We talk about a second undergraduate degree (Zweitstudium) when you have already completed a university degree successfully and embark on an additional undergraduate degree programme (e.g. leading to a Bachelor’s degree or a state examination). In contrast, a Master’s degree requiring prior completion of a Bachelor’s degree is not regarded as a second undergraduate degree.
If, at the time of applying for an additional degree programme, the student has not yet completed his or her first degree programme, it is not considered to be a second undergraduate degree.
Applying for a degree programme with unrestricted admission
You may also register on bachelor's degree programmes with unrestricted admission as an applicant for a second undergraduate degree without any admission-related problems. Degree programmes with unrestriced admission have no capacity limits.
Application Procedure
As is the case with all other university applicants, applicants for a second undergraduate degree send in their application via the online portal of Leibniz Universität Hannover. The same deadlines apply for students pursuing their second undergraduate degree as those for first degree applicants.
You must only enclose your letter stating the reasons for applying for a second undergraduate degree and the certificate of results of your first undergraduate degree.
Applying for a degree programme with restricted admission
The following restrictions apply in the case of restricted admission undergraduate degree programmes:
There is only a limited number (up to 3%) of places available for applicants for a second undergraduate degree. Selection criteria are the final grade achieved in the first degree programme and the reasons why you wish to embark on a second undergraduate degree. Points are awarded for both criteria. The applicants with the highest scores have the best chances of getting a place.
For more information about possible reasons for wanting to embark on a second undergraduate degree and how these reasons are assessed, visit Hochschulstart (German language only). These regulations also apply to places on degree programmes with restricted admission that universities themselves award.
Points awarded for the grade of the completed first degree:
- "Excellent" and "very good": 4 points
- "Good" and "fully satisfactory": 3 points
- "Satisfactory": 2 points
- "Sufficient": 1 point
- "Not proven": 1 point
The following reasons can be given:
- Mandatory professional reasons: 9 points
- Scientific reasons: 7, 9 or 11 points
- Special professional reasons: 7 points
- Other professional reasons: 4 points
- Other reasons: 1 point
Transfer of credit from the first degree programme
If you want to have credit transferred from your previous degree programme, please contact the faculty directly. Specialist advisors are usually responsible for transferring credit in two-subject Bachelor’s degree programmes.
For transfer in the case of single-subject Bachelor’s degrees, please contact the responsible Examination Committee.
Find out who to contact
Previously earned credit can only be transferred if it is assessed as equivalent to the credit to be completed on the new degree programme. If you intend to gain a place in a higher semester based on the transfer of credit, you can apply directly for that particular higher semester as a transfer student. This case is often called "lateral entry".
You can find more information about credit transfer here.
Costs and financing of the second undergraduate degree
In Lower Saxony, students must currently pay long-term study fees. Periods of study already completed in the first degree programme (in Germany) count towards the calculation to determine whether long-term study fees must be paid, even if these periods of study were completed outside Lower Saxony. For more information concerning this, please read the section on study costs.
As a rule, educational grants according to the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) are only provided for initial training (Section 7 (1) BAföG), except, for example, if it is required by law to pursue another degree programme in order to enter the desired profession. Concerning this, you can obtain individual advice from the BAföG and Social Advice Centre of the Student Services Organisation.
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Zentrale Studienberatung / LUH
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
©
Zentrale Studienberatung / LUH
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
