icon-symbol-logout-darkest-grey

DELTA Exam

The DELTA examination is intended to make it easier for new groups of applicants to gain access to Baden-Württemberg’s state universities and colleges of education and to open up degree programmes to prospective students with subject-restricted higher education entrance qualifications who were previously excluded by the existing subject restrictions. This examination consequently makes it possible to bridge the delta between finishing school and the desire to attend university.

DELTA Exam in Cooperation with Mannheim University

Heidelberg University has commissioned Mannheim University to conduct the DELTA examination. Heidelberg University only accepts DELTA examinations that have been taken at Mannheim University! Information on the annual examination date as well as additional details (costs, registration, dates) is available on the Mannheim University website. There will be no substitute or additional dates.  

Once the examination has been passed, an application for a Bachelor's degree at Heidelberg University may be submitted. Human Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Law (state examination) are not included in the Bachelor’s degree programmes.

Who Is Eligible To Take the DELTA Exam?

Admission to the DELTA examination will be granted to candidates who possess a subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification or an entrance qualification for studies at universities of applied sciences and who wish to pursue a Bachelor's degree programme for which the higher education entrance qualification they have acquired does not entitle them to enrol. 

Please note: An assessment as to whether the certificates attained actually meet the requirements for a subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification or the entrance qualification for studies at universities of applied sciences will only be carried out upon application for admission to the respective university. For application for admission, successful completion of the DELTA exam alone is not sufficient.

Examination Content

The DELTA examination assesses aptitude for pursuing studies and does not require any specific specialist knowledge. It does not replace additional subject-specific aptitude tests that may be required at some universities. The DELTA examination was developed by ITB Consulting.

The DELTA examination takes 185 minutes (not including breaks) and consists of five different task groups. The exam sections are:

  • Matrices
  • Quantitative Problem-Solving
  • Feeling for Language
  • Drawing Conclusions
  • Interpretation of Diagrams and Tables