University entrance qualification in Germany

The first thing to do is to find out whether your higher education entrance qualification is recognized in Germany. This can be easy with the DAAD database of higher education entrance qualifications. Just enter the name of the country where you obtained your high school diploma.

You'll then find out if your degree is:

• recognized as a university admission qualification
• recognized only for admission to limited-subject universities
• recognized only in conjunction with one or two years of successful university study in your home country
• not recognized as a university admission qualification

If you're from an EU country or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, your high school certificate is accepted in Germany. This also applies if you obtained an "Abitur" from one of the 140 German schools abroad.

Talented applicants seeking creative study topics may sometimes not be required to have an official university entrance qualification. You might need to submit samples of your work or take an aptitude exam — it depends on the university.

Researching Your University

The DAAD only provides a general overview. More specific information about other countries and qualifications can be obtained from Anabin. This database contains information on how foreign high school diplomas are evaluated. You can enter your country and certificate when searching for information on the Anabin website. The site provides all the relevant data, for example whether your degree will be recognized and whether additional conditions need to be met. However, the website is only available in German. EDUBAO has prepared an article to help you check on Anabin step by step.

Ultimately, the final decision on admission rests with the university itself. We therefore suggest that you check in advance with the international office of your chosen university to see if you meet all the required prerequisites.

If Your High School Certificate Isn't Sufficient

If your high school diploma isn't recognized in Germany, you can obtain the German university entrance qualification by completing preparatory courses (Studienkolleg). To participate in preparatory courses, you must first pass an entrance exam. A prerequisite is a good knowledge of German (level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Preparatory courses typically last two semesters and provide 28 to 32 hours of instruction per week. If your grades are very good, after just one semester you're allowed to take the assessment exam (Feststellungsprüfung). During this test at the end of the foundation course, you'll be assessed on several subjects related to your chosen field of study. A language test is a component of the exam.

Most universities don't charge tuition fees for foundation courses. However, all enrolled students must pay the semester contribution. For more information about Studienkolleg, feel free to read this article.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Language proficiency levels in Germany are based on those described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. There are three main level groups:

• Basic (A)
• Independent (B)
• Proficient (C) These are divided into six subgroups ranging from absolute beginners (A1) to near-native speakers (C2).

For more information about the CEFR, you can check out this article.

Aptitude Test

The TestAS (Test für Ausländische Studierende) is a useful guide if you want to know whether you're generally capable of meeting the requirements of a German university. The test is a combination of a language test, special surveys on the topic of your studies, and an exploration of your cognitive abilities. The test results can help you choose the right field. In any case, you can evaluate your chances of academic success.

You can improve your chances of being admitted to a German university if you manage to achieve excellent results. Just find out whether your university requires the TestAS and what benefits it offers you. At TestAS centers around the world — and possibly in your country too — you can take the TestAS multiple times a year. The TestAS exam fee is 80 euros. You can visit the TestAS page for more information on test centers and related issues. Finally, EDUBAO also offers an article to inform you about the TestAS.

You can also check out our other article to learn how to verify the validity of your high school certificate in Germany using Anabin!