Change degree programme or subject

Source: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/during-your-studies/change-degree-subject Parent: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en

Frequently asked questions about changing subject or degree programme

When can I switch?

• If you want to start in the first semester, you may only be able to change to the winter semester (see degree programme).
• If you want to start in a higher semester, you may also be able to change to the summer semester (please check the degree programme offered).
• You can only apply within the application and enrolment deadlines.

What are my chances of getting a place at university?

It does not matter whether you are already studying at Humboldt-Universität.

• For subjects without capacity restrictions (without NC), you are guaranteed a place.
• For subjects with capacity restrictions (NC), there is no certainty. There may be a place available for everyone interested. However, if there are more applications than places available, a selection will be made:
• 1st semester: You compete with all others who also want to start this degree programme, regardless of whether they are already enrolled at HU or not. For applicants with an Abitur, for example, the average Abitur grade, waiting semesters and, if applicable, professional qualifications such as practical work experience play a role in undergraduate degree programmes (see How high is the NC?).
• Higher semesters: Only those study places that have become available again can be allocated. The only selection criteria are the grades achieved in the course and examinations and, in the event of a tie, social criteria. If you apply from another degree programme/subject (also known as "lateral entry"), you will be admitted on a lower priority basis than those who wish to transfer to HU while retaining their degree programme/subject ("change of university").

Do I have to start again in the 1st semester?

• Apply for the first semester if you want to start a completely new subject. This is particularly the case if you have never been enrolled in this subject at a university in the European Economic Area.
• Apply for a higher subject-related semester if you have already completed coursework and examinations that can be recognised for the new subject and that lead to you being placed in a higher subject-related semester. This means that you can already prove that you have enough subject-relevant credits to be placed in the 2nd semester or higher.
• For an initial assessment, compare your current study and examination regulations with those of your chosen subject in order to identify overlaps. If in doubt, you can contact the responsible office for placement and recognition issues for the subject. Both can be found in the relevant degree programme description.
• Tip: Sometimes it can make sense to submit several applications, e.g. once for the first and once for the higher semester (see number of possible applications).
• Immediately after enrolment, you can apply to have your academic achievements recognised by the relevant department.
• Please note: If you apply for another degree programme or subject at HU, you do not need to exmatriculate. You should only de-register if you know that you will be leaving HU (e.g. if you have been accepted to another university).
• You can find information on application and documents in the online application portaland generally in advance under"Apply".

Can I simply swap my core subject and second subject?

No, you must go through the regular application procedure with both subjects. Please also bear in mind that there are subjects that are only offered as a second subject or only as a core subject. In addition, the combination must be permitted, e.g. if you wish to become a teacher. You can find information on this in the degree programme under the relevant subject.

How do I organise my studies until then?

• Would you like to remain enrolled or exmatriculate? The latter would possibly have the advantage that you would gain waiting semesters, which could be helpful for a future application for the first semester if the desired degree programme has an NC .
• If you are studying a combined Bachelor's programme and would like to keep one subject, you could study this subject more intensively and defer the other. Or you could take courses from the interdisciplinary compulsory elective area. However, please bear in mind that switching to another subject is not guaranteed. Would you want to continue studying in the old combination?\ Please note the information on credit transfer options in the following section.

Can I already attend courses in the new subject?

• If you want to get an impression of your chosen subject, it can be helpful to attend courses. You will also have the opportunity to talk to students about the subject, for example. Register for the courses as indicated in the course catalogue.
• However, even after a change, courses and examinations can only be credited if they are also provided for in the study and examination regulations of your current degree programme (e.g. in the ÜWP). If in doubt, you can clarify this in advance with the credit transfer office of your chosen degree programme.

What else do I need to consider?

• Some subjects have subject-specific entry requirements, e.g. for subjects such as Sports Science or English. Have a look at the study programme for the relevant subject.
• A change of subject often has an impact on student financing (BAföG, foundation, bank loan) - it is best to clarify this beforehand.
• If residence law issues could play a role for you, you can find Information and contact for questions from our International Office
• If you do not have a general higher education entrance qualification and are only allowed to study subject-specific subjects, it is not possible to change subject without further ado. You can find out in advance which subjects are open to you by contacting Student Services or the "Initial Counselling for International Applicants" to find out whether you are permitted to study your degree programme in the state of Berlin.

Change within the HU

Apply for the subject or degree programme in the HU application portal during the application period. Log in with your HU account.

Deadlines for application and feedback

Change outside the HU

Questions about studying medicine

For degree programmes in human medicine, please contact the Department of Student Affairs at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin directly.

Charité Website

Can anyone support me?

[### Student Financial Counselling at studierendenWERK

Advice on BAföG and other funding options – in person, by phone or online](https://www.stw.berlin/en/counselling/student-financial-counselling/ "Website studierendenWERK Financial Counselling")

[### BAföG office

Counselling and processing of BAföG applications](https://www.stw.berlin/finanzierung/)

[### Student social counselling of the RefRat

Questions about BAföG, jobs, finding accommodation or financial emergencies? Confidential, solidary and free support - from HU students for HU students.](https://www.refrat.de/beratung.html?1295718273)