Almost half of Hamburger University students obtain a National Credential (NC) - Over forty percent of Hamburg's educational offerings lack National Credit (NC).
In a recent study conducted by the Center for Higher Education Development, a subsidiary of the Bertelsmann Foundation and the German Rectors' Conference, it has been revealed that Hamburg's universities have reduced the proportion of restricted-admission study programs.
The upcoming winter semester will see 49.2 percent of study offers in Hamburg having a numerus clausus (NC) or an aptitude assessment procedure, a decrease from the previous year. This decrease is significant, with the NC quota falling by 21.5 points to 54.0 percent at universities, but rising slightly by 1.3 points to 34.6 percent at the University of Applied Sciences (HAW) and universities of applied sciences.
Several factors may contribute to this trend. Some universities, such as the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UMCH), offer admission based on talent and other criteria beyond just grades, reducing reliance on NC restrictions. Additionally, the expansion of private universities like Fresenius University and dual study programs has provided more admission opportunities, decreasing the share of NC-restricted programs.
Hamburg's more flexible approaches to admissions, combined with private and dual-study options, contribute to a relatively lower NC rate compared to other German states. Larger states with more universities and very high demand for popular programs typically maintain higher NC quotas to manage admissions.
The study also reveals that the number of study offers currently exceeds 22,000. The lowest NC quota is in Brandenburg at 17.4 percent, while Hamburg has a higher proportion of 54.0 percent for mathematics and natural sciences.
Despite the decrease, Hamburg still remains above the national average of 32.5 percent for restricted study programs. The decline in access restrictions is due to the decreasing number of first-year students and the simultaneous increase in study offers.
The ratio of applicants to study places for nationally restricted study subjects like medicine or pharmacy is improving in favor of students. However, no new information about the proportion of restricted master's programs or bachelor's programs is provided.
Approximately 800,000 women and men start a basic or advanced study program each year. The NC quota at universities, the University of Applied Sciences (HAW), or universities of applied sciences in Berlin, Baden-Württemberg, or Brandenburg remains as stated in the earlier bullet points.
The study leader, Cort-Denis Hachmeister, stated that most students in Germany can now study their desired subject at their preferred university. This shift towards more accessible admissions in Hamburg contrasts with the more NC-intensive admissions in many other German states.
In light of the decreasing NC quotas in Hamburg's universities, initiatives such as vocational training programs and talent-based admission policies may be implemented to further promote education-and-self-development opportunities. These efforts can contribute to a learning environment that fosters growth and extends beyond traditional academic pathways. The decrease in NC-restricted programs also allows for a broader scope of vocational training options within the community, catering to the diverse needs and interests of learners.
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