What is Studienkolleg?

If your school leaving certificate or additional education does not directly qualify you for admission to a German university, the Studienkolleg is an institution in Germany to prepare you academically and linguistically for university studies in Germany.

How do you know you meet criteria?

Check whether your school leaving certificate qualifies you for studies in Germany using the uni-assist admission check tool.

Who can attend a Studienkolleg?

Whether you are admitted to a German Studienkolleg or not depends on your previous education. In order to attend a Studienkolleg, you must have a higher education entrance qualification from your home country. In addition, for some countries, further years of study at a university are required. The anabin database gives detailed information on the requirements for school leavers from different countries.

The path to studying at a German college or university for non-EU applicants

1. Check whether your school leaving certificate qualifies you for studies in Germany.
   • Use either the uni-assist admission check tool or the anabin database to find detailed information on the requirements for school leavers from your country.
   • If you are qualified to study in Germany based on your school leaving certificate, you can proceed with the university application process.
   • If your school leaving certificate doesn't directly qualify you for university studies, you will need to continue to the next steps for Studienkolleg admission.
2. Find a relevant Studienkolleg that suits your needs. You can check the Studienkollegs website for more information.
3. Inquire at the Studienkolleg(s) of your choice about admission requirements and deadlines. Some Studienkollegs require applications through uni-assist, while others accept direct applications.
4. Apply for a student visa at the German embassy in your home country after being accepted into a Studienkolleg.
5. If required by the Studienkolleg, prepare for the entrance exam, which may include subjects like mathematics and German.
6. Take the entrance exam if applicable. Depending on your country, you may take it at an outpost or in Germany.
7. Upon successful completion of the entrance exam and fulfilling Studienkolleg requirements, you will be admitted to the program.
8. Attend the specialized course (e.g., M-course, T-course, W-course, etc.) at the Studienkolleg.
9. After completing the Studienkolleg and passing the final exams, you can apply for admission to a university or university of applied sciences in Germany.

What are the different kinds of Studienkolleg?

Studienkollegs at a university or a university of applied sciences:

• There are two kinds of Studienkolleg. They are either affiliated with a university or a university of applied sciences.
• If you have successfully passed the final exams at a university Studienkolleg, you can study at a university or at a university of applied sciences.
• If you have passed the exams at a Studienkolleg connected to a university of applied sciences, you are usually not qualified to study at a university, but can only study at a university of applied sciences.
• Graduates of Studienkollegs can apply to study in all of Germany.

State-run and private Studienkollegs:

• Besides the differentiation between Studienkollegs affiliated with universities or universities of applied sciences, there is also a difference between private and state-run Studienkollegs.
• State-run Studienkollegs are usually tuition-free and their degree is usually valid to study anywhere in Germany.
• Private Studienkollegs often charge tuition, and it is important to find out whether the private Studienkolleg you wish to study at offers a certificate that is valid in all of Germany.

Which specialized courses do the Studienkollegs offer?

The university Studienkollegs offer the following specialized courses as preparation for studying at university:

• M-course: for medical, biological, and pharmaceutical degrees
• T-course: for mathematical, science, or technical degrees
• W-course: for business, economics, and social science degrees
• G-course: for humanities degrees or German studies
• S-course: for language degrees

The university of applied sciences Studienkollegs offer the following specialized courses as preparation for studying:

• TI-course: for technical and engineering degrees
• WW-course: for economics and business degrees
• GD-course: for design and art degrees
• SW-course: for social science degrees

Costs

How much does it cost to attend a Studienkolleg?

There is no tuition for attending a state-run Studienkolleg, although there is usually a fee between 100 and 400 Euro per semester, depending on the Studienkolleg. You also need to pay for health insurance and will need to buy books and other class material. Life in Germany is expensive. You should plan approximately €700 per month for rent, clothes, food, etc. Usually, you are not allowed to work during the semester while you are attending the Studienkolleg. Although it is possible to work during the semester break, it will not be enough to live on! Students do not usually receive grants. You will need to plan to have enough to live on during your time in Germany.

Register of the consortium of German Studienkollegs

Aktualisiert: 11.05.2023