The preparatory year (Studienkolleg) in Germany: what it is and whether you need it

What is the preparatory year (Studienkolleg)

The preparatory year (Studienkolleg) is a one- to two-semester programme for international students whose education isn't directly recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur. Most students from the CIS with an 11-year secondary diploma fall into this category.

After passing the final exam (Feststellungsprüfung), you earn the right to apply to a German university.

Who needs Studienkolleg

You need it if:

You hold a Russian, Kazakh or Ukrainian 11-year secondary diploma
You plan to apply to a German public university (TU, LMU, KIT)

You don't need it if:

You already hold a bachelor's degree (apply directly for a master)
You're applying to a private German university that accepts directly
You have an IB Diploma or A-Levels (some universities recognise them without Studienkolleg)

Cost and duration

Type	Duration	Cost
Public Studienkolleg	1–2 semesters	Almost free (semester fee €200–400)
Private (at a language school or uni)	1 year	€5,000–12,000

The public option is competitive: you need B2/C1 German. The private option is more expensive but easier to get into.

Studienkolleg courses

T-Kurs — for technical and natural sciences (maths, physics)
W-Kurs — economics, law, social sciences
M-Kurs — medicine, biology, pharmacy
G-Kurs — humanities, history
S-Kurs — linguistics, education

Cap on the number of places (Numerus Clausus, NC)

Admission to popular programmes (medicine, psychology, law) is restricted by a cap on the number of places — Numerus Clausus, NC — a competitive grade threshold. Studienkolleg graduates compete alongside German applicants.

Alternative: NC-free programmes — engineering, IT, applied sciences.

German: realistic requirements

Two exams prove your German: the university-run German exam (DSH) and the standardised German exam (TestDaF).

For a public preparatory year: DSH-1 / TestDaF 3 (B2). For admission to programmes: DSH-2 / TestDaF 4 (C1).

No German? Look at English-taught programmes in Germany (about 1,500) or preparatory-year routes (Foundation) in the Netherlands/Ireland.

Bottom line

Studienkolleg is a working route if you're ready for 1–2 years of preparation and know German. If you want to start faster or have no German — there are alternative routes.

Take the quiz to find out whether the German route fits your profile.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) to study in Germany?

You need a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) if you hold an 11-year CIS secondary diploma (Russian, Kazakh, Ukrainian) and plan to apply to a German public university such as TU, LMU or KIT — your school leaving certificate is not directly recognised as equivalent to the Abitur. You do not need it if you already hold a bachelor's degree (apply directly for a master), have an IB Diploma or A-Levels that some universities recognise, or apply to a private German university that admits directly.

How much does a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) cost?

A public preparatory year (Studienkolleg) is almost free — you pay only a semester fee of about €200–400 — but admission is competitive and requires B2/C1 German. A private preparatory year at a language school or university costs about €5,000–12,000 for one year and is easier to get into. Figures are indicative for 2026-27; confirm at the institution before applying.

What level of German do I need for a preparatory year (Studienkolleg)?

Entry to a public preparatory year (Studienkolleg) typically requires the university-run German exam (DSH) at level 1 or the standardised German exam (TestDaF) at level 3 — around B2. Admission to the degree programme afterwards requires DSH-2 / TestDaF 4, around C1.

Can I study in Germany without German?

Yes — Germany offers roughly 1,500 English-taught degree programmes, so if you have no German you can target those instead of a preparatory year (Studienkolleg), or consider preparatory-year routes (Foundation) in the Netherlands or Ireland. Note that employability in Germany after graduation often still depends on German.

What is the cap on the number of places (Numerus Clausus, NC) in Germany?

The cap on the number of places (Numerus Clausus) is a competitive grade threshold that restricts admission to popular programmes such as medicine, psychology and law — preparatory-year (Studienkolleg) graduates compete for these places alongside German applicants. NC-free alternatives include engineering, IT and applied sciences.