Give me five. So, you've made your decision. Equipped with a secondary school-leaving certificate issued in your home country, you would now like to study at a university in Germany. If your school-leaving certificate is equivalent to the German "Abitur" qualification, you can apply immediately for a university place
The DAAD Admissions Database will tell you whether your school-leaving certificate is recognised in Germany. If not, your alternative route to a German university or university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) will take you to a preparatory course: Studienkolleg. You can attend a two-semester course at a Studienkolleg. This is generally free-of-charge (Exceptions are: Glauchau and Dresden).
The following five easy steps we will tell you all you need to know about the Studienkolleg at which you can prepare for your study at a university in Germany:
The Entrance Exam is the first hurdle that you have to take, hopefully as smoothly as possible. It is divided into various groups of questions and aims to find out whether your German language skills are good enough to attend a Studienkolleg. more>>
2. Requirements
Good German language skills, enough money to finance your living expenses in Germany, and a valid visa are just three of the items that you definitely need to organise before you can apply for a place at a Studienkolleg. more>>
3. Core Courses
Economics and business, communication design, or perhaps geology after all? The type of course you have to take at the Studienkolleg depends largely on which degree programmes interest you. more>>
A Studienkolleg lasts two semesters. Really good students can already register for the Assessment Test after just one semester. more>>
5. Assessment Test
After one year at the latest, it gets serious: Those who pass the Assessment Test can apply for a place at a German university. more>>
This is where fans of red tape and regulations can a) find the statutory basis for the Studienkollegs, and b) the German language test (DSH in short) required for university admission. Its full name is "German language test for admission to higher education for foreign applicant students" or Deutsche Sprachprüfung or DSH in short. more>>
