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How to get into a Studienkolleg in Germany after school

A step-by-step guide: where to start, which course to choose, what level of German you need and how to pass the entrance exam.

A school certificate from Russia and many other post-Soviet countries usually does not grant direct entry to a German university. To gain that entitlement, international applicants go through a Studienkolleg — a preparatory college that ends with the Feststellungsprüfung. Here is the route, step by step.

What a Studienkolleg is and who needs one

A Studienkolleg is one or two semesters of preparation for study in Germany, for those whose school certificate is not recognised as sufficient for direct entry. Whether you need one depends on your country and school: the exact status of your certificate is checked in the anabin database and when you apply through uni-assist.

The route to admission, step by step

  1. Check whether you need a Studienkolleg — in the anabin database and through uni-assist.
  2. Choose a course type to match your intended degree: T-Kurs (technical), M-Kurs (medicine/biology), W-Kurs (economics), G-Kurs (humanities).
  3. Bring your German up to the required level (usually B1–B2 at the time of application).
  4. Submit your application — directly to the Studienkolleg or through uni-assist, before the deadline.
  5. Pass the entrance exam (Aufnahmetest): German (including the C-Test) and a subject paper — most often maths, plus physics for T and M courses.
  6. Study for one or two semesters and pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP), which grants university entrance.

What level of German you need

Applications usually require German at B1–B2, and the entrance exam tests the language through a C-Test. The exact requirements depend on the Studienkolleg — check its website. You can work on your German with us too, including for language exams such as TestDaF.

Preparing to apply?

We prepare students for the entrance exam and the FSP in maths and physics — online, one-to-one or in a small group. Write to us and we will build a plan around your timeline.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you need a Studienkolleg after 11 years of school?
For school leavers from Russia and many other post-Soviet countries, the school certificate usually does not allow direct entry to a German university — hence the route through a Studienkolleg. The exact status is checked in the anabin database and through uni-assist.
What level of German do you need for a Studienkolleg?
As a rule you need German at B1–B2 when you apply, and the entrance exam tests the language through a C-Test. The exact level depends on the particular Studienkolleg.
What is tested in the entrance exam?
Usually German (including the C-Test) and a subject paper — most often maths, plus physics for technical and medical courses. The combination depends on the course type and the Studienkolleg.
When should you apply?
Deadlines vary, but as a guide: around 15 July for the winter semester and around 15 January for the summer semester. Check the exact dates on the website of your chosen Studienkolleg.

See also: our guide to the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP), the free C-Test online and the maths test.