Application
Would you like to study at RWU?
Then it's just a few more steps to your completed application. Here you will find all the important information about application, admission and enrollment to ensure that your path to studying is clear and uncomplicated. Take a look at how prospective students celebrate their place at RWU and start your own application now.
Application period
Start of studies | Degree programs | Application period | |
Winter semester 2025/26 | English-taught Master's degree programs | 01.02.2025 - 15.04.2025 | Deadline expired |
Winter semester 2025/26 | German-taught degree programs | 01.05.2025 - 15.07.2025 | |
Summer semester 2026 | English-taught Bachelor's degree programs | 01.09.2025 - 15.11.2025 | |
Summer semester 2026 | German-taught degree programs | 01.12.2025 - 15.01.2026 |
Specific to the degree program:
The degree program Media Design offers a voluntary homework to improve the procedural grade. Please note the respective submission deadline.
5 steps to your application
Here we show you how to apply in five simple steps. We recommend that you start your application early so that you have enough time to submit it in full and on time.

1. Registration on hochschulstart.de
When applying for the first semester of the admission-restricted Bachelor's degree programs, the first step is to register at Hochschulstart as these study places are allocated via the dialog-oriented service procedure (DoSV) on Hochschulstart.de.
A BID and BAN number is assigned during registration. As these numbers will be required at a later date and possibly also for applications to other universities, it is important to make a note of them.
For applications to higher semesters or for applications for our Master's degree programs or Bachelor's degree programs without admission, no registration at Hochschulstart is required.

2. Registration in the RWU application portal
The next step is to register in the RWU application portal is required. When applying for a degree program that participates in the dialog-oriented service procedure (DoSV), you will be asked for your BID and BAN in the RWU application portal. However, this information can also be entered at a later date. Further instructions on registration can be found in the portal.
After registration, the user ID will be sent by e-mail. Applicants can use this to log in to the RWU application portal and process their application.

3. Complete and submit the application form
After successfully logging in to the RWU application portal the application can be started. Documents such as the university entrance qualification (HZB) are required for the application and should be kept ready for upload.
Once the online application has been successfully completed, the final step is"Submit application" to submit the application electronically.

4. Prioritization of applications via Hochschulstart
This step is only necessary when applying for several degree programs that are awarded via the Dialogue-Oriented Service Procedure (DoSV). In this case, after applying in the RWU Portal, the applications must be prioritized on Hochschulstart must be prioritized.
If several admission offers are received, the applications with admission offers that were prioritized low are automatically eliminated.
Steps for prioritization:
- Registration on www.hochschulstart.de
- Menu item "My applications"
- Execute the "Prioritize applications" function (below the table)
- Save
The prioritization is only visible on Hochschulstart and not in the RWU application portal.

5. Check application status
The current application status can be checked at any time in the RWU application portal at any time. Our Admissions Office will process incoming applications as quickly as possible. With a valid application, applicants automatically take part in the selection procedure which starts after the application deadline. In the case of admission-free degree programs, admission offers are allocated on an ongoing basis and before the application deadline.
Those who are admitted receive an offer of admission. If the applicant wishes to accept the place, the next step is to enrollment at RWU.
If admission cannot be granted by the end of the admission procedure, applicants will receive a letter of rejection. A letter of exclusion is issued if the application documents have not been received in full or are invalid for the selection procedure.
FAQ General questions about the application
FAQ Special questions about the application
Further information
Crediting of previous work
What can I get credit for?
In addition to academic achievements, extracurricular activities can lead to an improvement in the admission grade.
Recognized achievements can include
- The degree program Media Design offers a voluntary homework to improve the admission grade by up to 1.5 grades
- Participation in the trial study program Talentscanner at the RWU
- Voluntary services (voluntary social year, federal voluntary service, voluntary military service)
- International voluntary services (e.g. in development aid, stays abroad in the service of an NGO)
- Social commitment (e.g. volunteer fire department, technical relief organization)
- Completed, relevant internships
- School prizes and successful participation in competitions (e.g. "Jugend Forscht" competition for young researchers, national mathematics competition, programming competition)
- Tutoring as part of an employment with a tutoring organization or in a public institution
- Education of own children
Which activities are recognized and how they are weighted varies depending on the degree program. A detailed list can be found in the admission regulations of the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. The current version can be found on the website of the Admissions Office in the download area.
FAQ Recognition
Selection and admission procedure
Admission requirements and selection procedure
What requirements must be met for my desired degree program? The decision as to whether applicants are admitted to a degree program depends on the so-called procedural grade. For most Bachelor's degree programs, this is made up of the grades of the university entrance qualification in German, mathematics and a secondary language as well as the average grade. There are further selection criteria for some degree courses. Additional qualifications and activities, such as voluntary services or internships, can improve the procedural grade.
At RWU, a selection procedure is carried out on the basis of the application documents. You can find the respective admission regulations on the website of the Student Administration Office / Admissions Office.

Waiting semester
Each semester that you were not enrolled at a German educational institution after obtaining your higher education entrance qualification counts as a waiting semester. A calendar year comprises two semesters: the summer semester and the winter semester. In addition to the Numerus Clausus and the final grade, the number of waiting semesters is another factor that plays a role in the allocation of study places. At German universities, there is always a separate contingent of free study places, which is allocated on the basis of the number of waiting semesters. In degree programs with restricted admission, around 20 percent of all places are allocated to applicants with a long waiting period. Waiting semesters are therefore particularly helpful for school leavers who do not have an Abitur.

Equal opportunities in studies
We want you to make the most of your potential at RWU. We want to accompany you on this path. We are aware that life circumstances are just as diverse as our students themselves. That's why equal opportunities are an important topic at RWU.
RWU is certified as a family-friendly university. There are special regulations for the needs of students with children or caring responsibilities. Further information can be found here.
Appreciation, diversity and family-friendliness are part of our mission statement. We want to be a university where everyone can feel comfortable, develop freely and feel safe. For us, it doesn't matter where you come from, what you believe or who you love. If you ever feel disadvantaged, please get in touch with the relevant contact person. You can find contacts here.

Study and competitive sport
As top athletes are often bound to a particular location, there is a special quota when applying for a restricted-admission degree program. In order to be eligible for this special regulation, applicants must prove that they:
- belong to an Olympic, perspective, supplementary or team sports squad or junior squad formed at federal level by the German Olympic Sports Confederation, or
- arean elected member of a local political body with a general political mandate (no interest groups or similar) and are therefore bound to the place of study.
Proof is provided in the form of a letter from the respective sports association/club and is enclosed with the application together with an informal letter. In addition, the option is selected in the RWU application portal under "Reasons for hardship application".
FAQ Selection and admission procedure
Further information
Enrollment
Enrollment / Matriculation
Your application was successful and you have received a letter of admission? Congratulations. The next step is enrollment, also known as matriculation. Important: The enrollment steps must be completed on time in order to secure your place and start your studies. Continue with the enrollment steps.
Couldn't be offered a place? After the official selection procedure, there are often places available. These are allocated by lottery. To take part in the lottery procedure, contact the admissions office or via study place exchange about available places and the participation criteria.

1. Retrieve the letter of admission
If an applicant is admitted to a degree program, the RWU application portal a letter of admission with further information is available for download. It is advisable to save the letter of admission. Attached to the letter of admission is important information about the documents that must be submitted for enrollment.
If an application has been excluded from the procedure or no study place can be offered, a letter of rejection or exclusion is available for download here.
How to get to the admission/rejection or exclusion letter
- Login to RWU application portal
- Button "To the application page"
- Study application: Download PDF file "Letter of admission and information on starting your studies" or "Letter of rejection" or "Letter of exclusion"


3. Submission of documents
Among other things, a valid health insurance certificate is required for enrollment. Here you can find more information about Health insurance.
Once you have successfully submitted all the required documents and transferred the semester fee and any tuition fees, you will finally receive a certificate of enrollment by post.
Newly enrolled students will receive further information about starting their studies by e-mail or via the RWU website.
Further steps before starting your studies
Apply for a student ID card
As soon as all documents have been submitted on time and the fees have been transferred, you will be enrolled. Your student ID will also be sent to you by post.
Activate MyCampus access
Upon enrollment, you will receive the access data for MyCampus and LSF are issued and sent by post. Everything to do with studying is organized on these portals. On MyCampus, for example, you can retrieve your certificate of enrolment. You can find the course catalog in LSF. The introduction to these portals takes place during the induction week.
Introductory events
At the beginning of each semester, introductory events are held for first semester students and new students. Here, new students are provided with important information about the university, their studies, the timetable and much more. The introductory week is also a great opportunity for new students to get to know their fellow students and make new friends. Information on the introductory events can be found under Start of studies can be found here.
FAQ Enrollment
Further information
Open questions
If you have any questions about the organization of your studies, such as re-registration, examinations, recognition of achievements, applications and questions about BAföG, our Student Administration Office will be happy to help you personally.
Not quite sure which degree course is right for you? Then get personal and individual advice. Our Central Student Advisory Service can help you with an individual consultation.
Do you already have a degree course in mind and specific questions about it? Then the Academic Advising Service is the right place for you. Each degree program has its own student advisor. Sometimes these are other students, sometimes the deans or staff, but they can all give you an authentic impression of the subject of your choice.