Applying with a vocational qualification (without a university entrance qualification)

Pursuant to the Berufsbildungshochschulzugangsverordnung (BBHZVO), holders of a vocational qualification but no general university entrance qualification can access Bachelor degree programmes at a university by demonstrating that they have

  • Completed advanced further vocational training or
  • Carried out vocational training and professional activities that correspond to the desired degree programme/course
  • Passed an admission examination or successfully completed a foundation course

Applicants are placed in one of the following three groups, depending on their vocational training/professional experience and desired degree programme/course. You must request to be placed in one of these three groups when you submit your request for verification of the entry requirements.

Master craftsmen and women and those with comparable qualifications

This group is entitled to take up studies in any Bachelor's degree programme without an entrance examination. This also applies if the advanced training qualification was exceptionally acquired without prior vocational training.

Vocationally qualified persons who have completed at least 2 years of vocational training and at least 3 years of professional activity in the training occupation or an occupation corresponding to the training. For scholarship holders of the federal upgrading scholarship programme, two years are sufficient.

Further professionally related vocational training is counted as professional activity. Similarly, at least half of a part-time job is counted as professional activity with the corresponding share.

Proof of sufficient professional activity must be submitted by 30 September for the winter semester or by 31 March for the summer semester. The deadline for submitting the proof can be extended by two weeks if there are special reasons, upon written application including reasons. The application for an extension of the deadline must also be submitted within the above-mentioned period. Enrolment expires if the proof of sufficient professional activity is not submitted by the deadline.

The group of applicants who are faithful to the subject is entitled to take up studies in a Bachelor's degree programme that corresponds to the professional training and professional activity in terms of subject without an entrance examination. In the case of a teacher training programme or a two-subject Bachelor's programme, the university entrance qualification must be available for each subject. If necessary, a trial study or an entrance examination must be taken in the subject that does not correspond to the vocational training.

Vocationally qualified persons who have completed at least 2 years of vocational training and then at least 3 years of full-time professional activity in a profession that does not correspond to the training or the intended degree programme (for scholarship holders of the Upgrading Scholarship Programme, two years of professional activity are sufficient).

The 3-year professional activity must be completed by 30 September for the winter semester or by 31 March for the summer semester (at least half of the part-time employment will be credited with the corresponding share) and proof of the sufficient professional activity must be submitted to the Registrar's Office. Enrolment expires if the proof of sufficient professional activity is not submitted by the deadline.  The deadline for submitting the proof can be extended by two weeks in case of special reasons upon written application including reasons and supporting documents. The application for an extension of the deadline must also be submitted within the above-mentioned deadline.

This group must take an entrance examination for degree programmes with admission restrictions. A separate registration is required for the entrance examination. The application deadline for the entrance examination is 01 April for the start of the winter semester and 01 October for the start of the summer semester. The Student Advice Centre provides advice on examination procedures. The Central Examination Office is responsible for examination registration and dates.

For Bachelor's degree programmes with open admission, a two-semesters foundation course is possible as an alternative to the entrance examination, which may be continued if successful.

After the application has been reviewed, you will be informed whether you are admitted to the foundtion course or whether you have to apply for an entrance examination.