How to apply
Studienkolleg Application Guide: how to apply to Studienkollegs in Germany
Applying to a Studienkolleg means dealing with entrance qualifications (HZB), language certificates, uni-assist, entrance exams and visa rules – often in a foreign language. Many students lose one or two years because they misunderstand whether they really need Studienkolleg or choose the wrong course and city.
This guide shows you two ways to build a clear Studienkolleg plan: you can work directly with StuWoLi for personal guidance, or you can follow a detailed Udemy course and manage the process yourself with structured lessons.
Work with StuWoLi
Two ways to get a clear Studienkolleg plan
StuWoLi is built around three simple offers that you can combine:
- StuWoLi Call (10 minutes) – a free video call where we quickly check your situation and tell you whether Studienkolleg is likely to be necessary and realistic.
- StuWoLi Plan (about 1 hour) – a structured consultation where we analyse your certificates, language level, target subjects and finances and design a concrete Studienkolleg and visa roadmap.
- StuWoLi Coach – ongoing support where we guide you through applications, entrance exams, visa and arrival step by step until you are safely in Germany.
You can stop after the free call if you only need a quick orientation, or you can move on to Plan or Coach if you want full support. In all cases you stay in control of your decisions – our job is to make the system transparent.
Application roadmap
Step by step: from school certificate to Studienkolleg admission
Every case is different, but most successful applications follow the same logical steps. Here is the roadmap we usually build together in StuWoLi Plan sessions:
- Clarify whether you really need Studienkolleg. Using tools like Anabin and uni-assist plus our experience from evaluating thousands of applications, we check your Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) type. The result is usually one of four categories: direct or indirect, general or subject-restricted. This decides if you need Studienkolleg at all.
- Choose your target degree and Studienkolleg course. T-, M-, W-, G- and S-course lead to different groups of bachelor programs. We align your current interests with realistic study options so that you do not lock yourself into the wrong direction.
- Check language and other requirements. Most public Studienkollegs expect at least B1–B2 German at the time of application and an entrance exam at B2 level before starting. Some require specific grades or certain subjects in your school certificate.
- Pick universities and Studienkollegs and understand their application paths. Some use uni-assist, some have their own portals and some accept applications only via partner universities. We list several realistic options instead of betting everything on one place.
- Prepare documents and translations. You usually need certified copies and translations of your certificates, language certificates, CV and a clear, short motivation. We check what must be translated and what can stay in the original language.
- Submit applications and track responses. We define a clear application window and help you follow up correctly if something is missing or unclear.
- Entrance exam, admission, visa and arrival. Once you receive invitations or admission letters we plan entrance exam preparation, visa timing and first weeks in Germany. Here you can connect this guide with the separate Visa & Finance and Housing & Daily Life pages.
You can follow this roadmap yourself, or you can let StuWoLi walk it with you. The earlier you start planning, the more options and deadlines are still open.
Learn it yourself
Udemy course: Study in Germany – complete guide for entering Studienkolleg
If you prefer to work independently, you can take Arzhang’s detailed Udemy course. In more than five hours of video lessons you learn:
- what Studienkolleg is and how it fits into the German education system,
- how to check your HZB type and whether you need Studienkolleg,
- how to choose course types, universities and cities,
- how to prepare documents, applications and entrance exams,
- and what to do about visa, housing and arrival once you are admitted.
Many students first take the course and then book a short StuWoLi Plan session only for the parts that are still unclear for their specific case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main requirements for entering a Studienkolleg
In most cases you can enter a Studienkolleg if:
- Your foreign school leaving certificate does not give you direct access to a German university, but is recognised as suitable for Studienkolleg (indirect university entrance qualification – “indirekte HZB”).
- You have sufficient German language skills, usually at least B1–B2 level at the time of application; some Studienkollegs offer a separate language course beforehand, often with extra fees.
- You successfully pass the entrance exam (Aufnahmetest) of the Studienkolleg.
Exact rules differ by country of origin, subject and federal state. During a StuWoLi Plan session we check your certificates, your language level and realistic admission chances in detail and then design a concrete plan for you.
Do I really need Studienkolleg or can I go directly to university
Not everyone needs Studienkolleg. If your school leaving certificate is fully equivalent to the German Abitur, you can usually apply directly to a university (direct HZB). If it is only partially equivalent, you will often need to complete Studienkolleg and pass the final exam (FSP) first.
Because the rules are complex and sometimes change, many students book a free StuWoLi Call just to get a clear yes/no on this question before they spend money on translations or language exams.
What are the four main HZB types and why do they matter
When your certificates are evaluated, you usually end up in one of four categories:
- Direct, general university entrance qualification – you can apply directly to almost any subject at a German university without Studienkolleg.
- Direct, subject-restricted entrance qualification – you may apply directly, but only in the same or a related field as your previous studies.
- Indirect, general entrance qualification – you first need Studienkolleg and the FSP, but afterwards you can choose freely among the study directions permitted by your course and exam.
- Indirect, subject-restricted entrance qualification – you need Studienkolleg and the FSP and are limited to study programs related to your subject area.
In a StuWoLi Plan we analyse which of these four types applies to you and what this means for your study options and choice of Studienkolleg course.
What is the difference between the T, M, W, G and S courses
Studienkollegs in Germany usually offer five main course directions:
- T-course – technical and engineering studies
- M-course – medicine and related life sciences
- W-course – economics and management
- G-course – humanities and social sciences
- S-course – languages and linguistics
Your course should match the field you want to study later. Choosing the wrong course can limit your options. We always align your intended bachelor degree with the correct course type in our planning.
How competitive are public Studienkollegs
Places at public Studienkollegs are limited and many of them receive far more applications than they can accept. That is why it is important to apply to several realistic options, not just one, and to respect all formal requirements and deadlines.
In StuWoLi Plan sessions we normally build a list of multiple target Studienkollegs and universities to spread your chances.
How does this connect with visa, finance and housing
Admission letters, entrance exam invitations, blocked accounts, visa appointments and housing offers all depend on each other. If one step is too late, everything gets delayed.
That is why this guide is connected to the separate pages on Visa & Finance and Housing & Daily Life. In a StuWoLi Plan we put all of them into one timeline so you know exactly what to do in which month.
If you feel overwhelmed by rules, deadlines and different opinions, talk through your case once and turn it into a clear Studienkolleg plan.