Admission to German Institutions of Higher Education

• Language requirements
  
  1. Language test
     
  2. Exemption from the language test
     
  3. Language courses in the home country
     
  4. Language courses in the Federal Republic of Germany

• Further requirements for admission to full-time studies
  
  1. Secondary school-leaving certificate
     
  2. Assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung)
     
  3. Preparatory course (Studienkolleg)
     
  4. Higher education entrance examination
     
  5. Practicals

• Credits for previous study and examination achievements

• Entry visas and residence permits

• Remarks concerning the application procedure
  
  1. Admissions application form
     
  2. "Numerus-clausus" subjects
     
  3. Application deadlines
     
  4. Application documents and papers
     
  5. Letter of acceptance - Letter of rejection
     
  6. Registration

• Assessment of foreign secondary school-leaving certificates

Language requirements

Language test

The student's language level is tested in the Language Proficiency Test (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber, DSH). All foreign study applicants from non-German speaking countries must take part in this test. The language test is generally taken at the individual institution of higher education.

Exemption from the language test

Under certain circumstances it is possible for students to be exempted from this test. This is the case, for example, when the respective student has taken the "Abitur" in Germany or at a German school abroad.

Language courses in the home country

If possible students should ensure that they already gain a basic knowledge of German in their home country. Institutions of higher education and offices of the Goethe-Institut are able to provide information on courses.

Language courses in the Federal Republic of Germany

Students who are not able to attend a suitable language course in their home country may gain the required language proficiency in the Federal Republic of Germany. Some, but not all, institutions of higher education offer language courses in which foreign study applicants are able to prepare for the DSH test. The Goethe-Institut offers preparatory courses for the DSH test at various places in the Federal Republic of Germany. The commercial language teaching market also offers further language courses

Further requirements for admission to full-time studies

At the end of secondary school education in Germany, pupils take the "Abitur", which is both a school-leaving certificate and a university entrance qualification.

The institution of higher education will evaluate whether the foreign student's certificates are equivalent to the German "Abitur". The basis for this evaluation of equivalency is laid down in the "Evaluation Guidelines" (see Annex) issued by the Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder (federal states).

Students whose certificate has been recognised as being equivalent to the German "Abitur" may be admitted directly to a course of study.

Assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung)

Students whose school-leaving certificate is not equivalent to the German university entrance qualification (see Annex) cannot be admitted directly to a course of study. Such students must take an assessment test, the so-called "Feststellungsprüfung". This test examines each student's knowledge in respect of the chosen study subject. It is generally taken after a preparatory phase lasting two semesters and can only be retaken once.

Preparatory course (Studienkolleg)

Studienkollegs are institutions providing preparation for the "Feststellungsprüfung". Students may take the assessment test even if they have not prepared for it at a Studienkolleg, although students are strongly advised to seek advice and information from a Studienkolleg before they take the assessment test.

Higher education entrance examination

Higher education entrance examinations are not held at German institutions of higher education. Aptitude tests are only held in a few subjects, for example in art, music and sport. Applicants who have already spent some time studying in their home country and who can be admitted without the assessment test may, however, still be tested for aptitude for the chosen course of study.

Practicals

The Study and Examination Regulations for many subjects, especially in engineering, require that a subject-related practical be taken in industry or business before commencement of studies. In such cases, students can only be admitted to the studies after completion of the practical

Credit for previous study and examination achievements

The decision on admission to a doctorate and the acceptance by a professor of the doctorate may be attached to certain conditions, for example, to the passing of an aptitude test, a so-called "Kenntnisprüfung" and attendance of certain seminars or lectures at the German institution of higher education.

Entry visas and residence permits

Students are strongly advised to seek information and advice from the German foreign diplomatic mission. The following must be observed: The visa must be applied for in good time, since this process may take several weeks. Moreover, some of the regulations are relatively complicated so that additional questions may prove necessary.

Students must not enter the country on a tourist visa, since this cannot be converted into a visa for educational training purposes, not even by near-by German foreign diplomatic missions in neighbouring countries.

Students should also note that the visa for study applicants and students does not include a work permit.

Immediately upon arrival in the Federal Republic of Germany, students must report their presence to the aliens' registration authority responsible for the place of residence. They must then report within a week to the residents' registration office at their place of residence.

For any questions regarding the entry visa and residence permit, students are advised to turn to the foreign diplomatic mission of the Federal Republic of Germany for information.

Remarks concerning the application procedure

In order to be able to study in Germany, foreign prospective students must fill in an "application form for admission to studies/for registration" at an institution of higher education. The forms are available from all Foreign Student Offices or respectively from the Foreign Affairs Officer at the institution.

"Numerus clausus" subjects

In some degree courses, admission - including for German applicants - is not possible in every case, since the number of applicants is considerably greater than the available study places. In such "numerus-clausus" subjects, students cannot be sure of admission, even if they fulfil all the relevant requirements. The places reserved for foreign applicants are allocated according to the grade point average of the secondary school-leaving certificate.

Application deadlines

Application forms should be submitted as soon as possible to the chosen institution of higher education. At most institutions of higher education the final deadline for applications for the winter semester (beginning in October) is July 15th, and for the summer semester (beginning in April) January 15th. Some institutions of higher education - especially the colleges of art and music - differ from these deadlines. Students should inquire about the valid application deadline at their chosen institution of higher education.

All application documents and papers must be submitted to the desired institution of higher education by the application deadline. The date of delivery is decisive and not the date on the postmark.

For some degree courses an application may only be submitted for the winter semester. Students are advised to inquire at the relevant institution of higher education about this.

Application documents and papers

The institution of higher education will inform students as to which documents and papers are to be enclosed with the application. Different enclosures may be required, depending on institution and degree course.

Letter of acceptance - Letter of rejection

Students will receive either a letter of acceptance or of rejection from the institution of higher education to which they have applied. This can be expected in the course of August/September for the winter semester and February/March for the summer semester.

Notification may be given confirming receipt of the application. This document confirms receipt of all the necessary documents and papers and may be useful in accelerating the visa procedure.

The allocation of study places in the so-called "numerus- clausus" subjects is coordinated by the institutions of higher education themselves, so that only one institution of higher education will send the letter of acceptance or rejection, even if several institutions had been applied to.

The letter of acceptance is only valid for the stated degree course.

It becomes invalid if registration is not undertaken in the semester for which admission was expressly issued.

The letter of acceptance is non-transferable.

Registration

The letter of acceptance will include detailed information on dates and procedures for registration at the institution of higher education

Assessment of foreign secondary school-leaving certificates

Students coming from a country listed below must generally take the assessment test before admission to studies.

Exceptions are generally only made for students with school-leaving certificates from German schools abroad.

Admission to the assessment test is often only possible with a specific school-leaving certificate from the respective country and frequently only after the fulfilment of certain conditions (grade point average, study period in the home country).

Afghanistan

Albania

Algeria

Angola

Argentina

Applicants holding a certificate from the Goethe-Schule in Buenos Aires, proving that the applicant has passed the Hochschulreifeprüfung, the German general higher education entrance qualification, will be exempted from the assessment test

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Benin

Bolivia

Applicants holding a certificate from the German School in La Paz, proving that the applicant has passed the Hochschulreifeprüfung, the German general higher education entrance qualification, will be exempted from the assessment test

Botswana

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have a Cambridge (Overseas) School Certificate or a General Certificate of Education with proof that in 2 examination periods at most, the applicant passed at least 6, independent, general education subjects, of which 2 subjects were passed with a mark of 4 at least, with the other 4 subjects having a mark of 6 at least; these to include English Language; additional requirements exist for economics, mathematics, medicine, science and engineering subjects

Brazil

Applicants holding a certificate from the German School (Escola Corcovado) in Rio de Janeiro, proving that the applicant has passed the Hochschulreifeprüfung, the German general higher education entrance qualification, will be exempted from the assessment test

Applicants holding a certificate from the Colégio Visconde de Porto Seguro in Søo Paulo, proving that the applicant has passed the Hochschulreifeprüfung, the German general higher education entrance qualification, will be exempted from the assessment test

Bulgaria

The assessment test need only be taken after 11 years of schooling. School leavers must also either provide proof of having passed the higher education entrance examination or provide proof of matriculation.

Burundi

Canada

Admission to the assessment test is only available for holders of school-leaving certificates with an appropriately broad range of subjects (except for those from Quebec).

Chad

Chile

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have passed the Prueba de Aptitud Académica with a minimum of 500 points

China

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants holding a school leaving certificate from an upper secondary or upper intermediate school who can also prove that they have successfully completed one or two years of higher education study

Columbia

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants holding the Título de Bachiller certificate (or the Certificado de Aptitud Profesional) who can also prove that they have passed the Examen de Estado para Ingreso a la Educación Superior, the general higher education entrance examination

Applicants holding a certificate from the Colegio Andino, the German School in Bogotá, proving that the applicant has passed the Hochschulreifeprüfung, the German general higher education entrance qualification, will be exempted from the assessment test

Costa Rica

Applicants holding a certificate from the Humboldt-Schule in San José, proving that the applicant has passed the Hochschulreifeprüfung, the German general higher education entrance qualification, will be exempted from the assessment test

Cyprus (Greek)

The assessment test need only be taken by applicants holding a school leaving certificate from a state or state- accredited technical school, if they cannot prove that they have passed the entrance examination for the Higher Technical Institute in Nicosia

Cyprus (Turkish)

See Turkey

Ecuador

Applicants holding a certificate from the Colegio Alemán, the German School in Quito, proving that the applicant has passed the Hochschulreifeprüfung, the German general higher education entrance qualification, will be exempted from the assessment test

El Salvador

Estonia

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have passed the higher education entrance examination or provide proof of matriculation

Fiji

Each case is examined to determine whether or not the prospective applicant can be admitted to the assessment test

Ghana

Attendance of a Studienkolleg is not possible for applicants from Ghana

Guatemala

Applicants holding a certificate from the German School in Guatemala, proving that the applicant has passed the Hochschulreifeprüfung, the German general higher education entrance qualification, will be exempted from the assessment test

Haiti

Honduras

Hong Kong

The assessment test need only be taken by school leavers from the Chinese schooling system.

India

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have a secondary school leaving certificate awarded after 12 years of consecutive and advancing classes with proof of a total average mark of at least 50 % of the achievable maximum mark

Applicants who provide proof of successful participation in the entrance examination for the Indian Institutes of Technology will be exempted from the assessment test

Indonesia

Before taking the assessment test, applicants must present a certificate of authenticity issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Education in Jakarta or by the competent provincial office of the Ministry of Education. Secondary school headmasters and university or academy deans may also issue certificates of authenticity

Iran

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have a school leaving certificate from a general education secondary school plus proof that they have passed the Iranian inter-university higher education entrance examination. (Proof of successful participation in the Iranian inter-university higher education entrance examination can be dispensed with if participation was not possible for political reasons)

Israel

(Only school-leavers from schools in Israel run under the Egyptian or Jordanian system are required to take the assessment test)

Japan

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have a secondary school leaving certificate plus an invitation to matriculate

Kenya

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have a Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education issued after 1989 in which the applicant achieved an average mark of at least "C+" or that they have a Technician Part III Certificate

Republic of Korea

Admission to the assessment test is only possible for holders of the secondary school leaving certificate and (as of 1981) additional proof of having received the minimum number of points required to pass the general higher education entrance examination.

Lebanon

Lesotho

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have the Cambridge (Overseas) School Certificate or General Certificate of Education

Liberia

Admission to the assessment test is only possible for applicants who can prove that they have successfully completed one year of higher education study.

Lithuania

Admission to the assessment test only for applicants who can prove that they have passed the higher education entrance examination or provide proof of matriculation

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania