Preferential admission is given to successful applicants who have to delay starting university because they are completing an official volunteer service as defined by German regulations, such as a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), federal volunteer service or voluntary military service in Germany. It means that successful applicants can reserve their study place. Their admission to a program remains valid during the next two selection processes.
All you have to do is reapply for a study place on the same degree program, and include the official letter of admission that you received previously, along with a certificate confirming the completion of an official volunteer service in your application documents.
Application Process
How to apply
You apply for your chosen degree program online. Your documents need to be uploaded in the application portal. You can view the status of your application online at any time.
Find out more about the application processAn additional application via the dialog-oriented service procedure (DoSV) is required for almost all of the bachelor's programs at the University of Mannheim.
Further information on the dialog-oriented service procedure (DoSV)Allocation of study places
University entrance qualification
For the application, we need your university entrance qualification in original form. Please note you probably have to submit a notarized copy to enroll.
Find out more about notarization.If you have a German citizenship and obtained your qualification abroad, you usually need to submit a notarized copy of the document issued by the Department of Evaluation and Recognition which recognizes you qualification as equivalent to a German qualification.
Find out more about the recognition of foreign qualificationsOfficial letter of admission
Certificate confirming the completion of an official volunteer service
CV
Proof of language proficiency
Nachweis von Sprachkenntnissen (Baustein)
Proof of language proficiency is required for the following bachelor's programs (further details are provided in this summary and the respective selection statutes):
- Business Administration
- Business Informatics
- Culture and Economy: English and American Studies
- Current English Linguistics and Literary Studies
What is a volunteer service?
According to German regulations, official volunteer services include, for example, a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), a voluntary ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ), federal volunteer service (BFD) or voluntary military service in Germany. You must complete the volunteer service for a specified period of time at a recognized German institution. This institution must then officially confirm your involvement. Some other volunteer services, such as the European Voluntary Service (EVS), can be completed outside of Germany. Unfortunately, you are not eligible for preferential admission if you work as an au pair, do an internship, or complete other voluntary activities.
How many applications can I submit after completing my volunteer service?
If you are requesting preferential admission, please submit an application form for admission to the first semester of the bachelor's program that you have already been admitted to.
If you have changed your mind about the subject you would like to study, you can also apply for a study place on another degree program. In this case, you will be treated like all other applicants.Aptitude test
An aptitude test can help you choose the right degree program. However, no aptitude test is required for the application. You only need it once you have been admitted to a bachelor's program and would like to accept the study place. No test results are shown on this certificate. It merely proves that you have completed one of the necessary aptitude tests..
Please see the tests here:
- “Was studiere ich?” aptitude test
The “Was studiere ich” (what should I study?) aptitude test provided by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg will help you find out which degree program suits you best. You will receive a certificate of participation after completing the test.
Was studiere ich? - SIT aptitude test
We also accept proof of the SIT aptitude test (Studium-Interessentest) provided by the German Rectors' Conference. - Check-U
The Federal Employment Agency offers the comprehensive Check-U aptitude test. - Aptitude test for prospective teachers
If you would like to enrol for a degree program in Teacher Education or Economic and Business Education, you must submit the Lehrerorientierungstest (aptitude test for prospective teachers). - Online Self-Assessment (OSA) – OSA Psych
In order to enrol in the bachelor's program in Psychology, uploading proof of the completed OSA-Psych is mandatory.
- “Was studiere ich?” aptitude test
How can I correct a mistake on my application form?
How can I check the status of my application?
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