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Second degree

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*What is considered a "university"?

Universities are, for example, universities, former comprehensive universities, teacher training colleges, music colleges, art colleges, sports colleges, Bundeswehr universities, ecclesiastical universities, universities of applied sciences including universities of applied sciences for public administration.

Second degree or first degree?

You are considered a second degree applicant if

  • you have already completed a Bachelor's degree at a German university* and would now like to start a further Bachelor's degree programme or
  • you have already completed a degree equivalent to a Master's degree (Master's, Diplom, Magister, state exam(ination)) at a German university* and would now like to start a further Master's course.

The relevant degree certificate (or your provisional degree certificate with the final overall grade) has to be available by the application deadline.

You are NOT considered a second degree applicant if

  • you have successfully completed a bachelor's course at a German university and are now applying for a master's course.

  • you have not yet submitted proof of your degree from your first degree programme by the application deadline - even if you are already studying or have already studied at a university.

  • You have already submitted your Bachelor's thesis but will not receive the certificate until after the application deadline.

Application for a second degree programme

The application for a second degree is made online via the application and status portal. Any required supporting documents are also uploaded here.

For open-admission degree programmes or completely open-admission degree programme combinations, neither proof of a university certificate nor a letter of motivation is required in the application.

For degree programmes/subjects with admission restrictions, the online application process asks whether you have already successfully completed a degree programme at a German university. If the answer to this question is "yes"

  • the university certificate and the letter of motivation must be uploaded as part of the application.
  • the application will only be considered in the special quota for applications for a second degree programme

Allocation in the special "second degree" quota

In consideration of those who do not yet have a German degree, there is a special quota of 3% of study places for applicants for a second degree in degree programmes/subjects with admission restrictions.

The selection of applicants is based exclusively on this special quota and is determined by

  1. according to the final grade of the first degree programme (Bachelor, state exam(ination), Magister, Diplom) and
  2. according to the importance of the second degree (letter of motivation) and
  3. the existence of a family phase.

These three points are used to form a measurement number. Other criteria (such as A-level grades or waiting semesters) are not applied.

The student office does not keep track of or report on the figures from past allocation procedures that led to admission to the special quota second degree programme.

Further information on these individual case groups for a second degree programme can be found in Annex 1 of the NRW Study Place Allocation Ordinance.

Criteria for awarding points

University certificate

The following points are awarded for the grade of the university certificate:

  • 4 points for "excellent" and "very good"
  • 3 points for "good" and "fully satisfactory"
  • 2 points for "satisfactory" and
  • 1 point for "sufficient" or no certificate.

You upload the university certificate in the online application portal as part of your application.

What should be included in the letter of motivation? The letter of motivation should contain a brief statement that only mentions the professional or academic reasons listed below, but not your inner motivation or personal interests.

You upload the letter of motivation as part of your application in the online application portal.

The following points are awarded for the degree of importance of the second degree (letter of motivation):

  • 9 points for "compelling appointment reasons"
  • 7 - 11 points for "academic reasons"
  • 7 points for "special appointment reasons" and
  • 4 points for "other appointment reasons"
  • 1 point for no professional or scientific reasons or no letter of motivation.

A high standard is set for the reasons:

  • Compelling professional reasons only exist if the completion of two degree programmes is required by law for the pursuit of the desired appointment.
  • For academic reasons, your previous CV must contain at least a Master's degree and activities in academia.
  • For special professional reasons, you must provide proof that you are seeking an appointment that cannot already be performed by persons who have completed one of the two degree programmes.
  • To claim other professional reasons, you must provide evidence of your previous professional situation after completing your first degree programme.

The assignment to the case groups is made by the assessors and is not to be selected by you in advance in the letter of motivation.

In addition, 2 points can be granted after a family phase.

This can be considered if a previous professional activity had to be given up for family reasons (e.g. raising children/caring for a close relative) or if it was necessary to refrain from taking up an adequate professional activity after completing a first degree programme out of consideration for family concerns.

A birth certificate must be uploaded as proof.

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