Study Orientation

Questions and answers before choosing a degree programme

Direction sign to university

Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)

Find Information on the admission, the language requirements and the choice of the right programme.

Attention

The following information only applies to applicants of foreign nationality and without a German Abitur.

Admission requirements

Please check whether you already hold the university entrance qualification required to study in Germany. You can use the DAADExternal link or anabinExternal link databases to check whether your foreign qualifications are recognized in Germany.

If you do not hold an equivalent university entrance qualification yet, you will have to take an assessment test (FSP) at the preparatory college (Studienkolleg) before starting your degree programme. You can take a one-year preparation course at the Thuringian Studienkolleg in Nordhausen by applying at the International Office of Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Applicants for the Studienkolleg must provide evidence of a B1 level in German.

The information only applies to applicants of foreign nationality and without a German Abitur.

Aplicants with a german citizenship or a german Abitur please inform themselves with the programme database.

HZB: Can I Study in Germany?

In this episode, we take apart the long and complicated German word “Hochschulzugangsberechtigung” (university entrance qualification). It determines whether you can study in Germany.

Graphic: Sabine Müller · Audio: University of Jena

Language requirements

If you are eligible for direct admission to university, you have to prove that your German language level corresponds to level DSH-2 (German Language Test for Admission to Higher Educationpdf, 61 kb · de). You cannot start your studies at our University if you have only passed the DSH-1 exam. The following certificates accredited by the German Rectors Conference will be recognized as equivalents:

Goethe Certificate C2 (GDS)
German Language Diploma Level II of the KMK (DSD II)
TestDaF, at least TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination
telc Certificate C1 German for Higher Education (at least grade "satisfactory")
German exam as part of the assessment test at a Studienkolleg

If you are yet to take the DSH-2 exam, you can request a conditional admission to a degree programme. You must provide proof of participation in a German course, where the exam taken is at post-intermediate level (C1). This conditional admission will only become effective if you submit the DSH-2 certificate (or an equivalent certificate) by the enrolment date. Please note: Receiving a conditional admission is not possible when applying for first semester study places in Pharmacy, Dentistry and Medicine.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena offers a preparatory language course for the DSH exam. To attend the course, your German level must be at least equivalent to level B1 CEFR.

How do I find the perfect programme?

Questions to ask myself

What are my interests? What do I enjoy? What am I particulary good at?
What degree do I want to pursue? What career do I have in mind?

Answering this and other questions will help you to find the right subject. Think about the values and motivations that drive you and explore the website of the Central Academic Advisory Service about deciding on the right programme.

Our degree programmes

In our degree programme database de, you will find descriptions for each individual degree programme, including information on:

the structure, content, recommended study plan and study regulations of the programme,
the combination options (double-subject bachelor's programmes),
the admission type (free/restricted) and the correct application platform,
the career opportunities available to you with a degree in this subject,
the defining features of programme at the University of Jena.

Please also see our international degree programmes.

Who can I ask?

The programme's academic advisors — you can find their contact information in our degree programme database de.
the International Office
the Central Academic Advisory Service
the Master Service Center in the case you have any questions on our master’s degrees.

FAQs on choosing a degree programme—important terms explained briefly

Subject-restricted admission to higher education

Visit the DAADExternal link and anabinExternal link databases and find out whether you have a university entrance qualification that qualifies you to study any programme in Germany. If you only have a university entrance qualification for certain subjects, this is called a subject-restricted university entrance qualification.
Double-subject degree programme

All Bachelor of Arts programmes and teacher training programmes at the University of Jena are double-subject degree programmes.

In BA programmes, you study a major subject (120 credit points) and a minor subject (60 credit points). There are many interesting possibilities to combine these subjects, as there are no restrictions. Some subjects are only available as minor subjects. Teacher training programmes combine two subjects of equal rank. Please pay attention to the relevant information in our degree programme database de.
nationwide Study programs with restricted admission

In very popular degree programmes, the University can only offer a limited number of places. In these programmes, only the best applicants are selected. There are degree programmes for which admission is restricted at all universities (nationwide) and degree programmes for which admission is restricted only at certain universities (local admission restrictions). These degree programmes are marked accordingly our degree programme database. de
locally restricted study programs

Some degree programmes at the University of Jena are subject to admission restrictions (local admission restriction). For these programmes, a central application and admission procedure is offered by the ‘Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung’ (hochschulstart.de). This is called the ‘Dialogue-Oriented Service Procedure’ (short ‘DoSV’ in German). These degree programmes are marked accordingly in our degree programme database. de

Our advice: Plan B for degree programmes with restricted admission

Not every applicant gets admitted to a programme with restricted admission. To be on the safe side, it's a good idea to apply for another or an additional programme without admission restrictions in good time.

Are you passionate about the natural sciences? How about studying Biogeosciences, Chemistry or Physics de?

Please visit our degree programme database de. You will be surprised what we can offer!

Choice of Study: Happy without NC

It is not easy to get a place to study in the subjects with nationwide admission restrictions (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry). But even without a NC subject, you can pursue your career goals and become happy. University ambassador Soyee tells us how she succeeded.

Graphic: Sabine Müller · Audio: University of Jena

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