Application for bachelor-level studies

For applicants without a higher education entrance qualification

This page provides you with information about applying for first degree programmes - those leading to a bachelor’s degree or the first state examination in law.

This application process applies to you if you have not yet completed your higher education entrance qualification (e.g. “Abitur” or “fachgebundene Hochschulreife”). If you have a “fachgebundene Hochschulreife” (Fachabitur) or a German qualification for study at a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife), but want to study a subject for which you are not qualified, then you can take the delta exam.

Important!

If you have earned your qualification abroad, then you need to have your qualification certified as being equivalent to the required German qualification. You can receive this certification from the Chambers of Skilled Crafts or the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Germany.

The application process

This overview will assist you with navigating through the application process. All the information on this page will guide you through the application process step-by-step. Use the content overview at the beginning to directly jump to your specific questions.

What do I need to know before I apply?

Information and support

Three paths to university study for applicants without a higher education entrance qualification.

Admission requirements

Application periods

What exceptions are there for special applicant groups?

I would like to improve my chances for admission by submitting a request for special consideration (personal hardship, top athlete, elected official, waiting period, period of service).

What do I need to take into consideration when I apply?

How do I apply?

How many study programmes may I apply for?

What happens after I have applied?

How can I check my application status?

When will I be admitted to the University of Konstanz?

What can I do if I have not been admitted?

Before you apply

Information and support

Contact our Central Student Advisory Service with all your questions while you are deciding whether and what to study. Please contact Mr. Brecht with your questions about application topics such as entry requirements, requests for special consideration or the application process.

Three paths to university study for applicants without a higher education entrance qualification.

For individuals with vocational qualifications but no higher education entrance qualification, there are three different ways to be admitted to the University of Konstanz.

Direct admission to university study (for master craftsmen/-women and graduates of equivalent education and training)

When you have completed your education and training as a master craftsperson or in an equivalent vocational training programme, it will count as your higher education entrance qualification. You can now apply for all study programmes.

You will also require written documentation proving that you have received individual consultation at a university. At the University of Konstanz, the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) carries out the consultation. Proof of consultation is also accepted from other universities in Baden-Württemberg.

Which qualifications allow a direct admission to university study?

  1. a Master craftsperson qualification
  2. a vocational training programme for your profession that is equal to the Master craftsperson qualification in accordance to the German vocational training act, the German crafts code or other public law provisions. Examples: technical or administrative specialists, operative and strategic IT professionals or business administrators
  3. a degree certificate from an administration and business academy after a minimum two-year vocational training period for business management, German Diplom in administration, business administration or business administration in a specialized subject
  4. a degree certificate from a vocational school in accordance to § 14 Schulgesetz Baden-Württemberg (school law in Baden-Württemberg).

 

Aptitude test (for other vocational qualifications)

You can acquire a higher education entrance qualification for a study programme that matches your vocational training and experience.

You will need to

  1. have completed a vocational training programme of at least two years length that is regulated by federal or state law
  2. have three years of work experience (excluding your education and training)
  3. have successfully passed an aptitude test

You will also require written documentation proving that you have received individual consultation at a university. At the University of Konstanz, the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) carries out the consultation. Proof of consultation is also accepted from other universities in Baden-Württemberg.

If you have worked for your family by independently managing a household and caring for at least one person (child- or nursing care), you can be credited with up to two years of work experience if your responsibilities were equivalent.

The aptitude test will determine if you are qualified for the selected study programme based on your personality, prior knowledge, mental capabilities and motivation.

The aptitude test for universities in Baden-Württemberg is offered by the Internationales Studienzentrum of the University of Heidelberg. The examination fee is 200 euros.

How do you request admission to the aptitude test?

  1. Fill out the form.
  2. Attach the requested documentation to your application.
  3. Hole punch the form and other documentation and combine them using a file fastener.
  4. Please mail your complete application to the University of Konstanz or submit it personally (the application deadline is 1 February of every year).

 

Aptitude examination for the gifted (for working professionals with special abilities)

Alternatively, you can earn your higher education entrance qualification by passing the aptitude examination for the gifted. You can be admitted to the examination if you

  • are at least 25 years of age
  • have worked at least 5 years after completing your vocational education and training
  • your primary residence is in Baden-Württemberg
  • can demonstrate the personality, mental capabilities and achievements that match your intended study programme, as well as an adequate and well-rounded educational background.

The examination takes place once a year in the spring at a regional council (Regierungspräsidium). The registration deadline is 1 August for the examination in the following year. Visit the web pages of the Kultusministerium to find out how to register.

Admission requirements

In addition to your recently earned higher education entrance qualification, you have to fulfil additional admission requirements.

Application periods

Applications received after these dates will not be considered!

If you apply to a study programme with several partial study programmes (e.g. secondary education) where one programme has admission restrictions, you will need to apply by the deadline for study programmes with admission restrictions.

We will inform you about when you can apply online.

Important!

It is possible that the university will require further information in order to recognise your completed further education. We recommend that you contact us early enough in order to answer any questions before the application deadline. Applications are counted as submitted when both the application and all required documents arrive at the University of Konstanz. If your application materials are submitted after the deadline, they will not be considered. The mailing date is not the deciding factor, but rather the date the application materials arrive at the University of Konstanz.

Requests for special consideration

I would like to improve my chances for admission by submitting a request for special consideration.

By submitting a request for special consideration, you can improve your chances of being accepted to a restricted admission study programme.

You may make a request for special consideration only for applications to the first semester of a restricted admission study programme.

Special requests can be submitted for

The application

How do I apply?

Go through the online application and upload the required application documents in ZEuS.

Exception: If you would like to apply for a degree programme that participates in the Dialogue-Oriented Service Procedure (DoSV), you must register via ZEuS (Central Enrolment and Student Portal of the University of Konstanz) at hochschulstart.de before starting the online application. You can find out which degree programmes participate in the DoSV and further information here.

How many study programmes may I apply for?

You can apply for admission to up to three study programmes, irrespective of how you filed your application (directly via online application or indirectly via Hochschulstart). Please note that only one of these three study programmes must be without admission restrictions.

Exception: If you are applying for admission to second degree studies or a bachelor's programme for working professionals, you may only apply for admission to one study programme and submit only one application for admission.

After applying

How can I check my application status?

You will receive a confirmation email once your online application has been submitted. You will also be informed via email as soon as your paper application has arrived in the mail and if any changes to your application's status are made.

Additionally, you can go to the “My application” section of the ZEuS application portal to check your current status as well as whether your application materials have arrived.

If you apply to the bachelor’s programmes in Psychology, Biological Sciences or Law (first state examination in Law), you can check your application’s status using the Hochschulstart.de portal.

When will I be admitted to the University of Konstanz?

When will I be admitted to the University of Konstanz?

If you applied for a study programme without admission restrictions

If you fulfil the admission requirements, you will be admitted to the programme. The university will send you a letter requesting that you officially accept the offer of admission. This process usually involves paying the fees for the first semester of study and submitting any remaining missing documents. The university will then enrol you.

You will also find information about registration in your letter of admission.

You can enrol by registering via ZEuS and then requesting enrolment. Afterwards, you will need to pay the enrolment fees and submit any missing documents (e.g. proof of student health insurance), as described in the letter of admission. To confirm your official enrolment, please log into ZEuS. At the beginning of the semester, you can pick up your student ID card at the SSZ.

If you applied for a study programme with admission restrictions

If you fulfil the admission requirements, you will then take part in the university’s internal selection process. The university will send you a letter of admission if you are selected. You will need to officially accept the offer of admission within a certain period of time (usually 9 to 14 calendar days). This process usually involves paying the enrolment fees for the first semester of study and submitting any remaining missing documents. If payment is late or has not been received by the deadline, your offer of admission will be rescinded. After accepting the offer of admission, you will be enrolled by the university.

Further information about enrolment is included in the letter of admission.

You can enrol by registering via ZEuS and then requesting enrolment. Afterwards, you will need to pay the enrolment fees and submit any missing documents (e.g. proof of student health insurance), as described in the letter of admission. To confirm your official enrolment, please log into ZEuS. At the beginning of the semester, you can pick up your student ID card at the SSZ.

What can I do if I have not been admitted?

What can I do if I have not been admitted?

Waiting list admission process

If you were not admitted to a study programme with admissions restrictions, you will then take part in the waiting list admission process. This process passes along offers of admission that were rejected to applicants in the waiting list. In some cases, several rounds of waiting list admissions are necessary to completely fill a study programme. If waiting list admissions have been completed and positions are still available in a study programme, applicants will be selected at random (“Losverfahren”).