Study place exchange

At German universities, it is sometimes possible to exchange your place on a restricted-entry degree programme with another student at a different university. This is known as a study place exchange (Studienplatztausch) and is only available if both students are enrolled in the same subject and at a comparable stage of their studies.

In such cases, students can continue studying at another university without having to go through the admission process again. Instead of presenting a formal letter of admission, the students submit exchange approval certificates from the universities involved, together with proof that they have each deregistered from the university they want to leave. Note: Please do not deregister until you have received the exchange approval certificate.

Requirements for a study place exchange

  • Both students (or in the case of a ring exchange: all students) must be fully enrolled as degree-seeking students at a German university.
  • A place on a degree programme at a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) cannot be exchanged for a place on a programme with the same name at Saarland University. Similarly, a student studying for a degree part-time cannot exchange places with a student studying full-time elsewhere.
  • Both (or all) students must be (i) enrolled on the same degree programme, (ii) be in the same study semester in the programme and (iii) belong to the same admissions cohort semester. Exchange is only possible for students who have completed at least one study semester or who belong to the second or a later admissions cohort semester.
  • The student transferring to Saarland University must hold a higher education entrance qualification that is valid for the degree programme applied for. If your higher education entrance qualification was obtained outside Germany, you must provide evidence that you have the necessary level of proficiency in German in accordance with the applicable regulations at Saarland University.
  • Both (or all) students must be at the same stage in their studies, and the exchange must not create any additional or duplicate teaching/assessment requirements (e.g. due to curricular discrepancies). This must be confirmed by the Dean's Office on the exchange application form. Exception: medical students may exchange places and transfer into the first clinical semester if they have both already passed the qualifying exam that marks the end of the pre-clinical phase of a medical degree (Physikum).
  • All documents must be received in full by the Saarland University Admissions Office (Studierendensekretariat) no later than the first day of the main teaching period.

Please note the following:

  • All applications for a study place exchange are subject to review; submitting an application does not guarantee approval.
  • Once all of the required documents have been received in full, processing may take up to seven working days.
  • Please refrain from making repeated enquiries by phone or in writing, as these will not speed up the processing of your application.
  • Information about the procedure will be provided only to the applicant or to a person authorized in writing by the applicant.
  • Higher education in Germany is regulated by the individual federal states (Länder). Universities in other states may therefore be subject to different rules or deadlines, and these apply regardless of the rules in force at Saarland University.
  • The participating universities cannot be held liable for any disadvantages arising from a study place exchange – particularly any delay or extension in the duration of studies – and no claims may be made against them.

Admissions Office

Saarbrücken Campus
Building A4 2, Ground floor
Phone: +49 681 302-5491
studium(at)uni-saarland.de

Admissions Office