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
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
Two percent of study places are allocated to applicants for a second degree. The selection criteria for study places in this quota are the examination result from the first degree and the reasons why you want to obtain a second degree.
You Need to Submit the Following Documents
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 qualificationsDegree certificate from your first program of study
You must upload the degree certificate from your first program of study.
Proof of previous periods of study
We have to be aware of all periods of study that you have completed in Germany. Please provide the relevant documents of proof as part of your application. For example:
- Enrollment Certificate
- Confirmation of disenrollment
- Transcript of records
- Enrollment verification certificate
Letter of motivation
You must include a letter of motivation in your application which explains why you want to obtain a second degree. It should not be longer than two A4 pages.
CV
You need a detailed, current curriculum vitae (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
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.
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
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?
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.