The right
application

Once the application deadline has passed, the admission process begins. For programmes with admission restrictions, a decision is made on who will be offered a place – and this is usually not based solely on your Abitur or other entry qualifications.

Study places are allocated according to certain criteria, for example grades or results of aptitude tests. It’s worth keeping an eye on the previous year’s numerus clausus (NC) – but remember, the NC can change every year.

There are nationwide admission restrictions for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine programmes. The Foundation for University Admissions (SfH) is responsible for the centralised allocation of places on these programmes. For other programmes that have local (university-specific) restrictions, the universities themselves decide who gets a place. The Abitur grade often plays a role in this, but so do the waiting period and other criteria such as selection interviews or tests.

If your application for a degree programme is not immediately successful, you can wait for a semester or use the lottery system. Waiting semesters – which are only available for degree programmes with local admission restrictions – mean that with every year that passes since you completed your Abitur, you move up the list.
 
If you have not been accepted, you can register for the lottery system, in which any remaining places will be assigned after the allocation process has ended. Of course, a little luck comes into it, too.

You can usually enrol directly on programmes with no admission restrictions as long as you have the required university entrance qualification. However, there may also be additional requirements, such as language skills or prior work experience. The advantage is that you can also apply even if your grades are not as good.

Once you have been offered a place at university, it’s time to get down to business: enrolment. For degree programmes with admission restrictions, you will receive a letter of admission and must then submit certain documents – for example, your Abitur certificate or other admission authorisation, proof of health insurance and, if applicable, evidence of internships or language skills. Important note: The deadlines for enrolment are also important – so make sure you take care of this in good time!

Regardless of whether you are applying for a programme with or without admission restrictions, find out everything you need to know well in advance and make sure you have all the necessary documents to hand.

Requirements may vary depending on the university and degree programme – it’s best to find out directly:

• University of Leipzig
• Technische Universität Dresden
• Chemnitz University of Technology
• Freiberg University of Mining and Technology
   
• Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy College of Music and Dramatic Art, Leipzig
• University of Music Carl Maria von Weber Dresden
• Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig
• College of Fine Arts, Dresden
• Palucca University of Dance Dresden
   
• Leipzig University of Applied Sciences
• Mittweida University of Applied Sciences
• Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden - University of Applied Sciences
• West Saxon University of Applied Sciences of Zwickau
• Zittau-Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
   
• Saxony Cooperative State University
   
• Kirchliche Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (ehs)
   
• University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration and Administration of Justice (University of Applied Sciences), Further Education Centre of the Free State of Saxony (HSF)
• University of Applied Sciences of the Saxon Police (FH)