Studying without an Abitur

Studying without a general university entrance qualification

Even without an Abitur, you can study at the University of Münster as a qualified professional under certain conditions. As a rule, admission is open to all subjects of study. This form of admission is regulated by the University Entrance Qualification Ordinance for Professionally Qualified Applicants [de] (BBHZG-VO) and applies to three groups of candidates:

  • 1. Master craftsmen, master craftswomen and comparably qualified individuals

    (in accordance with § 2 of the BBHZG-VO)

    If you belong to this group, you are eligible for admission to all degree programmes offered at the University of Münster. You are not required to pass a placement or aptitude test in advance. For more information on the group of "comparably qualified individuals", click here. You can view a list of some of our accredited continuing education programmes here [de].

    • When applying for enrolment in a nationally restricted-admission degree programme (Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry) via www.hochschulstart.de [de] operated by the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (SfH), you participate in the study-place allocation procedure with an assigned average grade of 4.0. You can increase your grade and thereby improve your chances of receiving a study place by taking an entrance examination. To register for the entrance examination, apply directly to the corresponding faculty by 1 October for summer semester enrolment, or 1 April for winter semester enrolment.
    • For enrolment in a locally restricted-admission degree programme, you must apply via the Application Portal [de] of the University of Münster. Please note the  application periods.
      Applications for the locally restricted-admission programmes are processed through the dialogue-oriented service procedure. This means that you must first register with the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (SfH).
      If there are more applicants than available study places, a faculty-based selection committee will decide on your request for admission.
    • For non-restricted degree programmes, you can enrole online. In this case, please note the periods to enrol via Online Enrolment.
  • 2. Subject-related professional applicants

    (in accordance with § 3 of the BBHZG-VO)

    As a "subject-related" professional applicant, you are eligible for direct admission to programmes which correspond to the area of expertise of your professional training or occupation. This group includes all candidates who have completed at least two years of professional training followed by at least three years of practical experience in a profession corresponding to the same subject.

    • When applying for enrolment in a nationally restricted-admission degree programme (Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry) via www.hochschulstart.de [de] operated by the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (SfH), you participate in the study-place allocation procedure with an assigned average grade of 4.0. You can increase your grade and thereby improve your chances of receiving a study place by taking an entrance examination. To register for the entrance examination, apply directly to the corresponding faculty by 1 October for summer semester enrolment, or 1 April for winter semester enrolment.
    • For enrolment in a locally restricted-admission degree programme, you must apply via the Application Portal [de] of the University of Münster. Please note the application periods.
      Applications for the locally restricted-admission programmes are processed by the dialogue-oriented service procedure. This means that you must first register with the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (SfH). If there are more applicants than available study places, a faculty-based selection committee will decide on your request for admission.
      By passing an entrance examination, you may also apply to other degree programmes at the University of Münster which are not related to your subject of expertise.
    • For non-restricted degree programmes, you can enrole via Online Enrolment for a two-semester trial programe. Please note the enrolment periods. After completing the trial programme, you may enrol in a full degree programme.

     

  • 3. Non-subject-related professional applicants

    (in accordance with § 4 of the BBHZG-VO)

    If you have had at least two years of professional training followed by three years of practical experience in a profession which is unrelated to your area of expertise, you may study subjects which do not necessarily correspond to your prior career path. If you are employed at least part-time, your professional activity is accredited proportionately. Professional activity is also recognised in cases when applicants are (or were) primarily and independently responsible for running a household with at least one underage child or relative who requires care.

    • When applying for enrolment in a nationally restricted-admission degree programme (Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry) via www.hochschulstart.de operated by the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (SfH), you must take a university entrance examination first, after which you may participate in the study-place allocation procedure with the grade you achieved.
    • For restricted-admission degree programmes, you must take a university entrance examination.
    • For non-restricted degree programmes, you may enroll in a two-semester trial programme. After completing the trial programme, you may enrol in a full degree programme.

    To register for the entrance examination, apply directly to the corresponding faculty by 1 October for summer semester enrolment, or 1 April for winter semester enrolment.

     

Allocation of study places

Nationally restricted-admission degree programmes (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy)

Study places in nationally restricted-admission degree programmes are allocated by the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (SfH). For more information on the allocation process, click here [de].

Locally restricted-admission degree programmes

Here you can view the admission limits (NC) of past semesters. The "waiting time" is calculated based on how long you have been waiting for a study place since receiving your university entrance qualification in accordance with the BBHZG-VO, but may not precede the date on which the BBHZG-VO entered into force (winter semester 2010/11).

Group 1 and 2:
Study places for master craftsmen, master craftswomen and comparably qualified professionals, as well as subject-related professional applicants are awarded on the basis of a preliminary quota. Only 3,1 percent of all available study places through the university-wide selection procedure (AdH) are awarded to this group of applicants in each respective degree programme. If there are more applicants than study places, a selection committee is responsible for making final decisions on study place allocation.

Group 3:
Applicants who have taken the university entrance examination participate in the normal study-place allocation process on the basis of the grade they received on the examination and their respective waiting time. Study places are allocated based on 80 % academic achievement (final grade) and 20 % waiting time.

Non-restricted degree programmes

In non-restricted degree programmes, all applicants who meet the admission requirements are granted a study place.

Special provisions for the subjects Sport, Music and Art

All candidates who wish to enrol in the subjects Sport and Music are required to take an aptitude test. Those who are accepted into Art degree programmes receive instruction at the Academy of Fine Arts in Münster. Applications for admission should be submitted there.

FAQs and information on the university entrance examination

Where do I have to register to take the university entrance examination and who can I go to for advice on the examination requirements, preparing for the exam etc.?

Please register at the Dean's Offices of the respective faculties, i.e. Faculty Offices responsible for central administration.
Addresses of the Dean's Offices

We strongly recommend contacting the advisor in the respective subject area to learn more about what you need to do to prepare for the examination.