Application & admission: Bachelor’s degree programs
Application & selection process – step by step
It is important to us that our applicants fit in with Karlshochschule, but that Karlshochschule also fits in with our applicants. That’s why we want to get to know you, your talents and skills in our selection process.
Your path to Karlshochschule begins with your written online application. We are not only interested in your school grades, but also in your motivation and your CV to date: What has shaped you in the past? What experiences have you had? What are your interests and skills? Why do you want to study this degree program at the Karls?
We will check your application in detail. If your evaluation is positive, you will receive an invitation to a personal selection interview with our admissions team and our professors, during which you will have the opportunity to get to know the university and our teaching style better, visit our premises, meet students and ask questions.
After this interview, our Admissions Committee will meet and make a decision on your admission based on your application and interview. As we know how agonizing it is to wait weeks for a confirmation, you will receive a decision from us within a few days together with feedback.
If you are admitted, you are guaranteed a place for two weeks. This allows you to review your impressions of our university and make a well-considered decision. If you decide to study at Karlshochschule at a later date and there are still places available in your desired degree program, you can still take up your place.
Application deadlines
- Are you from an EU country?
Then the application deadline for you is September 1, possibly later! - You come from outside the EU but already have an existing visa for Germany?
Even then, the application deadline for you is July 15 (thereafter only by individual arrangement). - If you come from outside the EU and do not yet have an existing visa for Germany, the application deadline for you is July 15* (thereafter depending on the visa process in your home country).
However, to ensure a relaxed application process, we recommend that you apply as early as possible, as the number of study places is limited.
*Exceptions may be made for applicants from countries that do not require a short-term visa for Germany:
Albania, Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, San Marino, Switzerland, USA, etc.
Please contact our Student Admissions Service in your specific case.
Checklist – your application
- Online application
- University entrance qualification (HZB)
- General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences
- a foreign educational certificate recognized as equivalent
- University admission for vocationally qualified students (PDF: Requirements)
- Advanced training (master craftsman or similar) + at least two years of vocational training + counseling interview at the Karls: general university entrance qualification
- At least two years of vocational training + relevant professional experience + counseling interview at the Karls: subject-specific university entrance qualification (after additionally passing an aptitude test).
- You haven’t finished school yet? Then apply now with all your sixth-form school reports received so far! You will be admitted as long as your grades do not deviate significantly from your previous performance. The degree certificate can be submitted in good time before the start of the course.
- Proof of sufficient language skills
- For our English-language Bachelor’s programs, your English language skills at level B2 must be proven by an IELTS certificate (min. 5.5 overall), a TOEFL certificate (min. 72 points), the ISE III from Trinity College London, or certain certificates from LANGUAGECERT. Meeting level B2 gets you started — we’ll help you take it further. In your first year, you’ll have access to additional language courses at Karlshochschule, free of charge, designed to develop your English to the level that lets you truly succeed in your program.
- With a German Abitur, you’ll typically already have an English level between B2 and C1 — a strong foundation for your studies. Our admissions committee reviews how you meet the language requirement on an individual basis — and if your proof isn’t ready yet, we’ll find the right path together.
- For our German-language Bachelor’s programmes, your German language skills at level B2 must be proven by passing a recognized DSH or DaF test (if German is not your native language or language of socialization). In the DaF test, all four sections must be passed with 4.0 points. For DSH, at least a DSH 2 certificate is required.
- If you are unsure about your language level or do not have a certificate, please contact us or make an appointment for a study consultation.
- Letter of motivation in English (1 – 2 pages)
Why did you choose Karls as the university for your studies? What personal experiences influenced this decision? Why did you choose your desired degree program? Why do you think you will successfully complete your chosen degree program? How do you imagine your dream job role later on? - Curriculum vitae in tabular form in English
- Other evidence
Evidence of your vocational training, internships, experience abroad, involvement at school or in charitable organizations - Passport photo
Do you have any further questions about the application or selection process?
Make an appointment for study counseling
What’s next? Your personal interview.
If your application meets the requirements, we will invite you to a personal selection interview on site or via video conference.
During this interview with one of our professors and a member of our admissions team, you will have the opportunity to get to know the Karls better: the premises, the professors, staff and students, as well as our way of working and learning together. At the same time, we also want to get to know you better and find out what motivates you and whether you are suited to your desired degree program, or more precisely, whether your desired degree program suits you. Here you have the opportunity to show us openly and honestly what moves you and what you are made of.
After this interview, our selection committee will meet and make a decision on your admission based on your application and interview. As we know how agonizing it is to wait weeks for a confirmation, you will receive a decision from us within a few days together with feedback.
If you are admitted, you are guaranteed a place for two weeks. This allows you to review your impressions of our university and make a well-considered decision. If you decide to study at Karlshochschule at a later date and there are still places available in your desired degree program, you can still take up your place.
Lateral entry
A lateral entry into a higher semester out of conviction for studying at Karlshochschule is possible. To get started with us, however, the following requirements must be met:
- You are studying a degree program at a German university that is related in terms of content, but not 100% identical to the desired degree program at Karlshochschule.
- You are studying the same degree program at a university abroad.
In order for us to recognize your previous study and examination achievements, we must first check them and then confirm them. This is done by our examination office.
Are you interested? Then send us an application for lateral entry via our online application and attach the following documents and evidence in addition to the general application documents:
- all certificates or transcripts of records issued by the university (e.g. “Transcript of Records”),
- all module descriptions of the modules you completed in your degree program at your previous university (you can usually find these on your university’s website).
If you have any questions about lateral entry, please contact our Student Advisory Service.