Second Degree

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 must upload the degree certificate from your first program 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

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.

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.

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)

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.