To get admission to the Studienkollegs in Germany, one must fulfill certain requirements. There are some steps to follow to get a successful admission letter in hand:
You must have a higher secondary school qualification which is mostly 12 years of education in most countries. You must also have passed the B1 German language test certificate to get admission to the Studienkolleg. You must have an idea about the entry test of the Studienkolleg.
Who should attend a studienkolleg?
Every student who has not had a higher entrance education qualification to direct study in a university for a minimum bachelor degree program can study at a studienkolleg for a year to get ready for direct admission in a university program after passing FSP.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1- Qualification Assessment
Check your qualification if it gives you eligibility to study at a University directly. You can do it by going to this website. If you do not find your institution on this database website, it means you do not qualify for direct admission into a degree program. This surely happens when you do not necessarily have 13 years of education to study directly in a university (conditions apply however for many countries, see details here). In this case, you will surely have to study for a year at studienkolleg.
Step 2- Direct or Indirect Admission Application
Applying directly to studienkolleg or through Uni-Assist is the next step. You will have to get information on the webpage of your desired studienkolleg as if they will give you a direct admission facility or you will have to get admission through uni-assist (this organization does charge a minimum of 70 Euros for the admission process). You can get more info about uni-assist here.
Step 3- Gathering Documents
Ask your desired uni about the required documents you have to send them for the admission process. For example, you must present your higher education school-leaving certification plus German language proficiency test proof with a minimum level of B1. This process may take a lot of time so prepare well in advance so that the deadline can be caught without any problem.
Step 4- Applying for Visa
Apply for the visa once you get the admission offer letter along with all other necessary documents. The visa process may take some time to process (ideally 3 to 8 weeks).
Step 5- Preparing for Entry Test (Aufnahmeprüfung)
Prepare for the entry test (Aufnahmeprüfung) well in advance. Your desired or chosen studienkolleg gives you a sample test so that you can have an idea of how it works. The entry test can be for the German language, Mathematics, or both.
Step 6- Attending the Aufnahmeprüfung
Take the entry test. In some countries, there is a possibility of an outpost for entry exams but for 90% of students, it is mandatory to be in Germany for an entry test. After passing the entry test you will be prepared by your studienkolleg for the chosen course so that you can get admission to a university for a bachelor’s degree.
Admission Overview at a Glance
| Step 1- Qualification Assessment | Step 2- Direct or Indirect Admission Application | Step 3- Gathering Documents and Admission |
| If you can study in your home country with your diploma, then you can also study in Germany. | Check whether you can study directly in Germany or you have to attend a preparatory college. You can find information about how your home qualifications are evaluated on the database of ANABIN. This assessment decides whether you first have to complete a one-year specialist course at a preparatory college or apply directly to a university. In general, if you have 12 years of secondary school qualification, you have to attend the Studienkolleg. | Contact the preparatory college of your choice for information about the required application documents. The preparatory colleges have very different admission procedures and deadlines, which is why it is necessary to inquire directly with the preparatory college or the preparatory college of your choice or to visit the website. Gather the documents, and apply for admission. Check whether you can apply directly to the preparatory college of your choice or via uni-assist. |
| Step 4- Applying for Visa | Step 5- Preparing for Entry Test (Aufnahmeprüfung) | Step 6- Attending the Entrance Test (Aufnahmeprüfung) |
| Apply for a visa for study preparation at the German embassy in your home country. | The entrance examinations for the individual preparatory colleges are very different; Some colleges have a German and a mathematics test, while others only have a German test. Information about this and also sample tests can be found on the websites of the individual preparatory colleges. | In some countries, preparatory colleges conduct the entrance examinations on-site; you can find information about this on their websites. Normally, however, you have to come to the preparatory college in Germany for the entrance exam. |