Allocation procedure for degree programmes with local entry restrictions

Study places on programmes that are subject to local entry restrictions are allocated as follows (after first deducting those places reserved for applicants in special priority groups):

• 80% of places are awarded on the basis of the overall grade of the applicant’s higher education entrance qualification
• 20% are awarded based on the number of previous application semesters

Previous application semesters are those consecutive semesters in each of which you made an unsuccessful application to Saarland University for the same degree programme that you are currently applying for. In the case of a teaching degree programme, your previous applications must have been for the same combination of subjects and the same type of school. (Note: all such applications must have been submitted correctly and within the designated application period.) You cannot claim a previous application semester if your application was refused for reasons of ineligibility or failure to meet the qualification criteria. Previous application semesters may only be counted from that semester for which you first applied for admission to the programme, provided that since then you have continued to apply (without interruption) for that same degree programme at Saarland University. An applicant can claim up to seven previous application semesters.

Example: An applicant submitted an application to Saarland University for admission in the winter semester of 2020/2021 to join a study programme that only starts in the winter semester. Their application was unsuccessful and they received a rejection letter. If the applicant reapplies to join exactly the same degree programme in the winter semester of 2021/2022, they can claim one previous application semester in their new admission application. If the application for winter semester 2021/2022 is also unsuccessful (i.e. the second rejection for this programme), they will be able to claim two previous application semesters if they reapply for admission in winter semester 2022/2023. However, if the applicant fails to reapply at any point, the number of previous application semesters that can be claimed will be automatically reset to zero for the next application period.

According to the regulations governing the allocation of places at institutions of higher education in Saarland (Studienplatzvergabeverordnung), previous application semesters are only taken into consideration if you are a foreign national with a German higher education entrance qualification or you are a national of a member state of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Areas (EEA).

If places are still available once the main allocation phase has been concluded, these places will usually be allocated in mid September on the basis of an ordered waiting list. Places can only be assigned in this way to applicants who submitted an application for admission as part of the normal allocation procedure and within the specified application deadline, but who were not initially successful.
For details, please see regulations governing the allocation of places on higher education study programmes in Saarland.