The higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB)) is:

• the general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification,
• the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or
• vocationally qualified persons with state-recognized vocational training (§ 11 Berlin Higher Education Act (BerlHG))

Applicants who have not obtained their higher education entrance qualification (HZB) at a German institution are required to have very good German language skills that qualify them to study at a German university. These are based on the “framework regulations on German language examinations for studying at German universities” (Rahmenordnung über deutsche Sprachprüfungen für das Studium an deutschen Hochschulen).

The required language skills can be proven by one of the following examinations:

• German language examination for university entrance (DSH): overall result at least DSH-2
• Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDAF): at least TDN 4 in all parts of the exam
• Passed the “German” section of the assessment test at preparatory colleges
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs: DSD II
• Passed the Austrian Language Diploma C2 (ÖSD C2)
• Passed “telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule” exam

The following is always mandatory for admission

• at least 1.5 years of relevant professional activity in the field of social work (full-time; longer if part-time) and
• at least half-time working hours in the field of social work during the course of study.

Proof must be provided in the form of employment reference(s) or, in the case of a new job, in the form of a job description. 

When applying (and then every semester anew), you must provide proof of professional guidance by a state-recognized social worker in accordance with § 10 para. 2 of the Social Professions Recognition Act (Sozialberufe-Anerkennungsgesetz (SozBAG)) during the period of professional activity accompanying your studies. 

The BASA-online course is designed as a part-time course. The weekly time required for the course is approx. 20 to 25 hours. This is also taken into account by the lecturers when designing the course.

For students who are or have to work full-time, this can mean a workload of 65 hours per week for studies and work. In addition, there may be family commitments. In addition, there is no lecture-free period in BASA-online, i.e. online modules run continuously throughout each semester. 

Participation in the face-to-face modules is mandatory and must be guaranteed. 

Before applying, applicants should think carefully about how they want to and can integrate their studies into their everyday life and examine the possibility of reducing their working hours for the duration of their studies. 

Advice and further information can be obtained from the degree program manager.

The following is also required for participation in the course

• a computer (laptop or desktop)
• Software for text/data processing, creating presentations, etc.
• Headset and webcam
• a fast internet connection (at least 2000 DSL)
• as well as confidence in using these devices, programs and the Internet.

Admissions for students who are changing university can only be granted to the extent that places have become available in the relevant semester. Whether and how many places become available in the respective semester is determined by the re-registration from the students enrolled on the degree program. Re-registration is received by mid-January for the summer semester and by mid-July for the winter semester.

The admission requirements for an application for the higher semester are

• at least 30 credits must already have been earned and
• the admission requirements for BASA-online must be fulfilled. 

The application as a transfer student can only be made during the application period: For the summer semester from December 1 to January 15 and for the winter semester from June 1 to July 15. 

The application documents can be found and downloaded from the application portal. Registration via hochschulstart.de is not necessary. Please send the application within the above-mentioned application period with the required documents by post to the responsible enrolment office.

Applicants who have already completed an undergraduate degree in another degree program

• at a German university,
• at a higher education institution of a member state of the European Union
• or another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)

have successfully completed their studies at the time of application (first degree) are considered second degree applicants.

The above admission requirements apply to second degree applicants. In addition, you must provide written reasons for your second degree application. Further information can be found in the information sheet for second degree applicants.

For applicants without a German higher education entrance qualification (HZB), the above-mentioned admission requirements apply. 

In addition, proof of the required German language skills must be provided. Proof is provided on the basis of the Framework Regulations for German Language Examinations for Studies at German Universities (Rahmenordnung über Deutsche Sprachprüfungen für das Studium an deutschen Hochschulen(RO-DT)).

Further information can be found in the document Proof of language proficiency(pdf). 

You can also study without an “Abitur” (the general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification) or “Fachhochschulreife” (the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences) if you can prove that you have completed vocational training. 

The above-mentioned admission requirements apply. 

If more applications are received than there are places available, applicants are selected according to the university's own selection procedure. This procedure takes into account, among other things 

• Professional training relevant to the course,
• professional experience
• relevant further education and training and
• language skills. 

Corresponding evidence can be submitted in addition to the mandatory documents when applying via the application portal. 

For further information, please refer to the statutes on the organization of the university's selection procedure (Satzung über die Ausgestaltung des hochschuleigenen Auswahlverfahrens). 

Students can have acquired qualifications recognized. A distinction must be made between skills acquired at the university (e.g. from previous periods of study) and skills acquired outside the university (e.g. from further professional training or work experience).

An application can be submitted only if you have received a study place. A preliminary assessment is not possible. Information on the procedure can be obtained from the program manager and can be found on the pages of the Recognition Office.