Qualification for university entrance

In order to study at a German university, applicants from abroad must submit evidence of their qualification for university entrance that entitles them to study in their home country. Among other things this is, most importantly, a secondary school leaving certificate (for example High School Diploma, Gaokao, Matura, A-Levels, Bachillerato). Also - if this is required in their home country - successful completion of a university entrance examination.

In order to study in Germany, a student's school leaving qualifications must be equivalent to a German university entrance qualification and be officially recognised as such. You can find out whether a university entrance qualification is equivalent to a German one from the information system for recognition and evaluation of foreign education certificates (anabin) by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK).

The following applies:

• Applicants from EU countries and the European Economic Area whose certification (if applicable also a university entrance examination) entitles them to study in their home country may also study in Germany.
• With regard to applicants from non-EU countries and stateless persons, the Academic Exchange Service at the university of choice or Uni Assist examine whether the university entrance qualification suffices for enrolment in Germany. If the qualification is not recognised, university applicants are required to sit an entrance examination.
• Foreign applicants who would like to study at a university or college in Baden-Württemberg must first make their application to the Institute for International Students (ASK) at the University of Applied Sciences in Konstanz. Their university entrance qualification and language certificate is assessed here.
• As an alternative to an entrance examination in Germany, one or two successfully completed years of study in a student's home country may be recognised as a university entrance qualification for a course of studies in Germany, depending on their nationality.

Entrance examination

If a school leaving certificate is not sufficient for enrolment in Germany, the applicant must take an entrance examination for which he or she can prepare in a preparatory course for foreign students.

These preparatory courses for foreign students offer options with different specialities. At the end of the course, participants must sit an entrance examination. Anyone who passes this examination is entitled to begin studying one of the subjects appropriate to the speciality course they have taken.

Knowledge of German

In order to study in Germany, applicants should normally have an adequate knowledge of German. This can be proven by passing the German language test for university entrance by foreign applicants (DSH) or the "TestDaF" examination. The DSH can only be taken at the university itself. The TestDaF can be taken at numerous test centres in Germany and abroad.

The following examinations are also recognised:
The " Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II", the " Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung" of the Goethe Institut or the " Großes" or " Kleines Sprachdiplom" of the Goethe Institut. Applicants who have sat "Abitur" school leaving examinations at a recognised German school outside Germany are admitted without a language examination.

Exceptions from the language requirement:
Applicants who wish to take part in an International Degree Programme (Bachelor, Master, PhD) are not required to demonstrate their knowledge of German before beginning a course of study. The language of instruction for these programmes is usually English (sometimes also French). A knowledge of German can be acquired outside of teaching and study hours.

Detailed information about German tests for university entrance, German courses and test centres is offered by the Deutscher Akademischer Auslandsdienst (DAAD).

Admission restrictions

Some subjects have a numerus clausus (an admission restriction).

National numerus clausus:
There are some subjects for which there are significantly more applicants in Germany than the number of university places. These subjects have a numerus clausus throughout Germany. Some of these places are allocated by the central clearing house for places in degree programmes (ZVS) and some of them directly by the universities. For further information on deadlines, current numerus clausus subjects and selection criteria, please see the website of the ZVS.

Where can applications be made?

• Candidates from the EU countries, the European Economic Area and foreigners with a German education can apply for these subjects with centrally regulated admission restrictions at the central clearing house for places in degree programmes (ZVS).
• Non-EU citizens can apply directly at their university or college of choice or at Uni Assist

 Local numerus clausus:
For subjects with a local numerus clausus (also known as Orts-NC), the admission restrictions only apply at individual colleges and universities. These places are allocated by the individual university in question. Candidates can find out from the academic exchange service of their university whether they should send their application to the international office, the Registrar's Office or Uni Assist.

Links

• Kultusministerkonferenz: (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK): Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (Central Office for Foreign Education) (in German)
• General information by the KMK on the German education system
• Information on studying in Baden-Württemberg (in German)
• DAAD - Study and research in Germany
• Deutsches Studentenwerk: Studying in Germany - Information for foreign prospective students with disabilities or chronic diseases
• Informationssystem zur Anerkennung ausländischer Bildungsabschlüsse
• Uni Assist
• Institute for International Students (ASK) for Universities of Applied Sciences in Baden-Württemberg
• Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen (in German)