German Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Certificates of a general higher education qualification allow you to apply to all programs at universities and (subject-specific) colleges in all the German states. The general higher education entrance qualifications include the following certificates:

• Secondary school-leaving certificate (Gymnasium)
• Evening university prep school certificate (Abendgymnasium)
• Certificate of comprehensive secondary/upper secondary school
• Certificate from institutes offering a university entrance qualification (Kolleg)
• Certificate of having passed the final examination of a (technical) university degree program with a standard period of study of at least 6 semesters

→ List of all certificates for general higher education qualification

If the certificate was acquired outside of Bavaria, it is also necessary that a certificate from the state or a state-recognized school or college be presented; that the certificate is recognized in the country of origin as proof of general higher education qualification; and that the certificate is acquired at an educational institution meeting Bavarian standards after having attended an equivalent program of study and fulfilling equivalent performance requirements.

As regards the recognition of preliminary examination certificates from a non-Bavarian state university of applied sciences, the university decides on the basis of qualification regulations (German), and, in cases of doubt, in agreement with the Bavarian State Ministry of Education and Culture.

Certificates for subject-specific higher education entrance qualification entitle you to study a specific, clearly defined course of study. The subject-specific higher education entrance qualification can be proved in different ways:

• Certificate of intermediate diploma or proof of at least 60 ECTS credits of a university of applied sciences.
• Certificate of subject-specific higher education entrance qualification acquired at a vocational school or technical school.
• Subject-specific university qualification for Qualified Professionals

You can find a list of certificates in the qualification regulations. The classification of possible degree programs can be found in the classification list (Zuordnungsliste) (as of October 1, 2019).

Non-Bavarian intermediate examination certificates entitle you to study if there is proof of a higher education entrance qualification in the applied sciences and proof of practical training or pre-study work experience; if the intermediate examination taken during the period of study corresponds to that of a Bavarian university of applied sciences and if the certificates are considered a subject-specific higher education entrance qualification.

Please note: An entrance qualification for a university of applied sciences (or a vocational diploma) alone does not entitle you to study at TUM
(exception: Brewing with “Diplombraumeister” degree).

Educational certificates that were acquired in the territory of the former German Democratic Republic before 10/03/1990 shall only be deemed as a proof of a higher education entrance qualification in Bavaria if the certificates have been recognized as part of the admission and/or enrollment process; in cases of doubt, however, they shall only serve as proof in agreement with the Certificate Recognition Office of the Free State of Bavaria.

A certificate showing proof of general higher education qualification from a German school abroad is treated as equivalent to the Bavarian certificate. International applicants with a German higher education entrance qualification (also with certificates from German schools abroad) are on equal footing with German applicants in terms of applying to the university.

A certificate showing proof of general higher education qualification from a European School is treated as equivalent to the German certificate.

However, it does not automatically count as proof of German language skills. Only a certificate with a successful completion of an examination in German as a first language (L1) or second language (L2) is accepted as proof of German language proficiency.

Please upload your complete European School Certificate and the corresponding decision of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs issued by the German inspector for the European Schools. You will receive both documents from your school.