Second degree

A second degree is another undergraduate degree that is started after successfully completing a degree .

Delimitation of the term

According to the type of further course

A characteristic of a second degree is that the further degree is an undergraduate degree . Undergraduate courses are courses that can also be selected as a first degree, i.e. for which a university degree is not an admission requirement. This differentiates the second degree from the postgraduate degree , for which a university degree is a prerequisite.

According to the chronological order

There is a further distinction to double studies or parallel studies , in which the study of the second subject begins before the first degree is completed.

Limitation of the degrees that are assessed as a first degree

Educational institutions whose qualifications are generally regarded as Initial studies: universities , polytechnics , colleges of education , music schools , art schools , sports colleges , army colleges , ecclesiastical universities and colleges , including the colleges of Public Administration. Since the vocational academy has become a dual university and thus has acquired the status of a university, a degree from this now also counts as a first degree.

Admission to the second degree

A second degree applicant must meet the same formal admission requirements as a first degree applicant.

When it comes to admission, however, a distinction is made between first and second degree applicants. In the case of study places awarded by the ZVS , 3% of the study places are reserved for second study applicants. For admission to the second degree, in addition to the final grade of the first degree, the motives for starting the second degree are decisive. These can be professional, economic or scientific. Priority is given to applicants whose career aspirations are only possible after successfully completing two courses. For example, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have to complete a degree in medicine and dentistry.

The study places in courses with internal university admission restrictions are allocated in a very similar way . Each university regulates the details internally. If a course is not restricted in admission, every applicant receives a place, regardless of whether it is a first or second applicant.

If a graduate of a university of applied sciences completes a course that requires the general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), he is a second student, regardless of whether he had the general higher education entrance qualification before starting the university of applied sciences or only achieved it after successfully completing it. If a student who has acquired the subject-specific higher education entrance qualification after successfully completing the FH pre-diploma changes to a course of study that is only open to him, he is a change of course.

Costs and financing of a second degree

At some universities in Germany, the semester fees for a second degree are significantly higher for students than for a first degree. For example, at the University of Mainz there are extra fees of 650 euros per semester for a second degree. Financing the second degree is also much more difficult. On the one hand, many students are not entitled to Bafög; on the other hand, second students are rarely given scholarships.

Possibilities and reasons for a second degree

Since a second degree is not a special type of degree, but rather a student, every degree is in principle suitable for a second degree. Most of the time, the first and second degree are technically related. It is also possible to study a course that is completely independent of the first subject.

The reasons for taking up a second degree are as varied as the applicants themselves. When applying for a second degree in a degree course with restricted admission, a ranking of the applicants is created in which the assessment of motives is of central importance. The letters of motivation can (possibly also should) be substantiated by expert opinions .

The following groups of applicants are distinguished from different universities and the ZVS for the assessment of the motives. Each applicant is assigned to a group. The number of points awarded by the ZVS is given (for comparison: the grade of the first degree is assessed with 1 to 4 points.) In the case of courses with local admission restrictions, however, the respective university has all the freedom to adjust the criteria while observing the principle of equal treatment .

Compelling professional reasons

(9 points)

The aim is to pursue a profession that can only be practiced on the basis of two completed courses. Examples: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, school psychologists, pharmacists in the Bundeswehr, clergymen (who want to do a teaching degree after studying theology ).

Scientific reasons

(7, 9 or 11 points)

For scientific reasons, the second degree is to be advocated with a view to later employment in science and research . Scientific reasons exist if, in view of a later activity in science and research on the basis of previous scientific and practical activity, a further scientific qualification in another course is sought.

A distinction is made between three levels: 7 points if the scientific reasons are proven by the scientific career. 9 points if the scientific reasons are of particular importance and proven by previous achievements. 11 points if the reasons are of paramount scientific importance and proven by excellent performance and are of particular general interest.

Special professional reasons

(7 points)

The professional situation is considerably improved by the second degree, because the second degree is a useful addition to the first degree. It depends on which professional activity is sought and in which way both courses promote professional practice. Concrete and individual career planning is decisive. It must be possible to establish an objective connection between the content of the first degree and the desired second degree. If the aim of the second degree is to change jobs, the special professional reasons will not be recognized.

Other professional reasons

(4 points)

Other professional reasons exist if the second degree is to be approved for other reasons due to the professional situation. Although the second degree is not a useful addition, the professional situation is considerably improved by the second degree for other reasons. A precise explanation is required.

Other reasons

(1 point)

Anyone who plans to reintegrate or start working again after a family phase can receive an allowance of 2 points.

Differences between students in first and second degree

After enrollment , there is no difference between first and second students on the same course. Both groups must perform the same and are assessed equally. However, academic achievements of the first degree can in principle be counted towards the second degree, provided the examination board determines that the content is equivalent . As in the case of a change of course or university, the examination board always decides in each individual case about the crediting of coursework from a first degree to a second degree.

Except in justified cases of hardship or if the second degree is required for the desired occupation, second degree courses are not eligible for BAföG . Second students are also excluded from most scholarship programs.

With the introduction of general tuition fees , the previously due second tuition fees no longer apply.

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Individual evidence

↑ Second degree - do it or leave it? Jobmensa Magazin from September 24, 2015, accessed December 15, 2015.

[1] Second degree - do it or leave it? Jobmensa Magazin from September 24, 2015, accessed December 15, 2015.