The pre-study program is generally aimed at people who do not know which subject they would like to study. Through BisS, they can take a look at various degree courses in order to make a targeted decision.
The program is aimed specifically at
- School leavers (general or subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification, entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences)
- People changing degree courses
- Working people (in family phase or part-time employment)
- People who have (discontinued) vocational training
- People doing an internship or voluntary service (FSJ, BuFDi etc.)
- Participants in the GAP-Year Südwestfalen ("Work & Study" variant) https://gapyear-suedwestfalen.com/newcomer/
It is possible to start the pre-study program in the summer and winter semesters.
Please note that Module 1 starts 2-3 months before the start of the semester.
The preliminary studies can be attended for a maximum of one to two semesters.
The courses are attended regularly during the lecture period.
The time required is comparable to full-time study. However, the amount of time required is discussed in advance and the module content is adapted to the participants' available time.
Registration:
You can register for the preliminary study program free of charge using the registration form and the conditions of participation. An initial consultation is also required.
There is deliberately no separate formal application process with a registration deadline. Early registration is strongly recommended, as the number of participants is limited and admission is based on the number of applications received.
Enrolment:
Interested parties who have a university entrance qualification can enrol in the pre-study program. Enrolment takes place via the unisono portal and is completed by the start of the semester. Instructions for this are provided in Module 2.
Unfortunately, prospective students with an FHR cannot enrol in the preliminary studies program.
Registration is a prerequisite for participation in the preliminary studies. Enrolment is voluntary and will take place after registration!
Module contents
Module 1
My personal study orientation (individual counseling sessions)
This begins with an individual welcome and motivation meeting, in which wishes and interests are explored and the program content is briefly presented.
In a further meeting, the results of the orientation test are reflected upon. Building on this, a pre-study curriculum is drawn up to determine the various courses/subjects to be studied during the semester. Support is also offered in drawing up the timetable. Feedback meetings are held during the semester if required, as well as a final meeting at the end of the semester. If a final decision on a course of study has not yet been made after one semester or if it is not possible to start the course in the next semester, the preliminary studies can be extended by a second semester.
Module 2
Application coaching (application and enrollment)
Pre-study students can enroll in the pre-study program. Assistance is offered for enrolment in the preliminary study program.
At the end of the semester, if a decision has been made for a specific degree program, application coaching takes place in which information is provided about the application and allocation procedures in the form of an information event and, if necessary, attention is drawn to the required aptitude tests and deadlines (especially for participants who have or are aiming for the Fachhochschulreife and for participants from vocational training).
Module 3
Trial semester (insight into degree programs)
In consultation with the pre-study coordinator, courses are selected in each of the specified degree programs, which are attended over the course of the entire semester. In this way, students can gain their own experience and impressions of the respective degree program. During the semester, coursework and/or examinations can be taken in a course on a voluntary basis. It is possible to transfer passed coursework and examinations (max. 20 CP) to a later degree course. The prerequisite for completing coursework and examinations is enrolment in the preliminary study program.
Module 4
Help with starting your studies (workshops)
In this module, workshops are offered that serve both as subject-specific preparation for a degree course as well as the interdisciplinary acquisition of skills to strengthen the ability to study. Workshop topics include time and self-management, academic learning and working techniques, dealing with stress and exam anxiety and presentation techniques.
Module 5
Pre-study college (exchange of experiences)
The pre-study coordinator forms groups with a maximum of five other participants who have common interests. The aim of regular group meetings is to exchange experiences. The peer groups are each supervised by a student mentor for the duration of the program, who acts as a "role model" to pass on his/her experiences to the participants and is also available for individual discussions.
For further group formation and to get to know each other, the mentors organize sports and leisure activities for the entire group of pre-students, taking into account the wishes of the pre-students, such as climbing, games evenings, visits to Christmas markets, etc.
