Studienkolleg

Here you will find information on the following question:

What requirements do I have to meet in order to get a residence permit for the purpose of a language course in Germany?

Please do not forget that you always have to meet the general requirements for your stay in Germany. You can find information about this here.

1.Purpose of stay

A preparatory college is an institution in Germany that was specially set up for foreign students to prepare them for studying at a German university, i.e. a kind of preparatory course. The Studienkolleg offers courses in various subjects that are tailored to the requirements of studying in Germany (so-called subject-specific preparation), as well as German courses to improve the language skills of the students. The courses in the preparatory college are based on the subjects that are relevant to the desired course of study. At the end of attending a preparatory college, you have to take an assessment test.

In addition to imparting specialist knowledge and skills, teaching at a preparatory college promotes the acquisition of general, linguistic and specialist skills that are necessary in order to be able to study at a university in Germany. These competencies are geared to the requirements of a university degree in Germany in order to ensure a lasting ability to study. In addition to imparting general skills for a course of study, teaching at a preparatory college should also promote language skills. German courses are therefore offered in the preparatory college, which are based on the requirements of university studies.

As described here, you can obtain a residence permit in Germany for the purpose of studying. The prerequisite for this is, among other things, that the relevant university or educational institution has been admitted. If you have been accepted at a German university (particularly because all your degrees have been recognized and you have sufficient language skills that are required for your studies), you can in principle start your studies immediately after entering Germany.

If your previous school leaving certificates (e.g. Abitur or similar), which are a prerequisite for admission to a university (university entrance qualification) are not recognized in Germany and you therefore have no direct access to a German university, you usually have to attend a preparatory college before starting your studies visit.

Attending a preparatory college is a preparatory measure for your studies, so you can be granted a residence permit for this.

If you are not yet admitted to a university (because the requirements for this are not met), you can be granted a residence permit for the purpose of studying, including for preparatory measures; this includes, in particular, attending a preparatory college (§ 16b Para. 1 S. 2 No. 2

2. Requirements

Admission requirements for a preparatory college may vary slightly by state and institution, but in general the requirements are as follows:

Educational requirements: As a rule, you must be able to show that you have a higher education entrance qualification from your home country that is recognized in Germany. If your higher education entrance qualification is not recognised, you may first have to attend a language course. Language requirements: As a rule, you must demonstrate very good knowledge of German in order to be able to take part in the preparatory college. Basically, at least the language level TDN 4 (TestDaF level 4) is required in all four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). However, some preparatory colleges also accept other language certificates, such as the German Language Diploma of the Conference of Ministers of Education (DSH) or the telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.

Age: There are usually no age restrictions for participation in the preparatory college. However, most applicants are between 18 and 25 years old.

Financial requirements: As a preparatory college applicant, you must be able to pay for your stay in Germany. Exact requirements vary by facility and state.

3. Specifics

What should be considered when choosing a preparatory college?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a preparatory college. Here are some important aspects to look out for:

Recognition: It is important to ensure that the preparatory college is recognized by the relevant authority. In Germany, the preparatory colleges are usually assigned to the federal states and are recognized by the respective ministries of education or senate administrations.

Location: It is advisable to choose a preparatory college in the vicinity of the later university in order to ensure smooth connection and integration into the course.

Curriculum: The curriculum should be tailored to the requirements of the desired course of study and also provide sufficient knowledge of German.

Language of Instruction: It is important to check that the instruction is in a language that one speaks. Some preparatory colleges offer classes in English, which can be helpful for foreign students.

Pass Rate: It can also be helpful to research the college pass rate to get an idea of how successful students have been in the past.

Costs: The costs of attending a preparatory college can vary depending on the university and federal state. As a rule, however, preparatory colleges are free of charge because they are financed by the state or the universities. However, you have to pay for your living expenses yourself. These include, for example, the costs of accommodation, meals and books. There are also some federal states that charge tuition fees for foreign students. However, please note that this is not the case in all federal states and that there are often scholarships and other funding options that can help foreign students to cover their expenses.

What do you have to consider when applying to a preparatory college?

To apply for a preparatory college, you must apply directly to the university where the preparatory college is located. The application deadlines vary from state to state and should be observed. Below you will find general points that should be observed in general:

Research: You should research the different preparatory colleges and their respective requirements to find out which institution best suits your own needs and goals.

Registration deadlines: It is important to note the registration deadlines for the preparatory college, as these vary from institution to institution.

Application documents: The application documents will vary from preparatory college to preparatory college, but you usually have to submit a certified copy of your university entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur certificate or similar) and proof of German language skills (e.g. language certificate). A letter of motivation or a CV can also be part of the application. In some cases, an aptitude test is also required. You should therefore find out exactly what documents are required and make sure that you submit them on time.

Selection process: In some cases there may be a selection process in which you have to complete an entrance test or an interview, for example. Here, too, it is important to find out about the requirements at an early stage.

What types of preparatory colleges are there?

There is a choice between university and technical college courses. Depending on whether you want to study at a university or at a university of applied sciences/university of applied sciences, you should take this into account when choosing the preparatory college.

If you successfully complete a preparatory course that prepares you for university studies, you can then study at all types of universities; however, a preparatory course at a university of applied sciences only qualifies you for a place at a university of applied sciences/university of applied sciences.

university college

In universities, mainly theoretical knowledge is imparted. Research and teaching are combined here. There is a wide range of subjects. In addition to the study content, soft skills such as independent learning, planning and organizing are learned. University colleges offer the following specialization courses in preparation for a degree:

M course – for medical, biological or pharmaceutical courses W course – for economics and social science courses G course – for humanities courses or German studies T course – for mathematical, scientific or technical courses S course – for language courses

college college

Studies at universities of applied sciences are practice- and application-oriented. Most areas are technical-engineering, economics and social sciences. The Fachhochschule colleges offer the following specialization courses as preparation for a course of study:

TI course – for technical and engineering coursesWW course – for economics coursesGD course – for design and artistic coursesSW course – for social science and social science courses

What is the assessment test?

The aim of the preparatory college is to prepare the students for the assessment test that takes place at the end of the preparatory college. The assessment test is used to determine whether the students have acquired the specialist knowledge and skills to be able to study at a university in Germany.

The assessment test usually consists of written and oral tests in the subjects mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, German and English. The exams are organized by the preparatory college institution and usually take place at the end of the preparatory college. Passing the assessment test is a prerequisite for admission to a course of study at a German university. If you don't pass the exam, you usually have the option of repeating it or examining other study options. As soon as you have successfully passed your assessment test at the preparatory college, you can apply to any university in Germany (according to the specialization course and type of university).

Where are there preparatory colleges in Germany?

In Germany there is a preparatory college at almost every major university location. You can find an (incomplete) list of state preparatory colleges here: http://www.studienkollegs.de/Kontaktdaten.html

You should also note that in addition to state preparatory colleges, there are also private preparatory colleges. State preparatory colleges guarantee a state-recognized degree. However, there are also a few private providers who can offer a state-recognized degree. You should also note that you can also prepare for the assessment test at a private preparatory college and then take it externally at a state preparatory college. An external assessment test is recognized at all German universities and qualifies you to apply for a place at university (according to the specialization course and type of university).

4. Legal Background

Information on whether your school-leaving certificate or degree is recognized in Germany can be found in the DAAD admissions database.

Who has to attend a Studienkolleg?

In Germany, applicants who do not have a direct university entrance qualification usually have to attend a preparatory college in order to acquire a university entrance qualification. This usually applies to applicants from non-EU countries who did not complete their schooling in Germany or whose qualifications are not recognized in Germany.

In general, applicants who do not have a German higher education entrance qualification must take an assessment test to prove their suitability for studying in Germany. The preparatory college prepares these applicants for the assessment test and provides them with the necessary specialist knowledge to be able to start university studies in Germany.

In some cases, applicants with a foreign higher education entrance qualification can also attend a preparatory college if they want to improve their language skills or deepen their specialist knowledge in certain subjects in order to improve their chances of getting a place at university.