Second-degree studies
Degree programs without admission restrictions
You can enroll in a degree program without admission restrictions as a second degree at any time. You do not have to pay any additional fees or contributions for your second degree.
Degree program with admission restrictions
Applicants who have already completed a degree at a German university can only be admitted to a degree program with admission restrictions within the framework of a special quota of 4 percent of the available places. If the number of second degree applicants exceeds this quota, admission will be determined by the score calculated from the results of the final examination of the first degree and the degree of importance of the reasons for the second degree (academic, professional, or other reasons).
Important: July 31 is an important deadline when applying for the winter semester. If you do not have your final degree certificate for your first degree by July 31, you will not be considered in the quota for second-degree applicants and will have to apply in the normal way.
Documents to be submitted
Please upload the following documents to the application portal:
- Degree certificate for your first degree (all pages) with the average grade you achieved in your first degree
- Informal, detailed, written explanation of your reasons for wanting to pursue a second degree, including information about your previous education and professional experience as well as your career goals (letter of motivation)
Selection of second-degree applicants
The ranking is determined by a score based on the results of the final examination of the first degree and the degree of importance of the reasons for wanting to pursue the second degree.
The following points are awarded for the results of the final examination of the first degree:
- Grades “excellent” and “very good” – 4 points;
- Grades “good” and “fully satisfactory” – 3 points;
- Grade ‘satisfactory’ – 2 points;
- Grade “sufficient” – 1 point.
If the grade of the final examination of the first degree is not verified, the result of the final examination is awarded 1 point.
The following points are awarded according to the degree of importance of the reasons for wanting to pursue the second degree:
- “compelling professional reasons” – 9 points; compelling professional reasons exist if the applicant is pursuing a career that can only be pursued on the basis of two completed degrees;
- “academic reasons” – 7 to 11 points; academic reasons exist if, with a view to a future career in science and research, a further academic qualification in another degree program is sought on the basis of previous academic and practical work;
- “Special professional reasons” – 7 points; special professional reasons exist if the professional situation is significantly improved by the fact that the second degree meaningfully complements the first degree;
- “Other professional reasons” – 4 points: other professional reasons exist if the second degree is to be recommended for other reasons due to the professional situation;
- “None of the above reasons” – 1 point.
If there are academic reasons, the number of points within the range of 7 to 11 points depends on the weight of the reasons, the achievements to date, and the extent to which the reasons are of general interest.
If the second degree is pursued after a family phase for the purpose of reintegration or re-entry into professional life, this circumstance can be taken into account in the calculation of the score by awarding up to 2 additional points, regardless of the evaluation of the project and its assignment to one of the above-mentioned case groups.
