FAQ for the Application for Admission

Where can I find the application form?

For the JGU admission application form, go to the 'Online application for degree-seeking and exchange students' page. The 'Download' column offers English-language and German instructions on filling in the onlinde application. Once you have completed and submitted the online application, press the "Print" button in the application overview and download the PDF document. In this PDF document you will find the information, whether you need to send a printed and signed version including further documents (see checklist).

When I submit my application for admission, do I need to resubmit the certificates that I sent with the application for official recognition?

Yes, you need to resubmit the certificates required for the official recognition procedure together with your admission application form. Please also note that, as a rule, it will be necessary for you to submit additional documents (such as a proof of language proficiency) with your admission application form. An overview of all documents to be submitted can be found in the checklist that will be sent to you as a PDF file when you submit your application online.

Can I apply even if my Certificate of Recognition is not yet ready?

No, the application may only be submitted once the validation/recognition procedure has been completed. The application portal will require information that is only available from your issued Certificate of Recognition.

It is advisable that you apply for official recognition of qualifications as far ahead of the application deadline as possible.

I have only just now received my Certificate of Recognition, but the application deadline has already passed. Can I apply anyway?

No, the application deadlines for admissions are fixed and are not dependent on the application for official recognition. You can check whether it is still possible to submit an application using the online application system. The 'Courses offered' section shows all departments, semesters, and degrees for which an application for admission can be submitted at the time of login.

I am currently enrolled in a German language course outside JGU and am applying for admission although I do NOT yet hold a DSH certificate.I will have completed the course by the start of my studies in Mainz.Can I submit the DSH certificate at that point?

In this case, if you do not yet have your DSH certificate at the time of application, please apply with your highest German language certificate. If you submit one of the accepted German language certificate and your application is successful, you will automatically be invited to take our DSH examination when you receive your confirmation of admission.You can find a list of the accepted German certificates on our German language website.

If you acquire a DSH certificate in the interim, please contact the ISSK to have your DSH certificate validated/recognized.

 

Which proof of language proficiency is considered equivalent to the DSH certificate?

The current regulations can be found on the page DSH and DSH equivalents [in German].

I have applied for a degree program that includes a German language course to prepare for university studies. In the interim, however, I have passed the DSH examination elsewhere. Can I enroll at JGU?

An application for the German language course at JGU is only valid if you have not passed the DSH examination elsewhere. If you pass the DSH examination before the application deadline, you can withdraw your application for admission and re-apply without needing to apply to take the preparatory German course. Please note the application deadlines on the internet page Periods and deadlines.

If the application deadline has already expired, you can only reapply for admission next semester.

My German proficiency certificate is more than 12 months old. Is it still valid?

You can have your proficiency in the German language assessed in a consultation at the International Preparatory and Language Center, (formerly the Foreign Language Center) [in German]. It will be decided there whether your proficiency in German is sufficient for admission.

Can I participate in German language courses at JGU even if I am not applying to study at the university?

No, this is unfortunately not possible. The application for a place in the German language course is tied to admission to a degree program.

Where can I learn German outside JGU?

Prior to the start of your degree program, you can use the opportunity to learn German at a language school. Intensive language courses are offered by the Forim DaF/DaZ at the ESG. Courses are also offered by the Goethe Institute in Frankfurt, by adult education institutions (Volkshochschule or vhs, such as in Mainz or Wiesbaden), and by private language schools.

What is the 'Feststellungsprüfung' (assessment test)?

The Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test) is the qualifying examination at a German center that prepares foreign students for university admission (Preparatory College). Proof of successful completion of this examination is always required if your Certificate of Recognition includes the remark 'Qualified for university admission only on successful completion of the assessment test' (Hochschulzugang nach zusätzlich bestandener Feststellungsprüfung). To prepare for this examination, we recommend taking courses at the Preparatory College (Studienkolleg).

I would like to be admitted to the Mainz International Preparatory and Language Center; how do I apply?

The Certificate of Recognition will indicate whether you may attend the preparatory center. If your certificate contains the remark 'Qualified for university admission only on successful completion of the assessment test' (Hochschulzugang nach zusätzlich bestandener Feststellungsprüfung) for the degree program you are interested in, then you can apply for admission to the preparatory centre online. Please include information on the degree program for which you are seeking admission.

If your Certificate of Recognition indicates that you have a direct university admission to your desired degree program, then you may not attend the preparatory center.

How can I prepare for the admission examination to the Mainz International Preparatory and Language Center?

The admission examination is completed online. A demo version is available here.

Questions about the admissions exam? Please contact the International Preparatory and Language Center (formerly the Preparatory Center) directly.

I am visiting another preparatory college (not in Mainz). Can I already apply for admission to a specific degree program at Mainz even if I haven't yet received my final certificate?

Application for admissions in the current semester is only possible if the certificate for the assessment test together with all other necessary documents can be submitted by the application deadlines. Otherwise, you will need to wait until next semester to apply.

I have taken the assessment test at another preparatory center (not Mainz). Do I need to have my certificates officially recognized even though I already hold my assessment test certificate?

Yes, the Certificate of Recognition is a mandatory part of the application portfolio. Please apply for official recognition in a timely manner BEFORE completion of the last semester of the preparatory center so that you can meet the application deadlines.

I have successfully passed the assessment test at the preparatory college but have now decided that I wish to pursue a course of studies in another subject. What are my options?

The course you took is tied to specific subjects. If you are interested in taking a degree in a different subject and assuming the subject-specific part of your certificates from your home country allow this (see Certificate of Recognition), then you must pass a supplementary examination.

Please contact the preparatory college (Studienkolleg) where you took your assessment test for more details about this. We recommend arranging for a personal consultation session at your preparatory college.

I have already studied at another university (in Germany/abroad) but did not complete my degree. Can I obtain credits for exams I have already completed/apply to enter a degree program in a more advanced semester?

The following institutions in the relevant faculties are responsible for official recognition of completed examinations:

• For medicine/dentistry/pharmaceutical sciences/teacher training: Please contact the Registrar's offices (Prüfungsämter - German version only).
• For all other subjects: Please contact the Student advising office (Studienbüros - German version only) or the Departmental advisory services (Studienfachberatung - German version only). There you can have your Advanced Placement Certificate (Anrechnungsbescheid - the form is available from the Student Service Center) signed, which also serves as confirmation for which semester you can apply to be admitted to your degree program. The certificate must be submitted with your application documents.

For more information, please see the page Validation/Recognition of Foreign Study Certificates (Anerkennung von Studienleistungen aus dem Ausland - German version only).

I wish to apply for admission to a Master’s degree program, but have not yet acquired the 135 CPs necessary for provisional application.

If you can confirm that you have actually obtained at least 135 CPs (such as through completed sections of modules that are still in progress), then you can still apply (even if your interim Bachelor's certificate shows less than 135 CPs).

When can I expect to hear whether my application has been successful/unsuccessful?

After your application is processed, we will upload a letter of admission (in case your application was successfull) or a letter of rejection (in case your application was not successful) to the online application portal JOGU-StINe. In general, applicants for a basic course of study will be informed by MID-MARCH (summer semester) or MID-SEPTEMBER (winter semester). Decisions on applications for Master's degree programs are sent out approx. 4-6 weeks earlier.

Notifications of successful/unsuccessful admission to a more advanced semester in a course with entrance restrictions can only be issued shortly after the start of the semester or, in some cases, AFTER the start of the lecture period. Places can only be assigned if and when they become available due to the removal from the register of other students.

I am a refugee. Can I apply at JGU?

Refugees can apply like all other people with foreign certificates at JGU and go through the same procedure, i.e. first applying for recognition of the foreign certificates, and after receiving the certificate of recognitnion applying to the desired field of study. An application without documents is not possible at present. With respect to a change in the procurement procedure, however, we recommend already taking the Test-AS exam.

Does the TestAS have to be taken in German?

No. The language in which the TestAS is completed is irrelevant for the validation.