Admission process

Leuphana University of Lüneburg conducts a differentiated admission procedure for all Bachelor's programmes at Leuphana College in order to be able to take into account not only the grade of the university entrance qualification but also special skills, experience and competences of the applicants when allocating places. The selection procedure as part of the admission process is intended to help select the most suitable and motivated applicants for Leuphana College, as participation in the aptitude test and, if applicable, selection interview can significantly increase the chance of admission.

The admission procedure at Leuphana is carried out in different stages. First, places are allocated in each study program within the framework of the legally prescribed preliminary and special quotas as well as according to waiting time. Subsequently, the applicants with the best points in each study program are admitted via the best quota. In order to allocate the remaining study places, the selection procedure, consisting of a study aptitude test and, if necessary, a selection interview, is then carried out.

Within the framework of the best quota, the grade of the university entrance qualification is converted into a point value (1.0 = 30 points; 1.1 = 29 points, ...). The 25% of applicants with the best score in each degree programme are sent a letter of admission directly. In the event of a tie, the decision is made by drawing lots. With the acceptance letter, the applicants are set a deadline within which they must confirm their acceptance of the place in writing. If this declaration is not submitted in due time and form, the acceptance letter becomes invalid. A so-called shift-up procedure does not take place in this quota.

If you did not receive a study place in the best quota, points for extracurricular involvement will be added to the point value determined from your university entrance qualification grade, if applicable. You may receive a maximum of 5 additional points for study-relevant extracurricular leadership or creditable student/youth competitions. An overview of creditable extracurricular activities can be found in the download area. Points are awarded only once per category. After adding up the additional points, if any, a new ranking list will be formed. On the basis of this ranking list, invitations to the university's own selection procedure are sent out.

As part of the selection process, a study skills test is written for all study programs. For English-language study programs, you will write the test in English. In some study programs there is an additional selection interview, which is also conducted in English for English-language study programs. Independent of an invitation to the selection procedure, applicants for the subject mathematics have the possibility to participate in a subject-specific test.

Please visit the selection procedure page for further information.

The results of the aptitude test and, if applicable, the interview are included in the ranking list. Admissions will be sent out a few days after your selection day at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. There will be a move-up procedure. As long as you have not received a postal rejection letter, you will continue to be listed on the ranking list and have the chance to obtain a study place.

10% of available places are allocated to the highest-ranking applicants on the basis of a waiting period. Among those applicants with the same waiting period, the following auxiliary criteria are decisive in the given order: Average grade, service completed, if applicable, lot drawn. The total waiting period to be taken into account is limited to seven semesters (half-years).

The number of waiting semesters is calculated automatically when applying. The waiting period denotes the time after acquiring the higher education entrance qualification (usually in Germany, the “Abitur”), calculated in full semesters, during which you were not enrolled at a German higher education institution. A half-year is defined as the period from 1 April to 30 September and from 1 October to 31 March of the following year. If your “Abitur” certificate is issued in May, for example, the waiting period begins on 1 October. Study periods abroad have no effect on the calculation of the waiting period; any semesters studied in Germany in the meantime are then subtracted.

Within the framework of the legally prescribed preliminary and special quotas, places in each major are allocated to specific groups of applicants. Applicants in these groups will only compete with each other within the respective group and not with the other applicants. The following quotas are reserved:

- Up to 5% for foreign applicants from non-EU countries, who have a foreign higher education entrance qualification. Applicants should submit their documents directly to uni-assist e.V..

- up to 2% for so-called “hardship cases” (an application for hardship cases must also be completed)

- up to 3% for applicants for a second degree in Germany. The application must be accompanied by an informal letter stating the reasons for pursuing the intended second degree and, if applicable, proof thereof, as well as proof of obtaining the first degree.

- a proportional share to be determined for those with professional qualifications (maximum 10%). Further information on recognised professional qualifications for those with special professional qualifications can be found in Leuphana’s Information Office.