© Universität Bielefeld
How to apply?
You are considering applying to one of Bielefeld University's degree programmes? Good choice! Bielefeld University offers a wide range of study courses from humanities to natural and technical sciences.
On these pages you can find detailed information on how to apply to Bielefeld University as an international prospective student.
The application procedure for a Bachelor's degree differs from the application procedure for a postgraduate degree.
Please select the degree program:
- Bachelor courses, Staatsexamen in Law
Foreign applicants who have acquired a foreign study qualification or who have completed a preparatory course in Germany and who wish to obtain a first degree with professional qualification at Bielefeld University
Foreign applicants who have acquired a foreign study qualification or have completed a preparatory course in Germany as well as refugee Ukrainian citizens with a residence permit according to §24 AufenthG, who have completed general school education and successfully completed the test for academic studies (TestAS) with a standard value of at least 90 both in the core test and in the field-specific module and are aiming for a first professional degree at Bielefeld University, namely the Bachelor's degree or the state examination in law, apply via "uni-assist e.V." in Berlin.
Note: The TestAS as an entrance exam is subject to a fee and is administered by the Society for Academic Study Preparation and Test Development in German or English. Admission and enrollment can only take place for courses that correspond to the field-specific module completed in the TestAS.
Uni-assist is a central work and service centre for international student applications that checks whether the certificates submitted are equivalent to German school or university degrees and generally entitle you to study in Germany.First you apply online at uni-assist within the application deadlines for international applicants. Please note: Applications via "uni - assist e.V." are subject to a fee!
Your application for admission will be processed by Uni-Assist or the Student Office. If you meet the admission and enrolment requirements, you will receive a letter of admission from Bielefeld University with which you can apply for a visa for study purposes. Please note that many subjects are subject to limited admission.
As soon as you have entered Germany and are in Bielefeld, you can enrol at Bielefeld University -Student Office-.German nationals
If you are a German citizen, please apply directly to Bielefeld University as described under Applicants with German Abitur/ university degree.
In addition, please send the following documents by post within the application deadlines:
- German nationals with foreign educational certificates: Certificate of recognition from the Bezirksregierug Düsseldorf, proof of German language skills. If the certificate of recognition cannot be submitted in time, an application via uni-assist is also possible for German nationals.
EU applicants in the DoSV
EU applicants who apply for certain degree programmes in the so-called Dialogorientiertes Serviceverfahren (DoSV) (engl. Dialogue-Oriented Service Procedure) must also register with the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (engl. Foundation for University Admission) (hochschulstart.de).
- Master
You have an internationally recognized degree and would like to pursue a Master Programme at Bielefeld University?
You are able to apply online at Bielefeld University within the application deadlines for international applicants. Kindly upload the following documents on our Application Portal:
- School leaving certificate and possibly university entrance exam
- Certificates of study courses: diploma and transcript of records (Kindly note: If your Original documents are not written in German or English language, kindly remember to upload a translation as well)
- Evidence of language knowledge
- Additional documents (e.g. CV; summary of your thesis, letter of motivation)
The selection process is done on the basis of professional and personal qualification and starts right after the end of the application period. If you meet the admission and enrolment requirements, you will receive a letter of admission from Bielefeld University with which you can apply for a visa for study purposes if necessary. Please note that most of the study courses are subject to an entrance limitation (NC). As soon as the final decision is taken, you'll be informed in the application- and statusportal.
Admission restriction
Bachelor's degree programs
- 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.
- 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
Master's degree programs
- Application for Master courses
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.
Application deadlines
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- When can I apply for a study programme?
- Which language requirements do I have to fulfil for admission to a study programme?
- Can I apply for a Master program 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).
