Study orientation

Universities traditionally train the next generation of scientists. For this reason, University courses teach you more theories and methods that are ideal for preparing you for an academic career.

At Universities of Applied Sciences, you will also learn theoretical principles, but not to the same extent. Here, the focus is on application-oriented learning, which means you apply what you have learned in practice. In most cases, you will also complete an internship semester at a university. This involves completing a full semester in a company of your choice and getting to know working life. Throughout your studies, you will learn how to put theoretical knowledge into practice. A practical course of study at a university can therefore make it easier for you to start your career.

To be able to study at a University, you need a higher education entrance qualification (HZB). You can obtain this, for example, through the Abitur at a general secondary school, the subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences at a vocational college or a technical college. With the Abitur, you can study at a University or University of Applied Sciences without restriction. The subject-specific higher education entrance qualification entitles you to study the courses listed on your certificate at Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences and with the entrance qualification for Universities of Applied Sciences you can generally study at Universities of Applied Sciences.

Please note: In addition to the appropriate HZB, other requirements may also have to be met - such as achieving a certain numerus clausus (NC) or additional qualifications. You can find out exactly which admission requirements apply on the respective course page.

Further information on admission and requirements can be found on the page Application and enrolment at the bottom.

There are sufficient places available for admission-free degree programs. This means that anyone who has a valid higher education entrance qualification (e.g. entrance qualification for Universities of Applied Sciences, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or general higher education entrance qualification) and enrols within the specified deadline will be offered a place.

However, depending on the degree program, registration or application may be required in advance. In addition, further enrolment requirements may have to be met, such as pre-study internships, language certificates or proof of aptitude. You can find the admission requirements on the respective degree program page.

For degree programs with restricted admission, there are more applicants than places. This means that not everyone automatically receives a place. Instead, a selection procedure decides on admission.

The selection is usually based on the following criteria:

• Numerus Clausus (NC): The average grade of your school-leaving certificate plays a central role.
• Waiting period: Number of semesters an applicant waited to apply for a degree program after obtaining their higher education entrance qualification.
• Other criteria: Depending on the university, letters of motivation, selection interviews, aptitude tests or internships may be required, for example.

Important: For degree programs with restricted admission, you must apply by the application deadline - simply registering is not enough.

The term Numerus Clausus (NC) refers to an admission restriction for degree programs. It always applies when there are more applicants than study places. The NC is not a fixed grade, but is set anew each year - depending on how many people apply and how good their final grades are. A selection procedure then determines the average grade up to which applicants can be admitted.

Example:
If a degree course is particularly popular and the last admitted applicants had an A-level average of 2.1, the NC for this degree course is exactly this value - but only in this year and only at this University.

Important to know: An NC says nothing about the quality of the degree program, but only about demand.

The waiting period is the time after leaving school during which you were not enrolled at a German University. Every half year counts as a waiting semester. For example, if you complete an apprenticeship lasting 2.5 years after graduating from high school, you will collect 5 waiting semesters during this time. The waiting period is recorded automatically and only full semesters count. If you were enrolled at a German University of Applied Science or University during this time, even if you did not take any exams, the waiting period will be interrupted during this period and will not be counted.

At RWU, you have the opportunity to get advice from the Central Student Advisory Office about your options after school - non-binding, open-ended and independent.

If you already have a specific degree program in mind and have specific questions about it, you can contact the academic advisors. Click here for the advisory services at RWU and the respective contact persons.

A semester is an academic period that usually lasts half a year. At RWU, we offer two semesters per year. This means that you can enrol for our degree programs in the winter semester or summer semester.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is a points system used in European higher education to measure and evaluate student performance. The system makes it possible to achieve a uniform understanding of the requirements for academic achievement in order to recognize achievements. ECTS is mainly used in connection with the acquisition of academic degrees and certificates. ECTS measures the number of courses a student has completed in order to reach a certain level.

The official study orientation test of the state of Baden-Württemberg. Here you can find out which course of study and which profession suits you best: www.was-studiere-ich.de.

With the study orientation test from the Federal Employment Agency, you can analyze your strengths and find suitable study and training paths: https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/bildung/welche-ausbildung-welches-studium-passt.

The study interest test creates your individual interest profile based on short self-assessment questions. It shows you how your study interests are distributed, what this means and which fields of study suit you: https://studiengaenge.zeit.de/sit.

The study choice test from Uniturm.de helps you to find the study degree that matches your strengths and interests. Within ten minutes, the test calculates which subjects are suitable for you based on your inclinations and abilities: https://www.uniturm.de/studienwahl/studienwahltest-studiumsfinder.

Are you interested in studying to become a teacher? The teacher orientation test is aimed at prospective teachers: https://mwk.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/hochschulen-studium/lehrenden-bildung/lehrerorientierungstest-fuer-studieninteressierte.

The Central Student Advisory Office at RWU can support you in your choice of studies and career. Together we will find out about your interests, abilities, wishes and goals. You can also contact the Central Student Advisory Office with general questions about your studies, your choice of University or questions about career choices and prospects. Whether in individual discussions or the BEST seminar - our Central Student Advisory Office will be happy to help you make your decision.

Are you interested in a particular degree program or have you already decided - and now you have some specific questions? Then our Academic advising is the right place for you. The Academic advising is your direct point of contact for all content-related and organizational questions about a specific degree program at RWU.

Typical topics that the Academic advising can help you with:

• Course content and focus of the degree program
• Elective options and specializations
• Student's performance and timetabling
• Requirements in certain modules
• Internships, study semester abroad and project work
• Recognition of academic achievements from abroad or previous studies

To the Contact persons of the Academic advising.

Is your path a little different from that of your (future) fellow students? At RWU, there are many opportunities to master your studies even in special life situations. These can include

• Studying during pregnancy or with a child
• Studying with care responsibilities
• Studying with a disability
• Studying with a chronic illness
• Studying with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Would you like to find out about the options and offers? On the pages "Studying with disabilities" and "Studying with care responsibilities" you will find further information and contact persons.

The Federal Employment Agency not only offers you support in your job search - it also helps you to find the right degree program or training. You can talk about your interests, strengths and wishes in a personal guidance. Together with the careers advisor, you will find out which paths suit you best.

You will receive:

• Information on degree programs and Apprenticeship occupations
• Support in choosing a career and degree program
• Help with applications and bridging options
• Tips on voluntary services or stays abroad

You can easily make appointments for advice online or often via your school. If you do not yet have a contact person, the careers information center (BiZ) in your area can help you: www.arbeitsagentur.de/en.

The Studierendenwerk Seezeit is an important point of contact for many practical issues in everyday student life. You can also get information and advice here before you start studying.

Seezeit will help you with:

• Questions about financing your studies: BAföG, part-time jobs, scholarship programs
• Finding accommodation: Applying for a room in a hall of residence or tips for private accommodation options
• Catering: Canteen and cafeteria offers at RWU
• Counseling in special life situations: e.g. social, psychological or financial challenges
• Counseling for students with children or with health restrictions

Even if you are not yet enrolled, you can already find lots of information on the Seezeit website: www.seezeit.com/en.

In Baden-Württemberg, general tuition fees were abolished in 2012. However, tuition fees can still be charged at private Universities.

RWU Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences charges a fee of approximately €215 per semester. The semester fee must be paid once upon enrolment and then each time you re-register for a new semester. The fee is made up of an administration fee of € 80.00, a student union fee of currently € 110.50 and a contribution of € 24.50 for the Constituted Student Body.

In the first semester, in addition to the semester fee, there is a one-off fee of €9.00 for the student ID card .

The University may charge fees or charges for special services. This applies in particular to additional administrative activities such as replacement certificates or late fees and for services that are not part of the study and examination regulations, such as preliminary math courses.

If you de-register no later than one month after the start of lectures, you can apply for a refund of the semester fee.

Please submit the application for a refund online via MyCampus. You can also find the form in the download area of the Student Administration Office page.

Recipient: LOK BA-WÜ / HS RV-Wgt.
IBAN: DE02 6005 0101 7495 5301 02 
Bank: Baden-Württembergische Bank (BW Bank) 
BLZ: 6005 0101 
BIC: SOLADEST600

Reason for payment: 8 679 130 002 817, NAME, APPLICANT/MATRIKELNR.

Please note: The reason for payment of tuition fees for the continuing education programs "International Business Management" and "Management in Social and Health Care" is different. You will find it on your fee notice.

If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions Office.

A room in a shared flat, food, bus tickets - studying costs money, no question about it. You can find an overview of the various financing options here: Financing and security.

As a full-time student, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the lecture period for insurance purposes. This rule does not apply during the lecture-free period, the semester break or during an internship.

Please note that if you take up employment such as a voluntary internship during a semester of leave, you will be subject to social security contributions as normal. This means that you will be treated as an employee for both social security and income tax purposes. You therefore cannot work as a working student during a semester of leave, as the working student privilege does not apply in this case.

Since the 2017/2018 winter semester, Universities in Baden-Württemberg have been charging tuition fees for international students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA member state. However, international students who have a German higher education entrance qualification (HZB) are not subject to tuition fees.

The fees are used for the courses on offer and the associated specific support for international students on Bachelor's degree courses, consecutive Master's degree courses and undergraduate degree courses. The Universities retain 20 percent of the income from tuition fees.

The fee is €1,500 per semester and is charged in addition to the semester fee of €215.

You will find the legally binding date in your fee notice (§4 (2) LHGebG). As a rule, the fee is due on the following dates:

• Fee for the summer semester: January 15th
• Fee for the winter semester: July 15th

The fee must be credited to the University's account by the due date. The transfer must therefore be made in good time.

There are exceptions to the charging of fees in the case of a so-called established domestic connection. This may be the case, for example, if you have an EU settlement permit. Whether you fall under these exceptions will be checked before the start of your studies using an information form that we will send you.

In general, it is the duty of applicants and students to inform themselves about a possible exception or to contact us and submit the relevant documents.

As a rule, the fees are automatically waived for

• EU/EEA citizens (§ 3 (1) LHGebG)
• Foreign students with a German HZB (§ 3 (2) LHGebG)
• Students in a continuing education master's program (§ 3 (1) LHGebG)
• International students studying at RWU within the framework of cooperation agreements (§ 6 (1) LHGebG):
  • Exchange students who are studying in Baden-Württemberg for 1-2 semesters and without the intention of obtaining a degree
  • Students in double degree programs (double degree students) with an obligatory stay abroad.

In the following cases, you are exempt from the obligation to pay fees if you submit an application before the start of the lecture period (§10 (3) LHGebG):

• in the practical semester, which is part of the standard period of study (§ 6 (2) sentence 2 LHGebG)
• in the case of a leave of absence, if you have applied for a leave of absence before the start of the lecture period (§ 6 (2) sentence 1 LHGebG)
• in the practical year (§ 6 (2) sentence 3 LHGebG)

You can also submit an application if:

• u are a foreigner with a residence permit in accordance with § 55 (1) of the Asylum Act and are a national of a country of origin that has been assessed by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees as having a protection quota of 50 percent or more (§ 6 (6) LHGebG)
• if you have a disability that makes studying considerably more difficult (§ 6 (7) LHGebG).

If, through no fault of your own, you find yourself in an emergency situation after starting your studies and are unable to pay the fees, the university can defer the fees in full or in part or waive them in full or in part (§ 7 LHGebG).

You can have the tuition fee refunded up to one month after the start of lectures (§ 10 (4) LHGebG).

A refund of the paid fee is possible

• if the requirements for an exception could not be proven in time for enrollment,
• if the requirements for an exception are met within one month of the start of the lecture period
• if you end your studies within one month of the start of the lecture period and are exmatriculated with immediate effect

The tuition fee can be charged subsequently if it was not charged despite the existing obligation to pay fees.

Please note that the texts in this section have been simplified for better readability. However, only the texts of the State Higher Education Fees Act (LHGebG) and the information on your fee notice are legally relevant.

The fee is €650 per semester and is charged in addition to the semester fee of €215.

You will find the legally binding date in your fee notice (§4 (2) LHGebG). As a rule, the fee is due on the following dates:

• Fee for the summer semester: January 15th
• Fee for the winter semester: July 15th

The fee must be credited to the university's account by the due date. The transfer must therefore be made in good time.

The following rule has applied since the 2017/2018 winter semester:

If you take up a second degree course, you must pay tuition fees. This applies to a second or further course of study in an undergraduate degree program (Bachelor's degree program) or in a second or further consecutive Master's degree program after completing a University degree in the Federal Republic of Germany. Your studies will be subject to tuition fees at the beginning of the semester following the date of your degree certificate.

If you change your degree program without graduating, you will not be required to pay tuition fees for a second degree. Tuition fees are only payable for the second Bachelor's or Master's degree program for the (remaining) duration of your studies once a degree course has been successfully completed.

The second tuition fee does not apply:

• for international students who already pay a tuition fee according to § 8 (1) sentence 3 LHGebG
• if you are doing a continuing education Master's degree program (§ 8 (1) sentence 1 LHGebG)
• if you completed your first degree abroad and have not yet completed an undergraduate or consecutive degree program in Germany (§ 8 (1) sentence 1 LHGebG)
• for the study of an extension subject as part of your teacher training program (§ 8 (3) sentence 2 LHGebG)
• if the second degree program is mandatory according to the professional regulations for obtaining a professional qualification (e.g. oral surgery) (§ 8 (3) sentence 1 LHGebG).

In the following cases, you are exempt from the obligation to pay fees if you submit an application before the start of the lecture period (§10 (3) LHGebG):

• in the practical semester, which is part of the standard period of study (§ 6 (2) sentence 2 LHGebG)
• in the case of a leave of absence, if you have applied for a leave of absence before the start of the lecture period (§ 6 (2) sentence 1 LHGebG)
• in the practical year (§ 6 (2) sentence 3 LHGebG)
• if you have a disability that makes your studies considerably more difficult (§ 6 (7) LHGebG)

If you have any questions, please contact the staff at the Admissions Office.

The tuition fee can be refunded up to one month after the start of lectures (§ 4 (2) and § 10 (4) LHGebG).

The tuition fee can be charged subsequently if it has not been charged despite an existing obligation to pay fees (§ 10 (4) LHGebG).

Please note that the texts in this section have been simplified for better readability. However, only the texts of the State Higher Education Fees Act (LHGebG) and the information on your fee notice are legally relevant.

For our part-time Master's degree programs, so-called continuing education courses, there is a tuition fee for the course. You can find the fees directly under the continuing education programs.

• International Business Management & Sustainability
• Social and Health Care Management
• Artificial Intelligence
• Intelligent and sustainable vehicle technologies

The regulations on tuition fees for the part-time Master's degree programs are set out in the respective statutes on tuition fees. You will receive a notification of fees with payment information before you start your academic program.

If you have any questions, please contact the staff at the Admissions Office.