Many people think that the NC (numerus clausus) is a predetermined grade that must be achieved to secure a university place. However, the process is a bit more complex.

The NC (numerus clausus) is not predetermined but is determined anew each semester based on supply and demand. Every locally restricted-admission degree program (degree program with NC) has a specific number of study places. After deducting a preliminary quota, 20 percent of the study places are allocated based on waiting time and 80 percent based on the grade of the university entrance qualification .

As a first step, those who have accumulated the most waiting semesters are given priority for a place at university. For example, first the person with 12 waiting semesters, then the person with 11 waiting semesters, and so on, until all places are allocated according to waiting time.

The remaining 80 percent of university places are then allocated based on the average grade of the university entrance qualification. Here, too, the person with the highest average grade receives a place first, followed by the person with the second-highest, and so on, until all places are filled. The grade of the person who receives the last place then determines the NC value (numerus clausus).

Because the application process restarts every semester, it's impossible to predict the exact grade point average (GPA) required for a specific course of study in the semester you apply. However, you can use the GPA requirements from previous years as a guide. The cut-off scores from recent semesters are listed in the table below.