1.3 Requirements for studying at THL

A checked version of this page, approved on 10 November 2020, was based on this revision.

1.3.2 Application Requirements for Bachelor Programmes[]

What are the application requirements for Bachelor programmes?

Secondary School Leaving Certificate[]

Secondary School leaving Certificate is a prerequisite for admission to an undergraduate course of study at the Technische Hochschule Lübeck. The so called “Hochschulzugangsberechtigung” – or “university entrance qualification is only admissible if it is equivalent to the German higher education entrance qualifications (e. g. Allg. Hochschulreife, Fachhochschulreife). An applicant's eligibility for admission is normally determined on the basis of the secondary school leaving certificate (Maturität/ Baccalaureate/ high school diploma, etc.) For some countries of origin, you are also required to have passed a university entrance exam and/or provide evidence of any time you have already spent at university.

If your secondary school certificate is deemed insufficient for study in Germany, you will have to attend a foundation course (“Studienkolleg”) before you are allowed to enrol.

German Language Proficiency[]

At TH Lübeck, knowledge of German is a prerequisite for admission for nearly all degree programmes. Accepted German Language Certificates include:

Which German language proficency requirements do I need to study at TH Lübeck?

DSH German language examination for university admission, at least overall level 2
TestDaF Test German as a Foreign Language, level 4 (all parts of the test)
Goethe Certificate C2 Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (C1, B2, B1 are not sufficient for admission)
Feststellungsprüfung des Studienkollegs – Studienkolleg assessment test certificate
Goethe Certificate C2 examination: major German Language Diploma or one of the former minor or major German Language Diploma or the Central Advanced Language Test of the Goethe-Institut (till 2011), or Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom" exam (since 2012)
German Language Diploma (stage II) from the German Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule Certificate
You don’t need to take these tests if you have earned an “Abitur” from a German-language secondary school

The necessary language skills must be demonstrated at the time of application.

Can I study at TH Lübeck if my High School certificate is not recognised in Germany?

Academic Bridging Course: Studienkolleg[]

TH Lübeck accepts Studienkolleg Certificate (FSP) as a valid university entry qualification. Studienkolleg offers academic bridging courses to prepare university applicants for doing a degree programme at a German university.

If you have earned a school leaving certificate which entitles you to go to university in your home country, which is, however, not recognised as a higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB) in Germany, you must attend a Studienkolleg before you commence your studies.

This is required since the school system, the teaching contents, or the duration of school attendance may be so different from those in Germany that preparatory studies at a Studienkolleg are mandatory in order to be able to study successfully. Even though the mode of instruction, comparable requirements, and common goals held at the Studienkollegs are identical, teaching contents and application procedures may differ from Studienkolleg to Studienkolleg, or in the individual federal states.

Which specialised courses do the Studienkollegs offer?

The university Studienkollegs offer the following specialised courses as preparation for studying at university:

M-course: for medical, biological and pharmaceutical degrees
T-course: for mathematical, science or technical degrees
W-course: for business, economics and social science degrees
G-course: for humanity degrees or German studies
S-course: for language degrees

The University of Applied Sciences Studienkollegs offer the following specialised courses as preparation for studying:

TI-course: for technical and engineering degrees
WW-course: for economics and business degrees
GD-course: for design and art degrees
SW-course: for social science degrees

Steps to Studying at TH Lübeck through Studienkolleg

Step 1: Check whether your school leaving certificate qualifies you for studies in Germany. If you are qualified to study in your home country, you will be able to study in Germany.
Step 2: Check whether you can start studying in Germany directly, or whether you need to attend a Studienkolleg first. The database anabin will inform you about how your school leaving certificate is evaluated in Germany. Depending on this evaluation, you will either be able to directly start studying at a university, or you will need to first take a 1-year specialised course at a Studienkolleg.
Step 3: Inquire at the Studienkolleg of your choice about the necessary application documents. Each Studienkolleg has different admission requirements and deadlines, so it is important to inquire at every Studienkolleg you are interested in, or to check their website.
Step 4: Check whether you can apply directly to the Studienkolleg of your choice, or whether you need to apply via uni-assist. It is possible to apply directly to some Studienkollegs, while others require that you apply via uni-assist.

Step 5: Prepare for and take the entrance exam. The individual Studienkollegs have different entrance exams, so it is important to look for information and mock exams on the Studienkollegs’ websites. Some will have a mathematics exam and a German exam, while others will only have a German exam. Sit the final examination and obtain the FSP certificate.

Step 6: Apply at TH Lübeck via the university’s online portal.

Evaluatuation: Progress Check Test for key words 2 Methods: Multiple Choices and Vocabulary Cards Task: Definition of terms and assessment of knowledge Points/Badges: ?? maybe 30

TH Lübeck Foundation Course LINKplus[]

Does TH Lübeck offer University foundation course?

LINKplus is a preparatory programme that enables asylum seekers with no formal university entry qualification to get admission into a course of study at the Technical University of Lübeck. This three-semester program issues certificates upon successful completion, which are recognized as TH Lübeck study entry qualification.

More information about LINKplus can be found by following this link.

Non-School-based University Entry Requirements[]

Is it possibe to study at TH Lübeck if I lost my academic documents?

In Schleswig-Holstein, the following special university entrance options are available to people who do not have a school-based university entrance qualification but a special professional qualification:

Aptitude Test: TestAS[]

The TestAS is a standardised exam which allows universities to compare the scholastic aptitude of their prospective students. TH Lübeck recognises the test results as an alternative for those applicants who have lost their secondary school leaving certificates. The test comprises of three parts: the “onScreen” language test, the Core Test and four subject-specific test modules, with a maximum score of 130 points, whereby a score of 95 points and above is equivalent to the German Abitur level. The four modules include:

Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social Studies
Engineering
Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences
Economics

Structure of TestAS. picture of TestAs Modules The TestAS certificate is valid indefinitely. Please beware that module one is not applicable to TH Lübeck. Evaluatuation: Progress Check Consider Introducing a short TestAS case study Content: Grading System and Examination Structure Assessment Method:True or False Badges/Points: 10?? I have a Master Craftsman's Examination certificate. Is it possible to study at TH LÜbeck with this qualification?

Master Craftsman's Examination or similar advanced training[]

A master craftsman's examination or similar advanced training (such as state-certified technician, business economist, certified specialist) entitles the holder to study in all Bachelor's degree courses in accordance with § 39 of the Higher Education Act, provided that the courses comprise at least 400 teaching hours.
If the higher education entrance qualification does not show an average grade that is determined by a decimal point, a special certificate of the average grade of the institution at which the degree was obtained must be provided. Those who do not provide evidence of an average grade will be placed after the last application with an ascertainable average grade.
The application does not require any special form and is submitted online via university website within the regular application deadlines.

Trial Study[]

What other possibilities are avaiable for me if I don't posses offical academic qualifications?

Persons without a school-leaving certificate but with a qualified vocational training and work experience can apply for a course of study at TH Lübeck. In the courses of study with restricted admission, 1-2 trial students can be admitted per semester (depending on the admission capacity of the course of study). There is no space restriction in the free-admission programmes. In both cases, the following requirements must be met:

Proof of completed vocational training with at least satisfactory grades and at least three years’ work experience in the learned profession (periods of training notwithstanding)
Proof of professional relationship between the training, the work experience carried out and the chosen course of study.
Applications are submitted by filling in the relevant application form within the regular application deadlines.
A limited admission is not possible if the applicant has already been enrolled for a limited period of time at another university in the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

If you have any questions, please call (0451) 300-5012 or send an e-mail.

Alternatives to the three years’ work experience requirement include:[]

a compulsory service in the armed forces, in the Federal Border Guard, in a civil defence association or in an alternative or equivalent temporary service
service in development aid under the Development Aid Act,
the voluntary social year (FSJ) in accordance with the law on the promotion of a voluntary social year or the voluntary ecological year
the independent management of a family household with at least three persons or with at least one person in need of upbringing or care

University Internal Aptitude Test[]

This test applies to persons without a school-based higher education entrance qualification but particularly high qualifications in vocational training, in employment or in further education. The university aptitude test is an individual oral examination. It is a one hour test that consists of a general and subject-specific specialist sections. The general section is based on social, economic or cultural topics, including skills and knowledge in mathematics, in a natural science and in a foreign language. The subject-specific examination section focuses on the essential requirements of the intended course of study.

Admission requirements for the university aptitude test are:[]

Completion of at least two years of vocational training in a field related to the intended course of study, which is recognised under federal or state law, and
Proof of at least half of the regular working hours of a three-year working experience in a field related to the course of study, which must be proven by a certificate of employment.
A qualified study consultation certificate by the responsible department.
The examination is subject to a fee (141 Euro).

If you have any questions, please call (0451) 300-5012 or send an e-mail.

Important to know: For admission to the degree course in Hearing Acoustics, B.Sc.Hearing Acoustics, B.Sc., additional proof of vocational training in hearing aid acoustics is mandatory.

Application Requirements for Higher Semester[]

I began my studies abroad. Is it possible to continue and complete my studies at TH Lübeck?

A university transfer or a change of study program within the Technische Hochschule Lübeck to a higher semester is only possible if you have completed enough creditable work for the new study program. If this is not the case, you would have to apply for the first semester within the regular application period. Therefore, please apply in advance for a placement certificate from the examination board of the responsible department at Technische Hochschule Lübeck. Please contact the responsible department secretariat directly to find out which documents have to be submitted.

Exception: If you have previously studied the same course of study at another university of applied sciences, no certificate of placement is required. In this case, you will automatically be placed in the consecutive semester. For applicants who have acquired their university entrance qualification outside of Germany, a direct application is only possible if 90 ECTS at a German university and sufficient German language skills are proven. Otherwise the application must be made via uni-assist.
If a required course examination is ultimately not passed, further study in the same course of study at the same type of university is not possible according to the applicable regulations.
Therefore, if you have definitively failed a course of study at a university, further study at the Technische Hochschule Lübeck in the same course of study is permitted. However, if you have definitively failed a course of study at a university of applied sciences, you cannot continue your studies in the same course of study at the TH Lübeck.

1.3.4 Application Requirements for Master’s Programs[]

What are the application requirements for Master programmes?

Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and Transcripts[]

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) degree is a pre-requisite for admission to graduate studies at TH Lübeck. Admission requirements vary from program to program. Therefore close attention should be paid to the specific admission information for the Master’s program in question. In general, the overall grade of the Bachelor’s degree for most of these programmes must be equivalent to at least a grade of 2.5 in the German grading system with a minimum of 210 Credit Points. The degree certificate (certificate of graduation, examination certificate) needs to be submitted with the application. Please note: Application is not possible in the absence of the final degree certificates.

Proof of English Proficiency[]

If you are not a native English speaker, an internationally accepted language test certificate such as the TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate is a prerequisite. A score of at least 80 points (internet based TOEFL) or 550 points (paper based TOEFL) or a comparable result in another international test is required. This requirement is mostly applicable to master’s programmes. The following exceptions may apply:

English was the primary language of instruction for your school education
At least six months of working or studying in an English speaking country
A minimum of 5 years continuous language lessons in English during school education.
English was the official language of your previous Bachelor or Master studies

Applicants must support these exceptions with adequate and officially certified documents.

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