Second degree programme

Source: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/after-your-studies/lifelong-learning/second-degree Parent: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en

Photo: Julia Baier

The prerequisite for a second degree programme is a completed first degree. Your degree programme counts as a completed first degree,

• if you have completed your studies at a German university or at a university in the European Economic Area and
• if the overall grade and successful completion of the first degree programme have been confirmed or a degree certificate is available. If this is not the case by the application deadline, please apply with your Abitur certificate or general higher education entrance qualification certificate for your first degree programme.

Please note: For formal reasons, university examinations taken before 1 October 1991 under GDR law are not recognised. In this case, please submit a first degree application.

A successfully passed final examination at a (technical) university is considered a general higher education entrance qualification.

Difference to double degree programme and Master's degree programme

Please do not confuse a second degree programme with a double degree programme, in which two degree programmes are studied in parallel, or with a Master's degree programme that you want to take up after a Bachelor's degree or another suitable university degree.

Application for the 1st semester

You register and apply online in the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin application portal. Further information on formal requirements can be found there during the application process.

4% of the available study places are available for second degree programmes, so in degree programmes with low capacities there is often only one place for second degree applicants.\ If there are more applications than study places, the applications are ranked. This ranking is determined by a score (points), which takes the following into account

• Result of the final examination of the first degree programme: A score (1-4 points) is determined for the examination result of the first degree programme,
• Reasons for the second degree programme: Your reasons for the desired second degree programme are also given a score. A distinction is made between the following five case groups:
• compelling professional reasons: 9 points
• academic reasons: 7-11 points
• special professional reasons: 7 points
• other professional reasons: 4 points
• None of the above reasons: 1 point
• Optional: Reintegration or re-entry into professional life after a family phase: additional up to 2 points.

The General Student Counselling Service and Student Advisory Services cannot tell you what your reasons are and how you should formulate them for your application. The decisive factor is how you present your reasons and, if necessary, provide evidence. Please describe them as concisely as possible and argue them on the basis of the above criteria (maximum one normally formatted A4 page with legible font size).

Reason

You can find more information on the justification and awarding of points in Section 11 of the Berlin University Admission Regulations (BerlHZVO) and in particular in its Annex 1.

Number of study places & applications for second degree programmes

Application for a higher semester

There is no second applicant quota here. You compete with all other applicants for the respective semester. The selection criteria can be found on the page for the degree programme or change of subject.

You can also register and apply via the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin application portal. Further information on formal requirements can be found there during the application process.

Please note that according to § 110 para. 4 ZSP-HU, periods of study, academic achievements, examinations and competences that have already been taken into account for a Bachelor's degree will not be taken into account for a Master's degree; multiple consideration within the same degree programme is excluded.

Tuition fees

No fees are charged for undergraduate degree programmes, even for second degree programmes. Like all students, you pay the semester fees.

This might also interest you

[### Service & advice

Do you have questions about second degree programmes or about organising your studies in general? Here you will find an overview of our services and counselling offers.](https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/service)

[### Double degree programme

A double degree programme means studying two different degree programmes at the same time, each with its own degree.](https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/after-your-studies/lifelong-learning/second-degree)