Adjustments for disadvantaged applicants

If the overall grade of your higher education entrance qualification was lower than expected due to detrimental factors beyond your control, you may be entitled to receive a higher grade (Nachteilsausgleich). Requests must be made in writing and accompanied by supporting documents that specify the impairment or detrimental factor and its impact. Please note that a grade improvement will only be made on the basis of an assessment report from your school. If your request is approved, your improved average grade will be used in the normal allocation process. Requests will be assessed on the basis of the guidelines issued by the service platform Hochschulstart (hochschulstart.de). Further information can be found in the section 'Die Sonderanträge' of the document 'Ergänzende Informationen zur Bewerbung für bundesweit zulassungsbeschränkte Studiengänge' (currently available in German only), which can be downloaded here for the relevant semester. Applicants seeking to switch universities and join a programme in a higher semester should note that approval will only be granted on social grounds. Requests must be made online when applying for admission via the relevant SIM portal. Supporting documents must be included.