What is Studienkolleg in Germany? If you want to study in Germany as a non-EU international student, you must first check if your previous qualification is recognized at German universities.
Even though many students think about the Studienkolleg course as a waste of time, it’s estimated that those international students who undergo such a course before their regular studies are more successful than those who don’t.
Studienkolleg is a free foundation course in Germany, but it depends on your Studienkolleg. If the university you want to study is public and offers preparatory courses independently, then no fees are applied. However, you still need to pay the student semester contribution.
How to Study for Free in Germany?
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What is Studienkolleg?
If your school-leaving certificate is considered to be insufficient, you may be required to complete a foundation course before applying. This foundation course is referred to as “Studienkolleg” in Germany.
Normally, 12 years education is not enough to get admission in bachelor’s degree course in Germany. You need 13 years educations to secure admission in bachelor’s degree course in Germany. Therefore, you need to take one year foundation course called as “Studienkolleg”.
Studienkolleg is a preparatory course which prepares you academically and linguistically for studies in Germany. Studienkolleg has German as the medium of instruction. Therefore, to be admitted to Studienkolleg, you will always need to show adequate proficiency in the German language.
Keep in mind that you have to decide (in advance) which subjects you would like to study in your bachelor’s course at the university before enrolling in a preparatory college for Studienkolleg.
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What is Duration of Studienkolleg?
Normally you have to study for one year this foundation course called Studienkolleg.
Overall you need 13 years of education before you enroll a bachelor’s degree in Germany.
You have 12 years of education at your homeland and one-year foundation course to learn the German language.
Then you will take the assessment test at the end. If you pass the exam, you may then study the subjects you have chosen for your Bachelor’s Degree in German University.
What are Studienkolleg Courses?
Depending on your study field you want to study in Germany you’ll be required to attend one of the following Studienkolleg courses:
- T-Kurs: German, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Informatics
- M-Kurs: German, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology
- W-Kurs: German, Mathematics, Economics, Business and Sociology
- G-Kurs: German, History, German Literature, Sociology and Statistics
As you can see, German language classes are a top priority in a Studienkolleg because regardless of the type of the course you will learn the German language. If your regular course is taught in English which is more likely at the postgraduate level, you will be taught the English language.
What are Language requirements for Studienkolleg?
By the time you enter this preparatory course you have to possess a minimum level of knowledge in German or English, depending on which language your university course is taught. Typically, a B1 or B2 level language is required from German universities to attend a Studienkolleg.
During the one-year foundation course, you’re going to use English or German language in different contexts related to your study fields, like science, business or economics, and this will significantly improve your level of language which is a vital factor to succeed in your regular studies in Germany.
How to Apply for Bachelor’s Degree in Germany?
How to apply for a Studienkolleg in Germany?
Prior to everything else, you must check if your school-leaving certificate in your home country is recognized at German universities. Go to the university’s website and see their entry requirements section.
There you can get information regarding this issue. Normally, a university will determine exactly what type of qualifications it accepts. If your qualification is not listed there, then you have to sit for a preparatory course.
Now that you know you have to undertake a foundation degree course before being admitted you must find a proper Studienkolleg and a suitable course.
At this point you might be asking yourself (quite reasonable indeed): Is my chosen university where I will attend my Studienkolleg?
After you have collected all the documents as required it’s time to submit your application. You can run your application online or by post. Note that you cannot apply directly to the Studienkolleg except if it is a private institution. If the Studienkolleg is governed by your University, you must apply through it.
The online application can be made through the German universities’ online application platform Uni-Assiste.de. There are few universities that don’t participate in this platform but instead have their personal online application systems.
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What are requirements of the Studienkolleg?
Entry requirements vary greatly among different prep colleges for international students in Germany. For that, you need to check the requirements on the Studienkolleg’s website and mail them if needed.
The following documents are mainly required to apply for a Studienkolleg
- Your previous school-leaving certificate
- Grades from previous education
- Language proficiency
- Curriculum Vitae
- Translated copies of the above documents by a certified translator
What are deadlines?
You have to be very careful for deadlines.
- Before January 15 for the summer semester
- Before July 15 for the Winter semester
After Acceptance Letter
Once you have applied for the Studienkolleg in Germany and received an acceptance letter you are eligible to seek a student visa which would enable you to travel to Germany and seek your university degree.
How much does it cost to Study in Germany?
Finally, You can approach Consult Studies Abroad for Guidance about scholarships, University admissions, and much more useful information. Because, We prepare a strong Scholarship Application by emphasizing Personal statements and Motivation letters. Meanwhile, We Prepare Scholarship Applications for all countries.
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