A: More information on requirements, including information on admissible academic background, admissions procedure, language proficiency and more can be found  under the "Admission" tab of this website.

A: No, you do not need prior work experience to apply.

However, applicants who have worked in the field of heritage, or a related field, are encouraged to provide information on their professional experience(s) in their application.

A:  Yes, if you have relevant experience in the heritage field, you are welcome to apply (e.g. work, internship or traineeship). The selection committee reviews the entire application (including your letter of motivation, letters of reference, Curriculum Vitae, etc.).

A:  There is no fixed GPA or NC required for admission to this study programme. All applications are assessed individually to ensure that applicants meet the academic requirements necessary to succeed in the study programme. This assessment looks not only at the degree and the grades, but at the entire application (incl. letter of motivation, CV, letters of reference, etc.).

A: Only the exemptions listed in the Information Sheet "Language Certificate English" are possible. No other exemptions will be granted. No other proofs of English language proficiency are admissible.

Please understand that, since our university receives hundreds of applications from around the world, we are forced to limit the admissible proofs of English language proficiency in order to ensure the fair and efficient evaluation of all applications. The current rules are the result of many years of experience in the admission of international students at our university.

In the information sheet, you can also find a section "I will receive my test results only after the application deadline".

A: Yes, you are welcome to apply for a Master's degree at our university, even if you have already completed one. There are no restrictions on applying for a second Master's degree.

A: No. You do not need German language skills to study in the World Heritage Studies programme. However, we encourage all students to attend the voluntary German language courses offered through BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. Additionally, an intensive course is offered before the start of every winter semester. For more information, please consult BTU's Zentrale Einrichtung Sprachen website.

A: Applications are evaluated as they are received. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will receive information regarding your admission status.

Please note that the review process can easily take two months after the submission of your complete application. This is because uni assist requires about six weeks for their pre-check. Additionally, our university needs two weeks for our review and to issue the letter of admission or rejection. During the busiest time of the application period (about mid-July to mid-August), this may increase. Generally, we advise all applicants to apply as soon as possible and not wait until right before the deadline.

A: The motivation letter should be 1–2 pages and ideally cover the following points:

• Your specific interest in and/or experience with heritage

• Why you want to study the World Heritage Studies programme at BTU

• Your current focus or area of interest, such as UNESCO Heritage Governance, Heritage Studies, Heritage Conservation and Management, or a generalist approach

• Your future career plans and how the programme will help you achieve them

We encourage applicants to write their letter in their own words, reflecting on their personal experiences, motivations, and aspirations. Letters that clearly show your individual perspective and genuine interest are the most effective, as they help us understand who you are and how you plan to engage with the programme.

A: There are no formal requirements for the letters of recommendation. It is recommended that the letter contain information on the following points:

• What is the position of the person writing the letter ("author")?
• How does the author of the letter know you, the applicant?
• How does the author evaluate your overall qualifications (academic/professional/personal)?
• In the opinion of the author, what qualifies you for studies in the heritage field?

The letter should be in English. If the author is not proficient in English, you can submit the letter in another language and add an informal translation. This translation does not have to be by a sworn translator and can be provided by yourself.

A: The “higher education entrance qualification” is the qualification that allowed you to enter a university, e.g. the German Abitur, A-Levels or a high school entrance examination. What documents exactly have to be submitted for the higher education entrance qualification varies from country to country, sometimes even from one region to another. Uni assist provides more specific information for almost all countries on their website.

A: No, you do not have to send documents by post - neither to our university, nor to uni assist. You only need to upload your documents in the online application process.

Applicants to our university are no longer required to submit certified copies. The upload of scans in the online application process is sufficient. (Our university reserves the right to request certified copies from individual applicants in exceptional cases.)

A: Only the documents listed under “Application Documents" and the documents required by uni assist/myBTU are necessary for your application to our study programme. The board of examiners that evaluates your application does not need or expect any additional documents.

Nonetheless, if you have additional documents that you feel will strengthen your application (e.g. certificates from workshops, employment records), you are welcome to add them voluntarily. You can upload them as an additional document in the online application. Please select only the documents most pertinent to your application and try to keep your application concise.

A: You do not have to submit a portfolio with your application. Portfolios are not a mandatory application document and are not expected by the board of examiners that evaluates your application.

However, if you have a portfolio and you feel that it will strengthen your application, you are welcome to add it to your application voluntarily. You can upload it as an additional document in the online application.

A: No, it is not possible to apply for the summer semester. Due to the structure of the programme, admission is only possible for the winter semester.

If you cannot get a visa appointment because the waiting times at your local embassy are very long, please note that our university has no way of influencing the appointment system at your local German embassy. The university can only issue the letter of admission. We therefore strongly advise applicants from countries with long visa waiting times to apply as early as possible.

You may also consider to start the programme in the Online Mode for the first semester. This allows you to begin your studies without delay and can reduce costs such as German health insurance for that period. To obtain a visa for Germany, you will need to transfer to the On-Campus Mode. Some embassies may require proof of enrolment in the On-Campus Mode in order to schedule a visa appointment. We strongly recommend that you check with your local embassy regarding appointment availability, required documents, and any specific procedures for applying for a student visa.

If you receive a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), their local office may be able to assist you.

A: It is possible to apply for both programmes at the same time. Please submit a separate letter of motivation for each programme with your application.

You can find detailed information on the M.A. Heritage Conservation and Site Management on the website.

A: The WHS curriculum focuses on the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, including not only modules on architectural conservation and heritage management, but also on natural heritage and the social sciences.

The HCSM programme is a joint degree offered with Helwan University in Egypt, so all HCSM students spend their third semester at Helwan University. The programme is conducted on-campus. Our partners at Helwan University are from the Tourism and Hospitality Management Faculty, therefore HCSM is more strongly oriented towards tourism and heritage site management.

A: No. Admission to the study WHS Online Mode does not qualify applicants to receive a visa for the purpose of studying in Germany. Enrolment in WHS Online Mode will not qualify students for a residence permit for the purpose of studying in Germany. German law stipulates that visas/residence permits for the purpose of studying are only issued to students enrolled in full-time, on-campus study programmes. WHS Online Mode - being taught entirely online and not requiring students' presence in Cottbus/Germany - will not make students eligible for a visa or a residence permit for the purpose of studying in Germany.

If you wish to apply for a visa/residence permit for the purpose of studying in Germany, please consider the WHS On-Campus Mode. You will have full access to the online modules while enjoying the benefits of on-campus learning.

A: You can switch between Online and On-Campus Mode at the beginning of each semester within the regular application deadlines using our MyBTU Portal. You only need to submit a simple application and upload your student certificate. Our colleagues from the Admissions & Registrar's Office will guide you through the remaining steps.

A: Yes, you can study part time. After enrolling, you can apply for part-time studies through the MyBTU portal. You will need to provide a study plan covering at least two semesters and a document explaining why you need to study part time, such as having young children or work commitments.

A: No. Internships are not a mandatory part of the WHS curriculum. Nonetheless, many of our students do voluntary internships during their studies. Additional information can be found on this website, in the section "Internships".

A: Our university does not currently charge tuition fees for studying in the M.A. World Heritage Studies - neither for the WHS On-Campus Mode, nor for WHS Online Mode. However, students of both study modes are required to pay a semester fee.

For students of WHS On-Campus Mode, the semester fee is approximately 380 Euros per semester. This includes student services, such as the semester ticket. With the semester ticket students can use all regional public transportation (trains, busses, subway etc.) in Germany at no extra charge.

For students of WHS Online Mode, the semester fee is further reduced to approximately 65 Euros per semester.

The International Relations Office website provides further information on Finances.

A: There are currently no scholarships available specifically for WHS.

For further information, please see the scholarship information provided by the International Relations Office.

A: There are various resources available online that will give you background information on living and studying in Germany (please "Useful Links" below). Regarding the immigration process and visa requirements, you can find information provided by the International Relations Office.

Uni Assist

BTU Applications and Admissions

BTU Student Service 

BTU International Relations Office

Study in Germany