What is a preparatory college?
The preparatory college is a one-year school preparatory course for acquiring university entrance qualifications. The preparatory college usually lasts two semesters.
What will happen on Studienkolleg taught?
The preparatory college prepares international applicants without a German university entrance qualification for studying at a German university. The all-day lessons take place on five days of the week in the subjects of a focus course suitable for the desired course of study and in German. The final examination in the preparatory college is the so-called assessment test.
A preparatory college is divided into four main courses:
- M-course (for medical and biological subjects),
- G course (for humanities and linguistics subjects),
- W course (for economics subjects),
- T-course (for technical and scientific subjects, except biology).
Attention: not all preparatory colleges offer all of the courses mentioned above!
Where are preparatory courses offered?
There is a joint preparatory college in Berlin Humboldt-universität familiar with the Free University as well as a preparatory college at the Technical University.
What are the special features when applying?
Find out about the application process on the website of the preparatory college where you would like to enroll. For a place in the preparatory colleges in Berlin, you apply like you would for a specialist course via the uni-assist portal. There you select your desired course of study at your desired university when selecting your course of study and enter the 1st semester. If the 1st semester cannot be selected when applying for the summer semester because the course of study you have selected only starts in the winter semester, you should select the 2nd semester instead.
If you meet all the formal requirements, you will be invited to an entrance test after submitting your application via uni-assist, which usually takes place in August. Admission to the preparatory college is only based on the results of this test.
Here you find a website with examples of previous entrance examsso that you can prepare well. In addition, you will also find FSP examples.
Many preparatory colleges have posted exam examples on their websites. It's worth taking a look at these too, as the exams at the preparatory colleges sometimes have different levels of difficulty.
Necessary documents for admission to the preparatory college
The application is made only online via the applicant portal my.uni-assist.de
The following documents must be uploaded:
1. Application for admission (Online application from uni-assist)
2. Proof of your university entrance qualification (school leaving certificate)
Depending on your country of origin and personal educational background, additional documents may need to be submitted. You can find out what that could be Country information at uni-assist or at Anabin. If your documents were not issued in German or English, you will also have to get them through one sworn translator (with proof of swearing in) have it translated and submitted.
3. Proof of German language skills
The application must provide proof of German language skills at least at that level B2 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Certificates of participation will not be accepted. You can find out which language certificates you can use for this on the website TU and the FU.
4. Simple copy of your passport/ID card
Submit all documents as an upload.
Application deadlines
TU: The application for the winter semester 2024/25 runs from March 15 - June 30, 2024.
FU/HU: The application for the winter semester 2024/25 is from 1. June - July 15, 2024 possible via uni-assist.
Applicants with refugee status also have the opportunity to apply for this Welcome program the FU Berlin, so that if you are not accepted into the preparatory college there is a chance of being able to take part there.
Costs
Participation in the entrance test, classes and the assessment test are free of charge.
As a participant in a preparatory college, you are enrolled and pay a semester fee per semester.
Why does a preparatory college require a lower level of German?
At the end of their studies at the preparatory college, all students take the FSP assessment test, which, if passed, becomes your university entrance qualification. These exams are free of charge for students of the college. Which FSPs you write exactly depends on your course of study. One exam is mandatory for everyone, namely the written exam in German (unless you already have a C1 certificate). If you have passed the FSP in German, this corresponds to level C1.
Studienkolleg vs. direct admission to the university
The preparatory college gives you time to adapt to Germany and the education system and also time to think about it if you have not yet decided on the field of study you want. You can also find friends there. The biggest advantage of a preparatory college, however, is the lower level of German required: for a university you need a C1-C2 level, for a preparatory college - B1-B2 (less common: C1).
Another advantage of studying at a university of applied sciences: universities often reserve study places for students in their preparatory college. For example, if you studied at a preparatory college at the Technical University of Berlin, then a certain number of places are reserved for T-course graduates for admission to the technical disciplines of the same university.
Additional information
Further information about the preparatory college is available here.
If your research is done on uni-assist and/or anabin and at the Advice at your desired university As it has shown that you can apply directly to the university without first attending a preparatory course, you can now start preparing your application.
The documents required for your application depend on the country in which you obtained your degrees. So be sure to read the specific ones Country information from uni-assist.
Typically you need:
- your school leaving certificate
- If you have already studied in another country, you will need proof of your previous studies and the grading system of your previous university.
- a language certificate
- the copy of your passport
- If required by the university, possibly a letter of motivation, letter of recommendation, CV, photo or similar
You can find further information about the required documents at uni-assist or your desired university.
Before applying, please find out whether you need to have your documents translated or certified. You can find all the information about this here.
If you are missing school and/or university certificates that are necessary for your application due to your flight, you can provide information about your educational background on a self-disclosure form. This will be sent to you by uni-assist after your application. In such a case, the universities also recommend that you come to them for advice before applying via uni-assist and clarify what options there are for you to still be admitted.
Not every foreign degree entitles you to take up further studies in Germany. Be sure to ask before applying Study advice at your desired university Find out whether your bachelor's degree is recognized there, whether you have to take a placement test for your desired course of study, or whether there are any other special requirements for your application.
Which documents are important for your application depends on the country in which you obtained your degrees. So be sure to read the specific ones Country information from uni-assist.
What documents are usually required when applying for a master's degree program?
- Proof of your previous studies: the graduation certificate and the overview of subjects and grades.
- Your university's grading system
- School leaving certificate and, if applicable, university entrance examination
- language certificate
- Copy of your passport
- If required by the university, possibly a letter of motivation, letter of recommendation, CV, photo, certificate of matriculation or de-matriculation or similar.
You can find further information about the required documents at uni-assist and on the website of your desired university.
Before applying, please find out whether you need to have your documents translated or certified. You can find all the information about this here.
If you are missing school and/or university certificates that are necessary for your application due to your flight, you can provide information about your educational background on a self-disclosure form. This will be sent to you by uni-assist after your application. In such a case, the universities also recommend that you come to them for advice before applying via uni-assist and clarify what options there are for you to still be admitted.
The pre-study offers are a good opportunity to improve your German skills and prepare for the entrance exam for the preparatory college or for university studies.
PrePrep: Preparation for the preparatory course at HTW
You come from abroad and want to study in Germany, but you don't have a university entrance qualification recognized in Germany? PrePrep - the preparatory course for the preparatory college is the perfect introduction to your study preparation and leads you efficiently via the preparatory college to your bachelor's degree at the HTW Berlin or in Germany.
Start: expected April 2025
ASH pre-study program for people with refugee experience
The ASH Pre-Study Program prepares people with refugee experience for regular studies in the areas of social work, childhood education, health and care management, and physical/occupational therapy. As part of the ASH Pre-Study program, you will acquire all the necessary requirements for applying to a degree program at ASH Berlin or at other German universities. Among other things, language skills in German and the pre-internship required for some degree programs can be acquired as part of the two-semester pre-study program. It is also possible to take initial courses that will be credited towards your studies.
Application: April 15th-15th May (annually)
Requirements: German B1
The program is free.
Simplified enrollment at the Humboldt University of Berlin
If you are a refugee from Ukraine, were enrolled at a university there, have a corresponding residence permit in Berlin, have Ukrainian citizenship and have sufficient knowledge of German or English, you can apply for a special program at the Enroll HU. You will then receive the status of an exchange student. This means that you are not allowed to complete a degree, but you can orientate yourself at the university and already collect ECTS points.
What do you need for that?
- Copy of the passport
- language certificate German B1 / B2 or English B2, if available. If you don't have a certificate, please use the following online test: https://www.sprachenzentrum.hu-berlin.de/en/placement-test/placementtests-online
- Residence permit or certificate of application for temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine § 24 Residence law in connection with a distribution decision for Berlin from the State Office for Refugee Affairs or confirmation of registration from a Berlin citizens' office
- Certificate of enrollment from the Ukrainian university or information (dovidka) at which university you studied in which course and in which semester.
Unfortunately, the application deadline for the summer semester has already passed. Please check the HU website for the deadlines for the winter semester.
This offer does not apply to people who are still in Ukraine or who are not registered as refugees in Berlin. More about this on the HU Berlin website.
A guest student program makes it possible to get to know the university, attend lectures and, in rare cases, even pass exams without officially being a student. A selection of the guest programs at Berlin universities is presented here.
Guest studies for refugees at the TU Berlin: In(2)TU
The guest study program In(2)TU Berlin offers regular information events as well as courses from the bachelor's and master's degree programs at TU Berlin. The examination results from the passed examinations can be credited towards a later course of study.
Participation is free. Knowledge of German is recommended, but will not be tested. Registration takes place through the General Student Advisory Service.
Guest studies for refugees at the UdK
At-risk/refugee prospective students can, subject to approval from the teaching staff, take part in UdK Berlin courses as GUEST LISTENERS+. This is also possible for art lessons with the approval of the faculty and teachers. It is also possible for GUEST HEARERS+ to take part in exams and have this certified by the teachers.
Participation is free for refugees. The language level depends on the course of study.
HTW: Guest audience
As a guest student at HTW Berlin, you can generally acquire proof of achievement for guest and secondary students in the courses for which you are registered. You can then have the academic achievements achieved through the certificates credited when you apply for a place at university.
Participation is free for refugees.
ehb.welcome – offer for refugee students at the EHB
Since 2015, the Evangelical University of Berlin has enabled refugees to study at their university. The EHB offers all interested parties a guest auditor program without any special entry requirements. Interested parties who are not enrolled can also take part in all events.
In this section you will find an initial classification of your educational qualifications from Ukraine.
An important information advance:
In order to make it easier for refugees from Ukraine to start studying in Germany, it was decided that
a) the educational certificates for university entrance acquired during times of war in Ukraine can be accessed normally via the database Anabin be evaluated, even if not all to acquire a university entrance qualification required examination achievements are proven can be.
b) when studying at a private Ukrainian university Proof of accreditation is waived for the application deadline for summer semester 2023, winter semester 2023/2024 and summer semester 2024.
These regulations apply to people who have been granted residence for temporary protection § 24 Residence Act. In individual cases, this regulation can also be transferred to people in need of protection with other residence permits if they would be disadvantaged in terms of access to higher education in Germany due to the war in Ukraine due to their flight.
These regulations also apply to prospective students with Ukrainian educational certificates At the time of application you do not yet have a residence permit in Germany to have.
These regulations apply to Educational certificates that were acquired during times of war in Ukraine in 2022 or will be acquired in 2023.
Which group do I belong to?
A) I have just finished the 11th grade of school (even without a school leaving certificate)
Since 2019, in Ukraine, after the 11th grade and passing the exam, you receive the school leaving certificate “Svidoctvo pro zdobuttja povnoji zahal'noji serednoji osvity. “. Since the general university entrance qualification in Germany is only achieved after completing the 12th or 13th school year, in order to apply to a German university you have to take a “gap year”, i.e. study at least one year at a Ukrainian university or attend a preparatory college in Germany .
Please note: If you finished the 11th grade in 2022 without taking a final exam, you can, according to the decision of the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) with a degree after the 11th grade apply directly to a preparatory college at a German university.
B) I will do my Abitur in Germany
If you have a German school certificate, the admission process for you is the same as for German applicants.
C) I finished the 9th grade of school and continued my education at another institution (=secondary school qualifications for vocational training)
In this case there are four possible degrees:
- Диплом молодшого бакалавра (diploma of a junior bachelor)
With this degree you can apply for your current subject area and related subjects at all universities.
- Диплом молодшого спеціаліста (Diploma of a junior specialist, technical secondary school)
- Диплом фахового молодшого бакалавра (diploma of a junior specialist bachelor)
- Диплом кваліфікованого робітника (Diploma of a skilled worker, intermediate vocational technical college)
Degrees 2, 3 and 4 are neither bachelor's nor school degrees, but rather comparable to completed dual training in an apprenticeship.
With the degrees Диплом молодшого спеціалста, Диплом фахового молодшого бакалавра, Диплом ква As a student you cannot apply directly to a university. You must study for 1 year at a recognized Ukrainian university so that you can apply to the preparatory college, or study for 2 years at a recognized Ukrainian university so that you can gain direct access to a German university. It is best to contact the university where you would like to study to clarify any specific application requirements.
You can find out whether your Ukrainian university is recognized here Anabin.
You can see how Anabin’s research works here.
If you have passed ZNO and have a school leaving certificate (Свідоцтво про здобуття повної загальної середньої освіти or Атестат пр If you have the middle school, you can apply as if you had completed the 11th grade.
Alternatively, you can also find out whether you already have sufficient qualifications you are qualified for a job in Germany, in which you can work here.
D) I have completed a bachelor's degree and would like to enroll for a master's degree
Not every Ukrainian degree automatically entitles you to take up further studies in Germany. If you have any questions about admission, please contact them University, where you would like to study in order to receive an accurate assessment of your degree.
You can find further information on the recognition of university degrees and planning your studies in Germany here.
E) I am studying at a Ukrainian university and would like to transfer to a German educational institution
In the “Direct University Access” section you will find information about university entrance at a German university if you are already studying in Ukraine. Attention: Due to the differences in academic teaching, it is possible that you “lose” one or two years of study in Ukraine and have to enroll in a lower semester in Germany. The standard period of study is four years in Ukraine and three years in Germany.
Q) I am a researcher and am interested in opportunities to work scientifically in Germany
Numerous universities, research institutions and research companies in the country offer refugee doctoral students the opportunity to start or continue doctoral projects and research projects in Germany. Doctoral students are often enrolled at a university as doctoral students, while scientists and researchers usually work as employees.
There is a lot of the most important information on the DAAD website Offers for refugee scientists a DAK Bungalow.