Admission Regulations of the University of Freiburg
for the Master of Science in Economics Degree Program
Based on § 29 Paragraph (2) Clauses 5 and 6 in association with § 19 Paragraph (1) Clause 2 No. 10 of
the Baden-Württemberg State Higher Education Act (Landeshochschulgesetz, LHG) of January 1st, 2005
(Baden-Württemberg Law Gazette [Gesetzblatt, GBl] p. 1), most recently amended by Article 1 of the Act
of February 7th 2011 (GBl. p. 47), the Senate of the University of Freiburg passed the following
regulations during its session on May 25th 2013.
§ 1 Commencement of degree program
Students may only enter the Economics master’s degree program at the start of the winter semester .
Applications for acceptance to the program must be received by the University of Freiburg no later than
the preceding May 15.
§ 2 Admission requirements
(1) In order to be eligible for admission to the Master of Science in Economics degree program in one of
the three specializations – Economics and Politics, Finance and Information Systems, and Network
Economics – the applicant must meet the following requirements:
1.
He or she must have earned a primary degree with an above-average overall grade from a German
university in a bachelor's program in economics, or from an equivalent program of at least three
years' duration at a German or foreign university, that fulfills the requirements specified in Paragraph
(3).
2.
He or she must have English-language skills that meet or exceed level C2 of the Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages.
3.
He or she cannot have definitively failed a final exam in a masters, Magister, or Diplom program in
economics or have lost his or her right to take examinations.
(2) The degree programs in economics defined in Paragraph (1) also include engineering management
and business information systems. Programs considered equivalent in terms of subject matter for the
specialization in Economics and Politics include, in particular, political and administrative science
programs. For the specialization in Information Systems and Network Economics equivalent programs
include, in particular, mathematics, engineering, and natural sciences programs. In all other cases,
decisions on recognition of equivalency shall be made by the Admissions Committee.
(3) The applicant must demonstrate that he or she has a strong background in the fields of
microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative methods. The Admissions Committee will rule on
whether to grant any exceptions concerning fulfillment of individual requirements specified in Sentence 1.
(4) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1) No. 3, the Admissions Committee may admit applicants who have lost
their eligibility to take exams in a masters, Magister, or Diplom program due to having definitively failed a
subject or module-component exam unrelated to the examinable subjects in this degree program.
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§ 3 Application
(1) Students wishing to apply for a place in the program must fill out the application form provided by the
University of Freiburg for entry into the Master of Science in Economics degree program. The application
form must be filled out in its entirety and signed. The following documents must be attached to the
application:
1.
A certified copy of the primary university degree certificate in accordance with § 2 Paragraph (1) No.
1.
2.
A copy of a detailed transcript of all coursework and examinations undertaken in the primary
university degree in accordance with § 2 Paragraph (1) No. 1 (Transcript of records).
3.
Appropriate proof of sufficient language skills according to § 2 Paragraph (1) No. 2.
4.
A curriculum vitae in English, in table format.
5.
A letter of motivation (Statement of Intent) in English, not to exceed one A4 page in length,
describing the applicant's personal motivations for applying for the desired specialization in the
Master of Science in Economics degree program.
6.
References in German or English from two university lecturers, and
7.
A declaration by the applicant in German or English that he or she has not definitively failed a final
exam in a master's, Magister, or Diplom program in economics and has not lost his or her right to sit
exams (§ 2 Paragraph (1) No. 3).
If the documents required, in accordance with Sentence 3 No.’s 1 through 3, are not in German, English,
or French, an officially certified translation in German or English is required.
(2) If, on the application closing date according to § 1 Clause 2, the applicant has completed his or her
university studies in a program in accordance with § 2 Paragraph (1) No. 1, but is not yet able to submit a
copy of the certificate for the completed program of studies, it will suffice, for the purposes of the
application, if he or she provides written confirmation from the university attesting to completion of the
program and the final overall grade earned, together with a transcript showing his or her individual
grades. A certified copy of the primary university degree certificate must be submitted to the Admissions
Committee without delay and no later than the date of enrollment.
(3) If the applicant has not yet completed the university degree program by the application deadline in
accordance with § 1 Sentence 2, the applicant must demonstrate that he or she is expected to fulfill the
admission requirements in accordance with § 2 Paragraph (1) No. 1, by submitting a certificate of all
results to date (including grades) and written confirmation by the university of the grade of the thesis,
confirmation that it has been submitted, or at least confirmation of registration for preparation of the
thesis. In this case, the applicant will be accepted on the condition that he or she demonstrates
successful completion of the degree program, in accordance with § 2 Paragraph (1) No. 1, to the
Admissions Committee without delay and no later than the time of registration, in the form of a certified
copy of the primary university degree certificate.
(4) The applicant must submit the application documents in writing, by the specified deadline (§ 1
Sentence 2), to the Admissions Committee for the Master of Science in Economics degree program
(postal address: Dekanat der Wirtschafts- und Verhaltenswissenschaftlichen Fakultät, Albert-LudwigsUniversität, 79085 Freiburg, Germany).
(5) If the Admissions Committee so requests, the applicant must submit the originals of the certificates
and documentation specified in Paragraph (1) Sentence 3 No.’s 1 through 3, and Sentence 4.
§ 4 Admissions committee and admissions process
(1) The Faculty of Economics and Behavioral Sciences shall appoint an Admissions Committee. The
Admissions Committee shall fulfill the responsibilities assigned to it under these admissions regulations.
In particular, it is responsible for the decisions that are to be made within the scope of the admissions
process.
(2) The Admissions Committee shall consist of six university lecturers from the Department of
Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Behavioral Sciences, with two representing each of the three
specializations. Members of the Admissions Committee serve a term of two years and may be
reappointed. The Chair of the Admissions Committee is appointed by the Faculty of Economics and
Behavioral Sciences. Decisions of the Admissions Committee are passed by a simple majority, with the
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Chair deciding in the event of a tie vote. Members of the Faculty Council have the right to be present at
Admissions Committee deliberations, but they do not have the right to vote.
(3) Only candidates who apply within the required deadlines and in the proper form will be included in
the admissions process. The applicant's admission to the specific specialization of the Master of Science
in Economics degree program shall be decided by the Admissions Committee. Based on its decision,
either the Registration Office or the International Admissions and Services Office will issue acceptance
letters. Admission is subject to provisions, restrictions and conditions. In the event that an applicant is
denied admission, the Faculty of Economics and Behavioral Sciences will issue the rejection letter.
(4) The Admissions Committee shall report to the School of Economics and Behavioral Sciences on
enrollment figures and submit suggestions for revisions to the Admissions Regulations.
§ 5 Effective date
These Admissions Regulations will take effect on May 1st 2011. They will apply to admission procedures
starting from the 2011/2012 winter semester.
Freiburg, August 31st 2011
Prof. Dr. Hans-Jochen Schiewer
Rector
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