What are deferred semesters and how can I use them for my application? Will I receive credit for the waiting period?

Deferred semesters can play a role in the admissions process for entrance-restricted fields. You increase your chances of admission in entrance-restricted fields when you can prove your semester was deferred. This can be determined by the date of your higher education entrance qualification (Abitur).

Deferred semesters are defined as every complete half-year (April 1- September 30 of one year and October 1 – March 31 for the following year) that have gone by since you received your higher education entrance qualification until you have been accepted into a course of study and in which you have not actually enrolled at a university in Germany. These semesters after your higher education entrance qualification are automatically counted as a waiting period or so-called deferred semester(s).