Studying without a general higher education entrance qualification (without Abitur)
In principle, the general higher education entrance qualification (aHR, "Abitur") entitles students to study at universities. The aHR is obtained through a successful Abitur examination after attending the upper secondary school at (vocational) grammar schools, comprehensive schools or secondary schools. In NRW, the corresponding certificate is known as the "certificate of general higher education entrance qualification". If the aHR is available, the regular application and enrolment process applies.
Under certain conditions, however, it is possible to study at a university without an Abitur.
You can find out more here:
What other university entrance qualifications (HZB) are there and what do I need to consider when making an application?
Note: If you have a "Fachabitur", please pay particular attention to the differences between the subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification and the entrance qualification for a university of applied sciences.
Subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (fachgebundene Hochschulreife, fgHR)
The subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification differs from the general higher education entrance qualification mainly in terms of the subject-specific requirement and the required language skills. The qualification is not the same as the Technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife, FHR, see below). The fgHR can be obtained, for example, at vocational grammar schools and specialised upper secondary schools and entitles the holder to study certain degree programmes (oriented towards the school's subject areas) at universities of applied sciences and universities. The degree programmes/subjects that can be studied on the basis of the school subject area are usually noted on the certificate. In NRW, the corresponding school-leaving certificate is entitled "Zeugnis der fachgebundenen Hochschulreife".
If you have the fgHR and the subject-related qualification for the desired degree programme can be found on your certificate, the regular application and enrolment process applies to you.
Entrance qualification for a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife, FHR)
The Fachhochschulreife (FHR) is obtained by completing a school-based part and a practical part (professional activity/vocational training/relevant internship) as part of the corresponding educational programme, e.g. at Fachoberschulen. The certificate is usually labelled "Zeugnis der Fachhochschulreife".
The FHR entitles the holder to study at universities of applied sciences. At Paderborn University, however, it is possible to acquire the higher education entrance qualification for selected, admission-free degree programmes:
If you have the FHR, you can obtain the HZB for the above degree programmes if you can prove that you have a particular subject-related aptitude and a general education that meets the university's requirements by successfully passing the examination.
How does the application process work and what do I need to bear in mind?
Basically, the procedure takes some time - start early so that the processing can be completed within the deadlines.
Before you can take part in the examinations for special subject-related aptitude and general education, the Registrar's Office (STS) must determine whether you have a Technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife).
To do this, please submit the Antrag auf Ausstellung einer Bescheinigung über das Vorliegen der Fachhochschulreife including the relevant supporting documents (certificate and other documents, if these are required as proof, e.g. proof of completed vocational training, internship certificate, etc. - in officially certified form) to the STS. The STS will check the documents submitted and issue the relevant certificates for submission to the examining bodies (see below).
Please note: The necessary examinations cannot be taken without the certificates. As it can take up to two weeks for the STS to confirm the qualification, it is in your own interest to submit the form (and all supporting documents) in good time.
Examination of general education:
The Centre for Language Teaching (ZfS) is responsible for assessing general education. You can find detailed information on the deadlines and proof of general education here.
Examination of special technical aptitude:
The responsibility for determining subject-specific aptitude lies with the respective faculty:
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics
-> Computer Engineering: Prof. Dr. Marco Platzner
-> Electrical Engineering: Prof. Dr. Reinhold Noé (more information here)
-> Computer Science: Dr. Harald Selke
-> Mathematics: Prof. Dr. Fleischhack
-> Technomathematics: Prof. Dr. Winkler - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Business Administration and Economics
If you have the certificates for the two examinations you have passed, you must complete the regular application and enrolment process.
Professional qualification (Berufliche Qualifikation, BQ)
Vocationally qualified persons without a general higher education entrance qualification have the opportunity to gain access to Bachelor's degree programmes in accordance with the Vocational Training University Admission Ordinance (BBHZVO).
What are the admission options and requirements?
The prerequisite is a master craftsman's certificate in the skilled trades or a comparable advanced training programme (e.g. Fachwirt IHK).
This group is entitled to study on any Bachelor's degree programme without an entrance examination. This also applies if the advanced training qualification was exceptionally obtained without prior vocational training.
However, please note the process described below, which must also be completed before the regular application and enrolment process.
The group of subject-specific applicants is entitled to take up a Bachelor's degree programme that corresponds to their professional training and professional activity. In the case of a teacher training programme or a two-subject Bachelor's degree, applicants must be subject-appropriate for each subject area. If necessary, a trial study programme or an entrance examination must be completed in the subject area that does not correspond to the professional training (see below).
A prerequisite is the completion of at least 2 years of recognised vocational training and at least 3 years of full-time professional activity in the training occupation (or an occupation corresponding to the training).
- The vocational training programme must be regulated by state or federal law. You can check whether your training is recognised here, for example.
- Two years of professional experience are sufficient for scholarship holders of the federal government's advancement scholarship programme.
- Further vocational training in a related subject is recognised as professional activity.
- At least half-time employment is recognised as professional activity with the corresponding proportion.
However, please note the process described below, which must also be completed before the regular application and enrolment process.
This group is entitled to enrol in a Bachelor's degree programme that does not correspond to their vocational training and professional activity, provided that
- an entrance examination has been successfully passed for degree programmes/subject areas with admission restrictions
- for degree programmes/subject areas without admission restrictions, an entrance examination OR a two-semester trial course has been successfully completed
and the professional requirements are fulfilled:
Completion of at least 2 years of recognised vocational training and at least 3 years of full-time professional activity in the training occupation (or an occupation corresponding to the training).
- The vocational training must be regulated by state or federal law. You can check whether your training is recognised here, for example.
- Two years of professional experience are sufficient for scholarship holders of the federal government's advancement scholarship programme.
- Further vocational training in a related subject is recognised as professional activity.
- At least half-time employment is recognised as professional activity with the corresponding proportion.
However, please note the process described below, which must also be completed before the regular application and enrolment process.
How does the application process work and what do I need to bear in mind?
Basically, the procedure takes some time - start early so that the processing can be completed within the deadlines.
It is also strongly recommended that you first attend a counselling session at the Student Advise Center (ZSB). The ZSB provides information on admission requirements, study options and support services.
Admission to a degree programme as a professionally qualified person is only possible if the Application for the evaluation of your entry conditions is received by the Registrar's Office by the deadline together with all the necessary supporting documents.
Deadline for receipt of the application:
- 15 June for an application starting in the winter semester of the year in question
- 15.12. for an application starting in the summer semester of the following year
After the evaluation of your entry conditions has been reviewed, you will receive an e-mail informing you of your admission requirements and information on how to proceed.
Important: Check the documents required in the form in good time! It may take some time to obtain the necessary documents in notarised form. In addition, a mandatory counselling interview with the responsible faculty advisor must be arranged in good time.
Compulsory counselling interview with the responsible subject advisor
In the counselling interview, prior subject-related and methodological knowledge is determined. The counselling interview also provides information on ways of compensating for the lack of prior knowledge in terms of a study success prognosis. You can find the relevant subject advisors in the range of courses on offer (contact and advice centres for the degree programme/subject) or ask at the faculty.
- If you would like to apply for more than one degree programme/subject, a consultation is required for each programme/subject.
- During the counselling interview, you must submit the Application for the evaluation of your entry conditions and proof of professional qualifications. The counselling session must be certified by the subject advisor on the relevant page of the application.
You will be informed whether you have to take an examination in the notification of your admission requirements.
The registration deadline for the entrance examination ends on 1 April of the year for admission to a degree programme in the winter semester and on 1 October of the previous year for admission to a degree programme in the summer semester.
Attention:
The registration deadline for the entrance examination is well before the deadline for submitting the Application for the evaluation of your entry conditions. If you suspect that you do not fulfil the subject requirements in at least one subject area, please submit the application for the entrance examination with sufficient lead time!
The Central Examination Office is responsible for the dates and registration for the entrance examination. The Central Student Advice Center will advise you on the contents of the examination.
For Bachelor's degree programmes with open admissions, a two-semester trial study programme is possible as an alternative to the entrance examination, which may be continued if successful. You will be informed whether you can complete a trial study programme or have to take an entrance examination in the notification of your admission requirements.
Once you have received notification of the admission requirements and, if applicable, proof that you have passed the entrance examination(s), you must complete the regular application and enrolment process.
University degree
If you do not have a general higher education entrance qualification, but have already obtained a recognised university degree, you can apply for Bachelor's degree programmes as well as Master's degree programmes that are close to your university degree in terms of subject content.
Recognised university degrees:
- State final examination/university degree examination at a university or university of applied sciences with a standard period of study of at least six semesters.
- Ecclesiastical final examination at a university with a standard period of study of at least six semesters.
- University final examination at a university of applied sciences with a standard period of study of at least six semesters.
- Career examination for graduates of a federal or state university of applied sciences for the civil service with a standard period of study of at least three years and at least eighteen months of specialised study.
These degrees are equivalent to the general higher education entrance qualification certificate. The regular application and enrolment process applies.