The first term you encounter when applying to a university in Germany is the NC. Then you wonder "is it NC-frei or NC-manuell?" and get confused.
The good news: it is actually a simple system, and once you understand it your application strategy changes completely.
In this guide you will learn what the NC is, the difference between NC-frei and NC-manuell, how your Turkish grades are converted, which programs have an NC and — most importantly — how to calculate your chance of admission.
Numerus Clausus (NC): Definition and Why It Exists
What Is the NC?
Numerus Clausus is the quota limitation that determines how many students a program will admit.
For example, if there are 500 applications to the Medicine program and only 50 places, students are ranked by grade; the 50 with the highest grades are admitted and the rest are rejected.
Why Does It Exist?
- Physical capacity limit: the number of laboratories, hospital beds, buildings and faculty members is limited
- Popular programs: Medicine, Law and Psychology are in high demand; if everyone were admitted the system would collapse
- Education quality: fewer students means a better professor-to-student ratio and more support
NC-frei: No Quota, Everyone Admitted
Definition of NC-frei
NC-frei means "quota free"; there is no limitation.
- The university does not set a quota
- Everyone who meets the application requirements is admitted
- The grade point average is not decisive (but you must meet the requirements)
- There is no competition
The NC-frei Application Process
- Check the requirements: German language certificate, diploma compatibility and VPD
- Send all documents and wait 2–3 weeks
- Result: if the requirements are fully met, admission (usually a conditional admission/Bedingte Zulassung); only if there is a document problem, rejection
Advantages of NC-frei
- Guaranteed admission: everyone who meets the requirements is admitted
- Speed: the result comes in 2–3 weeks
- Simplicity: documents, not grades, are enough
- Certainty: you can make a clear plan
Disadvantages of NC-frei
- They are usually less-demanded programs
- Some programs may unfairly get labeled "easy"
- However, this does not mean they are of low quality
Example NC-frei Programs
| Program | University | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical/Civil Engineering | Most universities | High demand, high quality |
| Physics | Many universities | Challenging, elite |
| Chemistry | Many universities | Laboratory-intensive |
| Mathematics | Most of them | Theoretical, analytical |
| Computer Science (some) | Those with low demand | A growing field |
NC-manuell: There Is a Quota, the Grade Matters
Definition of NC-manuell
NC-manuell means "limited quota"; the number of places is fixed.
- There is an exact number of students the program will admit
- Applicants are ranked by grade point average
- Those with the highest grades are admitted
- If your grade is not enough, you may be rejected
The NC-manuell Application Process
- Apply and have your Turkish grades recorded
- Grade conversion: your Turkish grade is converted to a German grade with the Bavarian Formula
- Ranking: all applications are ranked from highest to lowest
- Quota: as many candidates as there are places are admitted; the rest go to a waiting list or are rejected
- Result: admission, waiting list or rejection
Advantages of NC-manuell
- Prestigious programs: like Medicine, Law and Psychology
- A fair system: those with the best grades are admitted
- Quality: a class made up of high-achieving students
Disadvantages of NC-manuell
- Competition is high: international students apply too
- The success rate is low: about 10–30%
- Uncertainty: you cannot fully know in advance whether your grade will be enough
Example NC-manuell Programs
| Program | Why NC | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (Medizin) | Limited number of patients | Very hard |
| Dentistry (Zahnmedizin) | Limited number of patients | Very hard |
| Psychology (Psychologie) | Limited clinical placements | Hard |
| Law (Jura) | High demand | Hard |
| Pharmacy (Pharmazie) | Limited practical placements | Hard |
| Veterinary Medicine (Tiermedizin) | Limited resources | Very hard |
How Are Turkish Grades Converted to German Grades?
The Bavarian Formula (Bayern Formel)
Your Turkish grades are converted to the German system with this formula: German grade = 1 + 3 × (Maximum grade − Your grade) ÷ (Maximum grade − Minimum passing grade). In the German system, 1 is the best and 4 is the passing grade; in Turkey, 100 is the best and 50 is the pass. The formula adapts the Turkish grade to the German scale.
Examples
| Turkey Grade | German Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 90 / 100 | ≈ 1.5–1.8 | Very good |
| 75 / 100 | ≈ 2.5–2.8 | Good |
| 60 / 100 | ≈ 3.5–3.8 | Pass |
Which Programs Have an NC and Which Do Not?
NC-manuell (There Is a Quota — Challenging)
| Program | Success Rate | Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 3–8% | 1.0–1.3 |
| Dentistry | 5–10% | 1.2–1.5 |
| Psychology | 10–15% | 1.5–1.8 |
| Law | 15–20% | 2.0–2.3 |
| Pharmacy | 10–15% | 1.8–2.2 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 5–10% | 1.5–1.8 |
NC-frei (No Quota — Accessible)
| Program | Success Rate | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering (general) | 80–95% | Medium–high |
| Electrical Engineering | 85%+ | High |
| Mechanical Engineering | 90%+ | Very high |
| Computer Science (some) | 70–90% | Very high (some have an NC) |
| Physics | 90%+ | Low (a hard program) |
| Chemistry | 85%+ | Low (a hard program) |
| Mathematics | 85%+ | Low (very hard) |
How Do You Calculate Your Chance of Admission?
Step 1: Research on the University's Website
- Zulassungsgrenzwerte (admission cutoff scores): what grade did they admit at last year?
- Auswahlverfahren (selection procedure): is it NC-frei or NC-manuell?
- Numerus Clausus (quota table): the number of places and applicants per program
Step 2: Check Your Own Grade
Apply the Bavarian Formula: for example, if your Turkey grade is 85/100, the German equivalent is about 2.0; compare this with the cutoff score of the target program.
Step 3: Make a Decision
- If your grade is better than the cutoff score (e.g. 1.8 < 2.0): you will most likely be admitted
- If your grade is close to the cutoff score (e.g. 2.0 = 2.0): it is risky, you may end up on the waiting list
- If your grade is weaker than the cutoff score (e.g. 2.5 > 2.0): rejection or the waiting list is likely
Strategy: Apply to More Than One University
- Apply to 3–5 programs
- Apply in different cities (the NC varies by city)
- Compare the cutoff scores; in smaller cities the NC is generally lower
For example, the cutoff score for Medicine may be 1.2 in Munich, while it is 1.5 in Hamburg and 1.8 in Cologne; applying to more than one city increases your chances.
Summary Table
| Feature | NC-frei | NC-manuell |
|---|---|---|
| Quota | None | Yes (limited) |
| Admission criterion | Meeting the requirements | Ranking by grade |
| Does the grade matter? | No | Yes, very much |
| Success rate | 80–95% | 3–20% |
| Example program | Engineering | Medicine, Psychology |
| Result time | 2–3 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am put on the waiting list in NC-manuell, what are my chances?+
If someone who enrolled within 6–12 months drops out, your turn may come. The success rate is low but there is a chance.
What does a grade of 100 in Turkey correspond to in Germany?+
About 1.0. However, the exact calculation is done by the university with the Bavarian Formula.
Can I apply to two programs at the same time?+
Yes, these are separate applications. Even so, some universities may set a "one application per program" rule.
In NC-manuell, should I apply if my grade is close to the cutoff threshold?+
Yes, try anyway. You have a waiting-list chance; if you do not apply, you have no chance at all.
Is there an NC in a doctoral application?+
No, there is no NC in a doctorate. It is also rarely seen in a master's.
Conclusion: The Student Who Understands the NC Increases Their Chances
The NC is a clever design of the German university system. Applying to NC-frei programs is almost guaranteed; in NC-manuell programs you calculate your chances by grade. Applying to more than one program raises your chance of success.
- Research the cutoff scores
- Convert your Turkish grade to a German grade
- Calculate your chance of admission
- Apply to more than one program
- Wait patiently for the result
As the Toedur consultancy team, we provide guidance on the NC selection strategy: which program you should apply to, what the cutoff scores are and what your chances are — we can make these decisions together. The student who understands the NC is closer to success.
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