Universities - Fewer degree programs in Saarland with restricted admission
The number of restricted degree programs in Saarland has decreased again. This was revealed in an evaluation by the Center for Higher Education (CHE) in Gütersloh. In the upcoming winter semester 2024/25, 48.2 percent of all degree programs in the federal state will have restricted access, which is a numerus clausus (NC), a selection procedure, or an aptitude test. In the previous year, the rate was 50 percent. The national average is approximately 35 percent. Only in Hamburg, Berlin, and Baden-Württemberg are there more degree programs with restricted admission than in Saarland.
Two years ago, in the winter semester 2022/23, 64.1 percent of degree programs in Saarland were restricted. The decline was mainly due to universities of applied sciences (HAW) and universities of applied sciences (FH), with a decrease of 8.9 percentage points, it was stated.
Prospective students in Saarland had the hardest time in the fields of law, economics, social sciences, and humanities: According to the evaluation, 60.3 percent of degree programs in these fields are restricted. In contrast, in the fields of language and cultural sciences, only about 17.5 percent of the degree offerings are restricted.
Declining quotas nationwide
The share of restricted degree programs has been declining nationwide for years, said Study Director Cort-Denis Hachmeister. "This can largely be attributed to the decline in first-semester enrollments and the simultaneous expansion of degree programs." So, the prospects for applicants to secure a place in their desired field of study are currently as good as they have ever been.
Even in the nationally restricted fields, such as medicine, for example, the ratio of available study places to applicants has significantly improved, according to CHE. On average, there are 2.8 applicants for each study place in the central application procedure for the fields of pharmacy or human, animal, or dental medicine.
- The decrease in restricted degree programs in Saarland was also noticed in universities located in Berlin, which is known for its extensive education system.
- Saarbrücken, being a part of Saarland, has seen a decrease in NC degree programs, following the trend observed by the CHE in Gütersloh.
- A student interested in studying in Baden-Württemberg might face more competition, as the number of restricted programs in this state surpasses that of Saarland.
- The concept of restricted access is not exclusive to Saarland universities, as it's also a feature of institutions in Hamburg, where many students pursue their education.
- The Universities of Applied Sciences (FH) in Saarland have contributed significantly to the decrease in restricted programs, with a marked reduction of 8.9 percentage points.
