Studying without Abitur: a one-third rise in applications

At the University of Oldenburg, an increasing number of individuals with vocational qualifications are seeking to enrol on degree programmes. The number of applicants for Bachelor’s degree programmes with restricted admission for the 2012/13 winter semester stands at 169. This represents an increase of 38 per cent compared with the previous year.

161 of them meet the entry requirements and are taking part in the places allocation process. Overall – as in previous years – state-recognised early years educators are the most strongly represented professional group.
“As we are committed to the idea of the ‘open university’, we expressly welcome this development as an enrichment of our student body,” explained Prof. Dr Gunilla Budde, Vice-President for Studies and Teaching.

“The increase in applicants who have gained their university entrance qualification via the so-called ‘3+3’ scheme is particularly encouraging,” says Gunda Schulze, Head of the Admissions office. This scheme enables subject-specific study following at least three years of vocational training and three years of professional experience. “Among this group of applicants, the number of applications has risen to 37 for the 2012/13 winter semester. This represents a 48 per cent increase on the previous year,” says Schulze. Graduates of commercial vocations in particular are finding their way to university via this subject-specific route. At the University of Oldenburg, 99 applicants were granted full or partial admission to a Bachelor’s degree programme under this scheme during this year’s main admissions round.

In addition to applications for Bachelor’s degree programmes with restricted admission, enrolment for degree programmes with unrestricted admission remains open until 15 October. Here too, the team at the Admissions office expects increased interest from applicants without an Abitur.

As part of the ‘Open University’ project, special courses are offered to help individuals with vocational qualifications prepare for university study (www.oh.uni-oldenburg.de).