Are there any course eligibility restrictions in Germany based on my previous bachelor's and master's subjects?
Yes, German universities strictly check whether your previous Bachelor's subjects match your intended Master's field, especially for consecutive programs needing a closely related undergraduate degree. Admissions boards look at your exact ECTS credits in areas like mathematics or programming, and a second Master's is evaluated against your original Bachelor's.
You will face real subject matching rules if you apply for a Master's in Germany, since universities there evaluate your transcript in detail rather than accepting any Bachelor's degree at face value. Whether you qualify depends on the type of Master's program and the exact credits you already hold.
How Germany Checks Your Eligibility
| Program Type | What Is Required |
|---|---|
| Consecutive Master's | Bachelor's degree in the exact same or a very closely related field, for example Computer Science into Computer Science |
| Non consecutive Master's | No exact major match needed, but a minimum number of ECTS credits in specific subjects, for example 30 ECTS in mathematics or statistics |
| Second Master's degree | Evaluated mainly against your original Bachelor's; some federal states charge extra fees for a second degree (Zweitstudium) |
What Happens if Your Credits Fall Short
German universities look closely at your transcript of records rather than just the title of your degree, so if you fall short of the required ECTS credits in a sub field, your application can be rejected outright or you may be given conditional requirements called Auflagen to complete extra coursework before starting.
My Advice
Pull your exact transcript and count your ECTS credits in the core sub fields your target Master's requires before you apply, and if you already hold a Master's degree, check whether your target state charges Zweitstudium fees for a second one.
Low percentage, study gap or no work experience?
Find out which German universities you still qualify for.
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