What is a Studienkolleg?
A Studienkolleg is an educational institution that can be autonomous or associated with a German university. Studienkolleg offers different preparatory courses to non-EU international students. These introductory courses help international school graduates obtain a university entrance certificate that allows them to enroll directly at a German university.
Which students are required to study Studienkolleg in Germany?
A 12th-grade Higher secondary school certificate is not directly accepted as an entrance qualification in German universities. Because German universities accept 13 years of education as a university entrance qualification. For example, an A-level certificate is equal to 13 years of schooling. It is acceptable in German universities for direct admissions.

A-Levels = 13 years of education
In case you don’t have an A-level certificate or you didn’t complete at least two years of undergraduate course (bachelor) at a local university. You cannot take direct admission at a German university for a bachelor’s. In this scenario, you need to study in a Studienkolleg (prep course) to make yourself eligible to take admission to a bachelor’s degree. This Studienkolleg will upgrade your 12-year education to a 13-year education with a preparatory course certificate. You will be eligible to take admission to a bachelor’s degree.

Can I study at any German University after successful completion of the Studienkolleg?
Yes, you can take admission to any German university after the successful completion of Studienkolleg. It means you can apply in both technical universities and the university of applied sciences after the successful completion of Studienkolleg.
Which courses are offered in Studienkolleg Germany?
Studienkolleg preparatory courses are different for both the University of Applied Sciences and Technical Universities. Suppose one completes an introductory course for the University of Applied Sciences. In that case, admission eligibility will be to study only at the University of Applied Sciences. Suppose one attends a preparatory course for Technical University. In that case, admission eligibility will be for both the University of Applied Sciences and Technical University.
Studienkollegs offers a variety of preparatory courses. Each course is unique and prepares a student for a specific subject area. A student can choose one of the following specialized courses according to their desired course of studies:
University of Applied Sciences (Hochschulen/Fachhochschulen)
- WW = Business Studies
- TI = Technical and Engineering Sciences
- SW = Social Sciences
- GD = Art, Design and related fields
Universities (Technische Universität)
- M = Medicine, Biology, (Chemistry) Pharmacy
- W = Economics, Social Sciences, Business Studies, etc.
- T = Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry (also in M), technical subjects
- S = Languages
- G = Humanities, German literature, and language
Duration of Studienkolleg:
In general, Studienkolleg takes two semesters or approximately one year. It usually ends with an assessment test called Feststellungsprüfung (FSP).
Cost of Studienkolleg:
The state-funded Studienkollegs are tuition-free. Private Studienkolleg charging fees e.g Studien-kolleg-Germany (MDWi AG) charging 19,800 euros.
Application deadlines for Studienkolleg:
Applications must be submitted according to the following dates:
- Winter Semester: until 15th of July
- Summer Semester: until 15th of February
Required documents to take admission in Studienkolleg:
The following documents are needed to take admission in Studien-kolleg:
- Motivation letter
- Official certified copy of the school leaving certificate (12 grade/high school diploma), translation is necessary if not in English or German.
- Transcripts (grade 9, 10, 11 and 12)
- an academic Curriculum Vitae
- A1 certificate in the German language/Some demand B1/B2
- Copy of Passport.
- Two Biometric Pictures.
How to apply in Studienkolleg?
- Arrange all the documents
- Apply for admission and get an admission letter/offer letter
- Get a students visa
- Start your classes
You will have to clear an entry test (mostly include German, Maths) before starting a foundation course. This test is usually straightforward.
List of German Studienkollegs:
Here is the list of German Studienkollegs.
- TU Berlin
- Offers: M, T, TI, WW, and W courses
- University of Hamburg
- Offers: G, M, T, and W courses
- University of Hannover
- Offers: T, M, W, G, and S courses
- University of Leipzig
- Offers: T, M, W, G, and S courses
- University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen
- Offers: M, T, TI, WW, and W courses
- University of Heidelberg
- Offers: G, M, S, T, and W courses
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
- Offers: T, M, G, and W courses
- Technical University of Munich
- Offers: T, M, G, and W courses
- Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz
- Offers: S, G, T, M, and W courses
- Karlsruhe Institute for Technology
- Offers: T courses
- University of Stuttgart
- Offers: T courses
- Fachhochschule Kiel – University of Applied Sciences
- Offers: T and WW courses
- Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University
- Offers: T, M, S, and G courses
- Hochschule Wismar
- Offers: TI, W, and WW courses
- Freie Universität Berlin
- Offers: M, W, G, and T courses
- Martin-Luther-Universität Halle
- Offers: M, T, S, G, and W
- Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz
- Offers: TI and WW courses
- Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
- Offers: T, M, S, W, and G courses
- Hochschule Anhalt
- Offers: T, W, and G courses
- Philipps-Universität Marburg
- Offers: G, M, T, and W courses
- Studienkolleg Bochum
- TU Darmstadt
- Offers: T and G courses
- Frankfurt Goethe University
- Offers: G, M, T, and W
- Uni Kassel
- University of Mainz
- Offers: S, G, T, TI, M, W, and WW
- Hochschule Kaiserslautern
- University of Konstanz
- Offers: T and W courses
- Studienkolleg Coburg
- Studienkolleg-Germany (MDWi AG)
- FH Aachen
- Freshman course
FAQs about Studienkolleg:
You can take admission to Studienkolleg with the following qualifications.
1) American High School Diploma
2) GCE/GCE AS & A Level (if you have not studied the required subjects)
3) International Baccalaureate
4) National high school certificate/diploma (must be equivalent to 12 grade)
You can also check on Anabin Database whether your previous education is enough to take admission to a bachelor’s degree or you need to attend Studienkolleg.
Yes, the first study in a Studienkolleg in the German language and then you can take admission in bachelor with the English language. Nowadays some Studienkolleg is also offering preparatory courses in the English language. You can search these Studienkolleg on the Daad database.
The Feststellungsprüfung is the final examination to complete a Studienkolleg.
You need a minimum of 50% marks to take admission in a Studienkolleg.
Yes, it’s free in public universities.
Minimum 50%.