Last Updated on December 15, 2022
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University of Bonn Bonn Admission, Criteria & Application Deadlines 2021
The University of Bonn North Rhine-WestphaliaGermany is a public research institute. The University of Bonn offers 200+ undergraduate and postgraduate level programs. In winter 2019, the university recorded a total enrollment of 38,844 students. They have a student population of over 38,000 students and 5,000 of the entire strength is of international learners coming from 141 countries around the world to study in Germany. Some points to be kept in mind while applying to the University of Bonn are as follows:
- Applications are invited for the winter and summer semesters.
- Documents which are received by the university after the deadline will not be considered for admission.
- Applicants must fill the admission application online. The application form is free of charge.
- Programs with no admission restriction guarantee admission to every applicant if they fulfill the admission requirements.
- Proficiency in German and English language must be submitted according to the program requirements.
- Applicants who have a university entrance qualification from another country must fulfill requirements equivalent to German education standards.
- Certificates that are not issued in German, English or French language must be submitted along with a certified translation.
- Standardized test scores are not required for admission to the university.
Highlights
| Application Portal | Online Application |
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | N.A |
| German Proficiency | at least B-1 level required |
| Types of Programs | Full time/ part-time |
| Mode of Payment | Online payments allowed |
| Academic Calendar | Semester based |
| Intake Sessions | Winter semester; summer semester |
University of Bonn Admission Deadlines
Students must follow the prescribed deadlines for a smooth procedure. Note that the deadlines vary for graduate courses and must be checked based on the choice of course. The undergraduate application deadlines for summer and winter semesters are mentioned below:
| Undergraduate Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester | Application Deadline | Decision Notification |
| Winter | August 20 | September |
| Summer | January 15 | February |
University of Bonn International Student Admissions
International students from 140+ countries around the world are currently enrolled at the University of Bonn. International applicants are required to complete additional application procedures as compared to domestic applicants. The details of these processes are mentioned below
Application Portal: Online Application
Application Fee: N.A
Application Process
- Students can apply online via the application available on the official website.
- After filling the online form, students will receive an e-mail on the e-mail address they give in the Application.
- The e-mail will contain a PDF, which the students need to print and sign.
- Next, the PDF and required documents have to be sent via mail at:
Universität Bonn
Abt. 1.3 – Studierendensekretariat
53012 Bonn
University Of Bonn Phd Application
Academic Requirements:
Students are required to prove academic competence to study the program being applied to by submitting the following
- Copy of Passport (simple copy)
- Complete Curriculum Vitae (up to the date of application)
- German language proficiency (simple copy)
- University Entrance Qualification
- Secondary School-Leaving Certificate with transcript of records (legalization by the embassy)
- Certificate of the passed University Entrance Examination for the applied course with marks and academic transcript, if existing (legalization by the embassy)
- Record of successful studies, if existing (copy of the transcript of records for each studied term)
- Certificate of the passed Feststellungsprüfung, if existing
The case of certificates not made out in German, English or French language, officially certified translations have to be enclosed.
English Proficiency Requirement for International Students
International students applying for English taught programs at the University of Bonn are required to possess English proficiency of at least B-2 level. ELP test scores corresponding to B-2 level are mentioned below
| Test Name | Min Score Required |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (iBT) | 72-94 |
| IELTS | 5.5-6.0 |
German Proficiency Requirement for International Students
A majority of courses at the University of Bonn are taught in German. Therefore students are required to have a minimum of B-1 level proficiency in German. Students can submit official scores of the exams mentioned below to prove their proficiency
| Test Name | Min Score Required |
|---|---|
| TestDaF | Above TDN-4 |
| Goethe-Zertifikat | B-2 Level |
Students applying for German taught programs are expected to possess C-1 level proficiency.
Visa Process for International Students
After confirming the admission at the University of Bonn, international students are required to apply for a student visa. In order to apply for a German Student Residence Permit, the following documents are required:
- Passport
- Confirmation certificate of a valid health insurance
- Proof of financing of students from non-EU countries (a bank statement [blocked account], scholarship, or working contract which proves that you have enough financial support for the first year (for rent, food, clothing…). The required amount is (from September 1st. 2019) 10,236 Euro/year, or 853 Euro/month – [ for information concerning a blocked account, see below – opening a bank account].
- High School entrance qualification or Confirmation of academic achievements (if available)
- Letter of admission from the university, confirmation that approval will be expected, or proof of enrollment at the university
- Proof of existing German language skills or a planned language course in Germany
International students are advised to apply for the visa at least 90 days before the intended start date of their program. After arriving in Germany international students are also required to apply for a residence permit within 3 months of arrival.
University of Bonn Undergraduate Admissions
University of Bonn admissions offer a wide range of science and liberal arts programs at the undergraduate level. A majority of the undergraduate programs are taught in the German language.
Where to Apply: Online Application
Application Fee: N/A
Admission Requirements: The requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree programs are:
- Certified copy of your university entrance qualification along with a certified translation into German, French or English
- German Proficiency Exam Scores (TestDaF / Goethe-Zertifikat) if the course requires
- English Proficiency Exam Scores (TOEFL / IELTS) if the course requires
- Resume
- CV
Country-Specific Requirements
The admission requirements for students applying from South Asian countries are as follows:
| Country | Undergraduate Requirements | Graduate Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| India | Pre-University Examination with a minimum of 50%; Secondary school leaving certificate (after 12 classes) with a minimum of 50% | Bachelor’s degree issued by a recognized institute; Proof of passing both JEE Main and Advanced |
| Sri Lanka | General Certificate of Education (GCE) – Advanced Level | Bachelor’s degree issued by a recognized institute |
| Pakistan | Higher Secondary (School) Certificate / Intermediate (Examination) Certificate (or certificate replacement certificate) with a minimum of 50% | Bachelor’s degree issued by a recognized institute |
| Nepal | Academic Transcript (Grade XI and XII); School Leaving Certificate Examination (school leaving certificate after 10 years) | Bachelor’s degree issued by a recognized institute; Proficiency certificate (after 2 years of study) |
| Bangladesh | Higher Secondary (School) Certificate with a minimum of 50% | Bachelor’s degree issued by a recognized institute |
University of Bonn Graduate Admissions
The University of Bonn offers Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees at the graduate level. Besides German taught programs a number of graduate-level courses are available in English as well.
Where to Apply: Graduate Application
Application Fee: N.A
Admission Requirements:
Here are some important documents which students need to submit while applying for a graduate program
- Undergraduate Degree Certificate
- Official Transcripts
- Letter of Motivation
- Letters of Recommendation
- Work Experience (if applicable)
- Updated Resume
Program-specific admission requirements for a few graduate programs at the University of Bonn are mentioned below
| Requirements | Computer Science (M.Sc.) | Chemistry (M.Sc.) | Geodetic Engineering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Duration | 2 years | 2 years | 4 semesters |
| Academic Prerequisite | bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field | first qualified academic degree (usually a Bachelor of Science) in chemistry or a related subject. | a three-year Bachelor of Science degree in Geodesy, Geoinformation or related topics, such as Geoscience, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or Electrical Engineering. |
| Admission Deadline | Summer- November 1 Winter- May 1 | Winter- July 1 | June 15, 2020 |
| English Proficiency | TOEFL paper-based: 550 points TOEFL computer-based: 213 points TOEFL internet-based: 80 points IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL iBT: min. 72 pts., IELTS: min. 5.5, UNIcert level II | TOEFL paper-based: 575 points TOEFL internet-based: 90 points IELTS: 6.5 |
| Referees | 2 Required | Not required | Not required |
| Updated Resume | Required | Not required | Required |
| Letter of Motivation | Required | Required | Required |
The University of Bonn is a popular study abroad destination among students interested in pursuing university programs in the sciences and arts. An added bonus is that there is no tuition fee for students since it is a German public research university. The application process can be completed fully online. Admission decisions are announced online as well.
University of Bonn: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn or the University of Bonn is a public research university founded in 1818 that offers programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and has developed research methods that have received international appraisals. For admission to the University of Bonn, students must possess an adequate level of English and German language proficiency since programs are offered in both mediums. The University also incorporates more than 38,000 students including 5,000 international students. Being a public university in Germany, the institution does not charge any tuition fee. Students are only required to contribute a social fee.
Due to the university’s teaching and research influence, it is ranked eighth in the rankings of universities in Germany and the best-ranked in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is observed that in the rankings of the 200 Best European universities, Bonn took the 39th spot alongside Aachen in the 48th spot, and these two are the only German universities to make it to the top 200. More so, Times Higher Education also ranks the university to be among the best 20% globally in the areas of teaching, research, and citations.
University of Bonn Rankings
The University of Bonn is a prestigious university in Germany. It has been ranked as follows:
- 114th in 2021 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
- 240th by QS Global World Ranking in 2021.
- 108th by U.S. News and World Report in the ranking of Best Global Universities 2021.
Highlights
| Institution Type | Public Research |
| Establishment Year | 1818 |
| Location | Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| On-campus Accommodation | Available |
| Mode of Program | On-campus/ Online |
| Student Population | 38,043 |
| Number of International Students | 5,000 |
| Percentage of international students | 13.7% |
| Application Fee | N/A |
| Financial Aid | Scholarships |
University of Bonn Campus
- University of Bonn operates with five main campuses and 349 buildings located all over the city of Bonn namely:
- Campus City
- Campus Endenich
- Campus Klein-Altendorf (Faculty of Agriculture)
- Campus Poppelsdorf
- Bonn-Venusberg (University Hospital)
- The University campus features several buildings such as the University Hospital Bonn, University and State Library, Faculty Libraries, Museums and Collections, and the University Computer center.
- The AStA Sports Office organizes and delivers a variety of athletic courses and activities for students to participate in each semester.
- There is a student union called Allgemeiner StudentInnenausschuss (AStA) and its international wing known as Ausländersprecherrat (ASR) that offer help and advice to international students at the University of Bonn.
- Sports opportunities open to students at the university include American Football, Basketball, swimming, university sports, etc.
- There are 56 student clubs and organizations in different facets such as sports, religions, and social interests to encourage student participation on campus.
University of Bonn Residence
- Accommodation at the University of Bonn is managed by Studienwerk Bonn. There are 33 residential units (28 residential halls) with up to 3,620 places open to international and domestic students.
- These accommodations include single rooms in shared flats, apartments, double apartments, and two to four room apartments for student parents.
- On average, campus accommodation may cost 3996 EUR-4,200 EUR for one academic year.
- Basic amenities in most of these accommodations include Wi-Fi, cable TV, bicycle storage, parking spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms.
- Room features available in these accommodations include a bed, wardrobe, drawers, desk, chair, under-bed storage, and bookshelves.
University of Bonn Courses
- Offered at the University of Bonn are 112 undergraduate programs and 100 graduate programs open to domestic and international students.
- Over 200 programs are offered through seven faculties or schools.
- There are programs such as the special German language courses as well as the Junior Year Program and the Exchange Program where students can study for a semester or a year at Bonn with a choice of over a hundred disciplines.
- The University also offers a special theology program for students interested in Christian theological studies.
- All programs at the university are taught in English. However, some programs require proof of German language proficiency for admission.
University of Bonn Application Process
The University of Bonn invites applications for the Summer and Winter semesters. Postgraduate programs may have varying application deadlines. Therefore, it is recommended to check application deadlines before applying.
How to Apply?
Students must take note of the requirements stated below for admission to the University of Bonn:
Application Portal: UG: Bonn Online Application; PG: Online Application for Graduate
Application Fee: N/A
Application Deadline: Winter – May 1; Summer – November 1
Admission Requirements: International applicants must fulfill the following requirements for admission:
- Secondary School-Leaving Certificate with the transcript of records
- University Entrance Qualification
- German language proficiency
- CV or Resume
- Copy of passport
- Record of successful studies or transcripts copies
- Certificate of the passed Feststellungsprüfung if available
Language Proficiency Requirements
- All undergraduate programs require German language proficiency at level C1 GER.
- Graduate programs have their specific German language requirements.
- For programs taught in English, the minimum requirement is B2, however, some programs may have their own TOEFL/IELTS minimum requirements.
University of Bonn Cost of Attendance
- The University of Bonn does not charge any tuition fee from students which makes it an affordable institution to study in Germany.
- On average, a student requires 864 EUR every month on account of living expenses.
- A summary of other estimates to be incurred by students for studying at the University of Bonn is as follows:
| Budget Item | Amount (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Semester fee | 312.91 |
| Cost of housing, utilities, board, and meals | 7,200-9,600 |
| Books and Supplies | 288 |
| Entertainment and personal expenses | 780 |
| Total | 8,568-10,968 |
University of Bonn Scholarships
- International students can work in Germany if the conditions in their visa or residence permits allows it.
- DAAD offers a variety of grants and scholarships in Germany and at the University of Bonn to international students.
- Financial aid available to international students include student jobs. Students are allowed to work for 120 full days or 240 half days in a year. Payment depends on the minimum wage rate which is 8.84 EUR per hour.
University of Bonn Alumni Network
University of Bonn alumni are entitled to various benefits and services that include:
- Access to the alumni network and exclusive events
- Unique alumni cards with special offers from alumni card partners like coppeneur, Bronk Rock, La Tienda Latina, Dorint, etc
- Being updated with alumni newsletters with features like the online edition of forsch and emails
- Opportunity to keep on using the university email address as a forwarding address
Notable alumni of the university include:
- Karl Marx – Philosopher
- Armin Laschet – Member of the Bundesrat of Germany
- Andrea Nahles – Former Member of the German Bundestag
- Guido Westerwelle – Former Foreign Minister of Germany
University of Bonn Placements
More than two-thirds of students at the University of Bonn are employed after graduation, and this is facilitated through the Job Fair platform of the university that connects full-time and part-time employers with students.
According to Emolument, the average salary of graduates of the University of Bonn working in the financial sector is 106,960 EUR per annum. Masters graduates of the University earn 111,996 EUR yearly on average. Graduates from the University of Bonn working in the IT and Software Development sector earn 49,678 EUR each year on average.
The University of Bonn is counted among the top research-intensive universities in Germany and the world. The university is best known for offering a unique range of programs in the subject areas of Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, Economics, Biosciences, and Philosophy. Bonn provides students with the opportunity to explore between over 90 degree programs and pursue a career of their choice, making it one of the popular university for students intending to study in Germany.
Admission Requirements Doctoral Program (with integrated M.Sc. Economic Research)
GOOD TO KNOW
We encourage outstanding (top 10%) students with a university degree (bachelor or master) in economics or related fields, such as mathematics, statistics, business administration, accounting, and finance, to apply for admission.
Application deadline for the program starting in October is March 31.
There is an early admission round for complete applications handed in before February 5. Please note that successful candidates of the early admission round will be asked to accept the place before the end of March.
We will accept documents in either English or German. If you have documents written in other languages, you will need to provide a certified translation in either English or German.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. In particular, letters of recommendation and other necessary documents that arrive after the deadline imply that the application is incomplete.
If you have not yet completed your university degree but will do so before the BGSE program starts, you are of course also invited to apply. In that case, you will be asked to enter relevant information about your current studies during the online application process.
PLEASE NOTE: You will need to present a GRE score report and two letters of recommendation to be considered for a scholarship as well as for the conditional offer for the doctoral program. If you do not intend to go for a doctoral degree, you may want to apply for our regular M.Sc. in Economics.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
You will need the following documents to apply for the M.Sc. / Economic Research program (incl. grant application and conditional offer to proceed to our doctoral program):
(1) GRE
(2) TOEFL or IELTS (if required)
(3) two letters of recommendation (uploaded by your professors)
(4) letter of motivation
(5) CV
(6) academic transcripts/certificates
(7) APS certificate (if required)
(1) GRE score report (General Test Format)*
The average quantitative GRE score of our successful applicants has been 165. There is no point in applying if your GRE quantitative score is below 160. If you have not reached 160 points, we recommend you to re-take the exam and to apply once you have improved your score.
You will need to present a GRE score report to be considered for a scholarship as well as for the conditional offer for the doctoral program.
(2) TOEFL or IELTS (academic format) score report is required if English is not your first language or if the language of instruction of your previous degree is not English (curriculum must have been taught exclusively in English)*
A TOEFL iBT score of at least 100 with at least 23 in each of the 4 sections is the minimum requirement.
IELTS in the academic format is also accepted. The minimum requirements for your IELTS score is overall 7.0; reading 6.5; listening 6.5; writing 7.0; speaking 6.5.
There is no point in applying if your TOEFL iBT or IELTS score is below that. If you have not reached these scores, we recommend you to re-take the exam and to apply once you have improved your scores.
(3) Furthermore, you need to ask two of your academic teachers to provide a confidential letter of recommendation to the BGSE.
Please ask your professors to preferably address the following two questions:
– Does the candidate belong to the top 5% or top 10% of his or her cohort (size of the cohort)?
– Is the candidate likely to perform well in a competitive, structured Ph.D. program with a high analytic content?
Once you have completed your application, your professors will get an automatically generated email (this may take up to 24hrs) with some instructions and an upload link.
WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION, be prepared to also have the following documents ready as pdf files for uploading:
(4) letter of motivation,
(5) curriculum vitae,
(6) academic transcripts (transcript of record, university certificate/s, diploma supplements – of all degrees you have obtained or are currently pursuing).
(7) APS certificate mandatory for applicants with a degree certificate from China (exept Hong Kong) or Vietnam; included with the application or once having received an offer.
Admission restrictions by location (local numerus clausus)
The following criteria are used to select applicants for places in academic disciplines subject to admission restrictions in certain locations (local numerus clausus):
- 20 percent of places are allocated based on university entrance qualification results (quota by top Abitur grade).
- 80 percent of places are allocated via the University Selection Process (Auswahlverfahren der Hochschulen, AdH).
Under the University Selection Process, places are allocated based on university entrance qualification results after deducting advance quotas (e.g. for foreign applicants) plus a waiting period of up to seven semesters in total. Rankings are established for this purpose, with a maximum of 100 points available (see the “Explanation of rankings used in the local numerus clausus process”). Some degree programs may have additional suitable selection criteria (e.g. aptitude test for university studies, existing professional qualifications) and apply a weighting to them provided that they specify this in regulations specific to the degree program in question. There are two different ways to apply for degree programs with admission restrictions by location:
a)
Local numerus clausus (University of Bonn)
Applications are submitted directly via the University of Bonn’s own application system.
b)
Local numerus clausus (DoSV)
Applicants begin by registering on the hochschulstart.de website before submitting their actual application via the University of Bonn’s application system. Applicants are automatically taken to the application system after registering and choosing their degree program at hochschulstart.de. The Dialogue-Oriented Service Procedure (DoSV) consists of several phases, in which up to 12 applications need to be submitted and ranked in order of priority. Within the individual phases, offers of admission are issued that can be accepted.
Nationwide admission restriction
Central admission process
Nationwide admission restrictions apply to Human Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine degree programs. Places are allocated via the central admission process run by the University Admissions Foundation. The process has three quotas in which applicants can be selected:
30%
Quota by top Abitur grade
30 percent of places – divided up by state – are allocated based on university entrance qualification results (quota by top Abitur grade).
10%
Additional aptitude quota
10 percent of places are allocated by applying the “additional aptitude quota”. Only non-grade-based selection criteria are applied, meaning that high school grades are irrelevant for this quota. As well as subject-specific aptitude tests (e.g. the TMS test for medical degree programs), relevant vocational qualifications and, on a transitional basis, waiting periods are also taken into account.
60%
University Selection Process (AdH)
60 percent are allocated through the University Selection Process. Here too, subject-specific aptitude tests and relevant vocational qualifications, but also individual Abitur grades can be taken into consideration alongside university entrance qualification results.
No admission restrictions
Degree programs without restricted admission
Some degree programs do not have any admission restrictions. This means that anyone interested will be given a place on the degree program provided that they meet the admission requirements (with some programs also requiring an aptitude test). There will therefore be no need to apply in advance in the case of undergraduate degree programs. However, you will need to pre-register online before the mandatory enrollment process.
EXPLANATION OF RANKINGS USED IN THE LOCAL NUMERUS CLAUSUS PROCESS
Rankings are drawn up in two different quotas as part of the local numerus clausus process. Here is an explanation of how this works.
| Application no. | Average grade | Service |
| Applicant 1 | Grade 1,3 | Service |
| Applicant 2 | Grade 1,3 | – |
| Applicant 3 | Grade 1,4 | – |
| […] | […] | […] |
| Applicant 20 | Grade 2,1 | Service |
| Applicant 21 | Grade 2,1 |
Example table: Selection within the quota by top Abitur grade
Quota by top Abitur grade (20%)
Within this quota, applicants are selected based on university entrance qualification results, i.e. their average Abitur grade or a (country-specific) equivalent. We are assuming that there are a total of 100 places available on an imaginary degree program. In other words, there are 20 places for the “top performers” in the Abitur:
- All applications are ranked by average Abitur grade.
- The minimum grade for admission (numerus clausus value) for this admission process can now be read off by looking at the 20th position in this ranking.
If several applicants have achieved the same average Abitur grade (i.e. an equal position in the ranking), any service record (e.g. Federal Voluntary Service, community or social service) will be taken into account and that person given priority. If ranking positions are still equal after applying this method, lots will be drawn.
University Selection Process (80%)
Applicants are selected by scoring them based on their university entrance qualification results and their waiting time of up to seven semesters. The selection criteria are
weighted as follows:
- University entrance qualification results: up to 60 points
Waiting time: up to 40 points
We have assumed a total of 100 free places on our imaginary degree program, 20 of which have already been allocated to the “top Abitur grade” quota. This leaves 80 places for the University Selection Process.
- The individual score achieved by all applicants is now calculated based on a specific conversion table and ranked in order.
Looking at the 80th position (i.e. the final place in this quota) now reveals how many points a candidate would have needed to achieve in order to secure a place in this admission process.
| Application no. | Score | Service |
| Applicant 1 | 78 | – |
| Applicant 2 | 67 | Service |
| Applicant 3 | 62,5 | Service |
| […] | […] | […] |
| Applicant 80 | 17 | Service |
| Applicant 81 | 17 | – |
