German Higher Education System - Basic Application Information

Bachelor/Undergraduate Degree Programs
In order to be eligible to apply to a German university, one must complete thirteen years of schooling (the German Abitur system) excluding nursery and kindergarten. In many countries this period of education is one year less, i.e. from standard one to standard twelve. Hence, applicants from these countries can't apply directly to a university. They must provide proof of another year of further studies at a university or attend a Studienkolleg here (the later being more feasible) for a duration of one year to make up for the extra required year of education. This rule applies irrespective of the medium of instruction at the school attended at one's home country (e.g. english/native medium).

• Studienkolleg (see list of studienkollegs): Studienkollegs 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 cost free. The medium of instruction is German and there is an assessment test prior to enrolment. Hence a student must learn German and either take the assessment test or an equivalent DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang - German Exam for College Admission) test. 
• There are two types of German language test TestDaF and DSH. The former stands for Der Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache - German test as foreign language, usually both are accepted.