Special applications for application
You can submit special application as part of the online application, together with a brief justification and the relevant supporting documents. Please combine all documents into one PDF file and upload it in your online application. For more detailed information on the reasons and evidence, please refer to our information sheet in each case.
Special applications for undergraduate courses in the first semester of study
Hardship application
There is a quota for hardship applications at Heidelberg University (5%).
This application can only be made for the first semester in subjects with restricted admission. An exceptional hardship exists if special social or family reasons in one's own person make it absolutely necessary to take up studies immediately.
A rejection of the hardship application does not lead to a rejection of the application. You will continue to participate in the regular application process.
Compensation for disadvantages: improvement of the average grade
Applicants in their first semester can apply for disadvantage compensation to improve the average grade of their university entrance qualification by claiming “impairment-related circumstances for which they are not responsible and which have prevented them from achieving a better average grade.” As proof, an expert opinion from the school on the improvement of the average grade is required, in which it is explained which special circumstances have led to the average grade of the university entrance qualification being worse than expected and which concrete average grade would have been achieved without the impairing situation/circumstances.
An application for disadvantage compensation for the study programs Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry in the first semester is submitted directly to the Foundation for University Admission with the application for admission. For information, please refer to the homepage of the Foundation for University Admission.
Compensation for disadvantages: improvement of the waiting period
Applicants for the first semester can apply for compensation for disadvantages in order to improve the waiting period by claiming "impairment-related circumstances for which they are not responsible and which have led to a delay in the acquisition of the university entrance qualification.
A certificate from the school stating the reasons for and duration of the delay in acquiring the university entrance qualification (for example, repetition of a school year due to hospitalization for several months or excessive absences due to illness) must be attached to the application as proof (or other suitable proof).
Since the waiting time quota has been abolished for courses with nationwide admission restrictions, it is no longer possible to apply for an improvement in the waiting time for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.
Commitment to a location in the public interest
Applicants who belong to a group of persons determined by the university to be considered in the public interest and who are bound to the place of study due to justified circumstances are considered to be bound to the place of study. This applies in particular to top athletes.
Top athletes are applicants who belong to an Olympic, perspective, supplementary or team sports squad or junior squad 1 formed at the federal level (proof of the German Olympic Sports Confederation).
Special applications for undergraduate courses in the higher semester of study
Application for special consideration of the desired place of study
Students changing university location can apply for preferential consideration of their desired place of study during the online application process. This depends on the degree of dependency on the desired place of study. Preference may be given in particular in the case of special health reasons/severe disability or due to caring for a child, parent or spouse. For more information on the reasons and proofs, please refer to our information sheet.
Special applications for admission-restricted Master's degree programs in the first subject-related semester
Hardship application
All applicants, regardless of whether they have submitted a hardship application, undergo the professional examination for the study program.
An exceptional hardship exists if special social or family reasons in one's own person make it absolutely necessary for the applicant to take up studies immediately.
A rejection of the hardship application does not lead to a rejection of the application. You will continue to participate in the regular application process.
Commitment to a location in the public interest
Applicants who belong to a group of persons determined by the university to be considered in the public interest and who are bound to the place of study due to justified circumstances are considered to be bound to the place of study. This applies in particular to top athletes.
Top athletes are applicants who belong to an Olympic, perspective, supplementary or team sports squad or junior squad 1 formed at the federal level (proof of the German Olympic Sports Confederation).
