Admission requirements

General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or entrance qualification for studies at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife)

The Abitur (general higher education entrance qualification) and the Fachhochschulreife (vocational baccalaureate diploma) are the most common qualifications for studying at the HSB. They are obtained after graduation from a German secondary school. Both these qualifications and also the rarer Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-linked higher education entrance qualification) entitle you to study at HSB for all subjects.

Gleichwertigkeitsbescheinigung (certificate of equivalence)

Some school-leaving certificates only provide proof of the academic part of the Fachhochschulreife. However, only proof of practical experience leads to a fully valid Fachhochschulreife.

If you have completed vocational training, please submit proof of this together with your school report when enrolling at HSB. If you have completed a work placement of at least one year without interruption as the practical part of the Fachhochschulreife, the responsible district government or your school will determine whether that is sufficient and then issue a so-called Certificate of Equivalence.

In Bremen, the Praktikantenamt Bremen am Schulzentrum Utbremen decides on whether the placement you undertake entitles you to a certificate of equivalence.

Master craftsman's examination or comparable qualification

You are also considered to have earned a higher education entrance qualification if you:

have passed a master craftsman's examination,
have completed a training course comparable to the master craftsman's further training course in terms of admission requirements, duration, total number of hours of instruction provided and passed an examination comparable to the master craftsman's examination,
have completed a two-year course of education at a state-recognised technical college (not a vocational college) or a course of education comparable in terms of admission requirements, duration, total number of teaching hours provided and a comparable final objective and have passed the final examination in each case,
have a further training qualification in accordance with § 53 or § 54 of the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz) or §42 or § 42a of the Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung), provided the course comprised at least 400 teaching hours, or
have a qualification as result of (comparable) further occupational training for professions in the health care sector and in the field of social care or social education professions.

(as regulated in § 33, paragraph 3a of the Bremen Higher Education Act)

Any of the above mean that you have a direct higher education entrance qualification equivalent to the Fachhochschulreife and that you can apply directly to the Hochschule Bremen for admission.

Trial studies – temporary registration (Kleine Matrikel)

If you have appropriate professional experience, you can also be admitted to so-called trial studies (Probestudium) with temporary registration (Kleine Matrikel), even if you do not have a formal higher education entrance qualification. The prerequisite for applying for temporary registration for trial studies is that you have completed formal vocational training and at least five years of professional activity or corresponding substitute periods.

Trial studies as HSB for vocationally qualified persons is regulated in § 35, paragraph 2 of the Bremen Higher Education Act in conjunction with § 12 of the Admission Regulations.

What does “trial studies” mean?

Admission or enrolment in trial studies is for the first semester of the desired degree programme and is limited to a maximum of two semesters. As a student, you will take part in the modules taken by regular students in the first year of studying the programme.

In order to successfully complete trial studies, you must, among other things, complete at least five modules (corresponding to 30 credits) by the end of the first year (i.e. before the start of the third semester).

You can find more detailed information in the Regulations on Trial Studies.

Application for admission to trial studies for the winter semester

Application documents:

Application form
Proof of completed vocational training
Certificates and/or attestations of five years of professional activity or proof of the corresponding substitute time
Curriculum vitae, photo and a copy of passport or identity card

Send your application by 15 July to

Hochschule Bremen
D3 Herr Feidicker / Frau Krebs
Neustadtswall 30
28199 Bremen

In addition, you should apply in our online application portal CampInO by the end of the application deadline.

Trial studies do not automatically entitle you to a place on a degree programme, subject to limited admission.

The HSB allocates study places in accordance with the Study Place Allocation Ordinance (Studienplatzvergabeverordnung). A quota is reserved for applicants solely with professional qualifications (at least one study place per degree programme).

Programme-specific admission requirements

For some degree programmes you have to fulfil further admission requirements in addition to the higher education entrance qualification. These can be, for example:

a pre-programme work placement
specific language skills
artistic and creative aptitude test
a specific field of vocational training/professional experience/occupational experience
contract for vocational training and studies /binding commitment from a partner organisation or company

You can find the admission requirements on the respective programme page. On the programme pages you will also find the details of the person to contact at the Registration and Examination Office should you require additional information.