What is an OSA?
The online study-choice assistants (OSA) are a free service offered by the University of Freiburg. Subject-specific sample exercises, videos, and a quiz for comparing expectations with reality give you practical insight into day-to-day teaching and learning in a particular subject. After completing all of the modules for a subject, you’ll be able to better judge whether it really meets your expectations and wishes.
You can complete the OSA anonymously. The results are intended for you alone and are not stored or used by the University of Freiburg.
Who are the OSAs for?
The OSAs are for anyone who’s interested. They’re particularly suitable for prospective students in the 11th grade or above who already have a rough idea of what they would like to study.
If you still have no idea what direction you want to take, we recommend taking a general interdisciplinary orientation test like the OSA Unistudium or making an appointment for advising at the Advising and Counselling department of the Service Center Studium.
Documentation of a student orientation procedure for your application
Since the 2011/12 winter semester, it has been compulsory in Baden-Württemberg to complete an orientation procedure before applying for admission to an undergraduate degree programme (i.e., excluding master’s degree programmes). Appropriate documentation of a procedure completed no more than two years prior must be submitted upon enrolment at the latest.
Completion of one of the online study-choice assistants (OSAs) offered by the University of Freiburg or another student orientation procedure recognized by the University of Freiburg is also compulsory for an application for admission to the University of Freiburg.
Simply print out the confirmation of completion after completing the OSA and submit it along with your application or at enrolment.
There’s no OSA for the subject I’m interested in – What should I do?
All German-language OSAs for many subjects may be found at www.osa-portal.de. You can check there whether there’s an OSA for the subject you’re interested in.
Other online tools for helping you decide what to study
Are you still unsure what you would like to study or whether studying is right for you at all? Or would you like to complete a subject-specific OSA that is not (yet) available on our site? Click here for a selection of other online tools for helping you decide what to study.
General orientation tests
www.hochschulkompass.de/studium-interessentest
- Test developed jointly by Higher Education Compass and Die Zeit
- Results suggest degree programmes nationwide
- Lots of filter options
→ A great way to start the process of deciding what to study
- Orientation test of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts
- Results suggest degree programmes (in Baden-Württemberg) and professions (with links to Berufenet and Higher Education Compass)
- Various additional tests for refining results available
→ A great way to start the process of deciding what to study
Databases
- Nationwide service of the German Rectors’ Conference
- Includes all state-approved degree programmes in Germany!
- Lots of different filter options
→ Well suited for targeted searches
www.berufenet.arbeitsagentur.de
- Service of the German employment agency
- Information about many professions with relevant vocational training and/or degree programmes
→ Lots of filter and sorting options
Specific tests
- Compulsory for enrolment in teaching degree programmes in Baden-Württemberg
- Self-test for teaching degree programmes
- Includes lots of additional information on the teaching profession
→ Great if you’re toying with the idea of enrolling in a teaching degree programme
- List of German-language online study-choice assistants (OSAs) in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
- Mostly subject and location specific
→ Great if you’re interested in a particular subject
Information on degree programmes
We recommend reading the relevant module handbook and examination regulations to gain in-depth insight into a degree programme. They can often be found with an internet search for the terms ‘module handbook examination regulations [subject] [university]’.
What should I do with the results from the OSA?
The OSA is something you do for yourself. It’s not about getting the highest score! The idea is to find out for yourself whether your own expectations about a subject are accurate and whether the exercises have piqued your interest in learning more about the topics. In this way, you can test for yourself whether a subject suits you.
Accessibility
The online study-choice assistants (OSAs) are currently not fully accessible. Please contact the representative for students with a disability or chronic illness if you have questions or need support:
For more information, please visit the website of the contact point for students with a disability or chronic illness.
Contact
Do you have any questions or suggestions about our OSA service? We would be happy if you sent us your feedback, either on the last page of the OSA or by email to our team.