Skip to content

What is German Studienkolleg?

The Studienkollegs of Germany function as a “bridge” to help you move from the academic culture of your home country to German academic culture. These offer targeted preparation courses for foreign applicants who want to study at German universities. The Studienkolleg teachers are your “bridge builders”, and are highly qualified and specialized experts who will work with you.

This simply means if you do not hold a valid qualification or are required for German university admission for a bachelor’s degree level, then you have to study in a Studienkolleg first to fill in the gap of university needs.

Select Topic for Fast Access

Benefits of studying at the Studienkollegs

The Studienkollegs are institutions for international university applicants. In addition to imparting in-depth specialist knowledge, the lessons specifically promote the acquisition of general, linguistic, and technical skills that are fundamental to successful specialist studies. These skills are aligned with the requirements of university studies in Germany to ensure sustainable study ability.

Studying at the Studienkolleg promotes the acquisition of general, technical, and academic language skills up to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The students expand their communicative skills through active participation in all subjects and learning and working together in learner-centered lessons; They improve their written expression skills by using subject-specific writing opportunities. The consolidation of linguistic structures and the development of an adequate specialist vocabulary are the basis for further academic language acquisition.

How does Studienkolleg function?

The Studienkollegs (preparatory college) prepares applicants for studying at a German university. If you have acquired a school qualification in your home country that entitles you to study there but is not recognized as a university entrance qualification (HZB) in Germany, then you must attend a preparatory college before starting your studies.

This is necessary because the school system, the teaching content, or the duration of school attendance in your home country are so different than in Germany that preparatory studies in a preparatory college are necessary to study successfully. The exact teaching content and formal regulations differ in some details from preparatory college to preparatory college and from federal state to federal state. Some of the schools need you to attend an Aufnahmeprüfung (entry test).

Types of Studienkollegs in Germany

a) University and technical college colleges

There are two types of preparatory colleges, university colleges and technical colleges. Anyone who has successfully attended a university college can then study at a university or technical college. Anyone who has attended a technical college cannot usually attend a university but can attend a technical college. Graduates can apply for study places throughout Germany.

b) Public and private colleges

In addition to the distinction between university and technical college colleges, a difference can also be made between private and state preparatory colleges. State preparatory colleges usually offer free study places – apart from the semester fee – and their qualifications are recognized throughout Germany. Private preparatory colleges often charge fees for attending the college and it is important to find out whether the private preparatory college you choose even offers a state-recognized degree.

Who has to study in Studienkolleg?

International students need 13 years of education to directly go to German universities. Those who do not qualify for 13 years of education have to study first in a studienkolleg for one year. For example, German students get admission to a bachelor’s degree after completing 13 years of high school. The same is true for those international students who want to get an education in German universities, they must hold a qualification and high schooling of 13 years. This problem often faces the students of Pakistan and India where high schooling is for 12 years only.

Completing a one-year foundation course in Studienkolleg, one can easily get into a bachelor’s degree. If you have a high school qualification of 12 years, you will have to study in a Studienkolleg in Germany. At the end of the year of study, one has to pass the Feststellungsprüfung as well. You can learn more about the final exam here.

Studienkollegs in Germany List

There are a total of 26 Studienkollegs in Germany. Not all the provinces have these preparatory colleges but many have the facility of these. You can access here the complete list of Studienkollegs with contact details.

What courses are taught in Studienkollegs?

Currently, the Studienkiollegs almost all range of preparatory counties mandatory for admission into German universities. The courses are divided into universities such as courses for universities for academic studies or the universities of applied sciences. You can access the dedicated page on these courses here.

How much does the Studienkolleg cost?

Attending a public Studienkolleg is usually free of charge. The students only have to pay a semester fee. This can be between €100 and €400, depending on the college. The other expenses include health insurance and purchasing books and other learning materials which you have to bear yourself. You will have to bear the living expenses during your stay in Germany. You will need around €300 to €600 per month for rent, clothing, food, etc.

Is work allowed during Studienkolleg?

As per general rules, newly announced by the government, students can work part-time during even preparatory studies. But the rules can be a bit different for the Studienkollegs. You must ask your relevant foreign authority once you reach Germany about part-time work. You can however during semester break work full time.

Is Knowledge of German mandatory for Studienkolleg?

All Studienkollegs offer a medium of instruction in German. Applying for the Studienkolleg is possible first of all by passing the German language test. You must prove that you have German language skills at least at CEFR level B1. To study successfully, international students must master the relevant academic and educational language.

How to get admission to Studienkolleg?

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.

Step 1- Qualification AssessmentStep 2- Direct or Indirect Admission ApplicationStep 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 (www.uni-assist.de).
Step 4- Applying for VisaStep 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.

How to apply for a visa for Studienkolleg?

You need a student visa for the preparatory course at the Studienkolleg. You may need the following documents to apply for the visa:

  • valid passport Application form u0026amp; declarations duly signed
  • 1 copy of your passport’s
  • passport pictures according to biometric specifications
  • cover letter from the applicant explaining the exact purpose and duration of stay
  • letter of admission from German Studienkolleg (electronic version)
  • proof of payment of study fees, if applicable
  • proof of language proficiency in German B1 
  • proof of other academic qualifications, 
  • proof of financial means to cover the costs for the time of your studies. Proof of blocked account in the name of the applicant showing a minimum balance of €11,208. In case you opt for a blocked account in Germany, the proof needs to include the remark that the account holder can dispose of a monthly amount of €934.
  •  travel health insurance covering the period from your departure to the date of enrollment at the university (mentioned in your letter of admission) (approx. 3 months)

What is a German High School Qualification?

In Germany, the high school education consists of 13 years in total, which is as follows:

  • German preschool/nursery (Kindergarten)
  • German primary school (Grundschule)

What is a German Secondary School Qualification?

Secondary school in Germany: This third type and final schooling is divided into more following parts:

  • Gymnasium – for academic students;
  • Realschule – for intermediary students;
  • Hauptschule – for less academic students;
  • Gesamtschule – a comprehensive school combining all education types.

Other Useful Topics on Studienkollegs