Study preparation

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.

Link to

• Studienkolleg Jena (private)
• State Studienkolleg Nordhausen

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.

Link

• DSH course at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena

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.

If you have not yet been admitted to a course of study, you can still enter Germany for a longer period in accordance with the regulations for your country of origin.

Stay with a student applicant visa

The student applicant visa is usually valid for 3 months and can be extended for a maximum of 6 months. During this period, you must either obtain and provide proof of admission to a course of study, admission to a preparatory college or a preparatory German course.

A student applicant visa therefore also entitles you to attend a language course in preparation for your studies.

If you take up a course of study following preparatory measures, your residence permit in Germany can be changed. It is not necessary to leave the country and re-enter it with a visa for the purpose of studying.

Prerequisites

You must have a school-leaving certificate that entitles you to study at a German university or to attend a preparatory college. You can find out whether your school-leaving certificate fulfills this requirement in the DAAD database.

In addition, you must prove that your planned stay is financially secure, either because you yourself or a person who has committed to provide sufficient funds in the amount of the maximum BAföG rate.

You must also provide proof of booking a course or confirmation from the university or preparatory college.

If you wish to attend a language course offered by another provider, you will enter the country with a language course visa. This does not entitle you to subsequent studies.