Paderborn University

Bachelor admission

Applicants need a school-leaving certificate or equivalent qualification that entitles them to study at a German university; the DAAD admissions database and anabin show whether a foreign certificate qualifies, and the university makes the final decision. There are no entrance examinations except in music, art and sport. Some programmes are subject to admission restrictions (Numerus Clausus), for which foreign grades are converted to the German system.

Application route and deadlines

Non-EU applicants and those without a German school qualification apply either through uni-assist (for the programmes on the uni-assist list, including all English-taught Master's programmes) or directly through the Paderborn application portal. For direct applications, a preliminary examination of certificates (Antrag zur Prüfung des Hochschulzugangs, Vorprüfungsbericht) is submitted via PAUL and is required before applying. EU citizens and applicants with a German school qualification apply directly through the admissions portal.

Uni-assist: winter semester (October start) 31 May for German-taught and English-taught programmes; summer semester (April start) 15 January for German-taught Bachelor programmes and 30 November for English-taught Master's programmes. Direct route via PAUL: winter semester application period 15 April to 31 May; summer semester 1 December to 15 January. Bachelor's degree holders from another German university applying for a Master's: 15 August (winter) and 15 February (summer). Processing of certificates can take up to six weeks, and only complete applications are processed.

German-language requirements

For German-taught programmes: DSH (minimum DSH 2), TestDaF level 4 in all four parts, Deutsches Sprachdiplom Stufe II, the Goethe-Institut Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung, Kleines or Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom, Goethe-Zertifikat C2, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, or the Feststellungsprüfung at a state Studienkolleg. Preparatory DSH courses are offered on campus.

English-language requirements

Computer Science and Electrical Systems Engineering (M.Sc.) are taught in English only; accepted evidence includes a Bachelor's degree from Australia, the UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, TOEFL 80 (internet-based), or IELTS 6.5 (Computer Science) or 6.0 (Physics and Electrical Systems Engineering). The M.A. English and American Studies requires IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100 (internet-based). International Economics and Management accepts TOEFL 87 (internet-based) or IELTS 6.5 and also requires German at A2 level, which may be acquired during the Master's. Language certificates must not be older than two years.

Master admission

A recognised Bachelor's degree in the same or a related subject, judged equivalent by the examination board, gives access to the Master's programme. Documents: school-leaving certificate, Bachelor's certificate, transcripts of records, Diploma Supplement, language certificate, passport, and where required GRE or dMAT (Additive Manufacturing, Computer Engineering, Computer Science), a module handbook (International Economics and Management) and an APS certificate for applicants from India, China or Vietnam. Business Administration and Economics Master's applicants submit module descriptions of their Bachelor's courses. Notarisation is not required.

Doctoral admission

Applicants first secure acceptance as a doctoral candidate from a professor of the university and then apply to the International Office with that confirmation and the other documents; the full semester fee is due on enrolment. The doctoral committee certifies language ability, and a doctorate may be completed entirely in a foreign language.

Visa

The university issues an acceptance letter for the visa application under section 16b of the Residence Act; enrolment without a visa is discouraged. Non-EU applicants should start planning 12 to 18 months before the intended start. The notice of admission is sent about one to two months before the course begins and lists enrolment documents and deadlines.

• Main (Central) Campus, Paderborn: south of the city; seminar buildings, lecture halls, offices, laboratories, administration and central contact points for all five faculties, plus the Mensa and green outdoor spaces.
• Zukunftsmeile 1 and 2, Paderborn: hubs for networking between the university and regional companies.
• Fürstenallee, Paderborn: research buildings including the Heinz Nixdorf Institute.
• Paderborn Technology Park: about one kilometre south of the campus; hosts branches of several faculties.
• Start-up Campus OWL, Paderborn: former Barker Barracks site; home of TecUP, the Technology Transfer and Start-up Centre.
• AStA Stadtcampus, Paderborn city centre: a place for education, culture and commitment created by the General Students' Committee.
• Detmold FORUM Science | Library | Music: about 30 kilometres away; home of the Musicology Seminar Detmold/Paderborn, run jointly with the Detmold University of Music, with a large music library.

Student facilities include the Studierendenwerk canteen (meals from 1.70 euros for students), the Health Training Centre, university sport, student health management, and student dormitories administered by the Studierendenwerk Paderborn. The Centre for Language Studies offers courses in up to 20 languages.