Waiting semester: How long does it take to start studying?

If there are more applicants than places in a subject, the numerus clausus (NC) decides on the allocation of places. If you cannot prove that you have the required average A-level grade, you will have to take one or more courses. Waiting semester insert. The only way to get around this is to take a Distance learning.

Waiting semester: General information

The waiting period is the time that elapses between obtaining the higher education entrance qualification (usually the Abitur) and the start of the degree course. During this time, the applicant can carry out any activity (e.g. an apprenticeship or a voluntary social year). A longer trip is also possible. The only condition for the recognition of the waiting period as Waiting semester is that you do not enrol at a German university during the period in question. Contrary to what many school leavers believe, applications for university places have no influence on the recognition of waiting times. An application merely expresses the wish to study a particular subject. If you are already enrolled at a university and absolutely want to study a subject with restricted admission, you must reapply at the next possible opportunity. In this case, the waiting time is recalculated. The Abitur grade cannot be improved by accumulating waiting time - this can only be achieved through the so-called compensation for disadvantages (a kind of hardship regulation).

What is the Numerus Clausus all about?

According to a recent study by the CHE Center for Higher Education Development, 42.4 percent of degree courses in Germany are subject to a numerus clausus (NC). The selection of students is primarily based on the applicants' average A-level grades. In other words: the graduates with the best grades are considered first, the others are left empty-handed and must either wait a semester or apply to another university or in another federal state. Whether or not a degree course is restricted varies from region to region and from city to city. The hurdles are particularly high in Hamburg: in the 2017/18 winter semester, the proportion of restricted admission courses was 75.5 percent. In Berlin, Bremen and Saarland, the proportion of NC degree courses is also comparatively high at 60 percent. However, if you want to study in Thuringia or Rhineland-Palatinate, you will most likely not need to wait a semester. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, only one fifth of all degree courses are subject to A-level grades - all other subjects are admission-free. There are currently admission restrictions for business administration at around 80 educational institutions - including the University of Bayreuth, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf and Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main. Anyone wishing to study Business Administration as a major subject at the Humboldt University in Berlin (study goal: Bachelor of Science) currently requires either an average grade of at least 1.8 or eight semesters of waiting time. It should be noted that only around 20% of places are allocated on the basis of the number of semesters spent waiting. More important are, for example, the average grade, practical work experience relevant to the course and the applicant's English language skills.

Distance learning at Allensbach University: No waiting semesters, free time management

An elegant way to avoid unwanted waiting times is to take up a distance learning course. At Allensbach University there are no Waiting semester - You can therefore enrol on one of our degree programs at any time. It does not matter whether you are aiming for a Bachelor's, Master's or MBA degree. Alternatively, you can choose from various further education courses (e.g. our university certificates). In contrast to traditional face-to-face universities, where you can only start your studies in the summer or winter semester, you can start your studies at our institute at any time. You can arrange your own study times and benefit from a modern, professionally designed learning environment. Our degree programs are Eligible and can work both full-time and part-time can be completed. If you have a busy career or family, you can easily extend the duration of your studies free of charge.