Application for a second degree

Applicants for degree programmes or combinations of degree programmes for which no admission figures are set are not covered by the legislation on second degree studies. 

You can enrol directly in alma without prior application. 

In the list of degree programmes at the University of Tübingen you can see whether your desired degree programme is free of admission or admission restricted. 

For a second degree in the nationally restricted state examination (Staatsexamen) courses in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, you must apply via the Foundation for University Start (hochschulstart.de). Further information is available on the corresponding website www.hochschulstart.de. 

Please submit the application for the assessment of scientific reasons for the second degree in medicine to the Faculty of Medicine. For further information click here. 

If you have not received your official degree certificate from your first degree programme by the end of the application deadline, you are not considered a second degree applicant for the application procedure.

An overview of achievements, a transcript of records or a preliminary degree certificate are not sufficient for an application to a second degree programme.

Have you already successfully completed an undergraduate degree programme at a university (the term "university" also refers to Pädagogische Hochschulen, Fachhochschulen, Duale Hochschulen sowie Verwaltungsfachhochschulen) in Germany?
If so, you can only be selected for undergraduate degree programmes (undergraduate degree programmes are, for example, Bachelor's and Staatsexamen) in the 1st semester for which admission numbers are set (admission restricted) within the context of the second study quota.
Only one online application for a second degree programme per person is possible! If you submit several applications for admission, only the last application submitted will be considered.  

If you are planning to study a second degree programme with local admission restrictions (starting in the first semester), please follow the pathway How do I apply?

If you select a restricted-admission programme in the alma application portal, you will be asked about your study history. Please enter the relevant details.

You will be ranked within the quota for second degree applicants by a calculated number. It is calculated using the result of the final grade of the first degree and the individual reasons for the second degree.

Please indicate in alma at the appropriate point in the application process which of the four reasons most closely corresponds to you. Please choose only one reason. The final decision is made by the university.

You will find more detailed information on the individual reasons below:

• Reason 1: Compelling professional reason

Compelling professional reasons exist if a profession is being pursued that can only be exercised on the basis of two completed courses of study.

• Reason 2: Scientific reasons 

Scientific reasons exist if, with regard to a later activity in science and research, a further scientific qualification in another course of study is sought on the basis of the previous scientific and practical activity. For this purpose, a statement by a scientist of the University of Tübingen or of the university where the first degree program was completed must be provided.

• Reason 3: Special professional reasons

Special professional reasons are, if the applicant's professional situation is significantly improved by the meaningful combination of the previously completed first course of study and the now chosen second course of study. The applicant must also prove that he or she aspires to actively work in this profession. Please provide the appropriate explanation and supporting evidence. Merely aiming for a change of profession by taking up a second course of study will not suffice. A meaningful combination exists if:

- The professional activity sought through the second degree program in conjunction with the first degree program is to be regarded as a combination of two fields of activity specific to the degree program.

- The desired field of work cannot, as a rule, already be performed by graduates of one of the two courses of study.

• Reason 4: Other professional reasons

Other professional reasons are present if the second course of study is pursued for other reasons, like the applicant's individual professional situation. Particular consideration is given to unreasonable professional disadvantage or possible extensions of professional options based with regards to the first degree. A detailed individual explanation must be enclosed.

If you want to claim one of the professional or scientific reasons for the second degree, you can upload the corresponding proofs as scanned documents in PDF format in the application process. In these cases, be sure to upload a detailed explanation of the reasons for the second degree programme, including information on previous education, professional activity and the intended career goal (max. one DIN A4 page).

The second study project of persons who are seeking to reintegrate or re-enter professional life after a family phase can be taken into consideration regardless of the previously mentioned reasons. Consideration can be given if, for family reasons (e.g. raising children), the former professional activity had to be abandoned or the taking up of an adequate professional activity had to be foregone in consideration of family concerns and these circumstances were justified and proven by you within the application period (birth certificate/mother's passport/attestation and explanation).

If you want to claim family reasons for the second degree programme, you can upload the relevant evidence as scanned documents in PDF format at the appropriate point in the application process. You can also upload several documents.

Evidence/documents for the application:

• Certificate of the completed first degree (e.g. Bachelor's degree), which also shows the final grade
• Detailed explanation of the desired second degree programme with details of previous education, professional activity and the desired career goal (maximum one DIN A4 page)
• If necessary, other evidence to support the application for a second degree programme
• If applicable, proof of family phase (birth certificate, maternity passport, attestation etc. and explanation)

Reference to documents found in previous applications or other university files is not permitted.

The universities in Baden-Württemberg will charge tuition fees for a secon degree from the winter semester 2017/18 onwards.

You can find information about this here.