Studienkolleg: Foundation course to study in Germany

You desire to study in Germany, but you might want to see if you need to go to a Studienkolleg foundation course to study in Germany first. In some cases, the degree from your home country might not be on par with the German education system, in which case you would have to complete the Studienkolleg before enrolling in a German institution. 

Choosing the ideal Studienkolleg is critical because they vary in kind and university. While it may appear that you are spending more time studying, the preparation is meant to make your time at university less stressful and more successful by giving you the necessary tools.

This article will walk you through the types of Studienkolleg in Germany and provide you with all the details you need to make the best Studienkolleg programme decision.

What is Studienkolleg in Germany?

The Studienkolleg programme offers a wide choice of language and academic courses to prepare foreign students whose certifications do not meet the requirements of the German educational system for studying at German universities. You’ll be more likely to be accepted into a university, and it will also assist you in adapting to the academic culture in Germany.

Studienkolleg is offered by two different categories of schools. The first is University Studienkollegs, with a focus on courses in the humanities, business, sciences, or languages. There are also Applied Science Studienkollegs, which concentrate on courses in the humanities, sciences, arts, and technology.

Is there a Studienkolleg entrance exam?

The simple answer is yes. Students who apply for a public entrance exam must successfully complete it in order to be admitted to Studienkolleg. With this exam, it would be determined whether or not a student’s German language proficiency is sufficient for course participation. The exam evaluates the students’ foundational understanding of the academic area they select for their Studienkolleg.

Also, because the entrance exam is in German and includes arithmetic, students are to make sure they have the bare minimum of proficiency in that area. In most cases, private Studienkollegs don’t require entrance exams for admission.

What are the different types of Studienkollegs?

There are both public and private Studienkollegs. The public ones provide more general course subjects and are free. On the other hand, private Studienkollegs will charge tuition, although some students who require particular university courses may find them suitable. Be sure to check before applying, as some German institutions may not accept certificates from specific private Studienkollegs.

Depending on the academic area you wish to study at a German university, you can select from a variety of course types.

M Course: The M Course is intended for students interested in pursuing programmes in medicine, biology, health sciences, or pharmacy. German, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry are some of the subjects included. The M Course has 10 lessons that last 45 minutes each, and students must study it for 10 months at a rate of 28 hours per week. It is required that you take six lessons in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in addition to the 12 lessons a week you will devote to German.

You are required to take a written and an oral exam at the conclusion of the M Course. It’s interesting to note that only Chemistry has an oral test; the other subjects, German, Physics, and Biology, all require written exams. The Physics and Biology written examinations are 180 minutes long (three hours). The German exam, however, lasts for 240 minutes (four hours).

W Course: The W Course is a requirement for students who want to study Economics, Business Administration, or Social Sciences at a German institution at a Bachelor’s or Master’s level. German, mathematics, economics, and English are among the subjects covered in the W Course. The W Course has 38 weeks of instruction, 32 hours each week, and 45-minute lessons. You must spend 12 hours per week studying German, in addition to roughly six hours per week studying Mathematics, Economics, and English.

The oral and written sections make up the final exam. The German language exam takes 240 minutes, compared to 180 minutes for Economics and 180 minutes for Mathematics. It is crucial to know that the oral examination will be in English and will last 20 minutes. You will have 20 minutes to prepare.

G Course: Students interested in studying Humanities or Social Sciences at a German university should enrol in the G Course. It is solely up to you what you choose to learn in this course. However, you will generally be studying languages, linguistics, sociology, law, culture, and music science.

Students must devote 32 hours each week to studying for this course for 10 months. 45 minutes are allotted for each lesson. You must take exams in German, social sciences, and history at the conclusion of the course. You must also take an oral exam to confirm your understanding of German literature. Keep in mind that you will have 30 minutes to prepare for the 20-minute oral exam.

T Course: International students admitted on a conditional basis to enrol in a technical programme, such as engineering or information technology, must take a T Course at a Studienkolleg. Three of the four disciplines in this system—Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry—are science-related. You will be taking the T Course for 28 hours a week as an international student wishing to pursue a degree in Germany. You will spend 12 of these 28 hours studying German and roughly six hours each on physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

S Course: Several Studienkollegs provide a variety of specialisations based on the subject you have decided to study. You must complete the S Course, which was created especially for Studienkolleg’s language courses, in order to pursue a degree programme in languages. For students who desire to enrol in language programmes at a German institution, there is the S Course. For instance, if you want to study journalism and digital media, you can enrol in the G Course or the S Course if you want to learn German. You will study German, literature, history, and social sciences in the S Course. Additionally, by mastering the S Course, you can enrol in classes in law, linguistics, classical philology, religious studies, and translation of foreign languages.

The following courses are required as part of Studienkolleg if you want to undertake technical studies at an Applied Sciences University:

TI Course: The TI Course is intended for students who want to major in technical sciences, engineering, or information technology. In a TI course, you might take courses like mathematics and information technology, natural sciences, German, and drawing.

WW Course: Students who plan to major in business, management, or marketing at the undergraduate or graduate level should take the WW course. Among the subjects covered in a WW course include math and IT, economics, German, and English.

SW Course: Students interested in studying social sciences and economics at a University of Applied Sciences should enrol in SW Courses. They would be studying German, pedagogy, and mathematics.

GD Course: Students interested in studying arts and design at a reputable German Applied Sciences University should enrol in the GD Course. German, mathematics, physics, and design are among the subjects covered in this Studienkolleg programme.

How do I apply for a Studienkolleg in Germany? 

The method of applying to a Studienkolleg is distinct from the application process for universities. Normally, students wouldn’t submit an independent application, but several Studienkollegs do allow this. The two alternative ways of applying to a Studienkolleg are briefly described below.

• Directly to the Studienkolleg: The most direct approach to apply to a Studienkolleg is through the university the student plans to attend. When an international student applies to a study programme and needs a Studienkolleg before starting their studies, the office of the university is usually in charge of helping them.

• Independently via uni-assist: Students can also apply directly to some Studienkollegs. This is not as popular, though, and not all Studienkollegs provide it. If students decide to submit their applications on their own, it is encouraged that they consult uni-assist beforehand because it offers assistance to students at every step of the way.

Meanwhile, always confirm that your existing certificates are accepted by German higher education institutions before applying. You might not even need to enrol in Studienkolleg if your certificates are accepted.

What are the requirements for a Studienkolleg in Germany?

• Your secondary certificate or university entrance qualification: If you are in school or have successfully completed secondary/high school in your home country,  you have the right to enrol in a university. Your high school transcript or other evidence showing you are soon to graduate from high school is required. Certificates such as the High School Diploma, A-Levels, Gaokao, and IB Diploma are examples, along with the transcript of records.  

• Language skills: You require a language certification for the English Track, such as IELTS (6.0), TOEFL iBT (72), or DUOLINGO (75). You require CEFR for the German Track (B2). Given the circumstances, other language certificates might be allowed.

• Letter of motivation: Write a motivational letter in either German or English. The maximum is one page.

• Curriculum Vitae: Create a tabular curriculum vitae.

Easy steps to apply to a Studienkolleg in Germany

Verify your eligibility to study in Germany based on your school-leaving certificate: In order to enrol in a bachelor’s or master’s programme in Germany, you must possess a previous school diploma proving your eligibility to do so.

Check to determine if you can begin studying right away or if you need to first enrol in a Studienkolleg: You must look up your qualification in the Anabin Database to find out if your school-leaving certificate qualifies you for instant admission to a German institution. The Anabin Database will assess your credentials and determine if you can apply to a university immediately or whether you must enrol in a Studienkolleg for a one-year course.

Ask your top Studienkollegs what materials they require for applications: As stated earlier, there are various entrance requirements, application requirements, and deadlines for each Studienkolleg in Germany. It is necessary that you review these for each Studienkolleg you intend to apply for.

Find out if you can apply to the Studienkolleg directly or if you need to apply through uni-assist: It is acceptable to apply directly to some Studienkollegs, however for other programmes, students may need to use uni-assist.

Apply for a visa: Obtain information from the website of the German Mission or Consulate in your country. Pay attention to the requirements and continue with the visa application process.

Be ready for the entrance test: Depending on the sort of Studienkolleg you intend to enrol in, different entrance tests are required. Some tests have a bit of maths with some German, while some only have German. For practise tests, be sure to visit the Studienkolleg websites so you can be prepared.

Start your studies at the Studienkolleg: After passing the test, you are accepted into the Studienkolleg’s one-year programme for which you applied and took the test. You will be ready for the rigours of studying at a German institution after this year. You can apply to study at the university or university of applied sciences of your choice after completion of the course.

The benefits of Studienkolleg foundation courses in Germany

• Gets you ready for college life. It’s possible that university in Germany will be significantly different from what you’re used to. Before starting your studies, a Studienkolleg is a fantastic opportunity to transition to a new culture.

• Enhances your language abilities. The fundamental German language skills you’ll need in everyday life will be taught to you by Studienkolleg, even if you don’t intend to study in German.

• Helps you get ready for your studies. You will have a head start on your selected study programme because your Studienkolleg will cover subjects that are pertinent to your future course.

• Interact with other international students. Finding like-minded individuals who are going through the same experience as you in a Studienkolleg is a fantastic opportunity because the majority of the students there will be foreign students.

• Assistance with the process of studying abroad. Through Studienkolleg, you can get to know international advisors and mentors who can help you with your study abroad experience.

In conclusion, if you must attend Studienkolleg as a prerequisite for your degree programme in Germany, know that it can be stressful sometimes. However, you should not be concerned about this process as it is natural. Wishing you a great time in Germany as you begin your studies!