Applicants from non-EU countries

Your application

Step by step

How do I choose a degree programme?

We are pleased that you are interested in studying at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). When choosing your future degree programme, you should ask yourself the following questions:

  • What am I interested in studying?
  • Does the University of Duisburg-Essen offer my chosen degree programmes?
  • Do I have an alternative (second choice of programme)?
  • Does my chosen programme have admission restrictions (numerus clausus)?
  • Does the degree programme begin in the winter and/or the summer semester?
  • Are there any language and/or special admission requirements?
  • Where and by when do I have to apply?
  • Which documents should I send with my application? (The documents to be submitted are listed on the respective application portal.)

What are the admission requirements?

Everyone who wants to study at a German university must have the necessary educational background to qualify for university entrance. This generally means a secondary school certificate (in some cases in combination with an entrance examination) but sometimes you must also provide evidence of previous study, possibly even to graduate level.

The University of Duisburg-Essen is responsible for checking that university entrance qualifications and further entrance requirements are met. If your qualifications from your previous education are considered equivalent to the German Abitur school-leaving examination, you have direct access to higher education. If your certificates do not entitle you to enter higher education directly, you may be required to take a preparatory course at a Studienkolleg. The University of Duisburg-Essen unfortunately does not have its own Studienkolleg. On the Studienkollegs in Germany website, you will find details of locations and admission requirements.

What level of German do I need?

The language of instruction at the University of Duisburg-Essen is German (except in the English-language degree programmes). You must therefore have a good knowledge of German if you want to study successfully. The majority of foreign applicants are required to provide evidence of German proficiency to DSH 2 level (with just a few exceptions for certain programmes) before they begin full academic study. You may present one of the following as evidence of your proficiency in German:

  • German language test for entrance to higher education with an overall level of at least DSH 2 (taken at a German university),
  • German language diploma (level II) of the KMK Standing Conference (DSD II) (Kultusministerkonferenz),
  • telc C1 Hochschule certificate with an overall of ausreichend or higher,
  • TestDaF certificate in ALL subsections to level TDN 4 or higher,
  • Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) certificate from the Goethe Institute,
  • Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom and/or Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom,
  • Successful completion of the Studienkolleg assessment test,
  • Completed degree programme in German Studies within the EU or the CIS countries (further countries may be specified by the DSH commission).
     

Please note the current DSH3 requirements for the following study programmes:
 

Medicine (state examination)

DSH3

Business Administration Duisburg (M. Sc.)

DSH3

German as a foreign and second language 
(double degree M.A.)

DSH3
 

 

How do I apply?

ONLINE APPLICATION

Dates and deadlines

NC courses bachelor's / master's:

1 May - 15 July (winter)
1 November - 15 January (summer)

Courses without admission restrictions bachelor's / master's:

1 May - 15 September (winter)
1 November - 15 March (summer)

 

Contact

International Office

Essen Campus

Weststadttürme 
WST B 06.05
Berliner Platz 6-8
45127 Essen

international@uni-due.de

Duisburg Campus

Geibelstraße 41
Building SG 027

47057 Duisburg
international@uni-due.de

Front Office

Initial consultation hours

Here you can find our consultation hours overview. 

Staff

For queries please contact the person in charge at the International Office.