Universities - Significantly fewer degree programs in Hesse with restricted admission
The number of restricted study programs in Hessen has significantly decreased. This was revealed in an analysis by the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE) in Gütersloh. In the upcoming winter semester 2024/25, 21.4% of all study programs in Hessen will have restricted access, which is a numerus clausus (NC), a selection procedure, or an aptitude test. In the previous year, the percentage was 30.7%. The national average is approximately 35%. Hamburg has the highest percentage of restricted study programs with 62.4%, while Thüringen has the lowest with 19.2%.
The decline is particularly noticeable at universities of applied sciences (-20.1 percentage points) and universities (-2.6%). Even in the fields of law, economics, social sciences, and business administration, only 29% of the study offerings in Hessen are restricted, but in engineering sciences, only one in thirteen (7.7%).
There are also differences between the cities in Hesse: In Frankfurt, 40% of the study offerings are restricted, while in Marburg (12%), Kassel (10%), or Gießen (9%), it is much easier for beginners to find a place.
Declining quotas nationwide
Nationwide, the percentage of restricted study programs has been declining for years, said Study Director Cort-Denis Hachmeister. "This can mainly be attributed to the decline in first-semester enrollments and the simultaneous expansion of study programs." Therefore, the prospects for students interested in a study place in their desired field are currently almost as good as they have ever been.
Even in subjects with nationwide restricted enrollment, such as for example Medicine, the relationship between study places and applicants has significantly improved. According to CHE, on average, 2.8 applicants apply for each study place in the central application procedure for the fields of Pharmacy or Human-, Animal- or Dental Medicine.
The analysis by CHE in Gütersloh also highlighted that Thuringia, unlike Hamburg with its high percentage, has one of the lowest percentages of restricted study programs at 19.2%. The University of Wiesbaden in Hesse is among the institutions offering a variety of study programs without restrictions. Despite the decline in restricted study programs nationwide, universities in cities like Wiesbaden continue to provide ample education opportunities.
