In Rhineland-Palatinate, many high school students complete their Abitur as early as the spring. In theory, this early completion of the Abitur should allow students to begin their college studies directly in the summer semester. In practice, however, this is often not possible due to the early start of the semester at universities of applied sciences (HAW).
Mainz University of Applied Sciences is now responding with a pilot project: Starting in the summer semester of 2026, high school graduates will be able to begin their studies in the bachelor’s program in Geoinformatics and Surveying immediately after graduating from high school. This is made possible by a slightly delayed start to the semester on April 1, rather than on the second-to-last Monday in March.
“Graduating from high school early is an opportunity for young people to start college sooner—but only if universities adapt their structures accordingly,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anita Sellent, program director for Geoinformatics and Surveying at Mainz University of Applied Sciences. “With our pilot project, we’re demonstrating that this is possible—without compromising on academic content and in collaboration with students who typically begin in the summer semester.”
Direct Transition from High School to College
For the April 2026 start date, interested applicants should apply as usual between mid-November 2025 and February 28, 2026—initially submitting their report card from the second semester of 12th grade and all other required documents. The final high school diploma will be submitted as soon as it is available.
The semester begins on April 1, 2026, with an orientation day during which students will familiarize themselves with the university’s virtual and physical infrastructure—from IT access to buildings and labs to the library.
Then the theoretical and practical courses begin: Working in small teams, students will be out in the field using modern surveying equipment—a hands-on introduction that takes advantage of the milder weather of the summer semester. Alongside this, the curriculum includes the foundational courses typical of engineering studies, which build upon and deepen high school knowledge.
The first semester ends after the exam period in July. After that, the program continues on its regular schedule: the winter semester runs from early October through late January, and the summer semester from late March through mid-July. In later semesters, students take courses such as computer science, geovisualization and cartography, or photogrammetry.
Background: Early High School Graduation, Semester Start Too Early
The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science and Health views early high school graduation as, in principle, an opportunity to begin a degree program in the summer semester. In practice, however, this rarely works out at universities of applied sciences (HAWs), as they have usually already begun their lectures by the time high school graduates receive their diplomas. Mainz University of Applied Sciences is closing this gap with the new model. The pilot project aims to demonstrate how universities in Rhineland-Palatinate can better facilitate the transition from high school to college in the future.
