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A warm welcome to all degree-seeking students

If you are from a non-EU country you will find information on how to apply for a degree programme at Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) on this page.

For a personal consultation in our offices or over the phone, please contact us.

If you are from an EU-country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or should you wish to apply for a dual, part-time or continuing degree programme, please apply via the HSNR application portal.

Bachelor's degree programmes

To apply for a bachelor's degree programme, you will need to submit:

  • a Higher Education Entrance Qualification (German abbr.: HZB) or proof of an equivalent previous education
    → You can check whether your qualification entitles you to study in Germany in the DAAD admissions database.

    If you have an HZB that does not entitle you to study in Germany, you could still apply for the degree programme on the basis of an admission examination (German: Zugangsprüfung).

  • proof of the required language skills → further details

  • if applicable, further documents.
    → You might need to submit additional documents depending on which degree programme you wish to apply for → Please check the specific information carefully.

Master's degree programmes

In order to apply for a master's degree programme at HSNR, please submit the following:

  • proof of a completed, qualified and recognized bachelor's degree (at least three years).

  • proof of the required language skills → see further details

  • if applicable further documents → You might need to submit additional documents depending on which degree programme you wish to apply for → Please check the specific information carefully.

The following table shows which language proficiency you need for which degree programme.

Please submit the relevant certificates upon enrolment at the latest.

German

For all

  • German-taught degree programmes

you need German language skills at level C1 CEF.

Please note:
This requirement applies to all applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification

Accepted certificates

French

For these degree programmes:

  • BA International Marketing

  • MA International Marketing

you need - in addition to the required German language skills - French language skills at level B2 CEF.

Accepted certificates

English

For the following English-taught programmes:

  • BScTextile and Clothing Management

  • BA Sales and Marketing

  • MA International Management

you will need English language skills on a B2 CEF level.

For our English-taught programme

  • MSc Management of Textile Trade and Technology

you will need English language skills on a C1 CEF level.

Accepted certificates

Application via uni-assist

All prospective students who are nationals of a non-EU country and have acquired their higher education entrance qualification (HZB) in a non-EU country apply via the application portal uni-assist.

Please note that you also have to register at hochschulstart.de for Bachelor's degree programmes with restricted admission (1st semester) → This checklist might be helfpul.

Please refer to the website of uni-assist for instructions on how to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the uni-assist application-deadline?

Deadlines summer semester
(subject to change)

Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes open to admission: 01 November - 15 February

Exception: Master Textile Products/Master Management of Textile Trade and Technology: 01 November - 15 December

Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes with restricted admission (NC) (DoSV -hochschulstart.de): 01 November - 15 December

Application for higher semesters: 01 November - 15 February

Deadlines winter semester
(subject to change)

Bachelor's and Master's programmes with open admission: 01 May - 15 August

Master Textile Products/Master Management of Textile Trade and Technology: 01 May - 15 June

Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes with restricted admission (NC) (DoSV -hochschulstart.de): 01 May - 15 June

Application for higher semesters: 01 May - 15 August

Please note:
Your application will be considered as long as it was submitted on time, even if the review takes place after the application deadline.

Does uni-assist charge a fee?

Yes. uni-assist charges a fee for checking your documents, which must be paid in advance.

You will automatically be asked to pay after you have completed your online application.

Which documents do I need to upload?

Please upload the following documents in the uni-assist portal:

  • Certificate of higher education entrance qualification

  • If applicable, university entrance examination (e.g. Iran, Portugal, Spain, Turkey)

  • If applicable, assessment test from a preparatory course (Studienkolleg)

  • If applicable, degree or previous academic achievements (degree certificate, overview of subjects and grades, grading system)

  • For applicants from China, India or Vietnam: APS document

  • If applicable, proof of practical activities related to the course of study

  • Proof of current language skills or registration for language test

Do I need to upload certified copies?

No. The documents have to be scans of the original documents.

If the original is not in German or English, a certified translation in German or English must also be uploaded.

What is the uni-assist processing time?

After uni-assist has received your application and payment in due form, uni-assist will check your documents and send you the result. This can take up to 4 to 6 weeks.


The earlier you apply, the shorter the processing time will be. Experience shows that the majority of applications is submitted towards the end of the application period; hence uni-assist members of staff have to check a lot of applications and the review then takes correspondingly longer.

When and how will I be admitted at HSNR?

If you meet the formal requirements, your application will be forwarded to the HSNR for a further review.

HSNR will inform you by e-mail if enrolment in the desired degree programme is possible.

In the case of degree programmes with open admissions, you will then be invited to enrol.

In the case of degree programmes with restricted admissions, places can only be allocated once all applications have been checked by uni-assist and forwarded to the HSNR.

This is normally the case at the earliest from the end of January for the summer semester or at the earliest from the end of July for the winter semester.

 

How do I enrol in an HSNR degree programme?

After admission or after we have invited you to enrol, you can submit an application for enrolment.

Please send us the filled-in application form, as well as your certificates and proof of your language skills - here as certified copies - and, if applicable, proof of the required internships by post.

More information on the certification of documents.

How do I apply for a higher semester?

In this document you will find important information on the recognition of achievements and on applying for a higher semester.

If you would like to enrol in a higher semester in an economics degree programme at our Faculty 08 you will find important information on this website.

Can I re-apply via uni-assist?

Yes, it is possible to reapply via uni-assist.

If you are not admitted to a degree programme at the end of the application process or if you have decided against the offer of a study place, you can apply again via uni-assist in the application period.

In this case, you will have to go through the process again and pay the fee at the end.

Please contact uni-assist to find out how long your data will be stored or how long your account can be accessed and used for a new application.

 

 

Exceptions (application via the HSNR-portal)

All prospective students who are citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway apply directly via the HSNR online portal.

Likewise, all prospective students who

  • have obtained their HZB in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway or at a school with German Abitur examination regulations,

  • live in Germany and whose spouse/parent has EU citizenship and works in Germany,

  • have already obtained a degree in Germany or in a country of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway,

  • would like to apply for a part-time study programme, a dual study programme or a part-time or continuing study programme,

can apply directly via the HSNR application portal.

You will still need to prove the relevant language proficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the HSNR-application deadlines?

Under the following link you will find the HSNR-application deadlines.

Is a final assessment exam-FSP a German HZB?

The final assessment exam (German: Feststellungsprüfung / FSP) offered by a Studienkolleg does not count as a German HZB (higher education entrance qualification).

Therefore, graduates of a Studienkolleg have to apply via uni-assist.

Which documents do I need to submit?

During your online application you will need to upload the following documents:

  • Certificate of higher education entrance qualification

  • If applicable, university entrance examination (e.g. Iran, Portugal, Spain, Turkey)

  • If applicable, degree or previous academic achievements (degree certificate, overview of subjects and grades, grading system)

  • Proof of practical activities related to the course of study, if applicable

  • Proof of the required language skills or registration for a language test

  • Proof of eligibility to apply "like Germans" (e.g. copy of marriage certificate, passport copy of spouse)

Should you encounter problems in uploading documents, please send them by email to internationalapplicants(at)hs-niederrhein.de mentioning your applicant number.

Do documents have to be translated/certified?

Yes. Please submit your application documents in the original language and attach a certified translation if the original language is not German or English.

You will find useful information on certified copies and translations here: Certifications and translations

Please note though: only when finally enrolling will you need to submit your certificates and proof of language skills as certified copies.

Test for Academic Studies - TestAS

Prospective international students whose higher education entrance qualification (HZB) is not applicable for academic studies in Germany, but enables them to start a course at a Studienkolleg, can study at HSNR after all if they have successfully completed the TestAS beforehand.

With the appropriate subject test, you will be able to apply for all study programmes at HSNR.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How and where can I sit the TestAS exam?

You can sit the TestAS digitally or paper-based at various test centres and you will need to pass the exam with 90 points each in the core as well as the subject test in order to qualify for admission to a degree programme.

In which language can I sit the TestAS exam?

HSNR accepts the TestAS in German as well as in English.

Please note:
The necessity to submit a proof of your language proficiency remains unaffected, i.e. language proficiency must be proven again separately upon application or enrolment.

Can it offset subject-related qualifications?

Yes, a subject-related higher education entrance qualification (HZB) can be extended to the degree programmes covered by the passed subject test.

Which TestAS subject tests can I choose from?

There are four subject-specific modules:

  1. Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social Sciences (GKG)

  2. Engineering (I)

  3. Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences (MIN)

  4. Economics (W)

Which subject module entitles you to which degree programme?

Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social Sciences (GKG)

This TestAS subject module entitles you to apply for the following degree programmes:

  • Communication design

  • Product and object design

  • Social work and education

  • Cultural education

  • Early childhood education

Engineering (I)

This TestAS subject module entitles you to enter the following degree programmes:

  • Chemical engineering

  • Mechatronics

  • Electrical engineering

  • Process engineering

  • Mechanical engineering

  • Design engineering

  • Textile and clothing management

  • Textile and clothing technology

  • Industrial engineering

Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences (MIN)

This TestAS subject entitles you to enter the following degree programmes:

  • Chemistry and biotechnology

  • Computer science

  • Food sciences

  • Nutritional sciences

  • Cyber security management

  • Business information systems

  • Medical informatics

Economics (W)

This TestAS subject module entitles you to enter the following degree programmes:

  • Business administration

  • Cyber security management

  • International marketing

  • Sales and marketing

  • Taxation and auditing

  • Business information systems

  • Industrial engineering

  • Health care management

Students support students

At HSNR, we have established various programmes to help international students settle into their new environment, to help them establish a social network and to support them during their studies.

Please find information on our GLOBUS- and buddy-programmes as well as our peer writing advisory services here:

GLOBUS

GLOBUS is a group of HSNR students of all disciplines and ages that organises events and activities on and off campus to exchange experiences and strengthen social contacts.

More information
Buddy-Programme

This programme brings together HSNR students from higher semesters and new international students to exchange experiences.

More information (in German)
Peer writing advisory services

The Peer writing advisory service offers new international students help, for example, with writing academic texts.

More information (in German)

Scholarships and financial support

There are various ways to receive financial support during your studies.

Here we introduce you to three support programmes for international students:

DAAD-Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) awards study or research scholarships, which you have to apply for before taking up your studies.

DAAD-Scholarship-Database
DAAD-Award

Every year HSNR awards the DAAD Award to a foreign student for special academic and non-academic achievements.

More information (in German)
Degree scholarships

HSNR can award a limited number of degree scholarships as part of the STIBET programme for students from non-EU countries during their final months of their degree programmes.

More information (in German)

Verena Holzki
International Office Internationale Studienbewerber
Nina Kohl, M.Sc.
Koordinatorin Internationales Studierendenmarketing
More service for international students

HSNR has committed itself to this with the Code of Conduct. It has joined the "National Code of Conduct for the Study of Foreigners at German Universities". The following brochure explains the contents of the Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct