University entry for those with vocational qualifications
Prospective students who do not hold a school-leaving certificate or a subject-specific school qualification have the option of applying to study via the university admission route for those with vocational qualifications.
Important information before you apply:
- A prerequisite for applying via the university admission scheme for those with vocational qualifications is participation in a guidance session organised by the central student guidance and counselling services (ZSB) at the university of Wuppertal. This counselling session will help you choose a degree programme and guide you through the process of starting your studies. Applications submitted without proof from the ZSB that you have attended the counselling session will not be processed by the international student administration office.
- Study at the university of Wuppertal is generally organised on a full-time basis. Self-organised, ‘part-time’ study whilst working does not, as a rule, lead to the desired outcome or degree.
The following access options are available:
Holders of a Meister qualification and those with equivalent qualifications have direct access to all degree programmes at all universities and universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia, without having to sit any further entrance examinations.
Anyone who has successfully completed at least two years’ vocational training and has subsequently worked for at least three years in the profession they have learnt is granted direct entry to degree programmes that correspond to their vocational training and professional experience.
Prospective students who have completed at least two years of vocational training, followed by at least three years of professional experience in a field not directly related to their training, have the opportunity to sit an entrance examination to enrol on a degree programme that does not correspond to their previous career path.
Prospective students who have completed at least two years’ vocational training, followed by at least three years’ professional experience in a field unrelated to that training, have the opportunity to undertake a trial course of study in a subject area that does not correspond to their previous career path.
The following are regarded as equivalent to gainful employment, provided access is granted via the entrance examination (c.) or a trial period of study (d.): bringing up minor children, caring for a relative, bearing primary and independent responsibility for running a household, voluntary military service, Federal Voluntary Service, a Voluntary Social Year, a Voluntary Ecological Year, work as a development aid worker, the completion of further vocational training, and part-time employment.
Important information for your application
Please refer to the website for dates and deadlines; see ‘Applications for Special Groups’.
Entrance examination:
Further information on the entrance examination is available here
Application Deadlines
Programmes without restriction on admission:
SoSe: 15.12. - 15.04.
WiSe: 15.05. - 15.10.
Programmes with restriction on admission:
WiSe: 15.05 - 15-07.
Participation in the Entrance Examination:
WiSe: 15.12 - 01.04.
Information on the Entrance Examination
You can find the application form on the ‘Forms and Downloads’ page of the website, under ‘Professionally Qualified’.
The following documents/supporting evidence must be attached to this application form (plain copy):
- Application form
- Language certificate (German language proficiency at C1 level)
- Confirmation of attendance at the advisory session held by the central student guidance and counselling services
- Certificate of recognition from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for a foreign vocational qualification
- When applying for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Sustainable Chemistry: Proof of English language proficiency
- When applying for a career advancement programme: Certificate of completion of initial vocational training from abroad, or a master craftsman’s certificate in a trade, or an equivalent further training qualification, or a qualification from a technical college, or a qualification from an equivalent further training programme regulated by state law for professions in the healthcare sector, as well as in the fields of social care and social pedagogy, or a qualification from any otheradvanced vocational training
- When applying on the basis of relevant vocational training and professional experience:
- Completion of vocational training (minimum two years)
- Evidence of employment in the trained occupation or in an occupation corresponding to the vocational training in terms of subject matter (at least three years)
- A list of subsequent employment of at least three years’ duration
- When applying for an entrance examination or a trial period of study:
- Completion of vocational training (minimum of two years)
- Proof of professional experience (at least three years)
All documents in foreign languages must be translated into German or English by a sworn translator and submitted.
State-wide regulations:
Higher Education Act of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Section 49(4)
University-specific regulations:
