Studienkolleg: Requirements & Application Process

The requirements for the Studienkolleg (Prep4University)

What’s your High School Diploma?

Your current or expected diploma must qualify you to attend a university in the country where you obtained your secondary school diploma (exception: IB Diploma). Here at Prep4university, we make the process easier for you. You don’t have to check whether your qualification is recognized in Germany – our team does that. Simply get in touch with us.

There are two possible outcomes:

1. Your High School Diploma is recognised in Germany as equivalent to the Abitur or Fachabitur. This means that you can apply directly for a place at a university in Germany and do not have to attend a preparatory course. Attention: The recognition does not mean that your knowledge is sufficient for the desired study. Keep in mind that the study contents in Germany require the knowledge of the German Abitur. It is always worth considering attending a Studienkolleg in order to improve your chances of success in your subsequent bachelor’s degree course.
2. Your High School Diploma is not recognised in Germany as comparable to the Abitur. This means you usually must take an exam, for which you should study for a year at a Studienkolleg – like Prep4University.

What are the prerequisites for the Prep4University Studienkolleg W-Course?

For all Courses:

• A secondary school leaving certificate from your country

For the English Course:

• English language skills:
  • IELTS: Band 6.0
  • TOEFL (iBT): 72 points
  • DUOLINGO: 75 points
• If English was the language of instruction at your school, a certificate from the school may be sufficient. Possibly we can also recognize other language certificates, we will clarify this individually with you. Get in touch with our team.
• You do not need any previous knowledge of German.

For the German Course:

• German language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. We check other language certificates in individual cases.
• If German was the language of instruction at your school, a certificate from the school may be sufficient.
• You do not need to know English.

How are your language skills?

• As a rule, Studienkollegs are always German-language courses: the lessons, as well as the written and oral exams, are in German. Therefore, you need in-depth language skills at level B2. There is also a German Track at Prep4University. If your German is good, you should apply for the Studienkolleg in German.
• In North-Rhine-Westphalia preparatory courses are also offered in English. Prep4University is in North Rhine-Westphalia. Therefore, we also offer an English Track at both campuses. In the English Track, there are also intensive German lessons. With the completion of the English Track, you can later apply for English-language degree programmes in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s largest state, as well as additionally at Prep4University’s partner universities in Potsdam near Berlin and in Hesse.
• If you are not sure which option is best for you: Simply get in touch with and our student advisory will gladly help you.

Studienkolleg Deadlines

Don’t underestimate the time needed for preparation and start planning you’re and keep the Studienkolleg application deadline in mind. Therefore, go ahead and apply today at Prep4University, even if you don’t have all the documents at hand yet.

If you need a visa for Germany, keep in mind that the process could take a couple of months – and the confirmation of admission from us would be required. Additionally, for a student visa, you usually would have to pay about 10,000 euros into a blocked account as part of your visa application. We know that the topic of visas is complex, so we will help you with information about the necessary bureaucratic steps.

Tip: Issuing a passport or visa sometimes takes longer than expected. At Prep4University we offer you therefore the flexibility of starting the first semester virtually making sure you don’t miss anything while waiting for your passport or visa.

The application process for Studienkolleg – Prep4University

Applying to Prep4University is very easy. You do not need to have all the documents at hand. You can submit missing documents at any time. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start your application now!

Step 1: Collect documents and evidence

• Proof of school education: You have successfully completed a secondary school or high school in your home country that entitles you to study at a university – or you are still attending school. We need a proof from your school that you are about to graduate. Examples of certificates are High School Diploma, A-Levels, Gaokao, IB Diploma, along with transcripts of your achievements.
  Please note: We need the certificate or school transcript in the original language and, if it is not in German or English, a certified translation into German or English.
• Language skills: For the English Track you need a language certificate IELTS (6.0), TOEFL iBT (72) or DUOLINGO (75). For the German Track you need CEFR (B2). Other language certificates may be accepted in individual cases. Just ask us.
  Tip: To prove your English language skills, the DUOLINGO test is a good choice. You can take it directly online and after one hour you will have a result that you can easily forward to us.
• Letter: Write a letter of motivation in English or German. Maximum length: one page. Describe a) why you find the Studienkolleg Prep4University interesting and b) why you want to study which subject in Germany.
• Curriculum vitae: Create a tabular curriculum vitae.
• Copy of passport: Send us a certified copy of your passport. If you are a citizen of a country of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, your identity card or a comparable document is sufficient.
• Ask us: If you have any questions, we are here for you. We can also give you an estimate of how many free places we have.

Step 2: Send us your application

We offer an online application form. If you do not wish to apply online, you are welcome to send us your documents by email.

Step 3: Review

Our team will check your documents and your qualifications. If your documents arrive in time and are complete and convincing – and we have places available – we will make you an offer. This is almost the end of the application process for the Studienkolleg. Additionally, we may conduct a video interview with you to clarify any questions.

Step 5: Get an offer

Congratulations! As soon as you are admitted to Prep4University, you will receive an email with the confirmation of your study place and possibly the request to pay your deposit. We require a deposit of 2,500 euros if you live outside the European Union.

Step 6 (optional): Apply for your visa

After receipt of payment, you will receive the formal letter of admission and the study contract. You will need the letter of admission for the visa application at the German embassy in your home country. The visa process can be lengthy, so it is advisable to submit your documents as soon as possible. If you need more information about the visa application and the bureaucratic steps involved, we will of course be happy to help you. If you come from China, India, Vietnam, or Mongolia then you also need an APS certificate. We will be happy to advise you on this.

7: Plan your time at the Studienkolleg

Start looking for an apartment or a room in shared accommodation at least 2 months before the start of the preparatory course. The CBS Accommodation Office has tips and can help. You will also need health insurance. We cooperate with MAWISTA for the Studienkolleg.

Step 8: The Studienkolleg and payment

The Prep4University preparatory course costs 11,400 euros for 2 semesters. You pay the registration fee of 600 euros at the time of enrolment.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for classic study scholarships. The only exception may be the “BAföG for students”, a small government grant in Germany that you do not have to pay back. The assessment criteria are complex and depend on your income and assets, and your nationality.