Study preparation
You have various options to optimally prepare for your studies.
An internship gives you a direct insight into the working world that awaits you after your studies and provides you with initial specialist knowledge. Pre-study internships are therefore always helpful, in some cases even a prerequisite for admission to your degree course.
In addition, many universities offer free guest student programs and taster seminars. This allows you to get a first impression of the course and your chosen subject area.
There are also special preparation opportunities for students from abroad at the (technical) universities.
Study college
As an international prospective student, you can prepare for your studies for two semesters by attending a university's preparatory college.
Check the anabin database to see whether your previous education entitles you to participate. Other requirements for admission are basic subject knowledge and German language skills. The required language level is usually B1, but can vary.
Depending on the desired subject area, you will attend a specialization course in which you will prepare for your studies in terms of language and content.
If your home degree in Germany does not yet qualify you for university entrance, you will complete the Studienkolleg with an assessment test. An external examination is also often possible. Once you have successfully passed this, you are entitled to study in Germany.
Please note that assessment tests at universities of applied sciences only allow you to study at a university of applied sciences, whereas assessment tests at a university entitle you to attend both types of higher education institution. The assessment test also includes the language certificate required for studying.
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Preparatory German course
Many universities offer their future international students the opportunity to take part in a preparatory German course. These courses usually last one semester.
In most cases, a basic knowledge of German is a prerequisite for participation. The required language level is determined individually by the universities. The German courses end with the DSH exam. An external examination is generally possible.
The duration of a preparatory language course determines whether visa holders can enter Germany with a national visa or a Schengen visa. The subsequent planned course of study must be announced at the time of application.
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Propaedeutic course
Propaedeutics courses are offered directly by the universities and last one semester. During this time, future international students are taught the subject-specific basics and scientific methodology for their future studies.
A further component is language preparation, which takes place either as a language course or at least as an introduction to the specialist language.
Prerequisites for participation are existing language skills and a valid university entrance qualification.
Praktikum
Das Praktikum bietet Ihnen die Gelegenheit, für einen begrenzten Zeitraum in einem Unternehmen zu arbeiten und so praktische Erfahrungen in einem möglichen Beruf zu sammeln. Mitunter dient es auch der beruflichen Weiterbildung oder ist praktischer Bestand