Direct university access:
If you want to study in Germany, you need a so-called "higher education entrance qualification". This means that your previous education must qualify you to study at a German university. This usually means a school-leaving qualification equivalent to the German Abitur. If you do not have this, you will need academic achievements and/or a university entrance examination from your home country.
To find out whether you can study in Germany with your previous education, go to
- the DAAD admissions database
- the uni-assist tool Check: University Admission
- the anabin information portal (only in German)
Please contact your chosen university directly to find out about language requirements and other prerequisites.
Indirect university access:
If your previous knowledge is not sufficient for direct university admission, you have the option of applying indirectly, i.e. via a preparatory course. In short, this means that you go to school for another year and then take a so-called Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test). If you pass, this is your university entrance qualification. More information about the Studienkolleg can be found here.
The Studienkolleg is a one-year preparatory course at school to acquire the university entrance qualification. You can find more information about the Studienkolleg here.
In Berlin, there are two Studienkollegs offered at universities: The joint Studienkolleg of the FU, HU and the Charité and the Studienkolleg at the TU.
You can only apply for the joint Studienkolleg of the FU, HU and the Charité in the winter semester. The TU offers new Studienkolleg courses in the summer and winter semesters.
You cannot apply directly for a place at the Studienkolleg. The application procedure is the same as for a degree programme and is handled by uni-assist.
Please choose which of the associated universities (Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin or the Charité) you ultimately intend to study at beforehand and do not apply to Studienkolleg via more than one of the above-mentioned universities as they all share one Studienkolleg. Applying twice for the same program will not improve your chances.
You can find all the details about the application procedure here:
The requirements for German language skills vary depending on the university. As a rule, you need a C1 level to start studying in Berlin (unless you are enrolled in an English-language programme).
At some universities, you can apply as a refugee with a B2 level. However, you will then have to provide proof of C1 at the latest one to two years after you start your studies.
You can find a lot of important information about German language skills for university studies here.
The following deadlines apply for the start of studies in the winter semester (October-March):
Application deadline: usually end of May to 15 July.
If you start in the summer semester (April-September):
Application deadline: Beginning of December to 15 January.
Some universities have other deadlines!
Sometimes admission is only possible for the winter semester, and some deadlines end earlier than stated here. If you are applying via uni-assist, it is also advisable to apply as early as possible so that you still have time to submit any missing documents.
Find out as early as possible about the exact application deadlines and the start of the programme at your chosen university!
Further information on the application procedure can be found here.
