Studying in Germany Without a German Abitur: What Options Are There?

Do you want to study in Germany but do not have a German Abitur? That does not automatically mean that studying in Germany is impossible for you.

There are different pathways to higher education in Germany. The right option for you mainly depends on your school-leaving certificate or professional qualification and where you obtained it.

For international students, one point is particularly important: Your foreign school certificate does not necessarily have to be equivalent to the German Abitur for you to study in Germany. In some cases, the pathway leads through a Studienkolleg and the Feststellungsprüfung.

What does “studying without an Abitur” mean?

When people talk about studying without an Abitur in Germany, they can mean different things.

For example, you may:

• have a foreign school certificate that is not directly recognized as a German higher education entrance qualification
• have completed vocational training and gained professional experience
• have completed an advanced professional qualification such as a Meister, Techniker or Fachwirt
• have another qualification that gives you access to higher education

The requirements are not the same in every case. Especially when you want to study without a traditional school-based higher education entrance qualification, the rules can vary depending on the federal state and university.

Option 1: Your foreign school certificate allows you to study directly

If you are coming to Germany from another country, you should first check whether your school certificate is recognized as a higher education entrance qualification in Germany.

If your qualification is considered equivalent to a German higher education entrance qualification, you may be able to apply directly for a degree programme. You will, of course, also need to meet the other requirements of the programme, such as sufficient German language skills or a specific grade requirement.

The requirements for your individual qualification depend, among other things, on your country of origin and your previous education.

Option 2: Studienkolleg and the Feststellungsprüfung

For many international students, Studienkolleg is an important pathway to studying in Germany.

If your foreign school certificate does not provide direct access to higher education in Germany, you can prepare for the Feststellungsprüfung, or FSP.

Studienkolleg prepares you for the examination both academically and linguistically. The subjects you study depend on what you want to study later.

At Studienkolleg Düsseldorf, there are several subject-specific courses:

• T-Kurs: technical, mathematical and natural science degree programmes
• M-Kurs: medicine, pharmacy and biology-related degree programmes
• W-Kurs: economics and social sciences
• G-Kurs: humanities, social sciences and cultural studies
• M+T-Kurs: a combination of medical, natural science and technical fields

After successfully completing your preparation, you take the Feststellungsprüfung. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the external FSP is conducted by the Bezirksregierung Köln. The FSP certificate then allows you to apply for degree programmes in the corresponding subject area.

An example

You completed your school education in another country and want to study medicine in Germany.

However, your school certificate is not directly recognized as a higher education entrance qualification.

Your pathway could therefore look like this:

School certificate in your home country → Studienkolleg → M-Kurs → FSP → Application for a degree programme

This means that you do not necessarily need a German Abitur to eventually study at a German university or university of applied sciences.

Option 3: Studying with a professional qualification

Studying can also be possible without a traditional school-based higher education entrance qualification if you have an appropriate professional qualification.

One possible route is completed vocational training followed by professional experience. Depending on your qualifications and the degree programme, access to higher education may be limited to certain subject areas. The university will check whether your professional background qualifies you for the degree programme you want to study.

In some cases, an aptitude test, an interview or a trial period of study may also be required.

You should therefore check the specific requirements with the university where you want to study.

Option 4: Meister, Techniker or Fachwirt

Another possible route is an advanced professional qualification.

Examples include:

• Meister
• Techniker
• Fachwirt

Depending on the qualification, an advanced professional qualification can provide general access to higher education. This means that you may be able to study without an Abitur. However, you should still check the specific requirements with the university.

Which option is right for you?

The answer cannot be determined simply by asking whether you have an Abitur.

More important questions are:

Where did you complete your school education?

Which qualification do you have?

Do you want to study at a university or a university of applied sciences?

What do you want to study?

Do you already have vocational training or professional experience?

Especially if you have an international qualification, you should check your individual higher education access carefully. The Hochschulkompass also points out that the requirements for studying without an Abitur can vary between German federal states.

Do you want to study in Germany?

Are you not sure whether you need a Studienkolleg or which course is suitable for your study plans?

Find out more about the different Studienkolleg courses at Studienkolleg Düsseldorf or contact us directly. We can help you better understand your next step.