FAQs Transfer and Recognition of Credits
Independent modules that are generally completed by an assessment and are not substantially different from the modules they are to replace can be recognized.
Ungraded academic achievements and partial/previous ungraded academic achievements are generally only recognized in cases of internal transfer within the university.
Modules are recognized if the body carrying out the recognition cannot identify any substantial difference
between the competences acquired and the competences to be acquired.
The criteria are the quality of the university, the level of competences, the workload, the profile of the degree programs, and the learning outcomes.
The recognition of previous academic achievements depends on the selected degree program semester.
Students in the first degree program semester and students who are already enrolled have the opportunity to apply for recognition of individual modules in the first four weeks after the start of classes. Subsequent placement in a higher semester is not possible.
Applicants to higher semesters are required to submit an application with supporting documents on the application portal at the same time as the generally required application documents.
The recognition of previous academic achievements is done at the School by the body responsible for carrying out the recognition.
Depending on the chosen degree program semester, an application must be submitted after enrollment or during the application process (higher degree program semesters).
You can upload the completed application with all required documents (transcript, de-registration certificate, module guide) to the Seafile server.
How to contact the body carrying out the recognition:
Transfer and recognition of credits
T +49 6131 628-1025
(Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
Transfer and recognition of credits
T +49 6131 628-1026
(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
The recognition of previous academic achievements takes place upon request.
You can also find the application and further information on recognition in the download sections of our School’s page on recognition, which can also be found on the respective degree program pages.
Additional information in PDF form:
The respective deadlines for the submission of applications depend on the degree program semester to which you are applying.
Students in the first degree program semester and students who are already enrolled have the opportunity to submit an application for recognition with the relevant documents to the School during the first four weeks after the start of classes (usually by April 16 or October 29).
Individuals applying to higher degree program semesters are required to submit an application for recognition on the application portal together with their application by the application deadline at the latest.
Please note: If you are unable to meet the deadline due to missing grades or documents from your previous studies, please contact the body carrying out the recognition in good time. If you are late submitting your documents for recognition, we generally recommend that you “preventively” register for the exam in the requested modules you are applying to have recognized, so that you do not miss the deadline for examination registration in the event of non-recognition.
Placement in the degree program semester is usually based on the number of ECTS credits earned at the time of application.
Students are expected to earn 30 ECTS credits per semester.
Accordingly, placement in the first degree program semester is usually done with 0 to 29 ECTS credits, placement in the second semester with 30 to 59 ECTS credits, continuing successively for the following degree program semesters.
An exception to this is the bachelor’s degree program in Building & Property Management. The placement here is done in steps of 0-14 ECTS credits for the first degree program semester, 15-44 ECTS credits for the second semester, and 45-75 ECTS credits for the third semester.
Ongoing exam procedures are usually not included in the placement.
If you are not sure which higher semester you should specifically apply to, you can contact us. Based on your current transcript, we can give you a recommendation for applying to a higher semester.
Who to contact:
Transfer and recognition of credits
T +49 6131 628-1025
(Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
Transfer and recognition of credits
T +49 6131 628-1026
(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Placement in the degree program semester is usually based on the number of ECTS credits earned at the time of application.
Exams that have been registered for/ongoing exam processes generally do not affect the placement.
However, they can be marked as such in the application form and, where applicable, recognized after enrollment.
If you are not sure which higher semester you can specifically apply to, please send us your current transcript by email. Based on your transcript, we can give you a recommendation for applying to a higher semester.
Contact:
Transfer and recognition of credits
T +49 6131 628-1025
(Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
katja.reinhardt@hs-mainz.de
Transfer and recognition of credits
T +49 6131 628-1026
(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
No, there will be no subsequent change in semester placement. Nevertheless, all modules from your previous studies that are eligible for recognition can be recognized at the module level. The placement is purely for formal reasons. You will not suffer any disadvantage as a result.
In the degree programs of the School of Engineering, failed attempts from abroad are not credited. Failed attempts at a German university will be credited if the module requirements and learning outcomes are equivalent or lower.
In accordance with Section 68 of the Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Education Act, enrollment must be denied
if a required examination in the chosen degree program has previously been finally failed (Endgültig Nichtbestehen) at a university.
At the School of Engineering, this also applies to a final failure of an examination in a module of a related degree program with equivalent or lower module requirements.
At present, it is necessary to resubmit the documents for recognition and/or credit for failed attempts to the School, even if they have already been submitted to the Office of Student Affairs as part of the application process.
A final notice of recognition is usually issued after enrollment.
- by April 30 for the respective summer semester
- by November 15 for the respective winter semester
by the body carrying out the recognition.
The notification will then be forwarded to you by the Examinations Office.
For those applying to higher degree program semesters, a provisional recognition with a legally binding placement is usually issued by the application deadline. These will be made available on the application portal for a limited time.
As long as you have not yet received a final notification about the recognition of your module and the registration phase for the examinations is still active, we recommend that you “preventively” register for the exam in the relevant module. If the module cannot be recognized, you will not be at a disadvantage due to a missed exam registration.
Please note: The deadline for submitting the documents up to 4 weeks after the start of classes was chosen so that you receive your final notification before the deadline for exam registration has passed. If you are unable to meet the deadline for submitting your documents due to missing grades or documents from your previous studies, please contact us in good time. We generally recommend registering for the exams in the modules for which you are requesting recognition as a “preventive measure”, especially if the documents are submitted late.
If you have registered for an examination and the module is recognized later, you do not need to do anything else. You will be automatically withdrawn from the examination by the Examination Office and the recognized grade will be entered.
No, if you have registered for an examination and the module is recognized later, you do not need to do anything else. You will be automatically withdrawn from the examination by the Examination Office and the recognized grade will be entered.
Applicants with a foreign higher education entrance qualification must first submit the documents required for the application through www.uni-assist.de.
These documents are:
- All certificates and documents from your secondary school diploma to your current level of education. Submit all certificates in full and complete form as officially certified copies and sworn translations; these cannot be submitted in electronic form, only as hard copies. Applicants from the People’s Republic of China, Cameroon, and Mongolia require additional documents.
- Certificates, overview of subjects and grades, and transcripts of your previous studies at a university, if you have already studied (indicating the ECTS credits, grade, number of attempts including failed examinations and whether you are still entitled to take examinations for this degree program)
- Clearance certificate for previous periods of study in Germany and abroad (https://www.hs-mainz.de/fileadmin/Hochschule/Studierendenbuero/Bewerbung/Erklaerung_ueber_bisherige_Studienzeiten.pdf)
- Proof of German language skills:
for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the School of Engineering and the School of Design, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at the School of Business (DSH 1, TestDaF with level TDN 3 or Goethe Certificate at least B2) - A copy of your valid passport (only page with your personal data)
- Passport photo
- A copy of the payment receipt for the fee paid to uni-assist
(Please note that your application will only be processed by uni-assist once the application fee has been paid. Please enclose a copy of the payment receipt with your application)
As part of the recognition process for students with previous foreign academic achievements:
In addition to a transcript of records (or transcript of grades), a module guide in German or English with a description of the module content, level, and scope of the module (credits earned or, in the case of non-European universities, workload) is also required.
The submission of a clearance certificate and/or certificate of de-registration is not mandatory for the recognition of previous periods of study abroad.
For degrees already obtained at foreign universities, the most important documents required are degree certificates with information on the comparability of the degree (accredited university, level of the degree, total credits, total workload, list of modules taken).
When applying to a higher semester, the documents can be submitted directly with the application via uni-assist.
For recognition of individual modules after enrollment (for first-semester students), the documents can be submitted within the first four weeks of lectures using the Seafile server: https://seafile.rlp.net/u/d/e7e6da54470e4a6cb141/
Yes, the possible forms of proof of German language proficiency are as follows:
For bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the School of Engineering and the School of Design, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at the School of Business: DSH 1, TestDaF with level TDN 3, or Goethe Certificate at least B2
International applicants apply to Mainz University of Applied Sciences through a paid preliminary examination by uni-assist e.V, the International Student Application Service Center (www.uni-assist.de).
Who has to have their transcripts assessed by uni-assist?
All individuals who have not obtained their higher education entrance qualification in Germany or at a school with German Abitur examination regulations (A-Levels, High School Diploma, Baccalaureate, etc.). This also applies to master’s degree programs (exceptions see below).
The nationality of the applicant is irrelevant.
This regulation does not apply to:
- Students from partner universities who wish to study at Mainz University of Applied Sciences as part of an exchange program
- Applicants to the Master of Arts in International Business (MA IB) degree program who obtained their first qualifying university degree in an EU member state
- Applicants to the Master of Science in International Business (MSc IB) degree program
- Applicants who have successfully passed an assessment test of a preparatory course in Germany and have received recognition of their foreign educational credentials with an indicated grade point average
What general documents do I need to apply to uni-assist?
- All certificates and documents from your secondary school diploma to your current level of education. Submit all certificates in full and complete form as officially certified copies and sworn translations; these cannot be submitted in electronic form, only as hard copies. Applicants from the People’s Republic of China, Cameroon, and Mongolia require additional documents.
- Certificates, overview of subjects and grades, and transcripts of your previous studies at a university, if you have already studied (indicating the ECTS credits, grade, number of attempts including failed examinations and whether you are still entitled to take examinations for this degree program)
- Clearance certificate for previous periods of study in Germany and abroad (https://www.hs-mainz.de/fileadmin/Hochschule/Studierendenbuero/Bewerbung/Erklaerung_ueber_bisherige_Studienzeiten.pdf)
- Proof of German language skills:
for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the School of Engineering and the School of Design, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at the School of Business (DSH 1, TestDaF with level TDN 3, or Goethe Certificate at least B2) - A copy of your valid passport (only page with your personal data)
- Passport photo
- A copy of the payment receipt for the fee paid to uni-assist
(Please note that your application will only be processed by uni-assist once the application fee has been paid. Please enclose a copy of the payment receipt with your application)
Degree-specific documentation and requirements for Master’s degree program in Building and Property Management/Technical Property Management:
- Bachelor’s degree in Building and Property Management, Facilities Management, or in Technical Facility Management or bachelor’s degree, Engineering Diploma (FH), or Engineering Diploma from related degree programs. Your grade point average must not be lower than 2.7. The degree program director makes admission decisions regarding applicants who graduated from related degree programs.
- Graduates of the Bachelor of Interior Architecture degree prorgam, Engineering Diploma (FH) or Engineering Diploma require proof of at least three years of practical experience related to construction sites or building and property management, facilities management, or technical property management.
- In addition to a degree in engineering, you must provide proof of your mathematics proficiency. You may have acquired this knowledge during your previous studies or as part of a separate academic achievement or exam. Proof must be submitted or provided by the end of the first semester of the master’s degree program. The university offers a bridge course in mathematics.
Where do I send my application?
We recommend that you submit your complete application at least six weeks before the deadline so that we can quickly resolve any questions and ensure speedy handling of your application.
Application deadlines:
Full-time degree programs:
January 15 – summer semester
July 15 – winter semester
Part-time degree programs:
December 15 – summer semester
July 15 – winter semester
Hochschule Mainz
uni-assist e.V.
D-11507 Berlin
Applicant confirmation
If you are admitted, you may need a residence authorization (such as a visa or residence permit, etc.).
Experience has shown that the application and then the subsequent processing until it is finally issued can often take several weeks or even months. You will receive confirmation of your application via the uni-assist portal once you have submitted your application.
The regulations on applicant confirmation are set out in the Residence Act (AufenthG) and the General Administrative Regulation on the Residence Act (AVwVAufenthG). It is possible to apply for a visa with the applicant confirmation in accordance with No. 16.1.1.1 in conjunction with No. 16.1.1.3 of the General Administrative Regulation on the Residence Act of 26 October 2009.
Please note: Experience has shown that some countries unfortunately do not support the above regulation, therefore you should contact the relevant authorities in good time. You should therefore contact the relevant authorities in your home country in good time.