How Do I Apply?

The information on this page only applies when applying for:

  • undergraduate courses (Bachelor’s, teacher training)
  • German Semester Course for Study Purposes
  • short-term non-degree study programme (Kurzzeitstudium ohne Abschlussmöglichkeit)
  • Studienkolleg

Applications and/or documentation which is sent via e-mail or fax will not be accepted. You must send your application by post to the following address:

  • Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, International Office, Kapuzinerstr. 16, 96047 Bamberg, Germany

Please do not send transparent covers, loose-leaf binders or application portfolios with your application (if you send them, they will not be returned).


Application Check List of the International Office

The following documentation must be submitted by all applicants:

Original required

  • Completed & signed Application for Admission Part 1 (printout of pdf-document)
    (Applications for the winter semester 2024/25: from 15 May 2024)
  • Completed Application for Admission Part 2 (printout of e-mail)
    (Applications for the winter semester 2024/25: from 15 May 2024)
  • Only for applications for BA Psychologie (only available in the winter semester):
    Completed & signed application form from the Trust for Admission to Higher Education (Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (see below, section Where Do I Apply?)
  • 1 passport photograph: Please write your surname(s) and your first name(s) on the back
  • Resumé (complete, until the time of your application)

Officially certified photocopy of your (foreign) original document required AND officially certified photocopy of the translation required

  • School leaving certificate
  • List of school leaving certificate grades
  • Proof of German language proficiency (please provide certificates in full for all levels): The German proficiency level must be stated according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
    • Please see the overwiew which German language certificates are accepted.
    • Note on TestDaF certificate or telc certificate: Simple copy of certificate is sufficient if online verification is possible
    • Important: If you have received your certificates in German language proficiency in Iran, please note that only the following certificates are accepted: from the Goethe-Institut (DSIT) and the Österreichisches Kulturforum (ÖKF)!

Normal photocopy required

  • Passport or identity card (only the data including name & date of birth)

Officially certified photocopy of the translation required

  • Identity card if the data including name & date of birth is not in German, English or French

Additionally, you must submit the following documentation if one of the following points applies to you: 

Officially certified photocopy of your (foreign) original document required AND officially certified photocopy of the translation required

  • If you have already studied abroad:
    • University entrance examination (if applicable)
    • Lists of grades for all semesters
  • If you have already completed a course of study abroad: :
    • University degree certificate (e.g. Bachelor’s certificate)
  • If you wish to do a Bachelor’s degree in Pädagogik (Education): Proof of internship
  • If you wish to do a Bachelor’s degree in Berufliche Bildung/Sozialpädagogik (Professional Education/Social Pedagogy): Proof of internship
  • If you have changed your name: proof of change-of-name (e.g. if your name changed when you married, your marriage certificate is adequate proof)

Officially certified photocopy of your original document required

  • If you have passed the pre-university examination from a Studienkolleg: Certificate of passing the pre-university examination, including the individual grades
  • Certificate Recognition Evaluation (Zeugnisanerkennungsbescheid) from the Certificate Recognition Authority for the Free State of Bavaria (Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle für den Freistaat Bayern); obligatory in the following cases: 
    • if your certificates are from two or more countries
    • for applicants from the USA who have not yet completed their Bachelor’s degree
    • if the institution which you have attended carries H- or H+/- status, and is part of the university entry qualification (see data base anabin)
    • if you have applied for a certificate recognition in Germany (Zeugnisanerkennung) of your own accord and have received same
  • Only if applicable: Certificate Recognition Evaluation (Zeugnisanerkennungsbescheid) from a different Certificate Recognition Authority (Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle), e.g. Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen)

Original required

  • APS Certificate if your certificates come from one of the following countries:
    1. China, 2. India, 3. Vietnam
    You must apply for this at the APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) in your country:
    1. APS Peking, 2. APS New Delhi, 3. APS Hanoi
    ⇒ Additionally: normal photocopy of your TestAS certificate if your APS certificate states that you took part in TestAS.
    If:
    • you have an APS certificate with ‘subject restriction: subject-specific choice of subjects’ (Fachbindung: fachorientierte Fächerwahl) and
    • you want apply for a subject which is different from your previous studies and
    • you finished your Bachelor’s degree after receiving your APS certificate,
    Then:
    • a new APS certificate is required, which includes an evaluation of your Bachelor’s degree: subsequent certification (Nachzertifizierung).
  • If your qualifications are from Georgia (the country, not the US state): Apostille (for all documents)
  • When a third party (someone other than you) would like to receive information about the status of your application and/or would like to sign on behalf of you: Power of Authority ⇒ required for data protection purposes; example of a power of authority(5.1 KB, 1 page).

Normal photocopy required

  • If you were already enrolled at a German university or university of applied sciences: Enrolment certificate(s) for all semesters
  • If you have already been in contact with a Certificate Recognition Authority (Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle) but have not received a Certificate Recognition Evaluation (Zeugnisanerkennungsbescheid): All correspondence with the Certificate Recognition Authority
  • Only if applicable: uni-assist evaluation report (Prüfbericht) or the like
  • If you receive a scholarship from the DAAD for example: Scholarship confirmation letter including the precise period for which the scholarship has been granted to you
  • If you have applied for the aptitude test in Art (Kunst) or Music (Musik) and you wish to study one of these subjects: Registration confirmation

Officially Certified Photocopies (Amtliche Beglaubigungen)

As a rule, officially certified photocopies are available from public bodies in Germany which are authorised by law to carry an official seal (stamp).

Certifications provided by the following public bodies or authorities will be accepted:

In Germany

  • Municipality, municipal administration
    → Please note: Some public administrations in Germany do not issue officially certified photocopies for foreign documents but for German documents only (please enquire directly).
  • Notary
  • Consulate/Embassy of your country here in Germany

In other countries

  • Municipality, municipal administration
  • Notary
  • German Embassy, German Consulate

The following types of certification cannot be accepted: e.g. certified photocopies from lawyers, student bodies, banks, insurance companies and churches (parish offices, university religious communities). Translators are not authorised to certify documents in their original language. Normal (non-certified photocopies) cannot be accepted.

The officially certified photocopy must fulfil the following minimum criteria:

  1. A statement that the certified photocopy corresponds with the original (Beglaubigungsvermerk);
  2. the signature of the person who issued the certified photocopy;
  3. the official seal of the issuing authority (an official seal usually has an emblem or symbol). Please note that a simple text stamp is not sufficient.

If your original document has two or more pages:

  • It must be clear from the manner in which your documents are officially certified that each page is from one document only.
  • The statement confirming that the certified photocopy corresponds with the original is required on one page only, as long as part of the seal is visible on each page (e.g. with the printed seal overlapping all pages).
  • Alternatively, each page can be certified individually. In this case, your name must appear on each page of the original document.

If your original document has text on the front and on the back:

  • Please ensure that your officially certified photocopies are stamped on both sides: front and back. The following, or similar, should be written on the photocopy by the certifying body: This is to certify that front and back of this copy correspond with the original (‘Hiermit wird beglaubigt, dass die Vorder- und Rückseite der Kopie mit dem Original übereinstimmen’).
  • If this is not the case, front and back must be certified individually.

Important: All of the requirements specified must be met; otherwise the International Office of the University of Bamberg will not accept your certifications.

Translations

Documents in English or French do not have to be translated.

Documents in other languages must be translated into German, and the translations must be officially certified. The translation must be prepared from the original document. List of officially authorised translators in Germany.


International Office Application Deadlines

The following application deadlines apply:

  • Summer semester applications: 15 January
  • Winter semester applications: 15 July

The completed application must have arrived at the International Office by the above deadlines. The post mark will not be accepted as proof of meeting the deadline. Late applications, incomplete applications and all associated documentation cannot be accepted after the deadline.

The earliest submission date for applications for the winter semester is 15 May of that year. The earliest submission date for the summer semester is 15 November of the previous year. Applications which arrive at the International Office prior to these dates will not be accepted or reviewed.


Where Do I Apply?

The University of Bamberg is not a member of http://www.uni-assist.de/.

Non-German citizens and those with university entry qualifications (certificates) from abroad must apply at the International Office (exception: prospective Master’s degree students); this also applies when you have passed the pre-university examination at a Studienkolleg (Zeugnis über die Feststellungsprüfung):

  • Applications for undergraduate courses (Bachelor’s, teacher training); German Semester Course for Study Purposes; short-term non-degree study programme (Kurzzeitstudium ohne Abschlussmöglichkeit); Studienkolleg:
    • For applicants whose surnames begin with the letters A-J: (Ms) Edith Hallberg (e-mail: see above)
    • For applicants whose surnames begin with the letters K-S: (Ms) Lisa Schädlich (e-mail: see above)
    • For applicants whose surnames begin with the letters T-Z: (Ms) Stephanie Hofmann (e-mail: see above)
  • Applications for doctorates: (Mr) Dr. Andreas Weihe
    (e-mail: andreas.weihe(at)uni-bamberg.de)
    ⇒ Please send your specific questions about the application procedure and the deadlines here.

In the following cases, please apply separately online to the Trust for Admission to Higher Education (Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung)(this only applies to persons with a direct university entry qualification, not for applications to the Studienkolleg München):

Attention! Please find current information on application deadlines on the website of the Trust for Admission to Higher Education (Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung) or in our application check list.

Please send your completed application by post to the International Office (see application check list).

In the following cases, please apply to the Registrations and Admissions Office (Studierendenkanzlei):

  • Applications for Master’s degrees (information on Master's applications)
    (e-mail: master.studierendenkanzlei(at)uni-bamberg.de)
  • Applications by students with a German school leaving certificate ('Bildungsinländer/in'): You received your school leaving certificate (Abitur: Allgemeine Hochschulreife) in Germany, or at a recognised German school abroad. (This applies to prospective students with either a German or a foreign citizenship). IMPORTANT: Applicants with a foreign citizenship who have passed the pre-university examination at a Studienkolleg (Zeugnis über die Feststellungsprüfung) must apply at the International Office!
  • Applications by German citizens: Either you are a German citizen, or you have dual citizenship, one of which is German. If your native language is not German, you must have passed the DSH or an equivalent German proficiency examination.

Degrees Offered

Overview of the degrees and courses currently on offer.

For information on individual degrees and courses, please contact the Student Advisory Service (Zentrale Studienberatung) and/or the Subject-Specific Advisory Service (Fachstudienberatung).

The UnivIS information database offers an overview of all courses for all semesters and a list of contact persons with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for the entire University of Bamberg.

The University of Bamberg offers a range of degree programmes which provide teacher training for those wishing to teach at German public schools; overview.
 
Under the following headings you can find detailed information on the various teacher training options:

As a rule, all subjects can be studied at doctorate level; detailed information and support.

Admissions Restrictions "Numerus Clausus" (NC) and the Allocation of Admissions

The number of study places for some courses is restricted. To find out whether a course is restricted, please refer to the homepage of the degree programme.

Grades from abroad are converted into a German average grade. Study places are granted to applicants who have the highest average grades.

At the University of Bamberg, 5 % of courses that have restricted admission are reserved for applicants from non-EU and non-EEA states.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In the following cases, you must provide a Certificate Recognition Evaluation (Zeugnisanerkennungsbescheid) issued by the Certificate Recognition Authority for the Free State of Bavaria (Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle für den Freistaat Bayern):

  • If one of the points hereto on the application check list applies to you.
  • If the evaluation of your certificates is considered a case of doubt (‘Zweifelsfall’), you will be requested to send your higher education certificates to the Certificate Recognition Authority for the Free State of Bavaria.

If you have previously studied elsewhere, you may be able to transfer your credits when applying to the University of Bamberg. In this case, please apply to the Board of Examiners (Prüfungsausschuss) of the subject which you wish to study in Bamberg. You can find the name of the professor responsible using the University of Bamberg information database at:

  • Prüfungsausschüsse (Boards of Examiners)
  • select the relevant course of study (Studiengang)
  • select Chairperson (Vorsitzende or Vorsitzender) of the Board of Examiners (Prüfungsausschuss) for the subject you wish to study

For applicants of teacher training degree programmes, this only applies when their studies abroad are not yet completed.

Applicants who have already completed a teacher training course in another country must contact the State Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs (Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus).

Yes, there are Master’s degree programmes taught in English at the University of Bamberg. There are no Bachelor’s degree programmes taught in English presently.

Several degree programmes contain some courses which are taught in English. However, since these degree programmes are taught primarily in German, applicants must pass the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) or an equivalent German language examination.

No. Normally, you can apply for only one Bachelor's degree programme.

Exceptions:

  • If you apply for a Bachelor’s degree with local admissions restriction (örtlich/lokal zulassungsbeschränkt), you could apply additionally for max. one Bachelor’s degree without restriction (zulassungsfrei).
  • On the website of hochschulstart, you can apply for all study courses with admissions restrictions at the same time.

The International Office allocates accommodation in students‘ halls of residence to exchange students and to recipients of DAAD and BAYHOST scholarships only (for a maximum period of two semesters).

Unfortunately, the International Office cannot provide accommodation for all other international students.

Detailed information on how to find accommodation.

If (1) your application has not been accepted, or (2) you do not begin your studies, or (3) you have completed your studies, your application documents will be kept on file for one year and shredded thereafter.

No. Attending classes is only possible for officially enrolled students. This applies even if you wish to just attend single (language) classes at the University of Bamberg.

In order to register as a student to attend classes, an application must be submitted:

  • If you wish to study only for one or two semesters at the University of Bamberg, it is possible to apply for a short-term non-degree study programme. Prerequisites: Minimum German language level B2 and direct university entry (for all subjects or subject-restricted).
  • In addition, there are some fee-based courses that visiting students can apply for (Gaststudium). Important: Language courses are not included; the courses comprise other fields of knowledge only. Visiting students do not receive a student ID; it is not possible to take part in examinations.

No. External participation in the DSH examination at the University of Bamberg (i.e. without doing a subsequent course of study at the University of Bamberg) is not possible.

No. Admission is only possible under the following conditions:

  • Your completed application must be submitted by post by the deadline.
  • All of the academic and language requirements must be fulfilled at the time of your application.

For all degree programmes with limited entry, no documents will be accepted after the deadline. The deadline is final.

For all other degree programmes without admission restriction and applications for the German Semester Course for Study Purposes, exceptions may be possible. The International Office decides on a case-by-case basis if supporting documentation may be submitted after the deadline at all, and in such cases, by what date.

If you have already applied to the International Office either one or two semesters ago, please note that your documentation is kept on file for a maximum of one year. When applying again, you do not need to send the same supporting documentation twice, as long as it complies with the documentation on the application check list. When renewing your application, please state which semester you already applied for in the past.

You can get officially certified photocopies of your original documents by presenting them to a public body which must be authorised to issue such officially certified photocopies. When the photocopies and the original are deemed authentic, the photocopies are (1) stamped with an official seal, and (2) signed by the person who checked and stamped them.

This is referred to as an official certification of documents.

IMPORTANT: When you photocopy an officially certified photocopy, or when you fax it or scan and e-mail it, it is no longer considered an officially certified document, and therefore cannot be accepted as part of your application.