Special applications
When applying for degree programs with restricted admission, special applications can be made for cases of hardship or where compensation for disadvantages may apply (such as grade attainment and waiting periods).
When applying for degree programs with restricted admission, special applications can be made for cases of hardship or where compensation for disadvantages may apply (such as grade attainment and waiting periods).
A hardship application helps you assert your right to particular treatment when applying for a place with restricted admission. This may relate to circumstances that require your immediate admission or a change to your existing study location. Failed admission to your desired degree program qualifies as an extraordinary hardship.
A case of hardship means that health, social, or family reasons make it necessary to start studying immediately, for example:
The hardship application can be made over the course of the normal application procedure. This requires - in addition to a concise letter of explanation - a medical certificate by a specialist, which must meet certain formal and substantive requirements. The medical certificate should:
Presenting a copy of your disability ID card, as well as a medical certificate of assessment, will certainly help.
In the international admission procedure, only those with EU citizenship or with a German Abitur (higher education entrance qualification) may apply for hardship.
Strict standards are applied when recognizing cases of hardship. Only two percent of places are allocated via an ex ante quota without taking other selection criteria into account, such as your Abitur grades or waiting period. The recognition of a hardship case existing does not guarantee that you will be assigned a place—as the quota may already be filled.
There is no hardship provision under the separate quota for non-EU/non-EEA nationals.
You may also be eligible for compensation for disadvantages for time spent in vocational training, which qualifies you for university entrance. This can be reflected through an adjustment to the average grade or waiting period.
You cannot assert a hardship claim for degree programs with pre-registration, academic orientation, or aptitude testing processes, as these don't have restricted admissions. It is however possible to aplly to receive compensation for disadvantages when you take an aptitude test.
Under certain circumstances, you can also claim compensation for the disadvantages concerning examinations.