8% percent of available places are reserved for non-EU and stateless applicants:

Selection is based only on the average grade of their higher education entrance qualification.

8%  percent of available places are given to applicants who have professional qualifications but no Abitur. Within that quota, selection is based on the average grade of the higher education entrance qualification granted to them through their professional qualification (advanced continuing or professional education program/vocational school and training).

3% will fall under the hardship quota, the grade of the higher education entrance qualification is of no relevance for applicants.

An example for a special hardship case might be an applicant with health issues who will be unable to study later in the future if they are not admitted immediately.

3% apply to applicants who want to pursue a second undergraduate university degree, relevant only for those who have already completed an undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelor's degree) in the EU or a country with equivalent status.

At least 5% are given to underaged applicants who have to fulfill the following requirements: They must be under the age of eighteen by the time of the application deadline, and have to reside in Berlin or Brandenburg with a person holding custody. If, within that quota, there are more applicants than available places, selection is based on the grade of the higher education entrance qualification.

2% of available places is given to applicants whose sponsorship is deemed as of public interest and who are, due to special circumstances, bound to a certain location, such as applicants who belong to one of the German Olympic Sports Confederation’s athletic squads at one of the Olympic training centers in Berlin or Brandenburg

Applicants who have received an offer for admission in an earlier semester but were unable to accept it due to some form of service are also given preferential admission since their service should not be an impediment to their educational career.

More information: here (available in German only).