Studying without an Abitur

If you would like to study at a university in Baden-Württemberg, you will need a general or subject-related university entrance qualification (“Abitur”).

For prospective students without an Abitur, there are still ways to gain entrance to a university.

What paths are open to you personally depends on your previous education.

We offer prospective students without an Abitur individual advising sessions.

How can I study at the University of Hohenheim with my previous education?
What possibilities do I then have for studying?
What formal requirements do I have to fulfill?
How can I prepare for the aptitude test?
How is the curriculum set up in the degree program I’d like to start and what requirements can I expect?
What selection criteria does the University of Hohenheim use to allocate its places?
What are my chances for getting a spot?
How do I apply for a university spot?
How can I fund my studies?
Studying with children, studying and working - is that possible? (individual curricula)
How can I prepare for my studies?

If you would like an individual advising session, please contact us for an appointment.

Achtung: Die Universität Hohenheim versendet keine Zulassungs- und Ablehnungsbescheide für das 1. Fachsemester per Post. Laden Sie Ihren Bescheid bitte im Posteingang im Bewerbungsportal HohCampus selbst herunter. Im Zulassungsbescheid finden Sie die Frist zur Einschreibung (Immatrikulation).

Ways to study at a university in Baden-Württemberg

Professionally Qualified

In Baden-Württemberg, professionals who have no university entrance qualification from school can study if they fulfill certain requirements. Potential students are separated into two groups.

Master Craftsman or graduates of equivalent programs

Formal requirements

Successful completion of
- a master craftman's examination, or
- further vocational training equivalent to the master craftsman's examination in the learned profession in accordance with the Vocational Training Act, the Crafts Code or other public law regulations (Sec. 58(2) no. 5 LHG) or
- a technical school degree within the meaning of Sec. 14 of the Schools Act.
Proof of a counselling session at a university (required).

Required documents for application to the University of Hohenheim

School-leaving certificate (notarized copy)
Proof of a counselling session at a university

Deadlines

Regular application deadlines apply.

Important! Please make an appointment in good time for a counselling session at the Student Counselling Center. Proof of the counselling interview must be submitted by the application deadline. It is not possible to submit the proof after the deadline. If you do not submit the proof before the deadline, your application will not be considered.

Professionally qualified and aptitude test

Formal requirements

Minimum of two years of vocational training (completed) in a field directly related to the desired degree program.
Three years of work experience in a field directly related to the desired degree program.
Proof of a counselling session at a university (required).
Successfully completed aptitude test.

Study opportunities

You receive a so-called "Studienberechtigung" (university entrance entitlement), which entitles you to pursue an undergraduate degree at all higher education institutions in Baden-Württemberg in a field of study related to your vocational training and work experience (subject-specific university access).

Please schedule an appointment with the Central Student Counselling Center.

Required documents for registering for the aptitude test:

Certificate of completed vocational training (notarized copy)
Proof of three years of work experience
Proof of a counselling session at a university
Form Admission to aptitude test

Deadlines

for the winter semester	1 February
for the summer semester	1 August of the previous year

Please submit your complete documents to the Registrar's Office at the University of Hohenheim. The Registrar's Office will then sign you up for the aptitude test.

The aptitude test is administered centrally by the International Studies Center at the University of Heidelberg. Heidelberg will provide you with information regarding test dates and test preparation and, if you pass the aptitude test, with your university entrance entitlement.

That doesn't mean you are enrolled in the University!
Once you have obtained a university entrance entitlement, submit an online application for enrollment in your degree program of choice by the respective deadline.

Information sheet: University entrance for persons with vocational qualifications "without continuing education"

Additional information

Online study guide for professionally qualified

With school qualification and delta examination

Prospective students with a university of applied science entrance diploma (Fachhochschulreife) or a subject-specific university entrance diploma (fachgebundene Hochschulreife) may take the so-called "Delta Exam" to become eligible for admission to an undergraduate program at a higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg they would otherwise not have access to based on their current university entrance diploma (LHG §58).

The Delta Exam is designed to bridge the "delta" between school-leaving certificate and the desired university program. The exam takes 185 minutes to complete (not including breaks) and consists of the following five groups of tasks:

Matrices
Quantitative problem-solving
Language skills
Deductive reasoning
Interpreting diagrams and tables

Detailed information about the Delta Exam and sample questions

The University of Hohenheim only accepts Delta Exams taken at the University of Mannheim.

Exam date:	The next exam date is Saturday, 6 May 2023.
Test location:	University of Mannheim
Exam fee:	€ 200
Registration period:	1-31 March 2023 Register online at the University of Mannheim.

Delta Exam score reports are mailed out by the University of Mannheim in mid-June.
This enables prospective students to apply for winter semester admission.

Score reports are only reviewed by the respective university after an application has been submitted. This means that passing the Delta Exam alone is not sufficient for an application.

The Delta Exam does not replace other subject-specific aptitude tests that some universities may require.

With successfully completed basic degree program from a university

Prospective students with a qualification to attend a university of applied sciences or with a subject-related university entrance qualification who have successfully completed a basic study program are qualified to study in any subject at Baden-Württemberg universities (LHG Sec. 58(8)).


Example 1: You have a qualification to attend a university of applied sciences and have successfully completed a Bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences. You now have the right to study at the University of Hohenheim and can apply for a university place in a Bachelor’s program (as a second course of study) or a Master’s program.

Example 2: You have a subject-related university entrance qualification that allows you to study in a business/economics program and you have a successfully completed Bachelor’s degree in business from a university of applied sciences. You can then also apply at the University of Hohenheim for a Bachelor's program in a different subject, e.g. Biology or Nutritional Science.

After one year of successful studies at a university in another German state

Prospective students who have successfully studied for one year in another German state may apply for a basic studies program in the same or similar degree program at a university of the same type in Baden-Württemberg.


Example: You have a qualification to attend a university of applied sciences and are studying at a regular university in Hesse because there it is possible to study at a university with a qualification to attend a university of applied sciences. If you have successfully studied one year of business at a university in Hesse, you then have the right to study in a business/economics Bachelor’s program at the University of Hohenheim. You can apply for a university place.