Special Case: Vocational Qualification

 

University Admission for Individuals Qualified in a Vocation without General University Entrance Qualification (Berufsbildungshochschulzugangsverordnung)

The ordinance for university admission for individuals with vocational training was issued on March 8, 2010.

The ordinance ensures that masters (Meisterinnen and Meister) as well as individuals with an equivalent qualification, al have access to courses of study at all universities without taking an exam.

Furthermore, individuals who have a vocational qualification and at least three years experience in that vocation or the equivalent are also entitled to access, without exams, to those courses of study, that relate to their vocation.

If an individual wishes to study in a course of study that does not relate to their vocation, or an individual has worked for more three years in a vocation without the corresponding training, their admission to a university depends on successfully passing an entrance exam or successfully completing a trial period of studies.

The ordinance differentiates the future university admission between three groups of applicants with vocational qualification:

1. Masters or individuals with an equivalent qualification (applicants with vocational advancement training) in accordance with § 2.
2. Individuals with vocational qualification in accordance with § 3, for whom both the vocation and the intended course of study correspond to the vocational training.
3. Individuals who are otherwise vocationally qualified, in accordance with § 4.

Prerequisites for Admission to the Entrance Exam

Individuals allowed to take the entrance exam include:

1. individuals, who can provide proof of successful completion of an at least two year long vocational training, that is in accordance with the Berufsbildungsgesetz or Handwerksordnung  or otherwise authorized by Bundes- or Landesrecht and,
2. can also provide proof of a subsequent vocation, of at least three years in duration,  including in a vocation that does not correspond to the training (Two years are sufficient for scholarship recipients of the Aufstiegsstipendienprogrammes des Bundes.).

An equivalent vocational activity is the primary responsibility and independence for running a houshold and raising a minor.  In accordance with § 25 Absatz 5 Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetzes or die Pflege eines Angehörigen in accordance with § 16 Absatz 5 Zehntes Buch Sozialgesetzbuch - Sozialverwaltungsverfahren und Sozialdatenschutz.

A part-time occupation (of at least 50%) and assuming the responsibilities mentioned in Clause 2 as a vocational activity is also acceptable.  Independently running a household while raising at least once child or being responsible for someone in need of care is equal to anderen Berufstätigkeiten.

The entrance exam establishes whether the applicant has shown the disciplinary and methodological prerequisites for studies in the desired course of study at a university.  The examination board decides the applicant's success based on the exam.  Exam material is both general and subject specific.  It contains both written and oral components; this can change depending on the characteristics of the chose course of study.  Exam performance is evaluated with a grade.  The average grade is determined to one decimal place.  The university will issue a certificate for the passed exam that contains the course of study and average grade.  You will be notified if you did not pass the exam.  If you have passed the entrance exam, you may take up studies in the first core semester of the respective course of study at the examining university.  Other possible necessary prerequisites for a course of study (e.g. an obligatory pre-internship or particular preparatory training) are still required after passing the exam.

Passing the exam does not entitle you to a university placement.  A separate application for a university placement is necessary for courses of study with restricted admission (either via HochschulSTART or RWTH Aachen).

Trial Studies

Applicants can also start trial studies, for those courses of study without restricted admission.  Successful completion of trial studies entitles applicants to studies in the respective course of study. 
Trial studies are considered successful for those students, who did not pursue related studies during their vocational training or their vocation, if
1. at least 20 credit points can be proven during each trial semester in a Bachelor course of study or
2. in those courses of study requiring a final state or church exam, at least two thirds of successful studies or exam performance can be proven, that are required by the respective studies and exam regulations within the finished trial semester.
Trial studies last two semesters.  After trial studies, those individuals studying with the framework of trial studies, are no longer eligible to take the exams required by the exam regulations.

Application and Application Deadlines

The application deadline for participating in the entrance exam

ends on April 1^st for the winter semester and October 1^st for the summer semester, of every year.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered by the Registrar's Office.

The application needs to be submitted in writing  to the Registrar's Office by the application deadline with all the necessary forms.

The following should be included:

1. Copy of a valid personal identification card or passport
2. The most recently acquired certificate from a general education school
3. If applicable, proof of acquired vocational career advancement
4. If applicable, proof of completed vocational training, of at least two years in length, and proof of a subsequent vocation, for at least three years, or proof of independently managing a household with at least one minor or individual in need of care.

Completed Vocational Training

Completed vocational training will be proven through

1. The certificate of a final exam in a vocation recognized or equally recognized by the Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG) in the  Federal Republic of Germany.
2. The certificate for the final exam in corresponding vocation training in a job regulated by public law, or
3. The certificate of a state final exam of a school vocation training that is governed by the federal state, or
4. The certificate of a state final exam for vocation training according to the vocation regulations for non-physician healthcare vocations.

Process

An application for trial studies, for an entrance exam, or for admission to university studies on the basis of vocational career advancement or on the basis of vocational training or a vocation respective to the intended studies should be submitted in writing to the university and expressed the intended course of study.

Applicants participate in one of the advising meetings offered by the university.  The meeting serves to determine whether an applicant is missing the necessary field specific or methodological knowledge.  The advising meeting should also provide information on ways to compensate for the missing knowledge.  The purpose of this is to help create a prognosis of success in the studies.

Courses of Study with Restricted Admission

Some courses of study have restricted admission via a local Numerus Clausus (NC), because there are more applicatns than there are spots available.  Universities  reserve 2% of university placements in such subjects for Meister and those with vocational experience, who would like to start studies in a related subject.  You should submit the corresponding application to the respective university.  Other individuals with professional qualifications must take an entrance exam for NC courses of study.  Trial studies are not possible.  You will apply for a university placement at the university with the grade you earned from the entrance exam

Medicine and dentistry are an exception.  University placements are centrally allocated by the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (SfH) for these subjects.  If you would like to study one of these subjects, you must take an entrance exam and apply to the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung for a university placement with the grade you earned.