Entrance Requirements and Selection Procedure
Bachelor Degree Programmes
The university’s Bachelor’s degree programmes and individual subjects do not usually have subject-specific entrance requirements, and therefore build directly on the university entrance qualification.
The statutory provisions of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act for general and subject-related entrance qualification apply, as well as university entrance qualification based on vocational training (this applies in Lower Saxony e.g. after an apprenticeship followed by three years employment in a recognised apprenticeship profession for associated specialised areas of study).
Applicants whose first language is not German and who do not already have a German university entrance qualification have to prove sufficient knowledge of the German language. Sufficient knowledge of German is proven by minimum grades in the German university entrance language test (Level DSH-2) or the German as a foreign language test, TestDaF. However, in compliance with the international strategy of the University an exclusively English language Bachelor degree programme in Forest Sciences was first established in the 2011/12 winter semester, and this requires sufficient English language skills instead.
Nevertheless specialised entrance requirements are set for a small number of Bachelor degree programmes and their subjects; these are generally language skills in the languages commonly taught in school (English, French, Latin, Spanish) mainly for the relevant language study courses and in a few cases work placements, however these can in most cases also be fitted in in the first semester of studies. In these cases, registration depends on fulfilling these conditions. On just one Bachelor degree programme in the field of Medicine, basic science skills are also required and tested in an admission test.
A number of Bachelor degree programmes and subjects are restricted admission. In these cases, the selection procedure depends on the grade of the university entrance qualification with spe- cial weighting given to certain subject grades (usually in three subjects) in accordance with the provisions of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Admissions Act. The selection procedure pays special attention to applicants with disabilities within the framework of the statutory quota for hardship cases.
In the above mentioned Medicine Bachelor degree programme, the result of an admission test is rated alongside the university entrance qualification.
Other potential approaches, e.g. selection interviews, have not been used until now for under- graduate degree programmes, since at this level of education they usually mean a considerable expense to the University with no justifiable benefit. Nevertheless, the University endeavours to use special self-assessment measures to help applicants decide on study programmes suitable for their interests and abilities.
Postgraduate Degree Programmes
The specialised entrance requirements for Master degree programmes include completion of a Bachelor degree (or equivalent higher education degree) and/or a minimum of 150 Credits (C) in the relevant discipline or a closely-related subject at the time of application. Applicants must have successfully completed preparatory studies relevant to that subject, depending on the subject-specific entrance and admission regulations. Other specific specialised entrance requirements, in particular language skills, are occasionally required.
Under the admission procedure as of the 2016 summer semester, all suitably qualified appli- cants were entitled to entrance regardless of the grade attained on the Bachelor degree.
The selection procedure for Master degree programmes is handled by selection committees. Selection criteria include the degree of suitability and an interview with the applicant. However a selection procedure only takes place if there is a set class size and the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available.
There are two stages in the selection procedure. Once it has been found that the formal entrance requirements are met, suitable potential students are invited for interview from amongst the qualified applicants to the degree programme, at least two applicants are interviewed for each available place in order of suitability. Applicants who are based abroad, or in certain exceptional cases, e.g. to offset disadvantages for applicants with a disability or chronic disease, may be per- mitted to hold a video conference or an interview by telephone, in order to overcome barriers to participation. Interviews look at the motivation of the applicants, their academic and methodical knowledge as well as other degree-related skills,
e.g. research and work internships or profession- al experience in relevant areas, study abroad, voluntary work or work on the student council.
In total the admission procedure should be completed no later than one week after the start of lectures; if necessary, any remaining places are awarded by a lottery of those entitled to entrance who have given their consent to be put in the lottery.
For admission to a higher, restricted-admission semester of a Master degree programme, the following criteria apply in the following order: study on the same or a similar degree programme, case of special hardship, other reasons. Recognition of course work from similar degree programmes at other universities and if necessary non-academic achievements is hereby organised by the selection committee, which coordinates this with the relevant subject examiners as well as the responsible Examination Office.
Applicants with a disability or chronic disease al- ways have the option of applying to the selection committee regarding their disadvantages, and provision will be made for this.