All you need to know about Studienkollegs in Germany

Studienkollegs (College of Preparatory Studies for Foreign Students) are special type of colleges designed for students whose school-leaving certificates from their own countries don't entitle them to apply directly to a German university. These are public educational facilities (some are run by churches and charity organizations) and are free of cost. The medium of instruction is German and there is an entrance test prior to enrolment. A student must therefore have sufficient knowledge of German and either take the entrance test or an equivalent DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang - German Exam for College Admission) or TestDaF (Der Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache - German test as foreign language) test.

(List of Studienkollegs in Germany)

Who should apply to a Studienkolleg (STK)?

German Schooling period is 13 years

In Germany the education system is different in many ways compared to the British-American system, one particular aspect of it is the 13 years of schooling requirement to qualify for entrance at a University (Universität) or a University of Applied Science (Fachhochschule).

12 years of Schooling is not sufficient

If you have followed an Anglo-Saxon school curriculum, i.e. went to school for twelve years, then your school leaving certificate doesn't qualify you to apply directly to a university. To do that you need to pass an assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) which assesses weather you are fit for university. Upon passing the test you will get a certificate with which you can apply. (Follow the link at the bottom of the page to check weather your school leaving certificate is recognized in Germany).

There are different assessment tests

The assessment tests for admission to universities (Universitäten) are different from the ones meant for universities of applied science (Fachhochschulen), and they aren't interchangeable. It is equally important to note that the assessment tests are subject specific, e.g. those who have passed the assessment test for business and economics can't use the same certificates to apply for science and engineering programs.

Where to prepare for the assessment test?

This is where the Studienkolleg comes into play! You can prepare for the assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) at a Studienkolleg in Germany for two semesters (approximately one year) and take the test there. Or you can prepare it externally (on your own) and take the test externally (usually at the local Studienkolleg - but you are considered as an extern). The Studienkolleg at your targeted place of study will provide you with further information on date, time and registration procedures. Check out a sample (pdf) of an assesment test and the correct answers. (Can't open: download Adobe PDF reader).

How can I register at a Studienkolleg?

Generally you have to register at a Studienkolleg via the university at which you plan to study later. The exact process depends upon the university of your choice. Either there is a separate section or an extra attachment in the application form from the university that you need to fill up or you have to submit a separate written application for admission at a Studienkolleg (STK) to the university and not directly to the Studienkolleg. An exception is the state of Baden-Württemberg, where you need to apply to the Institute for International Students (ASK) at the University of Applied Sciences Konstanz (http://www.ask.htwg-konstanz.de/). E-mail your course director or the international foreign office of your university requesting more information. Offices in Germany are very responsive to emails and you can expect an answer in no time. Write as many times as you want.

What are the requirements for registration at a Studienkolleg?

To be able to register at a Studienkolleg following criteria must be met:

1. Sufficient knowledge of German Language: The medium of instruction at Studienkollegs is German, hence you need to have sufficient German language skills. To make sure your have already achieved this skill, the Studienkollegs require you to pass the TestDaf or DSH exams. This is equivalent of passing the level B1 at a German language Institute (e.g. Goethe Institute at your home country). You can of course learn German up to the required level at a language school here in Germany and then apply to a Studienkolleg (via University). In that case you need to apply to a language institution for a language course first. See the separate section on application to a language course in Germany, for detailed information.
2. Student Visa: You need either a student applicant visa or a student visa prior to entering the Federal Republic of Germany. It is not possible to change a business or tourist visa to a student visa once you have entered Germany. In that case you need to go back to your country of origin and change your visa status. See Visa application procedures.
3. Financial Costs: Studienkollegs are free of cost but you need on average 7200 Euro/year or about 600 Euro/month to live in Germany. The costs vary significantly depending on your lifestyle. The bare minimum is about 400 Euro/month, given that you are extremely cautious on expenditures. The student visa allows you to do part time job, but you can't solely rely on that for your living expenses (although its possible but not advisable at initial stage). In any case you need to provide proof of about 7200 Euro (for the first year of stay) at your disposal to the German Embassy during visa application process. And you need to do the same each time you go to extend your visa. (See section on Financing your stay in Germany for detailed breakdown of costs and related issues).
4. Authenticated Certificates and Transcripts: Most of the Studienkollegs accept certificates in German, English or French. If your certificates are of a different language you need to present authenticated translations (by a notary for example). In addition you need to bring in your original certificates once you come to the Studienkolleg. Copies of all the certificate and their translations must be attested by a notary public. Any certificates issued by the Goethe Institute or translations done by the German consulate service don't require attestation. 
5. Important Papers: Following documents must be submitted at the Studienkolleg. 1. Secondary school leaving certificate issued at your home country or at the country you attended school. 2. Proof of having passed the TestDaf/DSH test. 3. Application for university admission, or the conditional admission letter to a bachelor/master program at a university.
6. Application Deadlines: The deadline varies among the Studienkollegs and you have to check the respective website of the Studienkolleg for more information or you need to consult the international office/course coordinator of the university you plan to study at.

Which Studienkolleg (STK) should I select?

Selection of an appropriate Studienkolleg depends upon several factors:

• Your intended field of study: Studienkollegs are "subject-area specific", i.e. not all Studienkollegs offer the same type of courses. There are some sepcialized Studienkolleg catering only to specific courses.  
• Location of your University: It obviously makes sense to apply to a Studienkolleg nearby to your university where you finally intend to study. However, once you have passed the final exam from a STK, you have the option to select and apply to other universities as well, given that you apply to related field. But if you are sure about your university then apply to a Studienkolleg nearby.
• Geographical Location: You would want to enrol at a Studienkolleg at western part of Germany as it is more stable than its eastern counterpart in a socio-economical capacity. If your destination university is located at the eastern side you can still attend a Studienkolleg located at the west. Talk to your course coordinator or university foreign office for more information. You can call them at their number and they will be glad to answer.
• Type of your university: As said earlier, there are two types of universities: General Universities/Technical Universities (Universitäten/Technische Universitäten) and Universities of applied science (Fachhochschulen). The preparatory courses offered at the Studienkollegs are designed for either one of the two. A certificate from a Studienkolleg designed for Fachhochschulen won't qualify you to apply to a Universität and vice versa. (Some Studienkolleg might offer both types-check the individual links for that information).

Core courses at Studienkollegs

There are different type of courses offered at Studienkollegs depending upon your field of study and type of university. Generally you need to study and take exams on three subjects. 

Remember once you have attended a Studienkolleg for a particular field of study, you can't choose to study in a different field. In that event you have to redo the entire Studienkolleg studies again, which is sometimes not possible based on restrictions from the Visa administration office. Also note that German is compulsory for each type of course. 

Following is a list of the different courses and compatible Studienkollegs.

Courses offered specifically for Universities and Technical Universities

Types of Universities in Germany

M-Course: Obligatory for students wishing to study in Medical, Biological or Pharmaceutical degree program.

Subjects: German (compulsory), Biology and/or Chemistry (you can take both), Physics or Mathematics.

Participating Studienkollegs: STK FU Berlin, STK Uni Frankfurt, STK Uni Greifswald, STK Uni Halle, STK Uni Hamburg, STK Uni Hanover, STK Uni Heidelberg, STK Uni Kassel, STK Uni Cologne, STK Uni Leipzig, STK Uni Mainz, STK Mittelhessen, STK Uni Munich, STK Nordhausen, STK Uni Saarbrücken.

T-Course: For students who wish to study Mathematics, Science (except biology) or Engineering programs.

Subjects: German (compulsory), Mathematics (including computer science), Physics or Chemistry.

Participating Studienkollegs: STK TU Berlin, STK Bochum, STK Uni Darmstadt, STK Uni Frankfurt, STK TU Freiberg, STK Uni Greifswald, STK Uni Halle, STK Uni Hamburg, STK Uni Hanover, STK Uni Heidelberg, STK Uni Karlsruhe, STK Uni Kassel, STK Uni Cologne, STK Uni Leipzig, STK Uni Mainz, STK Mettingen, STK Mittelhessen, STK Uni Munich, STK Uni Münster, STK Nordhausen, STK Uni Saarbrücken, STK HS Wismar.

W-Course: For students who want to study Economics, Business Studies or Social Science oriented programs.

Subjects: German (compulsory), Mathematics, Economics, Business Administration.

Participating Studienkollegs: STK FU Berlin, STK Uni Frankfurt, STK TU Freiberg, STK Uni Halle, STK Uni Hamburg, STK Uni Hanover, STK Uni Heidelberg, STK Uni Kassel, STK Uni Cologne, STK Uni Leipzig, STK Uni Mainz, STK Mittelhessen, STK Mettingen, STK Uni Munich, STK Nordhausen.

G-Course: Obligatory for students who want to study Arts and Humanities, Sociology, Culture or German Studies.

Subjects: German (compulsory), German/English literature, Social Studies/Geography.

Participating Studienkollegs: STK FU Berlin, STK Uni Darmstadt, STK Uni Frankfurt, STK Uni Greifswald, STK Uni Halle, STK Uni Hamburg, STK Uni Heidelberg, STK Uni Cologne, STK Uni Leipzig, STK Uni Mainz, STK Mittelhessen, STK Uni Munich, STK Nordhausen.

S-Course: Required for students who wants to study languages (other than German)  in Germany.

Subjects: German (compulsory), Second Foreign Language (other than German), History or Social Studies, Geography or German Literature. Some Studienkollegs may combine S-Course with G-Course.

Participating Studienkollegs: STK FU Berlin, STK Uni Halle, STK Uni Heidelberg, STK Uni Cologne, STK Uni Leipzig (together with G-Course), STK Mettingen, STK Uni Mainz.

Courses offered specifically for Universities of Applied Science (Fachhochschulen)

Types of Universities in Germany

TI-Course: Preparation for technical and engineering study programmes at a University of Applied Science
Subjects: German, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technical drawing/CAD or Computer Science.

Participating Studienkollegs: Studienkollegs at all Universities of Applied Science. 

WW-Course: For students who want to join economics or business oriented program.

Subjects: German, Mathematics, Economics and Business Administration, Information Technology and Computer Science, English.

Participating Studienkollges: Studienkollegs at all Universities of Applied Science.

GD-Course: Students who want to study Design and Creative Arts.

Subjects: German, Mathematics, Design, Physics, Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Participating Studienkolleg: Only the Studienkolleg at FH Cologne offers this course.

SW-Course: For students who want are interested in Social Science oriented programs at universities of applied science in Germany.

Subjects: German, Mathematics, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Legal Studies, Information Technology and Computer Science, English.

Participating Studienkollegs: STK Cologne, STK Coburg, STK Koethen.

For the fine print lovers - read the original sources at www.fh-dortmund.de, www.uni-luebeck.de, www.uni-koeln.de/studienkolleg, www.studienkolleg.de, www.daad.de