Studying without a university of applied sciences degree/high school diploma or Abitur (Z-Prüfung)
Examination for obtaining subject-specific university entrance qualification based on vocational training
The examination for acquiring subject-specific university entrance qualifications based on vocational training opens the door to studying at a university in Lower Saxony for those who have vocational training but no high school diploma.
The examination (also known as the Z-Prüfung or Immaturenprüfung) is taken for a degree program of the candidate's choice, regardless of their previous vocational orientation. Prior preparation is required, which is offered by various adult education providers. An overview of the preparatory institutions is available from the Lower Saxony Agency for Adult and Continuing Education.
The legal requirements are laid down in a regulation issued by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.
It is strongly recommended that you inquire about the admission requirements at an early stage. For details and general information, please contact the preparatory institutions and universities in Lower Saxony that offer the desired degree program.
Professionally qualified applicants with three years of training in a recognized occupation and three years of subsequent professional experience in that occupation can study a subject-specific degree program. The universities themselves decide which professional training is relevant for which degree program. If you belong to this group of applicants and are interested in studying, we strongly recommend that you schedule an information and counseling session with our staff at the General Student Advisory Service.
Exam structure
The exam is divided into two parts and comprises a general section and a specific (subject-specific) section.
The exams for the general part are organized and administered by preparatory institutions, adult education centers, and other adult education providers. Please contact your local institutions, the Bildungsvereinigung Arbeit und Leben (Work and Life Education Association), the Oldenburg Adult Education Center, and the Wilhelmshaven Adult Education Center.
The exams for the specific part, on the other hand, are organized and administered by the university at which the student intends to study.
Until then, exam candidates should obtain detailed information about their desired course of study. We recommend consulting the information on the Jade University website, attending counseling sessions at the General Student Counseling Office, or participating in a trial study program and attending relevant lectures as part of the trial study program.
If you have any questions, please contact the relevant contact person in your department (see below).
Requirements for registering for the Z examination
The following requirements must generally be met in order to register:
The applicant must have completed at least two years of training in a recognized training occupation or vocational training that is considered recognized by examination and must then have worked full-time in this occupation for at least two years.
The above requirements of vocational training and at least two years of subsequent professional experience may also be replaced by at least five years of full-time work in a professional field whose requirements are comparable to those of a training occupation. Independent management of a household with responsible care of at least one person in need of education or care is considered full-time work.
In addition, the applicant must provide evidence of intensive preparation for the examination in the form of a report from a recognized continuing education institution or an administrative or business academy. The report can also be obtained from a person who has completed a university degree and has supported the applicant's preparation in the subjects of the general part of the examination at technical college level.
The special part of the examination is taken at the university where the desired degree program is to be pursued. Participation in a preparatory course may be required for this. Information can be obtained from the universities that offer the desired degree program.
Preparatory courses for the special part are not usually offered at Jade University. Preparation is carried out individually in consultation with the examiner. If there are enough prospective students interested in a preparatory course, these will be offered by arrangement.
Registration for the Z exam
Registration for the exam is done by submitting the required documents to the Lower Saxony Examination Office for the acquisition of a subject-specific university entrance qualification in Hildesheim.
Application form https://www.nibis.de/immaturenpruefung_2678
Information on this is available from the preparatory institutions.
The registration deadline for the exam is October 1 of each year.
Contact:
Examination Office for the Examination for the Acquisition of Subject-Specific University Entrance Qualification
Lower Saxony State Institute for School Quality Development (NLQ)
Keßlerstraße 52
31134 Hildesheim
Susanne Reinhold
Tel.: 05121/1695-269
susanne.reinhold[at]nlq.niedersachsen.de
Sascha Manig
Tel.: 05121/1695-224
sascha.manig[at]nlq.niedersachsen.de
Wilhelmshaven Adult Education Center
Monika Pellenz
Head of Educational Counseling
monika.pellenz@ich-will-keinen-spamvhs-whv.de
Virchowstraße 29
Room 225
Tel.: +49(0)4421 16 14 77
Jade University of Applied Sciences
Department of Architecture in Oldenburg
Peter Fank
Architecture
Department of Civil Engineering, Geoinformation, and Health Technology in Oldenburg
Department of Civil Engineering
Department of Geoinformation
Department of Engineering in Wilhelmshaven
Volker Ducci
Mechanical engineering
Department of Management, Information, Technology in Wilhelmshaven
Josef Timmerberg
Industrial engineering
Andrea Czepek
Media studies and journalism
Department of Maritime Affairs and Logistics in Elsfleth
Berthold Volk
Maritime transport and port industry
Christoph Wand
Nautical and maritime transport
Department of Economics in Wilhelmshaven and Society
Economics
Tourism Management