Second Degree

If you successfully complete a degree at a German higher education institution by the application deadline, you can only be granted admission to a selective bachelor's program through the quota of applicants for a second degree.

Application Process

You Need to Submit the Following Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many applications can I submit?

    As an applicant for a second degree, you may only submit one application for admission to the first semester of a selective bachelor's program. You may submit other applications for admission to an advanced semester or to the first semester of non-selective programs.

  • What are the selection criteria?

    If the number of applicants is higher than the study places available through the quota, a ranking list is put together. Points are allocated for the grade you achieved in your final examination in your first degree program and for the reasons why you want to take up a second degree. Applicants are then ranked according to the number of points.

    If you completed your first degree program in Germany, your final examination grade is converted into points using the following scale:

    • Excellent (“ausgezeichnet”) and very good (“sehr gut”) – 4 points
    • Good (“gut”) and very satisfactory (“voll befriedigend”) – 3 points
    • Satisfactory (“befriedigend”) – 2 points
    • Fair (“ausreichend”) – 1 point
    • If you do not provide any proof of the grade you achieved in your final examination, you will be awarded 1 point.

    Reasons for taking up a second degree are awarded the points according to the following scale:

    Compelling job-related reasons (9 points)
    These reasons are present if the profession you are aspiring to can only be practiced with two degrees.

    Scientific reasons (7 to 11 points)
    Such reasons exist if you are pursing a qualification in another subject for a later career in science and research which is based on your scientific and practical activities to date.

    Specific job-related reasons (7 points)
    These reasons are present if, by obtaining a second degree that logically supplements your first degree, your professional situation will be significantly improved. This is the case if the profession you are pursuing by completing a second degree is seen as a combination of the fields of activity specific to two degree programs, which is usually not practiced by graduates of just one of the degree programs, and you can prove that you are aspiring to this profession.

    Other job-related reasons (4 points)
    These reasons exist if your professional situation means that a second degree is required for other reasons, in particular to compensate for an unfair professional disadvantage or to increase the opportunities open to you in the profession.

    None of the above reasons (1 point)

  • Aptitude test

    A proof that you have passed an aptitude test is no longer required for the application to the bachelor's programs. You will have to submit it only after you have been granted an admission to a bachelor's program, during the enrollment at the University of Mannheim.

    This document doesn’t contain your results. It just proves that you have taken the test. You can find the aptitude tests, which are only available in German, here:

    Aptitude Test of the portal 'was-studiere-ich.de'
    By taking the aptitude test, you can find out which programs best suit you. You’ll be given a certificate once the test is completed.

    SIT Aptitude Test
    As an alternative to the aptitude test, also a certificate which proves you have taken the Studium-Interessentest (SIT), an aptitude test created by the Higher Education Compass will be accepted.

    Career Counselling for Teachers
    During the enrollment for teacher education program or the bachelor’s program in Economic and Business Education, you must upload a document proving you have completed the Career Counselling for Teachers.

    Online Self-Assessment (OSA) Psych

    If you are admitted to our Bachelor in Psychology program, you have to upload the OSA-Psych during the enrollment.

  • How can I correct a mistake on my application form?

    The information will be corrected in our database once we check your application. You do not need to delete the application and start again.

  • How can I check the status of my application?

    You can check the status in the online application portal.

  • When are the official notifications sent out?

    Please take a look at our Dispatch Schedule. If you apply for a degree program where study places are allocated using the dialog-oriented service procedure (hochschulstart.de), you will receive your official notification soon after you accept your offer of admission.

  • When does the lecture period begin and end?

    The University of Mannheim is the first public higher education institution in Germany to align its academic calendar with the international academic year. The orientation weeks for first-year students and exchange students always take place in the week before the lecture period begins. View the academic calendar

  • How much does a second degree cost?

    In Baden-Württemberg, students who already hold a German university degree are required to pay tuition fees for second degree students in addition to the semester fee. The fee totals €650 per semester.