Application

Bachelor & First Examination Law

General Information

International Applicants who have obtained a foreign study qualification and are seeking a first professional qualification at Bielefeld University, namely a Bachelor's degree or the first legal examination in law, must previously request a preliminary examination documentation (VPD) at uni-assist.

Uni-assist is a central service centre for international study applications, which checks whether the submitted certificates are equivalent to German secondary school or university degrees and therefore generally entitle the applicant to study in Germany.

German nationals

If you are a German citizen, please apply directly to Bielefeld University as described in Applicants with a German) 'Abitur' / university degree.

In addition, please submit the following documents as part of your online application within the deadlines for applications:

• Certificate of recognition from the district government in Düsseldorf, proof of German language skills. If the certificate of recognition cannot be submitted in time, German citizens can also submit an application via uni-assist.

EU/EEA citizens in the DOSV

EU/EEA applicants (applicants with equivalent status) must also firstly request a VPD via uni-assist (see above: international applicants) and then apply via the Bielefeld University application portal within the deadlines for applications. If you are applying for certain degree programmes in the so-called dialogue-oriented service procedure (DoSv), you must also register via the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (hochschulstart.de). You will receive the BID and BAN required for the application at campus.uni-bielefeld.de via your Hochschulstart registration.

Application on the basis of an access examination in accordance with Section 49 (5) HG NRW proof of eligibility for admission to a preparatory college

International applicants with a qualification for admission to a preparatory college (indirect higher education entrance qualification (HZB)) who can attest a successful participation in the Study Aptitude Test for Foreign Students (TestAS) with a standard score of at least 90, in both the core test and the study field-specific module (50/50 in the digital TestAS) and who are seeking a first professionally qualifying degree at Bielefeld University, namely a Bachelor's degree or the first legal examination in law, can also use this special regulation to apply for a degree programme at Bielefeld University. For this purpose, a preliminary examination documentation (VPD) has to be previously requested at uni-assist (see above: international applicants).

Note: The TestAS as an access examination is subject to a fee and is taken by the Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung e.V. in German or English. Admission and enrolment can only be granted for degree programmes that correspond to the field of study-specific modules completed in the TestAS.

Uni-assist is a central service centre for international study applications, which checks whether the certificates submitted are equivalent to German secondary school or university degrees and generally entitle the applicant to study in Germany.

First step: Apply for preliminary review documentation (VPD)

For your application, first apply to uni-assist for a preliminary review documentation (VPD)

Please submit your application at the latest eight weeks before the application deadlines for the desired degree programme. Uni-assist will check your documents and issue you with a VPD if you have a direct or indirect university entrance qualification.

For a successful certification, please upload the following documents:

• University entrance qualification (secondary school certificate, university entrance examination if applicable plus a translation by a recognised translator if the original document is not in German or English)
• If applicable, proof of your previous studies (diploma and transcript plus a translation by a recognised translator if the original document is not in German or English)
• If the school education was acquired in India, Vietnam, China: APS certificate

Please note:

• The application via uni-assist e.V. is subject to a fee!
• The VPD can be applied for all year round. If the uni-assist portal is not yet open for the desired semester, simply select the current semester.

Second step: Application

Apply for a study place within the deadline for applications directly via the status and application portal of Bielefeld University

Once you have received the VPD, apply directly via the Bielefeld University application portal for the desired degree programme within the deadline for applications. Remember to upload the VPD you received from Uni-Assist with the other required application documents (see below). It is not possible to submit the VPD after the deadline for applications.

For a successful application, please upload the following documents:

• University entrance qualification (secondary school certificate, university entrance examination if applicable plus a translation by a recognised translator if the original document is not in German or English)
• If applicable, proof of your previous studies (diploma and transcript plus a translation by a recognised translator if the original document is not in German or English)
• Proof of your German language skills
• If the school education was acquired in India, Vietnam, China: APS certificate
• TestAS if applicable

Admission restriction

Subjects with entrance limitation (Numerus clausus)

Most of the subjects at the university have a restricted admission - so there is an intake capacity. In this case, there is a special selection procedure based on your final school exam grade. A decision regarding your admission will be taken after this procedure, i.e. (15.07./ 15.01) - e.g. August / February.

➥ More information about the Numerus Clausus

German or EU citizens

The Application will be considered by a "normal" award procedure. The school grade will be transformed in the German school-grade-system and it will then be assumed that you have passed your high-school in Germany. The award-procedure of the capacity will be done over 20% school exam grade and 80% about a special method (presently: also school exam grade).

Other citizens

In this case, the application will not be considered in the allocation procedure mentioned above, but a separate procedure will be carried out. For this separate procedure, 7% of the available places (or 5% for the Medicine degree programme) are available. Selection is also based on the grade of the university entrance qualification.

State Examination Medicine

General Information

On the website of the Medical School OWL you will find all relevant information about the model degree programme Medicine.

International study applicants who have obtained their study qualification abroad or have completed a preparatory course in Germany

International applicants who have obtained a foreign study qualification must previously apply to request a preliminary examination documentation (VPD) at uni-assist.

Uni-assist is a central employment and service centre for international study applications, which checks whether the certificates submitted are equivalent to German school or university degrees and generally entitle the applicant to study in Germany.

German nationals/EU/EEA citizens and persons of equal status to German applicants

All study places in medicine at universities in Germany are allocated by the Foundation for University Admissions. There you will also find further information on the application and admission procedure.

Please note: Please inform yourself about the deadlines for applications at hochschulstart.de.

You can find out whether have an equal grading status as German applicants with a study qualification not acquired in Germany on the website of the Foundation for University Admission.

Foreign study applicants and Germans who have not obtained their higher education entrance qualification at a German-speaking educational institution must also take into account the language approval requirements for a degree programme.

Application on the basis of an access examination in accordance with Section 49 (5) HG NRW if you are eligible for admission to the preparatory college

International applicants with a qualification for admission to a preparatory college (indirect higher education entrance qualification (HZB)) who can demonstrate successful participation in the Study Aptitude Test for Foreign Students (TestAS) with a standard score of at least 90 in both the core test and the study field-specific module (50/50 in the digital TestAS) and who are seeking a first professionally qualifying degree at Bielefeld University, namely a Bachelor's degree or the first law examination or state examination 'medicine', can also use this special regulation to apply for a degree programme at Bielefeld University. For this purpose, a preliminary examination documentation (VPD) is first applied for at uni-assist.

Note: The TestAS as an access examination is subject to a fee and is taken by the Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung e.V. in German or English. Admission and enrolment can only be granted for degree programmes that correspond to the field of study-specific modules completed in the TestAS.

Uni-assist is a central work and service centre for international study applications, which checks whether the certificates submitted are equivalent to German school or university degrees and generally entitle the applicant to study in Germany.

First step: Apply for preliminary review documentation (VPD)

For your application, first apply to uni-assist for a preliminary review documentation (VPD)

Please submit your application at the latest eight weeks before the application deadlines for the desired degree programme. Uni-assist will check your documents and issue you with a VPD if you have a direct or indirect university entrance qualification.

For a successful certification, please upload the following documents:

• University entrance qualification (secondary school certificate, university entrance examination if applicable plus a translation by a recognised translator if the original document is not in German or English)
• If applicable, proof of your previous studies (diploma and transcript plus a translation by a recognised translator if the original document is not in German or English)
• If the school education was acquired in India, Vietnam, China: APS certificate

Please note:

• The application via uni-assist e.V. is subject to a fee!
• The VPD can be applied for all year round. If the uni-assist portal is not yet open for the desired semester, simply select the current semester.

Second step: Application

Apply for a study place within the deadline for applications directly via the status and application portal of Bielefeld University

Once you have received the VPD, apply directly via the Bielefeld University application portal for the desired degree programme within the deadline for applications. Remember to upload the VPD you received from Uni-Assist with the other required application documents (see below). It is not possible to submit the VPD after the deadline for applications.

For a successful application, please upload the following documents:

• University entrance qualification (secondary school certificate, university entrance examination if applicable plus a translation by a recognised translator if the original document is not in German or English)
• If applicable, proof of your previous studies (diploma and transcript plus a translation by a recognised translator if the original document is not in German or English)
• Proof of your German language skills
• If the school education was acquired in India, Vietnam, China: APS certificate
• TestAS if applicable

Master

How to apply

Do you have an internationally recognised degree and are you seeking a degree in a Master's or additional degree programme?

First apply online within the application deadlines for international applicants via the university's application and status portal.

You should upload the following documents to the online portal as part of your application:

• Secondary school certificate
• Proof of previous studies: Diploma and Transcript of Records. An additional translation by a recognized translator if the original document is not in German or English
• VPD: uni-assist preliminary examination documentation (only applicable for Data Science, see ”Additional information for Data Science”)
• Proof of the required language skills
• Individual documents in accordance with (subject-) specific admission requirements

The selection procedure is based on subject-specific and personal qualifications and starts immediately after the deadline for applications. If you fulfil the admission and enrolment requirements, you will receive a notice of admission from Bielefeld University, which you can use to apply for a visa for study purposes if necessary. Please note that most degree programmes are subjected to admission restrictions (NC). As soon as the final decision has been made, you will be informed by the university via the application and status portal.

➥ To the application and status portal!

Admission restriction

For Master's applications, selection is based on the degree of individual suitability. The selection process is done on the basis of professional and personal qualification (Master of Education: based on bachelor exam grade or grade of the subject "Erziehungswissenschaften"). A decision will always be taken by the department.

For non-EU applicants 7% of the available places are available.

Additional information for Data Science

From winter semester 2025/26 (application period 01 June to 15 July): If you have not obtained your first degree in Germany, you can only apply for the Master's degree program in Data Science with a preliminary examination documentation (VPD) from uni-assist e.V.! Requesting the VPD will be possible around April 2025 and should be done at least eight weeks before our application deadline (15 July 2025).

Important: The application for a VPD via the uni-assist online portal alone does not count as an application for a study place at Bielefeld University. After receiving the VPD, you need to apply again online and within the deadline at Bielefeld University via the application portal and upload all required application documents.

When can I apply for a study programme?

➥ Application deadlines for international applicants

Which language requirements do I have to fulfil for admission to a study programme?

➥ Information on the language requirements for taking up a study programme.

Can I apply for a Master programme even though I do not yet have the certificate for my undergraduate degree?

If you haven't received your degree certificate at the time of your application for a Master programme, your application can only be considered if you submit a complete transcript of records and an additional certificate/proof that all credits and requirements for obtaining the degree have been fulfilled. The missing certificate must be submitted immediately upon receipt. If you are not able to provide this confirmation by the end of the application period  your application can unfortunately not be considered and you would have to apply in the following application period with complete documents (Transcript of Records and degree certificate).