FAQ for International Applicants

Yes, you can apply even if you haven’t yet graduated. However, you must have completed your degree by the end of the enrolment deadline (for the semester for which you have applied).

To do so, you will need a current Transcript of Records and a confirmation from your university that you will be able to complete your degree in time for a potential enrolment.

Yes, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg continues to accept these language certificates, even after the two-year validity period recommended by the test centres.

You can apply (and enrol) with these language certificates provided you have achieved the required scores. 

You can find further information on the requirements in our information sheet.

Yes, we accept the TOEFL Home Edition certificate as well as the IELTS OneSkill Retake certificate, provided the required scores are achieved.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept ‘Medium of Instruction’ certificates from the Department for Education or your school or university. 

Please also note that you are not exempt from submitting proof of your English language proficiency, even if you completed your school education or degree in English, with the exception of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) and the United States of America.

For English-taught degree programmes:

Yes, you can apply without proof of language proficiency provided that you submit a registration for one of the recognised language tests as part of your application within the application deadline. If you are admitted, the final certificate can be submitted by the time of enrolment.

For German-language degree programmes: 

Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for the B1 course “Bridge to Studies” without a language certificate. Sufficient proof of B1 language proficiency must be provided with the application. Please also note the required scores for the individual tests.

For applications to the B2 course “Bridge to Studies”, it is possible to apply without a B2 language certificate if you submit a B1 language certificate and a registration for one of the recognised B2 language tests at the time of application. The final certificate can be submitted by the time of enrolment.

For applications to degree programmes, it is possible to apply without a language certificate if you submit a B2 language certificate (or higher) and a registration for one of the recognised language tests (DSH, TestDaF, etc.) at the time of application. The final certificate can be submitted by the time of enrolment.

No, unfortunately it is not possible to assess your documents in advance. An academic assessment of your qualifications will only take place once you have submitted your application and it has passed the formal checks and has been forwarded to the university (in most cases via Uni-Assist).

Unfortunately, we are unable to answer questions regarding specific certificates or the entry requirements for specific degree programmes.

For degree programmes that require equivalent knowledge from Bachelor’s degree programmes offered at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, you can view the modules and credit points required there in the relevant examination and study regulations.

No, unfortunately we cannot issue confirmation of receipt of documents. 

If you are applying via Uni-Assist, you will receive direct confirmation once you have submitted your documents and paid the processing fees. You will also be informed of the outcome of your application within approximately 4–6 weeks. Should any documents be missing, Uni-Assist will inform you.

If you are able to apply directly via our myBTU portal, you will receive information on the status of your application via your account on the myBTU portal. If any documents are missing, we will contact you.

You can find detailed information on the required application documents on our website:

Bachelor’s

Master’s

If a degree programme requires additional documents, you will find this information on the respective programme’s website.

No, you do not need a VPD. Please simply apply directly via Uni-Assist and upload your application documents to your account there. 

If the formal review is successful, Uni-Assist will forward your application to us. You will then automatically receive login details for our internal myBTU applicant portal.

No, the preliminary examination document is only valid for the respective higher education institution and cannot be used for further applications to other institutions.

Even if you already have a VPD, you must apply to BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg via Uni-Assist again.

The relevant application deadline applies exclusively to the applicants themselves. By this date, you must have submitted your application, uploaded all required documents and paid the application fee. The time taken by Uni-Assist to review your documents is not included in this deadline. Uni-Assist continues to review applications even after the deadline has passed and, in the event of a positive outcome, forwards them to us. 

Only then will you automatically receive your login details for the myBTU university portal. Please do not create an account on the myBTU portal yourself.

Uni-Assist requires approximately 4 to 6 weeks to review your application. You will be informed of the result as soon as possible. 

Please note that you will no longer be able to submit missing or incorrect documents or make corrections if Uni-Assist does not complete the review of your application until after the application deadline has passed. For this reason, we recommend that you apply as early as possible.

No, unfortunately the APS is a mandatory document and it is not possible to apply without it. It is also not possible to submit the APS at a later date/after the deadline.

You can apply for a future semester once you have received the document.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide you with any information regarding the status of your application. You can track this yourself via your myBTU account. 

We process Bachelor’s applications as quickly as possible, and you will find the decision in your account. 

Master’s applications must first be assessed by the Examination Board. This process takes some time. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any estimates regarding the duration of this process, nor can we expedite it. 

As soon as we receive feedback from the Examination Board, we will also notify you of the decision via your applicant account.

If the status in your account has not yet changed, this means we have not yet received a subject-specific decision. 

Please understand that we are unable to respond to individual enquiries regarding the status of specific applications. 

Please note: Applications for degree programmes with a numerus clausus (NC) will only be reviewed after the application deadline has passed and all applications have been received, and will undergo a selection process. Results are therefore expected towards the end of August for the winter semester and the end of February for the summer semester. Please understand that it is not possible to process your application earlier/faster in this case.

No, unfortunately applications submitted after the deadline cannot be accepted. 

The Uni-Assist portal remains open because applicants are granted a later application deadline under certain conditions (e. g. EU/EEA citizens). Therefore, the portal cannot be closed yet. Unfortunately, Uni-Assist must reject applications from applicants whose deadline has already passed.

If Uni-Assist informs you of any errors or missing documents after the deadline has passed, it will also no longer be possible to submit the documents at a later date.

As the professional decision is made by the examination board, we are unfortunately unable to provide you with any further information regarding the reasons for the rejection. 

Furthermore, we are unable to process your application for a re-evaluation. 

You have the right to appeal. You will find all the relevant information and the address on your rejection letter. 

We are also unable to answer any questions regarding the delivery of the letter or the current status of your appeal, as this is handled by the legal department and we do not have any further information.

You will be required to pay semester fees during your studies. Further information can be found on this page: LINK

Some degree programmes also charge tuition fees: 

Urban Design

Forensic Sciences and Engineering

Public Administration

Business Law for Technology Companies

Further information on this can be found on the respective degree programme’s website.

We have also compiled information on the estimated costs of studying, living and scholarship opportunities on the following page: LINK

Once your application has been successful and you have received your offer of admission, you can also request an official letter detailing the costs of studying. To do so, please contact international+studystart(at)b-tu.de, quoting your application number.

Yes, you can currently defer your admission for 2 years. Please note that some degree programmes are only offered in the winter semester. In such cases, an extension is only possible for the following winter semester. In this case it is not possible to start in the summer semester.

To obtain an updated admission letter, you must apply via the myBTU portal. Applications can only be accepted within the regular application period (which is the same as the deadline for new applicants). As soon as the portal opens (mid-December for the summer semester and mid-April for the winter semester), you can submit a new application. Please quote your previous application number and upload your old letter of admission to the portal.

We will then process your application as quickly as possible.

You are welcome to contact us in March/November to receive the latest information on the deferment process. 

Important: Please note that deferment applications for NC-restricted degree programs a re-participation in the NC selection procedure is required, and immediate issuance of an admission offer is not possible.

No, please do not create an application on the myBTU portal if you have applied via Uni-Assist. 

Once your documents have been successfully verified by Uni-Assist, they will be forwarded directly to the university and you will automatically receive login details for the myBTU portal.

No, even after your application has been forwarded by Uni-Assist, you cannot apply for further degree programmes directly via the myBTU portal. All applications must first be submitted via Uni-Assist, as formal eligibility is checked separately for each degree programme there. 

Even if you have already received an admission/a rejection for one degree programme, an application for another degree programme must be submitted via Uni-Assist again. Please also note the relevant deadlines.