Pre-study placement
General Instructions and Information:
During the pre-study placement, students should be taught practical and relevant knowledge and skills, i.e. they should not just be assigned menial tasks. It is to be completed on a full-time basis (which is usual in the company / institution).
If you are attending the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school), please do not enclose any work experience documents, proof of employment, etc. The diploma is completely sufficient, as the field of specialization is indicated herein.
For other pre-study placement certificates, the following applies:
- 1x complete and not multiple partial confirmation certificates
- all pre-study placement certificates must include the number of weeks, not just the period of time
- if the pre-study placement was not completed in Germany, proof must be provided in at least English
You are welcome to use our pre-study placement certificate (available only in German) as an aid and submit the completed form to the company/institution for signature.
Degree programs with compulsory pre-study placements and pertaining information:
The obligation to complete a pre-study placement does not apply if a diploma from the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school) in the subject area of technology and design is submitted with the application. In all other cases, see due date.
Due Date of the Pre-study Placement Certificate: From the beginning of the study program until the end of the second semester at the latest (not when applying for a study place). To be submitted to the Examinations and Internships Office.
Duration: 12 weeks
Dividing up the Pre-study Placement: The pre-study placement can be completed as a whole or in blocks of at least three weeks each. Please submit documents once completely, not several times with partial confirmations.
Content: Proof of work in architectural, engineering or planning offices must be submitted.
The obligation to complete a pre-study placement does not apply if a diploma from the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school) in the subject area technology is submitted with the application. In all other cases, see due date.
Due Date of the Pre-study Placement Certificate: From the beginning of studies until the start of the practical semester at the latest (not when applying for a study place). To be submitted to the Examinations and Internships Office.
Duration: 6 weeks
Dividing up the Pre-study Placement: The pre-study placement can be divided into two blocks and two separate pre-study positions. Please submit documents once completely, not several times with partial confirmations.
Content: The pre-study placement can be completed in a planning office for architecture, building services engineering or energy consulting, or as a construction site internship in the main building trade or in a building services engineering company.
The obligation to complete a pre-study placement does not apply if a diploma from the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school) in the subject area technology is submitted with the application. In all other cases, see due date.
Due Date of the Pre-Study Placement Certificate: From the beginning of the study program until the start of the practical semester at the latest (not when applying for a study place). To be submitted to the Examinations and Internships Office.
Duration: 6 full weeks
Dividing up the Pre-study Placement: The pre-study placement can be divided up into two blocks (3 weeks each) and into two separate pre-study positions. Please submit documents once completely, not several times with partial confirmations.
Content: The pre-study placement is basically designed to prepare students practically for the engineering requirements of their studies. This includes in particular knowledge in the field of mechanical engineering processing of materials (milling, turning, grinding, drilling, filing, welding, etc.) as well as familiarizing students with relevant engineering materials and manufacturing processes.
Note: For further detailed information, please also refer to the separate information sheet factsheet for the study program Biomedical Engineering issued by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
The obligation to complete a pre-study placement does not apply if a diploma from the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school) in the subject area technology is submitted with the application. In all other cases, see due date.
Due date of the Pre-study Placement Certificate: From the beginning of the study program to the beginning of the fourth semester (not when applying for a study place). To be submitted to the Examinations and Internships Office.
Duration: 12 weeks
Dividing up the Pre-study Placement: The pre-study placement can be divided into three blocks and into three separate pre-study positions. Please submit documents once completely, not several times with partial confirmations.
Content: Please also note the separate information sheet. Proof of practical or planning activities must be submitted, e.g: Building preparation, earthwork, masonry, timber construction and concrete construction
The obligation to complete a pre-study placement does not apply if a diploma from the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school) in the subject area technology is submitted with the application. In all other cases, see due date.
Due Date of the Pre-study Placement Certificate: From the beginning of the study program until the start of the practical semester at the latest (not when applying for a study place). To be submitted to the Examinations and Internships Office.
Duration: 6 weeks
Dividing up the Pre-Study Placement: The pre-study placement can be divided into two blocks and into two separate pre-study positions. Please submit documents once completely, not several times with partial confirmations.
Content: The pre-study placement can be completed in an electrical or metalworking industrial or tradesman´s business. Internship content should familiarize students with technical materials and processes (filing, drilling, soldering, turning, milling), production methods and equipment, assembly and operational procedures of technical processes and equipment.
With regard to renewable energies and energy efficiency, it would be advantageous to complete the pre-study placement in a company involved in installing or manufacturing devices or systems used in sustainable energy generation.
The obligation to complete a pre-study placement does not apply if a diploma from the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school) in the subject area design is submitted with the application. In all other cases, see due date.
Due Date of the Pre-Study Placement Certificate: With the application for admission, on enrollment, or at the latest when you start your studies. Exception: Completion is not possible before the start of the course of study due to fulfilment of a public service obligation, which in individual cases ends less than 6 weeks before the start of the study program.
exception: For first-year students in the academic year 2022/23, the pre-study internship can still be completed during the entire first year of study.
Duration: 6 weeks
Dividing up the Pre-Study Placement: The pre-study placement can be divided into two blocks and into two separate pre-study positions. Please submit documents once completely, not several times with partial confirmations.
Content: The pre-study placement must include construction planning or design activities and can be completed in the following areas: architectural or engineering offices, design departments, art-directorates, advertising agencies, design offices, companies in the field of furniture construction, shop fitting, exhibition stand construction, graphic designers, fashion design. The following professions are recognized: toolmakers, precision mechanics, carpenters, turners, model makers or similar.
The obligation to complete a pre-study placement does not apply if a diploma from the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school) in the subject area technology is submitted with the application. In all other cases, see due date.
Due date of the Pre-study Placement Certificate: From the beginning of the study program until the start of the fourth semester at the latest (not when applying for a study place). To be submitted to the Examinations and Internships Office.
Duration: 12 weeks
Dividing up the Pre-study Placement: The pre-study placement can be divided into two blocks and into two separate pre-study positions. Please submit documents once completely, not several times with partial confirmations.
Content: Please also refer to the separate information sheet (only available in German) of the faculty. Familiarization with technical materials and processes as well as production methods and equipment in industrial or craftsman's workshops within the metalworking and electrical engineering sectors. The following vocational trainings Berufsausbildungen are recognized.
The obligation to complete a pre-study placement does not apply if a diploma from the FOS/BOS (technical / vocational secondary school) in the subject area of social studies is submitted with the application. The FOS/BOS certificate in the subject area “health” cannot be recognized as a general rule. In all other cases, see due date.
Due date of the Pre-study Placement Certificate: With the application for admission, with the enrollment, at the latest by the start of the study program. Exception: Completion is not possible before the start of the study program due to fulfilment of a public service obligation, which in individual cases ends less than 6 weeks before the start of the study program.
Duration: 6 weeks.
Dividing up the Pre-study Placement: The pre-study placement can be divided into two 3-week blocks and also into two separate pre-study positions. Please submit the documents once completely, not several times with partial confirmations.
Content: Social pedagogical activities must be completed, e.g. in the following institutions and social services:
nursery, kindergarten, orphanage, curative educational institution, school for the disabled, hospital*, retirement home*, youth welfare office, employment agency*, weltwärts, voluntary social year (FSJ), federal voluntary service (Bundesfreiwilligendienst) as well as in the areas of educational and family support, health care, rehabilitation, resocialization, adult education, youth work, school social work
* Please note that these need to be socio-pedagogical activities (not nursing or housekeeping) at these listed institutions!
Certificates of employment cannot be recognized, since no activities are listed here. Please have them certified separately.
Exception: Certificates of the voluntary social year (FSJ) are generally recognized.
Placements which are not recognized:
Au-pair and child-raising periods, work as a nurse in a hospital or retirement home, medical assistant, honorary positions and administrative activities in social organizations such as teaching, quality management or office work.