University Entrance Qualification
In order to study at a university in Germany, you need an admission qualification. This is a school leaving certificate that allows you access to a university. If your school leaving certificate does not meet the requirements for studying in Germany, you must first complete a preparatory college before you can enroll.
FOR STUDENTS FROM NON-EU COUNTRIES
Before you start studying in Germany, you need to make sure that your university entrance qualification is recognized. A helpful tool for this is the DAAD admissions database. There you can enter the country in which you obtained your secondary school qualification and find out:
whether your qualification meets the general higher education entrance qualification in Germany
whether it is only accepted for certain subjects
whether an additional requirement such as one or two years of study in your home country is required
or whether your qualification is not recognized in Germany.
For a more detailed assessment of foreign school qualifications, you should consult the Anabin database. This database provides specific information on the recognition of qualifications from different countries. However, the Anabin website is only available in German. Our tip: simply have the website translated using the translation function of your Internet browser.
On the Anabin website, you can enter your country of origin and your qualification to get more detailed information, such as whether your qualification is recognized and whether you need to meet additional requirements.
CHECK THE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
AT THE UNIVERSITY AND UNI-ASSIST
It is important to know that the final decision on your admission always lies with the university you are applying to. Therefore, you should check the university website to find out exactly what the requirements are for your desired degree program.
Many German universities cooperate with uni-assist, a central contact point that checks and evaluates international applications. Uni-assist issues a preliminary examination documentation (VPD) that contains official information about which educational certificates have been submitted and how the grades are classified in the German system.
Special rules often apply to artistic degree programs: Talented applicants sometimes do not have to prove that they have formal university entrance qualifications. Instead, work samples may be required or an aptitude test may be necessary, depending on the requirements of the respective university.
CERTIFICATE EVALUATION (ZAB)
It is possible to have your university degree obtained abroad evaluated. The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) issues the "Statement of Comparability", an official certificate that places your degree in the German education system. This document, which is only issued in German, contains information such as the name of the university, the course of study and the degree obtained.
In addition, you can find general information on university access in Germany at the ZAB. A certificate evaluation may be necessary for successful admission to a German university. However, please note that such an evaluation does not automatically guarantee admission.
There is a fee for the evaluation of your certificate. In exceptional cases, it is possible to receive financial support for this. This must be applied for. Be sure to include the costs of the certificate evaluation in your planning if you are considering this.
IF YOUR SCHOOL QUALIFICATIONS ARE NOT RECOGNIZED
If your school qualifications do not meet the necessary requirements, a preparatory college offers an alternative way to qualify for study at a German university. To be admitted, you must pass an entrance exam and have a good knowledge of German (at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
The preparatory colleges usually last two semesters. However, students who perform particularly well can take the assessment test after just one semester. Weekly classes are 28 to 32 hours.
Although classes at most preparatory colleges are free, you must pay the semester fee that all students must pay.
After completing the preparatory college, you take the so-called assessment test, where you are tested in various subjects relevant to your studies. A language test is also part of this exam, which explains why good German skills are required.
WHAT IS "THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE (GER)"?
After completing the preparatory college, you will take the so-called assessment test, where you will be tested in various subjects relevant to your studies. A language test is also part of this exam, which explains why a good knowledge of German is required.
If you are wondering whether you are up to the demands of a German university, the TestAS for international students can be helpful. This test is an aptitude test and assesses your language skills, your specialist knowledge and your cognitive skills. The results can provide you with guidance when choosing a suitable course of study and give you a more realistic assessment of your chances of success in your studies.
YOU COME FROM A COUNTRY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
If you come from an EU country or from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland and your school leaving certificate is recognized in your home country, it is usually also valid in Germany. This also applies if you obtained your Abitur at one of the more than 140 German schools abroad. In this case, you enjoy the same status as graduates of the German upper secondary school.
WHAT REQUIREMENTS DO YOU NEED FOR YOUR STUDY PROGRAM?
To qualify for study in Germany, you need a school leaving certificate that entitles you to study in your home country. Qualifications that are equivalent to the German Abitur include the High School Diploma, the Matura, the A-Levels and the Bachillerato.
Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not need a visa or other special documents to enter and study in Germany. However, if you want to stay in Germany for more than three months, you must register with the local residents' registration office. You must prove that you have sufficient financial means to finance your studies and that you have health insurance. Note: Citizens of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) have the same entry rights as EU citizens.