Studienkolleg in Germany: From Application to University

Would you like to study in Germany but need to go to a Studienkolleg first because of your foreign school diploma? Are you not sure what steps you need to take to get to university?

In this article, we’ll show you the steps from Studienkolleg to university. We’ll also point out important things to keep in mind along the way.

 

1. Find out if you need a Studienkolleg

First, check if you need to go to a Studienkolleg before studying in Germany or if your school diploma is enough. If you’re unsure, take a look at our previous blog post “Who needs a Studienkolleg – and who doesn’t?”. It has all the key info.

 

2. Choose the right Studienkolleg and course

Once you’ve figured out that you need to attend a Studienkolleg, pick one and choose a course that fits your study plans. Your choice depends on what subject you want to study at university later. In our blog posts, you can learn more about what a Studienkolleg is and the differences between public and private ones. We also introduce our M, T, and W courses at Studienkolleg Düsseldorf, which give you the perfect start for your academic future.

 

3. Meet the requirements

To get into a Studienkolleg, you need to meet certain requirements. Public Studienkollegs require an entrance exam. This usually tests your German skills (at least B2 level) and sometimes subject knowledge, depending on your chosen course.

At Studienkolleg Düsseldorf, there’s no entrance exam. However, you still need at least B1 level German.

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4. Prepare the formalities and apply

When applying to a Studienkolleg, make sure you have all the required documents ready on time. This includes things like certificates from German courses, your school diploma and your grades. Also, all documents must be submitted in German. Since getting translations done can take some time in certain countries, it’s a good idea to start early and plan ahead. Once you have all your documents ready, you can submit your application.

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5. Apply for a visa

If you come from a non-EU country, you need to apply for a student visa for Germany in good time. You also have to meet some other official requirements. For more details, check out our previous blog post: “Visa for Germany – What You Need to Know”.

 

6. Attend courses and pass the preliminary exams

You’ll attend subject-specific courses and German classes over two semesters. The first semester covers the basics. In the second semester, you focus on exam preparation and practice exams.

Depending on the type of Studienkolleg, there are different preliminary exams you need to pass, both in your subject and in German:

• Public Studienkolleg: Here, you take internal preliminary exams during your courses.

• Private Studienkolleg: Usually, you take external preliminary exams to get ready for the external FSP.

 

7. Signing up for the FSP and passing it

To take the external FSP, submit your documents on time to the right authority. Make sure you don’t miss the deadlines.

Public Studienkollegs run internal FSP exams for their students. Some private Studienkollegs also offer their own internal FSPs, but their certificates are sometimes only recognized by certain partner universities. At Studienkolleg Düsseldorf, they get you ready specifically for the external FSP at the Cologne district government. Once you pass this exam, you can apply to any university across Germany.

 

8. Applying to / Enrolling at a University

Once you pass the FSP, you can register at a university. The application process depends on your program of study.

• Restricted study programs (like Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology): You need to apply on time because your grades are key for the Numerus Clausus (NC).

• Non-restricted study programs: For some subjects, you can often just enroll directly and the timing is a bit more flexible.

 

9. Starting your studies

Once you’re enrolled, you can officially start your studies in Germany and continue your academic journey.

 

 

→ Depending on whether you go to a private or public Studienkolleg, the way from the Studienkolleg to university usually takes about one to one and a half years.

 

Keep in mind that these are just general tips. The exact procedures and requirements can vary depending on the Studienkolleg and location.

We hope this article has given you a good overview and that you now have a clear idea of the steps from Studienkolleg to starting university. 😊

If you have any questions along the way or get stuck at any point, feel free to reach out to us anytime. You can find our contact info here. We’re happy to help you figure out the next step and support you on your journey to studying in Germany. 🎓