University Admission for Vocationally Qualified Applicants without University Entrance Qualifications

1. A passed examination for the master craftsman's certificate on the basis of Sections 45, 51a, 122 of the Handicrafts Regulation Act (Handwerksordnung) in the version of September 24, 1998, last amended by Article 19 of the law of July 25, 2013, or the acquisition of an equivalent examination for the master craftsman's certificate under Section 7 subsection 2a of the Handicrafts Regulation Act;
2. Continuing training qualification as established by Sections 53, 54 of the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz) dated March 23, 2005, last modified by Article 22 of the Act dated July 25, 2013 or pursuant to Sections 42, 42a of the Handicrafts Regulation Act if the training courses comprised at least 400 hours of instruction;
3. Certificate of competency for nautical or technical service on ships pursuant to the German regulations concerning the training of ships' officers (Schiffsoffizier-Ausbildungsverordnung) - replaced by the Regulations on the Competencies and Proficiencies of Seafarers in the Maritime Shipping industry (Seeleute-Befähigungsverordnung), valid from June 1, 2014 -, based on a training course comprising at least 400 hours of instruction;
4. Completion of a certificate at a publicly owned technical college or an independently owned state-approved technical college in terms of Section 28 of the Brandenburg School Law (Brandenburgischen Schulgesetz) in the version as promulgated on August 2, 2002, last modified by Article 1 of the Act dated December 19, 2011, or completion of comparable training in another federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany.
5. Continuing training comparable to that referred to under numbers 1 and 2 as established by a training measure governed by state law for healthcare professions or in the area of social work or pedagogical professions
6. Completion of upper secondary education level I or an equivalent qualification and a completed vocational training suitable for the intended degree program with at least two years of work experience acquired subsequently (in the relevant discipline in undergraduate studies at the University of Potsdam)

An individual who can document qualifications obtained abroad can also be admitted to a degree program at the University of Potsdam that corresponds to one of the certificates referred to above if he or she has the necessary language skills for the degree program.

In principle, it is possible that your vocational qualification can be recognized as a university entrance qualification at the University of Potsdam. The prerequisites for this are listed here: Types of university entrance qualifications for vocationally qualified individuals.

You can submit an application to determine a university entrance qualification in accordance with Section 9, subsection 2, nos. 6 to 11 (BbgHG) for the University of Potsdam and then receive a result of the assessment as to whether a general or a subject-specific university entrance qualification exists.

Please note that you will still have to apply and/or enroll for your desired degree program in any case. The application to determine a university entrance qualification does not replace your application and enrollment for the desired degree program! Please also refer to “Important Information”  and “Application and Enrollment”.

On the application, under each category of a vocational qualification, you will find a list of the documents to be submitted for it. Please do not submit originals, simple copies are sufficient.

In justified cases (living abroad, illness or the like), you can submit your application digitally by e-mail with the required supporting documents.

No, there is no such quota at the University of Potsdam.

If, for example, there is no grade point average on the certificate of completion of the master craftsman’s examination or the vocational school, you can ask the respective institution where you took the examination whether it can be issued.

The grade point average may not be calculated by yourself and is important if you want to apply for a degree program with restricted admission (NC UP), since the allocation of admission slots is regulated by the grade point average or waiting period, among other factors. If there is no grade point average, the application will be placed at the bottom of the ranking list.

Yes, you can also study at the University of Potsdam if you have parental and care responsibilities to fulfill. The University of Potsdam aims to facilitate an environment that leads to a successful completion of the program. The university's "Service for Families" can help you to better balance studying and family life.