few semesters.

Newer philologies: Universities can make admission to a subject such as English or Romance studies dependent on the result of a language test. The test must be taken at the university, now usually via an online learning platform, but can usually be replaced by recognised language certificates subject to a fee, such as the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française). Placement tests at the beginning of the semester may also be compulsory and provide a basis for student counselling and performance-related course selection.

Universities of applied sciences in particular often require (or recommend) a so-called pre-study internship before starting a degree programme, the duration of which can vary from a few weeks to several months. Professional training or voluntary service can be recognised in full or in part under certain conditions. The duration of the pre-study internship also depends on your previous school education. You should therefore find out about the relevant regulations from your future university at an early stage - e.g. also about the possibility of completing the pre-study internship during the semester break after the start of your studies. There are also exceptions for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Note: A pre-study internship can be useful even if it is not compulsory. This allows you to check your motivation and suitability for your planned degree programme and future career. The internship offices at the universities, for example, can help you find internships.