Studying in Germany PDF

Studying in Germany
A Guide for International Students
Since the CD-ROM of the printed version

cannot be included in the PDF-file, we
recommend the website
http://studying-in-germany.de
DAAD; as of August 2006. N.B.: This PDF version is not being updated!
Publisher DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
Kennedyallee 50, 53175 Bonn (Germany)
www.daad.de
Section: Promotion of Studies and Research in Germany, Internet
Project Coordination Julia Quirll
Manuscript and Editor Norbert Grust,

W. Bertelsmann Verlag, Bielefeld
Translation Guy Moore, Bad Honnef
Layout and Typesetting LPG Loewenstern Padberg GbR, Bonn
Screen Design snoopmedia GmbH, Bonn
Printed by Daemisch Mohr GmbH & Co. KG, Siegburg
Pressed by MPO Audio und Video GmbH, Kln
Print-run August 2006 60,000
DAAD
All rights reserved. Any reproduction, even of extracts,
only with appropriate source details.
This publication was funded by the Federal Foreign Office.
Studying in Germany 3
Table of Contents
6 Introduction
7 Studying in Germany the Higher Education System

Types of Higher Education Institutions
Academic Reforms and the Bologna Process
International Degree Programmes (IDP)
12 Universities and Equivalent Institutions

Admissions Requirements
School Qualifications and Aptitude Tests | Internships and Foreign Language Skills
Organisation of Studies
Programme Structure | Start and Length of Studies | Types of Courses
Academic Degrees
Bachelors and Masters | Magister Artium | Diplom | Staatsexamen
Promotion (Doctorate)
Map of Universities in Germany
20 Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences)

School Qualifications | Internships and Aptitude Tests
Academic Degrees
Diplom FH | Bachelors and Masters
Map of Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany
24 Kunst-, Film-, und Musikhochschulen (Colleges of Art, Film and Music)

School Qualifications | Internships and Aptitude Tests
Academic Degrees
Diplom | Institution-own Degrees | Staatsexamen
Meisterschler/Konzertexamen | Bachelors and Masters
Map of Colleges of Art, Film and Music in Germany
4 Studying in Germany
28 Higher Education Institutions and their Facilities

Faculties
The International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt)
First Point of Contact for Students from Abroad
Student Representation at Institutional and Departmental Level
Rector, President and Senate Executive Management and
Administration of Higher Education Institutions
31 How to Study in Germany A Guide for International Students
32 Admissions Requirements
Proof of Adequate School or Educational Qualifications
Higher Education Entrance Qualification | Assessment Test (Feststellungsprfung)
and Preparatory Course (Studienkolleg)
Proof of German Language Proficiency
German as a Foreign Language Test (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache TestDaF)
German Language Test for the Admission of Foreign Study Applicants
(Deutsche Sprachprfung fr den Hochschulzugang DSH)
37 Application and Registration

Applying to your chosen Higher Education Institution: Directly or via uni-assist
Applying through the Central University Admissions Service (ZVS)
Registration / Matriculation (Immatrikulation)
40 Entry and Residence Provisions

Visa and Residence Permit
Applicant Visa (Visum zur Studienbewerbung) | Student Visa (Visum zu
Studienzwecken) | Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)
Financial Requirements
Medical Examination (Gesundheitsuntersuchung)
Working and Studying
44 Costs, Fees, Sources of Funding and Scholarships

What Does it Cost to Study?
Cost of Living | Semester Fee and Re-Registration Fee | General Tuition Fees
Health and Accident Insurance
How Can I Finance My Studies?
Grants and Scholarships | State Training Assistance
Part-Time and Temporary Jobs
A Guide for International Students 5
50 How Best to Start Your Studies

Student Accommodation
The First Few Nights | Student Halls of Residence and Dormitories
(Studentenwohnheime) | Private Accommodation Market
Planning Your Studies
Study Regulations and Course Catalogue | Advice and Support
Student Life
Religious Communities and Faith Groups
54 Internships in Germany
55 Appendix
56 Map of University and College Towns in Germany
57 Statistics: Foreign Students at German Higher Education Institutions
60 Tips and Information

Where to Go With Your First Questions
Recommended Reading
62 Evaluation of Foreign Higher Education Entrance Qualifications
63 German Schools Abroad
64 DAAD
Goals, Roles and Programmes of the DAAD
66 DAAD Addresses in Germany and Abroad
69 Index
Introduction
Germanys higher education institutions This brochure combines three earlier DAAD
enjoy an excellent reputation. Teaching publications that provided information
and research provide key impulses for for foreigners separately on studying at
innovation and progress. Institutions have German universities respectively Fach-
state-of-the-art equipment and labs to pro- hochschulen respectively colleges of art,
vide students with the very best conditions film and music. The information in this
for successful studies. new single brochure now covers all three
types of higher education institutions in
Germanys higher education landscape is Germany. The addresses and study oppor-
very diverse and varied. It offers thousands tunities in Germany have been moved
of degree programmes, more than 300 in- from the print edition appendices to the
stitutions, and lots of different degrees. enclosed CD-ROM with the kind support
This means you can choose a programme of the German Rectors Conference (HRK).
that matches your needs. You can take a The CD-ROM contains selected informa-
research-oriented programme at a Univer- tion from the HRKs Higher-Education-
sitt (university) or a more practice-focused Compass on first-degree programmes and
course at a Fachhochschule (university of on graduate studies, plus the addresses
applied sciences), or an artistic programme and portraits of the higher education insti-
at one of the Kunst-, Film-, or Musikhoch- tutions and the addresses of the Interna-
schulen (colleges of art, film or music). tional Offices. All the information is in
Many programmes and subjects are offered German and English; the brochure itself
by all three types of institutions, which is also available in German.
widens your choice even further. If you
already hold a degree, you can also choose The DAAD provides this comprehensive
to enter a postgraduate or doctoral pro- information to help you succeed with your
gramme for advanced qualifications. studies at a German higher education
institution.
Studying in Germany
the Higher Education System
Types of Higher Education Fachhochschulen (FH): Universities of

Institutions applied sciences do not generally engage
in basic research, which is more the pre-
Students wishing to study in Germany can serve of the traditional universities. FHs
choose from more than 12,000 degree pro- were especially established to provide
grammes and subjects offered at 333 state students with the opportunity to engage
(public) and state-recognised higher edu- in more practical studies and applied
cation institutions. The German higher research. The English translation of their
education system generally differentiates name, universities of applied sciences,
between three distinct types of institutions: reflects this focus. Fachhochschule pro-
grammes prepare students for specific
Universitten: Universities and equivalent professions. This concentrated study and
institutions focus strongly on research and the tightly-organised programmes gener-
teaching. Full universities offer courses ally enable students to graduate more
in practically all subject areas. On the other quickly with an academic degree than
hand, some unis and equivalent institutions their fellow students studying at traditional
choose to specialise in specific subject universities and equivalent institutions.
areas. Examples of such university-level Subjects offered by FHs cover fields like
institutions include the Technische Hoch- technology, business, IT, design, social
schule / Technische Universitt (technical fields, education, nursing and applied nat-
university / university of technology), the ural sciences. In addition, federal govern-
Medizinische Hochschule (medical school), ment and the states maintain a number
the Sporthochschule (sport university), of FHs that specifically train students for
the Hochschule fr Politik (university of careers in the civil service. Fachhochschulen
politics), the Hochschule fr Verwaltung do not themselves award doctorates. How-
(university of administrative sciences), or ever, holders of a good FH degree may be
the Hochschulen fr Wirtschaft / Wirt- able to continue their postgraduate studies
schaftshochschule (schools of business or by enrolling in a doctoral programme at
management), and the Pdagogische Hoch- one of Germanys research universities.
schule (university of education). Last but They may have to pass an aptitude test to
by no means least, the Protestant and qualify for admission.
Catholic churches also maintain a number
of university-level higher education insti- Kunst-, Film- und Musikhochschulen:
tutions. All these institutions have uni- Colleges of art, film and music offer
versity status, even if they dont bear the artistic-creative subjects like fine art,
name university. This means that they industrial and fashion design, stage
follow Humboldts principle of the re- design, graphic art, instrumental music
search university that unites research and or singing. Special media-oriented col-
teaching. These institutions are entitled leges train directors, camera operators,
to confer doctorates. authors, film-makers and other TV or
media professionals. Students wishing to
study at a college of art, film or music
The Higher Education System 9
State and state-recognised higher education institutions
Number of
Universities 117
Colleges of art,
58
film and music
Fachhochschulen 158
Number of students at
Universities 1,360,000
Colleges of art,
33,000
film and music
Fachhochschulen 520,000
Source: Hochschulrektorenkonferenz, as per: 28 February 2006
must demonstrate their particular artistic universities also operate in Germany.

talent; they do this by passing an aptitude These above all offer subjects from the
test. Students enjoy relatively many free- fields of law, economics and business ad-
doms when organising their studies, and ministration, and social sciences. Private
teachers provide intensive supervision and universities often maintain close contacts
support. This approach aims to ensure with companies in order to give their grad-
that the students are able to develop their uates better career prospects in the profes-
own personal art style. College of art, sional world. However, this comes at a
film and music is a generic term. While price: applicants have to pass a selection
most of these institutions bear the name test and must be prepared to pay up to
Hochschule, some have names that 20,000 euros per year in tuition fees. Just
extend back to their historical roots, such over 2 % of all the students in Germany
as (Kunst)Akademie or Schule. In English, are currently registered at a private uni-
they use names like University of the Arts, versity. Private universities must obtain
School of Music, Academy of Film and state recognition before they can offer aca-
Television, etc. Colleges of art, film or demic degrees that are equivalent to those
music can award doctorates to appropri- offered by public institutions. Practically
ately-qualified graduates who complete a all state-recognised German higher educa-
programme of postgraduate studies. tion institutions are listed in the database
www.hochschulkompass.de maintained
Besides the state (public) higher educa- by the German Rectors Conference
tion institutions, a number of private (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz HRK).
Academic Reforms and the prepared for the job market (employability).
Bologna Process Those not seeking a career in academia or
research will find that a Bachelors degree
Germanys higher education institutions gained after three or four years of study
are passing through a period of extensive already provides a professional qualification.
change. To raise the international compe-
titiveness of European universities, the Studies in these new degree programmes
governments of 29 European countries are divided into modules. Each module is
met in the Italian city of Bologna in 1999, made up of thematically-linked courses such
where they agreed to create a single as lectures, seminars and exercises and can
European Higher Education Area by 2010. last up to a maximum of two semesters.
This involves introducing comparable The conventional division into basic study
programmes and degrees at institutions in stage and main study stage has been aban-
the participating countries so that the range doned. Students who successfully com-
of studies offered throughout Europe is plete a module score credit points based
both transparent and compatible. The on the European Credit Transfer System
objectives are to increase student mobility, (ECTS), which measures the total student
to facilitate the recognition of academic workload required for successful com-
degrees abroad, and to encourage higher pletion of the degree programme (see
education institutions to compete for the Box p. 16).
very best minds.
In addition to the official degree docu-
A total of 45 countries have meanwhile ments (certificate and diploma), students
signed up to the Bologna Process. Its core who graduate successfully from their
element is based on two cycles of academic studies automatically receive a Diploma
study that lead to degrees awarded on the Supplement. It contains standardised
basis of identical criteria throughout information on the academic degree and
Europe: Bachelors programmes (the first on the learning outcomes associated with
cycle) deliver the principles and fundamen- that degree. This aims to facilitate and
tals in a subject; Masters programmes improve the assessment of academic
(the second) enable students to deepen degrees, regardless of whether students
and extend their knowledge or to expand continue their studies, for example in
it across various disciplines. postgraduate or doctoral programmes, or
whether they enter a professional career.
Bachelors and Masters will replace the
conventional German degrees (Diplom, Further Information
Magister). Additionally, the new structure 3 www.bmbf.de
focuses studies more strongly on the Website of the Federal Ministry of Education and
requirements of employers when design- Research BMBF with comprehensive information
ing programmes, i. e. by looking at what on the Bologna Process
learning outcomes (competence) gradu-
ates have acquired and at how they are
The Higher Education System 11
3 www.bologna-bergen2005.no Besides the international degree program-

Website of the Bologna follow-up conference held in mes that German higher education insti-
Bergen, Norway, with information on the Bologna tutions offer, students can also choose
Process and on how each country is progressing with from a large number of programmes run
implementing the reforms jointly by a German institution and a part-
ner university abroad. Students who take
3 www.hrk.de one of these integrated degree programmes
Website of the German Rectors Conference (HRK) spend a certain number of semesters at
that also offers extensive information on the the partner university. This student ex-
Bologna Process change is based on agreements signed by
two or more universities. Credits earned
International Degree Programmes at the partner university have been harmo-
(IDP) nised with the degree programme at the
home institution and are fully recognised.
Germanys higher education institutions This means that the stay at the partner
have introduced international Bachelors university does not result in longer studies.
and Masters programmes to better meet Some of these degree programmes have
the interests of foreign applicants. Special become so integrated that the participants
features of these programmes include that spend around half of their studies at the
they are taught in a foreign language, in partner university and gain a degree from
most cases English. Some programmes or both institutions. A key prerequisite for
individual courses may also be offered in admission to such a double degree pro-
other languages, like Spanish or French. gramme is generally a good knowledge of
the language of instruction or of the respec-
International Degree Programmes in tive national language.
Germany (IDP) stand out with their
high academic level and well-structured Further Information
studies. German language courses are 3 www.daad.de/idp
offered parallel to or are integrated into The DAADs International Degree Programmes
the programme. They also provide particu- database
larly intensive support, guidance and
supervision. Around half the participants 3 www.qualifying-in-germany.de
in these programmes come from abroad. Website maintained by GATE-Germany, a Consortium
for International Higher Education Marketing jointly
The DAAD website offers further informa- established by the DAAD and the HRK; database with
tion on these 400 and more programmes study and research offerings
in the so-called IDP Database.
Universities and Equivalent Institutions
Universities are responsible for promoting Further Information

science and the humanities. Research 3 www.university-ranking.de
and teaching develop freely at these insti- DAAD website run in cooperation with the news
tutions. Studies generally last between magazine DIE ZEIT and the Centre for Higher
three and five years and qualify students Education Development (CHE) to present the results
for various professions. But they also offer of an extensive university ranking
interested students opportunities for enter-
ing careers in academia. After graduating, 3 www. higher-education-compass.de
young and early-stage researchers (gener- HRK website with information on study oppor-
ally, this means holders of a Masters or tunities in Germany and a list of international
Diplom degree, in exceptions also a Bach- cooperation agreements involving German higher
elors degree) enter a doctoral programme education institutions
where they conduct independent research
and, in many cases, also teach their first 3 www-en.studienwahl.de
courses as well. Website published by the Federal Employment
Agency and the Bund-Lnder Commission for
Besides the classical full universities that Educational Planning and Research Promotion.
cover the whole spectrum of academic The site offers extensive information on study
subjects, Germany also has so-called opportunities in Germany.
equivalent institutions. In contrast to the
traditional universities, these specialise in Admissions Requirements
specific subject areas. Typical examples
are: technical universities / universities School Qualifications and
of technology, schools of medicine and Aptitude Tests
universities of education, universities of
politics, universities of administrative Students who went to school in Germany
sciences, schools of management or busi- and would like to study one or more sub-
ness, and church-maintained colleges. jects of their choice at a university or equi-
valent institution must hold a general
1.36 million students were registered at higher education entrance qualification
117 universities and equivalent institutions called the allgemeine Hochschulreife.
in February 2006 (Figure p. 9). This is the Abitur and is the highest school
leaving certificate in Germany. It entitles
holders to study at any type of higher edu-
cation institution. Pupils generally gain
Universities and Equivalent Institutions 13
their Abitur after 13 years of schooling, Some degree programmes require students
although some federal states also award to complete internships either as part of
it after 12 years. (For information on the their qualification for admission or as a
admissions requirements for foreign compulsory programme element. Please
students see p. 32). enquire as soon as possible whether this
also applies in your academic subject.
In the case of admissions-restricted sub-
jects (Numerus clausus), universities have Please check the enclosed CD-ROM for
recently increasingly begun to select stu- the addresses of the Admissions Offices.
dents not only on the basis of their school
leaving certificate (grade point average) Organisation of Studies
but also require applicants to sit a subject-
specific aptitude test. As from 2007, Programme Structure
universities plan to introduce a general
academic or scholastic aptitude test for Traditional degree programmes (Magister,
international applicants. The test will Diplom and Staatsexamen, see pp. 1617)
include an additional special section for are divided into a basic study stage and a
certain high-demand subjects, such as main study stage. The basic study stage
economics, business administration and (Grundstudium) delivers the basic content
engineering. In general, it is expected that and methodological principles of a subject.
Germanys universities will increasingly Students are required to attend certain
consider quality and aptitude-related courses in which they must earn credits or
criteria when selecting students in the gain attendance certificates (compulsory
future. and optional courses). Students who pass
the intermediate exam at the end of the
Internships and Foreign Language basic study stage are entitled to continue
Skills their studies in the main study stage. Some
degree programmes only require proof
Not all specialist literature is published that the student has completed the basic
in German, of course. Consequently, study stage; an intermediate exam is not
foreign language skills have an important required in such cases.
role to play in practically all academic sub-
jects. Universities often expect students The main study stage (Hauptstudium)
to speak English and French, and in some allows students a lot more freedom of
cases Latin or in specific subject areas even choice. They can set core study areas, can
other old languages like Ancient Greek. specialise and can acquire competencies
Generally, students can study for these required for research work. At the end of
language certificates parallel to their normal the main study stage, students take an
courses. The faculty in question will offer extensive examination involving written
appropriate courses. and oral sections and subsequently gra-
duate with a degree that also counts as a
professional qualification.
Bachelors and Masters programmes Types of Courses

are divided into modules, i. e. study units
made up of thematically-related courses, Universities offer various kinds of courses
like lectures, seminars and exercises. that may be variously weighted, depending
Each module involves a student workload on the programme or university in question.
of six to ten hours per week. Students The following provides a general overview.
receive credit points for each successfully-
completed module. They need to score a Lectures (Vorlesungen) involve a univer-
specific number of credit points to com- sity teacher speaking on a specific topic.
plete the programme and so graduate Students can prepare or follow up these
(see Box p. 16). lectures by reading appropriate texts (with
reading lists generally provided). Students
Start and Length of Studies receive credits for attending lectures. In
some cases, a written exam is set at the
The academic year is generally divided into end of the semester in which students are
two six-month periods called semesters. required to demonstrate their knowledge
The winter semester normally begins in of the material taught in the lectures.
October, the summer semester in April.
Courses usually run over around three Seminars (Seminare) enable students to
months in the summer semester and four work on research topics under the guid-
months in the winter semester. Students ance of university teachers. Presentations
are expected to use the non-lecture period of seminar papers, discussions with fellow
(recess) to go over the material from past students and the lecturer plus subsequent
semesters and to prepare for the coming review play a key role. Students gain a
ones. They also use this time to complete credit (Schein) by presenting a paper, an
internships. assignment or sitting a written examina-
tion. Some universities use seminars to
Each academic subject has its own set of extend and apply the content taught in the
study regulations (Studienordnung) that lectures. Since this kind of course depends
specify the standard time to degree (Regel- on students playing an active part, they
studienzeit) in which the programme should ideally be held in small groups.
should or must be completed. The time However, there is such demand in some
to degree includes practical semesters and subjects that early registration is required.
semesters abroad plus the final examination
phase. Many degree programmes allow A tutorial serves to deepen and extend the
nine semesters of study for graduation. content taught in lectures and seminars.
Tutorials are basic study stage courses
headed by advanced students (tutors). In
contrast to tutorials, consolidation courses
headed by university teachers, lecturers,
assistants or research assistants are also
sometimes called exercises (bungen).
Courses in which students exchange ideas Many universities have developed online
and information in the final examination teaching modules to complement the tradi-
phase are often called a colloquium (Kollo- tional forms of teaching. Students take
quium). Colloquia give participants oppor- part in the lectures and seminars via the
tunities to present their current work and Internet and contribute to these courses
to discuss it with fellow students and others with their own work, input and comments.
from the field in question. The courses can be recorded as streams
and then accessed at any time. In the mean-
Sometimes, revision courses (Repetitorien) time, even whole degree programmes are
enable students to repeat and go over being completed online with recognised
course contents under the guidance of a academic degrees awarded to successful
university teacher as part of their prepa- students.
rations specifically for the final exam.
Specialists in the private (commercial) Further Information
market also offer such courses. Although 3 www.studieren-im-netz.de
these are not university courses, they can Online portal launched by the federal and state govern-
be useful for revising. Some programmes ments. The service provides an overview of web-based
offer excursions (Exkursionen) that can degree programmes and courses; German only
last up to several weeks.
Academic Degrees
Many degree programmes require students
to complete internships (Praktika) in Germanys universities will probably
private companies, municipal authorities continue to offer two parallel degree
or educational institutions. They are super- structures until 2010: on the one hand,
vised by university teachers and aim to these will be the traditional but expiring
help students gain an insight into and find degree courses that lead to a Diplom or
out about various career options. Theore- Magister Artium degree; on the other
tical and experimental training are closely hand, they are already offering the new
interconnected in many natural sciences two-cycle system of Bachelors and Mas-
subjects. For example, students work in a ters degrees and will continue to extend
laboratory (Labor) under the guidance the range of such programmes. Excep-
and supervision of research staff and so tions or differing arrangements can be
learn how to analyse chemical substances, expected in some subject areas.
how to do syntheses, and how to use test
and measurement equipment. Students You may also find that your academic
who study medicine generally need to spend subject can be completed with a choice of
several months doing a medical trainee- several degrees. When making your choice,
ship (Famulatur) in a hospital, a doctors please remember that you can gain a
surgery, or similar facilities. At the end of Bachelors degree, i. e. an internationally-
their studies, they complete a practical recognised academic degree with profes-
year (Praktisches Jahr) in a hospital. sional qualification, after just three to four
years of study.
Bachelors and Masters ECTS Credit Points

Performance in Bachelors and Masters
The Bachelors degree is usually the first programmes is assessed in accordance
degree with professional qualification to with the European Credit Transfer
be gained in Britain, the United States, System (ECTS). ECTS measures the
Australia and other countries. Under the student workload required to success-
Bologna Process, this degree has now also fully complete the programme, i. e. to
been introduced at Germanys universities. graduate, including the workload
To gain a Bachelors degree, you must earn for preparing and going over courses,
between 180 and 240 credit points in the for gaining course credits and for
course of your studies. The exact number preparing exams. Students score credit
of credit points depends on the study reg- points and their performance is graded.
ulations for the programme. Bachelors These factors are considered in the
programmes are designed with a student final grade point average.
workload of around 40 study hours per
week completed over 45 study weeks per One credit point sometimes also called
year. This enables students to graduate ECTS point corresponds to a student
within the specified standard time to workload of 30 hours. Degree pro-
degree (Regelstudienzeit). grammes are generally designed to
require students to earn 30 credit points
Students who hold a Bachelors degree per semester so that they can com-
and wish to continue to specialise can plete the programme in the standard
take up a Masters programme either time to degree.
directly after completing their Bachelors
or after spending a few years working in
their profession. The chosen degree pro- Magister Artium
gramme must be closely related to the
Bachelors subject. The university can A Magister Artium degree is awarded for
provide information on which Bachelors successful completion of a programme in
degree qualifies the holder to enter a subjects from the fields of arts and huma-
Masters programme. nities, cultural studies or social sciences;
courses leading to such degrees allow
Graduates holding a Bachelors degree various subject combinations. The final
need to earn between 60 and 120 credit examination is taken in one major and
points in a Masters programme to gain a two minor subjects or alternatively in two
Masters degree. They have to produce a majors. Students are free to choose their
Masters thesis in which they demonstrate option. Besides having to produce a
that they competently meet the academic Magister thesis, students also sit written
and research requirements of their sub- and oral exams. Those who graduate with
ject. A Masters degree is roughly compa- a good grade can continue their studies
rable to a university Diplom degree or a in a postgraduate or doctoral programme
Magister or Staatsexamen degree. (p. 17).
Diplom Promotion (Doctorate)
A Diplom degree is awarded for successful A doctorate is the highest academic degree.
completion of a course in subjects from It is accepted as proof that the holder is
the fields: natural sciences, engineering, capable of doing independent scientific
economics and business administration, research.
education, and sport. (Please note that
a Diplom degree in education (Diplom- Doctorates enable holders to enter careers
Pdagoge/Pdagogin) does not count as a in research and academia, while such a
teaching qualification). Students complete degree is also seen as an important quality
their degree course with a Diplom thesis feature in careers outside universities and
and written or oral exams. Diplom degrees science. A doctorate involves production
qualify holders for careers in business and of a dissertation (an independent research
industry. Like the Magister, the Diplom paper) that contains new scientific findings
also entitles holders to enter a doctoral plus oral defence of the dissertation in an
programme (see below). oral examination called Rigorosum or Dis-
putation in German, a kind of viva voce.
Staatsexamen After gaining the doctorate, holders can
use the title Dr.. Depending on the sub-
Students of medicine, law, pharmacy or ject area in question, doctorates can take
teaching generally graduate with a Staats- between two and five years.
examen degree. Staatsexamen courses
prepare students for state-supervised pro- Anyone wishing to gain a doctorate needs
fessions, which is why they are examined to have completed a course of academic
by a state examinations board rather than studies with above-average grades. In
by the usual university or faculty exami- exceptions, holders of Bachelors degrees
nations board. Since these graduates often can also be admitted to a doctoral pro-
enter the civil service, the content of their gramme, if they can prove their aptitude
studies and the examination itself are in a special assessment process.
subject to statutory regulations. In most
cases, the 1st Staatsexamen involves a Candidates will also need to find an aca-
theory-oriented examination comparable demic supervisor called Doktorvater or
to other academic degrees. The 2nd Staats- Doktormutter for their doctorate. Please
examen is awarded after a period of prac- remember that no university teacher is
tical postgraduate professional training. obliged to accept you as a doctoral candi-
date. This is why it is important that you
International students can also take the inform yourself as soon as possible about
Staatsexamen. However, they should first which university best suits your area of
check whether this degree is recognised in research. The Higher-Education-Compass
their home country and whether they can offered by the HRK offers a good overview
enter the profession in question there. (www.hochschulkompass.de).
Alternatively, you can do your doctorate in Some federal states have established
a Research Training Group (Graduierten- Graduate Schools which, in contrast to
kolleg). These graduate schools are univer- the Research Training Groups, are per-
sity facilities responsible for promoting manent facilities located at the respective
young and early-stage researchers. They universities. Graduate Schools largely
give doctoral candidates the opportunity deliver their teaching in English and offer
to integrate their dissertation into a com- highly-qualified young and early-stage
prehensive and collaborative research pro- researchers from home and abroad inten-
gramme. The programme is run by several sive individual supervision with their
researchers and often has an interdisci- dissertation. These schools prepare
plinary focus. Degree courses serve to students for positions in interdisciplinary
complement the doctoral students indivi- and international science and research.
dual research programmes and to specifi-
cally advance the process of academic and Further Information
scientific exchange. The website of the 3 www.daad.de/deutschland/
German Research Foundation (Deutsche forschung/promotion
Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG) offers a DAAD information on the various options available
list of the Research Training Groups that it for gaining a doctorate in Germany plus experience
currently funds (see Further Information). reports and a list of recommended reading, which
also contains further links
Doctoral students can also choose from
a whole range of programmes that are 3 www.daad.de/ipp
specifically designed for foreign (post) Information on the DAAD and DFG funded Inter-
graduates. These offer intensive academic national Postgraduate Programmes
and non-academic supervision and sup-
port, in most cases an English supporting 3 www.dfg.de
curriculum and often special funding DFG website with information on Research Training
programmes as well. Groups; first click on Research Funding, then on
Coordinated Programmes
For example, the International Post-
graduate Programmes (IPP) jointly
offered by the DAAD and the DFG or
the International Max Planck Research
Schools (IMPRS, www.mpg.de) have
a specific international profile. They give
particularly qualified and talented German
and foreign students the opportunity to
prepare for their doctoral examination in
centres of excellence located throughout
Germany. These offer training at a high
academic level and in close contact with
the supervising university teachers.
Universities in Germany
Flensburg
Kiel
Schleswig-
Rostock Greifswald
Holstein
Lbeck
Mecklenburg-
Hamburg
Vorpommern
Hamburg
Bremen Lneburg
Oldenburg Bremen
Brandenburg
Vechta Niedersachsen Berlin

Berlin
Hannover Potsdam Frankfurt/O.

Osnabrck Braunschweig Friedensau
Bielefeld Magdeburg
Mnster Hildesheim
Nordrhein- Clausthal- Cottbus
Sachsen-
Westfalen Zellerfeld
Bochum Paderborn Anhalt
Dortmund Halle
Duisburg Gttingen
Essen Witten-Herdecke Kassel
Wuppertal Leipzig Sachsen
Dsseldorf Hagen
Dresden
Marburg Weimar Zittau
Freiberg
Kln Hessen Erfurt Jena
Aachen Siegen Chemnitz
Gieen Thringen
Bonn
Fulda Ilmenau
Vallendar
Koblenz
Oberursel Frankfurt a.M.
Rheinland- Oestrich-
Pfalz Winkel
Mainz
Wrzburg Bamberg Bayreuth
Trier
Darmstadt
Kaiserslautern Erlangen
Mannheim Nrnberg
Saarland Speyer Heidelberg Neuendettelsau
Saarbrcken
Bruchsal
Landau
Karlsruhe Regensburg
Ludwigsburg
Stuttgart Eichsttt
Hohenheim Ingolstadt Passau
Tbingen
Bayern
Lahr Ulm
Baden-
Wrttemberg Augsburg
Freiburg Weingarten Mnchen

Weilheim- Friedrichs-
Bierbronnen hafen Benediktbeuern
Konstanz
Fachhochschulen
(Universities of Applied Sciences)
Fachhochschulen (FHs) were founded by Range of subjects offered

the federal states in the late 1960s and at Fachhochschulen
early 1970s in response to the advancing FHs offer fewer subjects than univer-
scientific-technological progress that set sities. They concentrate on the fields
new standards for the qualification levels of business and management, engi-
of future professionals. These universities neering, design, social work and edu-
of applied sciences, as they are officially cation, and nursing.
called in English, aimed to fill the gap
between academia and the working world
by offering a sound academic training Further Information
designed to meet the practical aspects of 3 www.bmbf.de/pub/universities_
professional life. of_applied_sciences_in_germany.pdf
Die Fachhochschulen in Deutschland. Brochure
Studies at a Fachhochschule combine published by the Federal Ministry of Education and
academic standards with an extensive Research, available as a download
practical focus. Students do practical
semesters in companies, industry, public 3 www.fachhochschule.de
authorities or elsewhere where they can Privately-run information portal with a systematic
apply and try out what they have learnt in overview of the degree programmes offered at
their courses. Since these studies aim to Fachhochschulen in Germany; German only
prepare students as quickly as possible
for career entry, the programmes are rela- 3 www-en.studienwahl.de
tively tightly organised. Website published by the Federal Employment
Agency and the Bund-Lnder Commission for
The 158 state and state-recognised Fach- Educational Planning and Research Promotion.
hochschulen are currently training The site offers extensive information on study
520,000 students. opportunities in Germany.
Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences) 21
Admissions Requirements Organisation of Studies
School Qualifications Studies at a Fachhochschule are structured

much like those at a university. This applies
As a rule, students wishing to study at a both to traditional degree courses and to
Fachhochschule (FH) must at least hold Bachelors and Masters programmes.
an FH entrance qualification (Fachhoch-
schulreife) or a comparable school leaving The standard time to degree at a Fach-
certificate or qualification. Various federal hochschule is set at eight semesters. Fach-
states additionally offer other training hochschulen achieve this by starting the
measures aimed at enabling students to semester one month earlier than a tradi-
obtain this qualification. tional university, which means the winter
semester begins in September and the
Internships and Aptitude Tests summer semester in March. So, FH
students only have three to four months
To qualify for admission to studies, students of recess (non-lecture period) per year.
often have to complete a pre-study intern-
ship that relates in terms of content to Academic Degrees
the aspired degree programme. Students
may be asked to spend up to one year on Diplom FH
such an internship. Periods of vocational
training are credited to pre-study intern- The academic degree traditionally awarded
ships. The Fachhochschulen have Intern- by Fachhochschulen is the Diplom FH
ship Offices that help students find a that identifies it as a Fachhochschule
place where they can gain such practical Diplom rather than a university one. The
experience. finals differ in their procedure from one
federal state to the next. However, they do
Students wishing to study design, film, usually require students to produce a
photography or music at a Fachhoch- Diplom thesis and to sit written and oral
schule must be able to prove their parti- examinations. Students work on a concrete
cular artistic talent. Study applicants career-specific topic for their Diplom thesis
generally have to submit examples of their and often produce it in cooperation with a
work (portfolio) or pass an aptitude test. company, for example, where they did an
internship. Students who graduate with an
outstanding Diplom degree may be able to
enter a doctoral programme at a university.
Bachelors and Masters
Fachhochschulen also offer Bachelors and

Masters programmes. The Bachelors or
Masters degree awarded is the same as
that awarded by a university.
However, Fachhochschule studies do

differ from university studies in terms of
contentual focus. Studies at Fachhoch-
schulen concentrate on applied sciences.
Preparation for a concrete and specific
profession or career field plays a much
greater role than at a university. However,
these two types of higher education insti-
tutions Fachhochschule and university
may become more alike in the future.
Graduates holding a Bachelors degree

from a Fachhochschule can be admitted
to a Masters programme at a Fachhoch-
schule or a university. FH and university
Masters programmes are largely equi-
valent and generally open up the same
career prospects.
Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences) 23
Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany
Flensburg
Kiel Stralsund
Heide Schleswig-
Holstein
Lbeck
Elmshorn Wismar
Pinneberg Neubrandenburg
Wedel Mecklenburg-
Wilhelmshaven Hamburg
Bremerhaven Vorpommern
Emden Hamburg
Bremen Ottersberg
Oldenburg Bremen
Brandenburg
Eberswalde
Vechta Niedersachsen Berlin
Stendal
Berlin
Brandenburg
Hannover Potsdam
Osnabrck Wildau
Braunschweig
Wolfenbttel
Bielefeld Magdeburg
Mnster Lemgo Hildesheim
Nordrhein- Wernigerode Kthen
Holzminden Sachsen-
Westfalen Anhalt Senftenberg
Paderborn
Gelsenkirchen Dortmund
Bochum Gttingen Merseburg
Krefeld Bad Sooden- Nordhausen Leipzig Grlitz
Dsseldorf Iserlohn Allendorf Moritzburg
Thringen
Dresden Zittau
Mittweida
Aachen Kln Erfurt Jena Sachsen
Brhl
St. Augustin Hessen Schmalkalden
Bonn Bad Honnef Zwickau
Fulda Plauen
Idstein Friedberg Hof
Koblenz Frankfurt a.M. Coburg
Rheinland- Wiesbaden Schweinfurt
Pfalz Mainz Aschaffenburg
Trier Bingen Wrzburg
Darmstadt Weiden
Worms
Kaiserslautern Amberg
Ludwigshafen Mannheim Nrnberg
Saarland Heidelberg Ansbach
Saarbrcken
Heilbronn
Karlsruhe Schwbisch Hall Regensburg
Pforzheim Ludwigsburg Deggendorf
Stuttgart Aalen
Esslingen Schwbisch Gmnd
Ingolstadt
Offenburg Nrtingen
Reutlingen Bayern Landshut
Rottenburg
Ulm
Albstadt- Neu-Ulm Freising-
Sigmaringen Riedlingen Augsburg Weihenstephan
Furtwangen
Freiburg Baden- Biberach Mnchen
Weingarten
Wrttemberg Ravensburg Rosenheim
Isny
Kempten
Konstanz
Kunst-, Film- und Musikhochschulen

(Colleges of Art, Film and Music)
Besides its universities and Fachhoch- Occasionally, colleges of art, film and
schulen, German higher education also music also offer research-oriented or FH
has a whole range of colleges of art, film degree programmes (for example, in
and music to offer. The word college is media studies, musicology or aesthetics).
used here as a generic term. While most Essentially, these programmes apply the
of these institutions bear the name Hoch- same study conditions as in university
schule, some have names that go back to studies.
their historical roots or traditions, such as
(Kunst)Akademie or Schule. In English, Some universities and Fachhochschulen
they use names like University of the Arts, also offer art, design, film or music pro-
School of Music, Academy of Film and grammes. Admissions conditions and
Television, etc. course contents are much the same as those
offered at colleges of art, film or music,
Colleges of art, film or music are primarily but may differ on a case-by-case basis.
responsible for developing the various arts Sometimes, the proximity of other subject
and for preparing students for careers in areas at the respective institutions makes
art and art education. The 58 state (public) it possible to give degree programmes a
and state-recognised institutions currently specific focus (e. g. an emphasis on theory,
train around 33,000 students. philosophy or history).
Students wishing to study at a college of Further Information

art, film or music must have exceptional 3 www.hrk.de
artistic talent. This criterion is more impor- Website of the German Rectors Conference (HRK).
tant than their school qualifications. Its website includes a search function for colleges of
art, film and music
The particular value attached to artistic
talent is also reflected in the study regula- 3 www-en.studienwahl.de
tions. To ensure that students can fully Website published by the Federal Employment
develop their creative potential, these allow Agency and the Bund-Lnder Commission for
them a lot of individual freedom in how Educational Planning and Research Promotion.
they organise their personal studies. This The site offers extensive information on study
applies particularly in the fine arts. opportunities in Germany.
Kunst-, Film- und Musikhochschulen (Colleges of Art, Film and Music) 25
Admissions Requirements Some of the teaching is delivered in the

form of lectures, seminars and other kinds
School Qualifications of courses. However, teaching in these
artistic-creative fields attaches particular
As a rule, students wishing to study at a importance to practical exercises in which
college of art, film or music need to hold a students get the opportunity and are expec-
general higher education entrance qualifi- ted to develop their musical skills, artistic
cation called allgemeine Hochschulreife. ability and creative potential. The pro-
Study applicants with outstanding artistic gramme provides both individual teaching
talent may also be admitted to studies and discussion with university teachers
without the required school leaving certi- and fellow students as a means of allow-
ficate. In this case, they have to pass an ing each student to develop his or her own
aptitude test. Please note, however, that personal artistic style. To encourage ex-
this option is not available when studying change, studies are often completed as a
for a teaching degree. class. Many degree programmes require
students to do internships that last several
Internships and Aptitude Tests months.
The colleges have developed various The standard time to degree in a tradi-
ways to test the artistic aptitude of their tional degree course is generally set at
applicants such as practical exams or between 8 and 10 semesters. As at uni-
interviews with university teachers. In versities, the summer semester generally
most cases, applicants must submit a begins in April and the winter semester
portfolio of their own art or design work. in October.
Applicants wishing to study music are
required to demonstrate their ability in The Bachelors and Masters programmes
an audition. Some other degree program- offered by colleges of art, film and music
mes expect students to spend several essentially have the same structure as
months doing an internship. similar programmes offered at univer-
sities and Fachhochschulen.
Just like university and FH programmes,

the courses usually offered at colleges of
art, film and music are divided into a basic
study stage and a main study stage (p. 13).
Some institutions already test whether
students are suitable for the course after
just two probationary semesters.
Academic Degrees Meisterschler / Konzertexamen
Diplom The highest qualification for artists in

Germany is nomination as a Meister-
Traditional studies at a college of art, film schler (Master Pupil) or qualification
or music generally end with a Diplom with a Konzertexamen. These distinctions
degree. The elements required for gradua- can be awarded to outstanding students
tion can be made up of a Diplom thesis, or graduates in the course of their aca-
oral examinations, continuously assessed demic training. Some institutions require
credits, and demonstration of artistic skills. graduates to complete a course of post-
Depending on the subject in question, stu- graduate studies (a Master Class) for this
dents may be required to present their art- award, to which only particularly-qualified
work or to perform music, drama or give artists are admitted. Meisterschler stud-
similar presentations. ies generally last one year. The Konzert-
examen degree is the equivalent postgrad-
Institution-own Degrees uate qualification in the field of music.
Some institutions end the studies infor- Bachelors and Masters

mally, i. e. without conferring a formal
degree or qualification; or perhaps they Bachelors and Masters programmes are
only award a Diplom degree at the express still quite rare at colleges of art, film and
request of the student. Others may confer music, since the federal states have not yet
the Akademiebrief, a diploma of fine art, issued any uniform guidelines on these.
as the graduation certificate in subjects However, the process of converting most
from that field. of the degree courses over to this new aca-
demic structure also has to be completed
Staatsexamen by 2010 at the latest (on performance
assessment see p. 16).
Students wishing to become art or music
teachers at state or state-recognised schools The Fine Arts form an exception in this
in Germany must graduate with a Staats- respect, because studies in these subjects
examen (p. 17). differ greatly from conventional academic
programmes. Some institutions will
probably continue to offer their two-stage
system of a first degree course (Diplom)
plus postgraduate Meisterschler studies.
Kunst-, Film- und Musikhochschulen (Colleges of Art, Film and Music) 27
Colleges of Art, Film and Music in Germany
Schleswig-
Holstein Rostock
Lbeck
Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern
Hamburg
Hamburg
Bremen
Bremen
Niedersachsen Berlin
Elstal Berlin
Hannover Potsdam
Braunschweig
Brandenburg
Herford
Mnster Sachsen-
Detmold Anhalt
Nordrhein- Halle
Westfalen
Essen
Leipzig Grlitz
Dsseldorf
Dresden
Kln
Hessen Weimar
Aachen Sachsen
Alfter Thringen
Frankfurt a.M.
Rheinland- Offenbach
Pfalz
Wrzburg Bayreuth
Saarland Mannheim Nrnberg

Heidelberg
Saarbrcken
Karlsruhe Regensburg
Stuttgart
Tbingen
Rottenburg
Bayern
Trossingen Baden-
Wrttemberg
Freiburg Mnchen
Higher Education Institutions and their Facilities
The following provides information on the Please contact the International Office first
various facilities run by higher education if you have any general questions about
institutions. Please note, however, that the degree programmes, admissions require-
facilities may differ in name and function, ments, or about preparing your studies or
depending on which federal state they are financing them. The International Office
located in. staff will also give you advice on how to
find a place to live plus support with
Faculties bureaucratic formalities related to your
stay (residence, work, etc.).
Universities are divided into faculties which
are headed by an elected dean and contri- Preparation for studying abroad takes a lot
bute to drawing up the examination and of time. This is why you should contact the
study regulations. Each faculty is made up International Office at the institution of
of various departments called Institute your choice at least 6 months (and better
or Seminare in German. This is also still 1 year) before you plan to start your
where the respective departmental library studies there.
is located.
The addresses of all the International
The International Office Offices in Germany can be found on the
(Akademisches Auslandsamt) enclosed CD-ROM.
First Point of Contact for
Students from Abroad Student Representation at Institu-
tional and Departmental Level
The International Office is one of the key
contact points for foreign students. It is Various councils and societies represent
part of the university administration and is student interests at higher education insti-
responsible for international academic tutions. The Student Parliament (StuPa) is
relations and all related affairs, including elected once a year by all the students at
student exchange, incoming and outgoing the institution in question. The Student
students, etc. Parliament then elects the representatives
of the universitys Student Council, known
as Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss
(AStA) or StudentInnenrat (StuRa) or Unab-
hngiger Studierendenausschuss (UStA),
depending on where you are studying.
Higher Education Institutions and their Facilities 29
Whatever it may be called at your institu-

tion, it is the highest representative body
of the students. It represents the academic
interests of students and attends to their
social and cultural affairs. Students in the
individual departments also elect depart-
mental student societies called Fachschaften
(like the Physics Society or History Soci-
ety), which represent student interests at
departmental level.
Rector, President and Senate

Executive Management
and Administration of Higher
Education Institutions
Higher education institutions are headed

by a Rector (Rektor) or President (Prsi-
dent), several Deputy Rectors (Prorek-
toren) or Vice-Presidents (Vizeprsidenten),
and the institutions chief administrative
officer, the Registrar (Kanzler). The Acad-
emic Senate is responsible for managing
overarching affairs in the field of research,
teaching and studies. The Senate is made
up of representatives of all university
members, which means that students
and non-academic staff also sit on it.
How to Study in Germany

A Guide for International Students
Proof of Adequate School or Conference of the Ministers of Education

Educational Qualifications and Cultural Affairs (Kultusminister-
konferenz KMK). It is responsible for
Higher Education Entrance issuing recommendations on the assess-
Qualification ment of foreign educational certificates.
Practically all German higher education
If you would like to study at a German institutions base their decisions on admit-
higher education institution, you must ting foreign applicants on these recommen-
present educational qualifications that are dations; the higher education acts adopted
recognised as equivalent to a German by many federal states define these recom-
higher education entrance qualification. mendations as the minimum requirements
Students applying to study an artistic sub- for admission to higher education. You
ject may be admitted without a formal can find out how your certificates will be
higher education entrance qualification if assessed in Germany by going to the DAAD
they can demonstrate that they have parti- website, or for greater detail onto the
cular artistic talent. However, it is abso- website of the Central Office for Foreign
lutely essential that you find out specific- Education Database: www.anabin.de.
ally what the requirements are in each
degree programme at each university that Assessment Test (Feststellungs-
you are thinking about applying for. prfung) and Preparatory Course
(Studienkolleg)
Often, a school leaving certificate that
qualifies you for entry into higher educa- If your educational qualifications are not
tion in your home country will be accepted sufficient for admission to studies, you
as an equivalent qualification for admis- may, under certain circumstances and
sion to higher education in Germany. instead of having to prove that you have
Under certain circumstances you may be completed one or two academic years of
required to present further qualifications, study in your home country be able to
such as proof that you have successfully attend a Studienkolleg in Germany to
completed one or two years of academic pass the so-called Feststellungsprfung. A
study in your home country. pass in this test is considered as proof that
you have the knowledge and qualifications
The Central Office for Foreign Education required for studies in a specific subject
(Zentralstelle fr auslndisches Bildungs- area, i. e. natural sciences or engineering.
wesen ZaB) is based at the Standing
Admissions Requirements 33
You take this test in several subjects of Course GD: for art and design oriented
relevance and importance to the subject programmes
that you eventually want to study. For Course SW: for social sciences
example, if you plan to study medicine, programmes
you will be tested in biology, chemistry Course D: for programmes leading
and physics. The Feststellungsprfung to an interpreter/translator degree
includes a language test. Its level meets
the language proficiency requirements Colleges of art, film and music do not ope-
needed for admission to academic study rate their own Studienkollegs. Study appli-
in Germany. cants can attend art-oriented courses
offered by Studienkollegs at nearby higher
Studienkollegs at universities and Fach- education institutions.
hochschulen offer various courses for study
applicants. The question of which core The core courses teach subjects which
course applies to you depends on what prepare you for the examination subjects
subject you wish to study: that you later take in the Feststellungs-
prfung, including an intensive German
Core courses to prepare for the Fest- language course. However, basic language
stellungsprfung at a university: skills (comparable with Level B1 of the
Common European Framework of
T course: for technical, mathematics Reference) do represent a requirement
and natural sciences programmes for acceptance into such a course.
(except biological programmes)
M course: for medical and biological Example
programmes Studienkolleg timetable for an applicant
W course: for economics, business wishing to study mechanical engineer-
administration, and social sciences ing at a Fachhochschule
programmes
G course: for arts and humanities, Subject Hours per week
social studies, and artistic programmes; German 10
German studies Mathematics 8
S course: for language/linguistics Physics 6
oriented programmes (except German) Technology 2
Technical drawing 4
Core courses to prepare for the Fest- Computer science 2
stellungsprfung at a Fachhochschule:
Course TI: for technical and engineer- A core course at a Studienkolleg generally
ing programmes lasts two semesters. However, students
Course WW: for economics and who perform excellently can already be
business programmes admitted to the Feststellungsprfung after
just one semester. Students study as a
class and receive around 30 hours of strate their German language proficiency.
teaching per week. Participation in the Beginners are urgently advised to attend a
courses is compulsory. Teaching is gener- pre-study German course.
ally free of charge, although participants
are required to pay the semester fee To study at a Fachhochschule or univer-
which all students in Germany must pay sity, applicants who do not come from a
(p. 45). German-speaking country and who have
not completed a Studienkolleg with the
Proof of German Language Feststellungsprfung must consequently
Proficiency pass one of the following two tests:
German is the language of instruction TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremd-

and study at German higher education sprache) = German as a Foreign
institutions, with the exception of some Language Test, or
programmes instructed in English. DSH (Deutsche Sprachprfung fr
Besides having adequate educational den Hochschulzugang auslndischer
qualifications, study applicants also need Studienbewerber) = German Language
to have German language skills at a level Test for the Admission of Foreign
that enables them to meet the language Study Applicants.
requirements needed for academic study.
This means they must be able to follow If you hold one of the following language
and understand a lecture, review, work on certificates, however, you will generally be
and edit an academic text, and possibly exempted from having to take these tests:
also write such a text. They must also be
able to converse appropriately in German Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultus-
on academic or related topics. ministerkonferenz, 2. Stufe (DSD II),
Zentrale Oberstufenprfung des
Foreign study applicants are advised to Goethe-Instituts, or
improve their German language skills as Kleines or Groes Deutsches Sprach-
much as possible while they are still in diplom des Goethe-Instituts.
their home country. This is possible in You will also be exempted if you gained
most countries. Germanys higher educa- your Abitur school leaving certificate at
tion institutions offer language courses, a recognised German school abroad.
which may be free of charge, while others
are meanwhile increasingly charging fees Sometimes, higher education institutions
for such courses. Please note that the dispense with the need for a language certi-
number of places on these courses is ficate. This may apply to exchange students,
limited. Private language schools and insti- to applicants only wishing to spend one
tutes also offer German language courses semester in Germany, to doctoral students,
that prepare students for their studies. and also to students enrolled in degree
All such courses charge fees. As a rule, programmes that are completely or largely
study applicants must take a test to demon- held in English.
Admissions Requirements 35
Occasionally, applicants do not have to The test results are graded at three levels
present the language certificates for (TDN 3, 4 and 5). Candidates who score
admission to a higher education insti- the middle TestDaF level (TDN 4) in all
tution at this stage. However, they must test sections fulfil all the language require-
certainly be presented when registering / ments needed for admission to higher
matriculating at the institution. education. Whether a level TDN 3 score
in one or more of the test sections is still
The requirements at colleges of art, film sufficient for admission generally depends
and music differ from one institution to on the higher education institutions admis-
the next. Sometimes, they also require sions policy. So, please make sure that
applicants to hold a DSH or TestDaF certi- you contact the relevant International
ficate; in some cases, lower level language Office as soon as possible to get all the
skills may also be accepted. information you need.
Because the rules and regulations differ so The test costs between 100 and 130 euros
much, please do make sure that you in- in most countries and is held six times a
form yourself in good time by contacting year. The registration deadline is always
the International Office or by going onto 4 weeks before the next test date.
the website of your chosen institution.
The website www.testdaf.de lists all the
German as a Foreign Language Test test centres and test dates, and gives use-
(Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache ful tips on how best to prepare for the test.
TestDaF)
German Language Test for the Ad-
TestDaF is offered at licensed test centres mission of Foreign Study Applicants
in Germany and in more than 80 other (Deutsche Sprachprfung fr den
countries. This standardised test is made Hochschulzugang DSH)
up of written and oral sections that enable
you to demonstrate that your German The DSH test can generally only be taken
language skills are of a sufficient level for in Germany. Many higher education insti-
academic study. One of the advantages tutions offer it: students usually sit the test
that TestDaF has over the DSH is that you three to four weeks before the semester
can take the test in your home country. starts. Although the DSH tests differ from
This means that you can compile all the one institution to the next, they are subject
papers and documents that you need for to general guidelines that apply for all
admission to higher education even before higher education institutions in Germany
you leave for Germany. and so are comparable. The DSH also
involves a written section and an oral sec-
tion to determine whether the candidates
meet the language requirements for ad-
mission to higher education in Germany.
The test results are graded at three levels: 3 www.anabin.de

DSH-1, DSH-2 and DSH-3. Students A database published by the KMK with information
wishing to be admitted to higher education on the recognition of foreign educational certificates;
must pass it with at least a DSH-2 level to find out what recommendations apply to certifi-
score. Depending on what the objective cates from your home country, use the option Land
of your studies is, a DSH-1 score may also whlen; German only
be accepted, although you may, in such
cases, only be given conditional admission, 3 www.goethe.de
meaning that you have to take German Goethe Institute website with information on various
language courses parallel to your normal language certificates
studies. You can again contact the Interna-
tional Office at your institution of choice 3 www.studienkollegs.de
to find out what language level it requires Website of the Studienkolleg directors Arbeits-
you to have. gemeinschaft der Direktoren der Studienkollegs
run in cooperation with the DAAD; German only
Some higher education institutions do not
charge for the DSH test, while others 3 www.testdaf.de
charge up to 130 euros. The institutions Website of the TestDaF Institute
set the test dates themselves.
3 www.fadaf.de
Most higher education institutions offer Website of the German as a Foreign Language Unit
language courses that prepare students (FADAF) with information on language tests and
for the DSH. However, you do already need certificates, and a list of German course providers;
to have a certain level of German to be German only
able to attend these courses. Demand for
the courses is very great indeed, meaning 3 www.deutsch-uni.com
that not all applicants can be admitted. An interactive learning platform with course material
on the German language and aspects of cultural and
Further Information everyday knowledge and life
3 www.daad.de/zulassung
Website offering extensive information on admissions
conditions; this is where you can find out whether
your higher education entrance qualification entitles
you to direct admission to a degree programme at
a German higher education institution or whether
you first have to pass an assessment test called the
Feststellungsprfung
3 www.learn-german.net
Website with information on online learning methods,
materials, course providers, plus a list of all recog-
nised German language tests
Application and Registration 37
Application and Registration
There are various ways to apply for a study Applying to your chosen Higher
place at a German higher education insti- Education Institution: Directly or
tution. Which of these options is best for via uni-assist
you depends on which subject you choose
and at which higher education institution Often, study applicants from abroad must
you would like to study. Your country of apply direct to the International Office at
origin may also play a role. the higher education institution at which
they would like to study (for addresses see
As far as admissions regulations are con- enclosed CD-ROM). The application form
cerned, the following study applicants will can be obtained from the higher education
be largely treated on the same basis as institution or downloaded from the DAAD
German applicants: website.
Applicants from a contracting state Higher education institutions expect you

to the European Economic Area (EEA); to enclose certain documents and papers
the EEA covers the member states of with your application. As a rule, this in-
the European Union plus Liechtenstein, cludes an officially-certified copy of your
Iceland and Norway; school leaving certificate plus language
Bildungsinlnder (foreign applicants certificates. You will also be required to
holding a German higher education provide personal details in a curriculum
entrance qualification, i. e. foreigners vitae or rsum plus information on how
who gained their higher education you plan to finance your studies (proof of
entrance qualification in Germany or sufficient financial resources). Please note
who hold a school leaving certificate that the higher education institution will
awarded by a German school abroad). only process your admissions application
once you have submitted all the required
papers. The application deadline generally
European Union member states
ends several months before the semester
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech
start date. Therefore, please ensure that
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
you contact the International Office as
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
soon as possible, so that you can obtain
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxem-
any documents that you may still need in
bourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland,
good time, i. e. before the closing date.
Portugal, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, United Kingdom
Around 90 German higher education Applying through the Central

institutions only process international University Admissions Service
study applications once these have been (ZVS)
formally pre-checked by uni-assist
(a certification service for international So-called nationwide admissions restric-
student applications). The advantage for tions (Numerus clausus) apply to subjects
international study applicants lies in the that have more applicants than places
fact that they only need to contact one throughout Germany. Germans and equal
central office to apply for a study place at status foreigners (i. e. EU foreigners and
several higher education institutions at foreigners who gained their school leaving
once with just one set of application certificate in Germany or at a German
papers. The service provided by uni-assist school abroad) must initially send their
promises to check the papers quickly and application to the Central University
to contact the applicant without delay if Admissions Service (Zentralstelle fr
any papers are missing. If all the papers die Vergabe von Studienpltzen ZVS,
have been submitted in full and the appli- www.zvs.de). All other applicants should
cant meets the formal academic require- send their application direct to their
ments, the application will be forwarded to chosen higher education institution or
the selected higher education institutions. to uni-assist.
Applicants from the European Economic
Area (EEA) pay 25 euros for processing the
first application to one higher education
institution; Chinese applicants who passed
the certification process at the Academic
Evaluation Centre in Beijing (APS) pay
20 euros. All other applicants pay 50 euros.
Each application for an additional insti-
tution costs 15 euros. For further informa-
tion, please check the uni-assist website:
www.uni-assist.de.
Institutions are increasingly selecting stu-

dents on the basis of quality criteria. Selec-
tion factors differ from one federal state
to the next and from institution to institu-
tion. Please contact the institution of your
choice for information and details. A fixed
proportion of study places are reserved for
students from abroad who have to pass
through a different admissions procedure
to that required for German and equivalent
status students (see above).
Application and Registration 39
Registration / Matriculation
(Immatrikulation)
As soon as youve received your letter of

admission (Zulassungsbescheid) from
the International Office or the ZVS, you
can go and register at the specified insti-
tution. Please note that the registration
deadlines can often be quite short and that
you mostly have to go in person to your
institution to register.
You have to take a number of specific

papers and documents with you to register
for example, proof that you have health
insurance and that you have paid the
semester fee (p. 45). The International
Office will tell you whether you have to
bring any other papers along. Once you
have done this, you will soon receive
confirmation of your registration by post.
As a registered student you can attend

courses at the institution, take exams
and gain an academic degree. You have
access to all the facilities at your institu-
tion library, sports facilities, computer
rooms and can vote at elections to the
student parliament.
Further Information
3 www.daad.de/zulassung
Provides information on uni-assist and
application forms
Entry and Residence Provisions
Visa and Residence Permit Students and applicants from Andorra,

Australia, Canada, Honduras, Israel,
In general, foreign students and study Japan, Republic of Korea, Monaco, New
applicants from abroad need a national Zealand, San Marino, Switzerland and
visa to enter Germany. For longer the United States of America are also
stays, they additionally need to obtain exempted from the visa requirement.
a residence permit. However, they do need to obtain a
residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis,
Exceptions apply for students and p. 42) if their stay lasts longer than
study applicants from the following three months.
countries: Nationals from the following countries
may enter Germany for three months
Citizens of countries belonging to the without a visa: Argentina, Bolivia,
European Economic Area (EEA, p. 37) Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa
only need to present an identity card or Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala,
comparable proof of identity, such as a Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,
passport, for entry. After arriving, they Paraguay, Romania, Singapore, Uru-
must go to the registration authority guay, Vatican City, Venezuela. How-
(Meldebehrde) in their new place of ever, if you plan to stay in Germany
residence to register their address. They for more than three months, then
then receive a certificate confirming you must enter Germany with a visa.
their right of residence (Bescheinigung Anyone entering Germany without a
ber das Aufenthaltsrecht). Under cer- visa must leave the country again after
tain circumstances, they may also have three months and return to their home
to prove that they are able to maintain country to apply for a visa.
themselves (i. e. that they have enough
money to cover their living expenses) and
that they have health insurance cover.
Entry and Residence Provisions 41
Applicant Visa (Visum zur Student Visa (Visum zu

Studienbewerbung) Studienzwecken)
Applicants who have not yet been If you have already been admitted to a
admitted to a higher education institu- degree programme or a Studienkolleg, you
tion or a Studienkolleg can often already need a student visa. Generally you will
apply for an applicant visa to the German have to submit the following papers along
mission abroad (embassy, consulate) in with your visa application:
their respective home country (the add-
resses of these missions can be found Letter of admission from the higher
on the Federal Foreign Office website: education institution; this can be
www.auswaertiges-amt.de). The visa substituted by confirmation from the
is valid for three months and is meant to institution that there is good reason
give you the opportunity to collect any to expect admission to be granted;
information you need about studying in Proof of health insurance cover
Germany and to meet the requirements (pp. 4647);
for admission. If the three months are Proof of financial resources (p. 42);
not enough, the length of stay can be exten- Proof of previous educational qualifi-
ded by a maximum of six months. If you cations and academic credits;
are admitted to a course of studies or to a Proof of any German language skills
Studienkolleg in this time, you will be able you may have or of plans to take an
to apply for a student residence permit. intensive language course in Germany.
There are no uniform provisions on which The student visa is generally issued for a
papers and documents you need to enclose period of three months. If your studies or
with your visa application. They may be project are going to last longer, you must
the same as for the student visa (see below; contact the foreigners authority (Aus-
but since you do not yet have the letter of lnderbehrde) at your German place of
admission specified there, a higher edu- residence to apply for a residence permit.
cation entrance qualification recognised in
Germany will be accepted). Please contact
the German mission in your country as
soon as possible to find out which docu-
ments you need so that you do not waste
any time unnecessarily.
Residence Permit A useful tip

(Aufenthaltserlaubnis) If you want to study in Germany, never
enter on a tourist visa, because you
Generally, your studies, your project or cannot subsequently convert this visa
your course at a Studienkolleg will last into a student or applicant visa.
longer than three months. If you do not
come from an EU country or from a
country of equivalent status, you must go Financial Requirements
to the foreigners authority (Auslnder-
behrde) in the town in which you are Before starting your studies, you must
studying to apply for a residence permit. prove that you are able to finance yourself.
This is initially issued for two years, but As a rule, you already need to prove that
can be extended each time by a further two you have sufficient financial resources
years, subject to appropriate academic available to you when you apply for a
progress. visa; but you must certainly present this
proof at the latest when you apply for a
Your application for a residence permit residence permit.
must be supported by the letter of admis-
sion from your higher education institution, As a rule, you will be required to prove that
by proof of health insurance cover, and you have at least 585 euros per month
by proof that you have sufficient financial (equal to 7,020 euros per year) available to
resources to maintain yourself (living ex- you. Some federal states may set different
penses) while studying in Germany. sums. You can prove that you have suffi-
cient financial resources (Finanzierungs-
After graduating successfully in Germany, nachweis) by presenting a scholarship
you can apply for a one-year extension to award letter or an overview of your
your residence permit for the purpose of parents income and assets (e. g. bank
looking for a job. This application must statements), by depositing a bank guaran-
be accompanied by proof that you have tee at a bank or by presenting other
enough finances to maintain yourself and securities. The German mission abroad
that you are seriously endeavouring to find or the foreigners authority in Germany
a job that corresponds with your qualifi- will give you details on exactly what the
cations. However, Germans and applicants requirements are. Students from EU and
of equal status (citizens from the EEA and equivalent status countries generally only
Switzerland) have priority in the allocation need to make a written statement at the
of jobs. But once you have found such a registration authority in which they con-
position, you will get a residence permit firm that they have sufficient financial
that allows you to take up gainful employ- resources at their disposal.
ment in Germany.
Entry and Residence Provisions 43
Medical Examination Please contact the foreigners authority at

(Gesundheitsuntersuchung) your place of study for exact information
on the employment legislation provisions.
When you apply for an entry visa, you may
be required to present a health certificate. Further Information
The German mission abroad will provide 3 www.daad.de/deutschland/download
you with information on this. Information on the Statutory Frameworks applicable
to the Pursuit of Gainful Employment by Foreign
You may have to present a medical certi- Students, Academics and Researchers; Information
ficate when you want to extend your resi- Sheet can be downloaded
dence permit in Germany. However, the
regulations on this differ from one federal 3 www.daad.de/deutschland/download
state to the next. The foreigners authority Information on the Statutory Frameworks applicable
at your place of study will inform you to Entry and Residence by Foreign Students, Aca-
accordingly. demics and Researchers; Information Sheet can be
downloaded
Working and Studying
3 www.daad.de/deutschland
Students from the EEA and Switzerland For answers to important questions on entry and
who wish to work in Germany do not need residence provisions
a work permit. They have the same status
as German students in this respect. Special 3 The Federal Employment Agency
regulations apply for citizens from the in your university town
new EU countries (except for Malta and
Cyprus; see Box p. 37): they will be treated 3 The foreigners authority in your
as students from third (non-EU countries) university town
for a transitional period.
3 www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Students who do not come from the EEA Look here for the address(es) of the German
or Switzerland are only allowed to work mission(s) in your home country
for a maximum of 90 full or 180 half days
per year. Any work exceeding these limits
must be approved by the local Federal
Employment Agency (Bundesagentur fr
Arbeit) and foreigners authority (Auslnder-
behrde). Jobs related to higher education
can be taken without any time limits, but
must be reported to the foreigners autho-
rity. The authority then decides if a job
can be classified a student employment
and so is not subject to the above ruling.
Costs, Fees, Sources of Funding and Scholarships
What Does it Cost to Study? Deutsches Studentenwerk (Association

of German Student Services Organisa-
Cost of Living tions). But students who find inexpensive
accommodation and lead an otherwise
Germany is not expensive compared to moderate life can also make do with less
other European countries. Food and drink, than 600 euros per month.
accommodation, leisure activities, cultural
events and so on all cost around the EU Most of the monthly budget goes on rent.
average. Compared with other countries Yet, rents differ greatly, with students
like France, Britain and the Netherlands, paying between 180 and 325 euros per
prices are actually quite low. month for accommodation, depending on
which university town they live in. Rents
Its difficult to say how much money a in major cities, like Hamburg, Munich or
student generally needs per month in Frankfurt/Main, tend to be higher than
Germany. The amount will differ from average. If you want to save money, try
one town to the next and will depend not subtenancy or lodging or looking for a
least on the students personal leisure room in a hall of residence or a shared flat
activities. Students who live with their (see Table; further information on looking
parents have around 770 euros per month for a place to live on pp. 5052).
available to them on average (as deter-
mined by the 17th Social Survey of the
Cost of Living (approximate values as per 2006)
Cost of Amount in euros

Accommodation in a hall of residence / dormitory 180.00
Room in a shared flat 230.00
Own flat 300.00
Refectory / student restaurant meal 1.502.00
Loaf of bread (1 kg) various varieties 2.003.00
Milk (1 litre) 0.70
Daily paper (per month with student subscription) 12.0018.00
100 km rail journey 15.0023.00
Cinema 4.008.00
Costs, Fees, Sources of Funding and Scholarships 45
Students can make use of various special Some federal states additionally charge
rates. State theatres, museums and opera an administrative fee or re-registration
houses offer cut-price or discount tickets, fee. Depending on the institution in
and in some cases theatres, cinemas, muni- question, this can amount to between
cipal libraries and other cultural facilities 40 and 75 euros per semester.
are free of charge. Daily papers and maga-
zines are also cheaper with a student sub- Typical example
scription. Holders of a Semesterticket Semester Fee in the Summer Semester
(see below) can use buses, trams, suburban 2005 at the University of Bielefeld
and local trains in and around their uni-
versity town without having to pay any extra. Cost of Amount in euros
Social contributions 47.75
Semester Fee and Student representation 10.00
Re-Registration Fee Semester ticket 69.86
Sum total 127.61
All students in Germany pay a Semester
Fee (Semesterbeitrag) for each semester
of study; the amount can differ from one
institution to the next: General Tuition Fees
Social contributions are charged for Since January 2005, when the Federal
using the social facilities maintained Constitutional Court lifted the ban on
by the student services organisations tuition fees for first degree courses (under-
(Studentenwerke), like refectories (the graduate) and consecutive Masters pro-
student restaurant), cafeterias, student grammes, a growing number of federal
halls of residence, and sports facilities; states have been planning to introduce
a financial contribution towards the general tuition fees: Lower Saxony and
student representations (for example, North Rhine-Westphalia will be the first
the student parliament); states to introduce these as from the
a payment for the Semesterticket: the winter semester 2006/2007, followed in
semester ticket allows the holder to use the summer semester 2007 by Bavaria,
local transport in and around the uni- Baden-Wrttemberg and Hamburg, and
versity town at no extra cost (not avail- then in the subsequent winter semester by
able at all higher education institutions). Hessen and Saarland. Since the level of
these fees will differ from one federal state
to the next, and with developments in this
field also progressing very quickly at the
moment, it is advisable to contact the insti-
tution of your choice to find out exactly
whether tuition fees are charged and, if so,
how much. The following trends can be
seen to be emerging at present:
The ceiling for general tuition fees has Health and Accident Insurance
been set almost everywhere at 500 euros;
however, Hessen plans to allow higher Students who study in Germany must have
education institutions to charge up to health insurance cover and must pay
1,500 euros from non-EU students contributions for nursing care insurance.
enrolled in structured doctoral pro- Students who cannot prove that they have
grammes or in consecutive Masters both these types of insurance cannot reg-
programmes. ister/matriculate at a higher education
Some federal states (currently Bavaria institution.
and North Rhine-Westphalia) allow the
higher education institutions themselves There are two kinds of health insurance:
to set the level of their fees up to the statutory (public) health insurance (Gesetz-
general ceiling. Institutions in North liche Krankenversicherung GKV) and
Rhine-Westphalia are also at liberty to private health insurance (Private Kranken-
completely dispense with tuition fees. versicherung PKV). If you have not yet
Doctoral candidates have generally been turned 30 years of age or have not yet
exempted from having to pay tuition spent more than 14 semesters in academic
fees (exception: structured doctoral pro- study (Fachsemester) you can be insured
grammes in Hessen, see above). with a statutory health insurance carrier.
Statutory health insurance carriers offer
In addition, some higher education insti- particularly favourable rates for students.
tutions require foreign study applicants The health insurance contribution, includ-
to pay application fees (usually around ing nursing care insurance, currently
50 euros). Some institutions also plan amounts to around 55 euros per month.
to introduce so-called student support Doctoral students are not accepted by the
fees to pay for the special services offered statutory health insurance carriers, unless
to foreign students. they have already been insured there (as
a student) for at least one year.
Some federal states require students who
have clearly exceeded the standard time Statutory health insurance carriers pay
to degree in their subject or who take up most of the treatment costs. However, in-
a second degree course to pay fees of sured persons are required to pay an excess
between 500 and 1,500 euros. (additional sum) for prescription drugs,
in-patient treatment, and psychotherapy.
A regularly updated list of the fees charged If they need out-patient treatment, they
in the various federal states can be found pay a medical consultation fee of 10 euros
at: www.daad.de/gebuehren. per quarter direct to the doctor or dentist
prior to treatment.
The statutory health insurance carriers Further Information

credit any statutory qualifying periods 3 Ziel Deutschland / Destination Germany
acquired in EU/EAA countries on the Booklet with extensive information on studying
basis of social security agreements and and living in Germany; please order from the DAAD
bilateral insurance agreements.
3 www.daad.de/deutschland
Students from EU/EEA countries with valid For answers to important questions concerning costs
health insurance from their home country
(European Health Card) should take out 3 www.deutsche-sozialversicherung.de
supplementary insurance in their home Website of the European Representation of the
country, since the home insurance only German Social Insurance System which explains the
covers medically necessary treatment costs five pillars of the German social insurance system
(i. e. emergency treatment). (illness/health, accident, unemployment, nursing care
and old age)
Students do not need to take out accident
insurance. They are covered by law against 3 www.internationale-studierende.de
accidents during their training at the higher Website of the Deutsches Studentenwerk, the
education institution and on the way to national association of German student services
and from the institution. Additional insur- organisations, with information on student finances
ance may be a sensible option if you plan and on other general questions, such as residence
to take up competitive sport, for example. and employment law, health insurance, etc.
3 www-en.studienwahl.de
Information portal on study and career choices
for students
3 www.studis-online.de/StudInfo/
Gebuehren/tuition_fees.php
Student portal, includes information on tuition fees,
scholarships and grants, and other financial questions
How Can I Finance My Studies? State Training Assistance
Grants and Scholarships German students from low-income families

receive state support based on the Federal
International students can apply to numer- Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbil-
ous organisations for grants or scholar- dungsfrderungsgesetz BAfG). BAfG
ships, such as the DAAD, political foun- is paid half as a grant and half as an inter-
dations, religious organisations, or business est-free loan that only needs to be repaid
and industry organisations. Higher edu- in instalments once the holder has taken
cation institutions themselves also offer a up employment. The German government
certain number of scholarships or grants, also offers students in the advanced stages
such as for students at partner institutions of their studies or training the opportunity
who are in their study completion phase or to take up a low-interest loan.
are doing a doctorate at a graduate school.
Foreign students may also apply for BAfG
To qualify for financial support, applicants payments or student loans (Bildungs-
must primarily demonstrate above-average kredit). Yet, you generally have to meet a
academic ability in the subject in question number of conditions. For example, you
and particular political or social commit- must have been resident in Germany
ment; an applicants personal, social before you started studying or you are a
circumstances only play a secondary role. recognised refugee or have asylum status
or you come from an EU member state or
The most extensive range of scholarship from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
programmes for German and foreign and were working in Germany before the
students, (post)graduates and researchers start of your studies. Your work and aca-
is offered by the DAAD. The web-based demic subject must be related in terms of
scholarship database provides a conven- content. Other conditions may also apply.
ient way of researching the various kinds
of scholarships, including those offered by Please contact the student services at your
other funding organisations (additional institution to find out whether BAfG trai-
contact points listed below under Further ning assistance or another kind of student
Information). loan (for example, as offered by state banks
called Landesbanken) is available to you.
Funding for a full course of studies from
the first to the last semester is not generally The government-owned KfW Banking
possible with the DAAD or with most Group will offer a student loan of up to
other organisations. 650 euros per month from the winter
semester 2006/2007. Germans and EU
foreigners who have been living in Ger-
many for at least three years may apply.
Part-Time and Temporary Jobs 3 www.funding-guide.de

In addition to providing information on DAAD
If you wish to study in Germany, you must programmes, the scholarship database also lists
be able to prove that you can maintain funding opportunities for international students,
yourself, i. e. that you have enough money graduates and postdocs offered by other selected
to live on (Proof of financial resources organisations
p. 42). This means that you are not essen-
tially dependent on part-time or temporary 3 Employment Agencies in your
work. However, if you would like to earn university town
some extra cash, you can find job offers at Job agency and advice
the local Employment Agency, in local
papers or on the noticeboards at uni or in 3 www.arbeitsagentur.de
cafs. However, you must not expect it to Website of the Federal Employment Agency with job
be easy to find a job. The number of jobs exchanges and special information for students and
offered for students is quite small. graduates; German only
A part-time or temporary job has a number 3 www.auswaertiges-amt.de

of advantages, like more money and new Website of the Federal Foreign Office with the
contacts. But it also bears a number of addresses of the German missions in your home
risks. Students who work and study must country from which you can obtain information
expect this to delay their graduation. Some about scholarships and grants
federal states charge fees for long-term
students, which can become very expensive. 3 www.bafoeg.bmbf.de
Website of the Federal Ministry of Education and
Students who are not nationals of an EU Research BMBF with information on BAfG
or EEA member state can only work to a training assistance; German only
limited extent in Germany. You can find
information on the employment legislation 3 www.bildungskredit.de
provisions on p. 43. Website of the Federal Administrative Office
Bundesverwaltungsamt with information on
Further Information student loans; German only
3 DAAD-Scholarships for Foreign
Academics and Students 3 www.kfw-foerderbank.de
DAAD brochure with an overview of available Website of the KfW Banking group with information
scholarship and grant programmes on student loans (see section on Education for
more details)
3 www.daad.de/offices
DAAD Branch Offices see p. 66
How Best to Start Your Studies
Student Accommodation In some university towns, student

services and various religious and faith
Anyone who studies in Germany is perso- groups offer inexpensive overnight
nally responsible for finding a place to live. stays for students seeking a room or flat.
Only in exceptions, such as at private uni- In some cases, you can take a room in
versities, will you be able to find a system a private guesthouse for 15 euros per
like in other countries, where students live night, including breakfast. Youth hostels
on campus. (www.jugendherberge.de) charge between
12 and 22 euros per night in a multi-bed,
Since only little inexpensive accommoda- i. e. shared room. However, you need to be
tion is available in many university towns, a member of the German Youth Hostel
you should start searching for a flat or Organisation (Deutsches Jugendherbergs-
room as soon as possible. Please contact werk) or of another member organisation
the International Office to find out what of the International Youth Hostel Federa-
you have to be aware of when looking for a tion (12 euros per year if you are no older
place to live and where vacant rooms or than 26 years of age).
flats are advertised. Ask about the addresses
of student halls of residence and dormi- Student Halls of Residence and
tories as well as about other organisations Dormitories (Studentenwohnheime)
that can help you in your flat hunting.
You will often be able to find some initial The student services organisations, reli-
tips on the International Office website. gious and faith groups, and private organi-
sations run student halls of residence
The First Few Nights in practically all university towns. They
generally offer reasonably-priced accom-
If you have to travel to your future uni- modation.
versity town to look for a flat, you need to
find some temporary accommodation. They also offer flats for one or two persons
You can get some information on your plus rooms in shared flats (Wohngemein-
options in the town by contacting the schaften = WG). Some rooms or flats are
International Office. furnished and are equipped with inexpen-
sive Internet access. Many of these halls
have leisure and recreation rooms that all
the residents share. Washing machines are
often available for you to use at a charge.
How Best to Start Your Studies 51
Unfortunately, it is often difficult to find a Private Accommodation Market

place in a hall of residence. If you are inte-
rested in such an option, you should apply Most students find a place to live on the
as soon as you get the letter of admission private accommodation market. They
from your higher education institution. either rent a flat of their own, a room in a
The sooner you do this, the greater your shared flat or move in as a subtenant or
chances will be. lodger (Information on rent costs on p. 44).
Several people live together in a WG and
share the costs, like rent, standing charges
Special Student Services
for phone and Internet, and so on. A lodger
Many student services (Studenten-
or subtenant is somebody who rents a flat
werke) help international students
and then rents out part of that flat (i. e. a
living in their halls of residence to a
room) to another person.
smoother start in their studies by offer-
ing a number of special services. They
You can start looking for a place to live
provide tutors to help new students
whilst you are still at home. Some shared
with everyday questions like dealing
flat agencies and flat exchanges have
with the authorities, problems with
specialised in student accommodation and
others living in hall, or questions on
offer this via the Internet, for example:
their studies or on how best to orga-
nise leisure activities. The Studenten-
werke also have a special Service Set
3 www.mitwohnzentrale.de
that includes a room in hall plus the
3 www.homecompany.de
semester fee, arrangement of health
3 www.studenten-wg.de
insurance and the provision of cutlery,
3 www.studenten-wohnung.de
crockery and bedlinen; depending on
If you dont succeed with this, you will
which services are taken, the set costs
have to travel to Germany and look for
between 205 and 375 euros per month.
accommodation. Youll find most offers in
The Studentenwerke also operate a spe-
the daily papers (and mostly in the Satur-
cific website for international students:
day edition), city magazines and student
www.internationale-studierende.de
or university mags. Get your edition as
early as possible, since good offers are
often taken up quickly. Flats or rooms that
become vacant are often advertised at the
institution through notices posted outside
the student council offices (AStA), at the
cafeterias, or on the noticeboards known
in German as schwarze Bretter, although
they are seldom black.
A Tip catalogue (Vorlesungsverzeichnis) that

There is no uniform format for setting lists the courses offered in all subjects.
rents. So when comparing prices, Often, individual faculties and depart-
please pay attention to what exactly ments will also bring out annotated
the euro sum includes: Kaltmiete course catalogues (kommentierte Vorle-
means the base rent for the accommo- sungsverzeichnisse KVV). Many insti-
dation, while Warmmiete means base tutions have meanwhile placed these on
rent plus extra costs for water, road the Internet as well. The KVV contains
cleaning, waste disposal, etc. more detailed information on seminars,
courses and lectures as well as recom-
mended reading lists to help you prepare
Of course, you can also ask a professional for the semester.
estate agent to look for a flat for you. But
remember that the agency fee can amount Any changes made at short notice to the
up to three monthly rent payments. range of courses are published on the
noticeboard (schwarzes Brett) in your
Planning Your Studies department. This is also where you will
find the lists into which you must enter
Students wishing to study in Germany your name if you want to attend certain
need to be able to work, i. e. study, inde- courses.
pendently. The study regulations allow
students a lot of freedom in the organisa- Advice and Support
tion of their studies (particularly, students
enrolled at universities). However, it also Introductory events are offered for all new
means that you need to show a lot of students German and foreign at the
personal initiative and self-discipline if start of each semester. They are organised
you wish to reach your academic goal. by the universitys student council (AStA)
This is why it is important that you inform and by the departmental student societies
yourself about your studies and your (Fachschaften) and provide important infor-
degree programme as soon as possible. mation on the institution itself and on the
structure of your degree programme.
Study Regulations and
Course Catalogue In addition, the International Office will
offer an orientation meeting for new
It is absolutely essential that you carefully students from abroad. This is really im-
read the study and examination regulations portant for your study planning, which is
at the start of your studies. In some cases, why you should not miss it under any
they are also published on the Internet, circumstances. You will get the invitation
but of course you can request them from to this meeting together with your letter
your future higher education institution of admission.
as well. Once a semester, each higher
education institution publishes a course
How Best to Start Your Studies 53
If you have any other special questions organise regular roundtables (Stamm-
about your academic studies, please dont tische) where students meet in the same
hesitate to contact the appropriate offices pub or bar each week for a cocktail of
in your faculty, above all the faculty friends and shop talk.
administration (Fakulttsverwaltung) and
the departmental student advice services Outside uni, you will find that many
(Studienberatung der Fachschaft). If you German towns and cities offer a very
have any general questions about studying diverse and varied range of cultural and
change of degree programme, how to leisure activities. Information and dates
organise your study workload, support for can be found in the daily papers, the city
women then the Central Student Advice magazines and student or uni mags.
Service (Zentrale Studienberatung ZSB) Sometimes, the International Offices also
is the place to ask. publish programmes of events of special
interest to foreign students (daytrips,
Some institutions also run special support, weekend outings, evening get-togethers,
counselling and guidance programmes and so on)
(Betreuungsprogramme). German students
help new students from abroad find their Religious Communities and
way around and settle in to the institution Faith Groups
and new town. Make sure you use oppor-
tunities like these, if they are offered at Most higher education institutions have a
your institution. A quick and uncomplicated Protestant and Catholic student chap-
solution can often be found to any prob- laincy. Larger institutions, in particular,
lems there may be. may have other faith groups as well. Since
these communities and groups are inter-
Student Life ested in exchange with other cultures and
religions, they are also often open to
Of course, you can do much more than just members of other faiths and religions.
study at a higher education institution in
fact, they also offer really extensive range The student or university chaplaincies and
of leisure activities. The semester normally faith groups offer religious services, send
starts with parties organised by the depart- out invites to panel discussions, and orga-
mental student societies or the univer- nise various leisure activities. For infor-
sitys student council. Sports activities mation, just go to the respective website or
at higher education institutions are very check the course catalogue published by
popular, ranging from football via sailing your institution. You can also sometimes
through to yoga; participation is largely find the contact addresses listed in the
free of charge. Those who would rather phone book under Churches (Kirchen).
engage in art will find that the theatre
groups, choirs, orchestras and university
radio stations offer plenty of opportuni-
ties. Some departmental student societies
Internships in Germany
Doing an internship in Germany is an available from the DAAD and from the
interesting option if you would first like to European and International Hotline of the
use a shorter stay to get to know the coun- Federal Employment Agency.
try and its people, the working world and
higher education institutions. Many young Further Information
people use internships before, during and 3 www.eu.daad.de
after their training to gain practical career DAAD website on EU educational programmes
experience in a company or organisation.
Depending on what was agreed, an intern- 3 Bundesagentur fr Arbeit (Federal
ship can last several months. Please note Employment Agency)
that interns generally receive no payment Europa- und Auslandshotline (European and
or only very little for this work. International Hotline): Tel. 01805-22 20 23; 12 cents
per minute
Employers attach great importance to
internships abroad, because your decision 3 www.aiesec.org
to gain such experience shows that you are AIESEC website, an international student organisation
flexible and willing to learn. If you then with lots of information for students, including about
plan to study in Germany, you should find an international internship programme
it relatively easy to start your studies:
youve already settled in and the German 3 www.arbeitsagentur.de
language doesnt present any major diffi- Federal Employment Agency website with an intern-
culties anymore. ship exchange service; first go to Arbeits- und
Ausbildungssuchende, then click Stellenangebote
You can find internship places on the web- suchen; at Art der Nachfrage and Land please
sites of many organisations and companies select the appropriate entries; German only
and on the job exchange of the Federal
Employment Agency (Bundesagentur fr 3 www.students-at-work.de
Arbeit). However, remember that demand Advisory service offered for working students by
for places is very great your search could the Federation of German Trade Unions Deutscher
take a while. The greater your personal Gewerkschaftsbund; German only
initiative and motivation are, the better
will be your chances of getting an intern- 3 www.unicum.de/beruf/praktikum
ship. You can also make use of exchange, Website offering internships and jobs for students
study and EU programmes like Leonardo plus lots of other information; German only
da Vinci; further information on this is
Appendix
University and College Towns in Germany
Flensburg
Kiel Stralsund
Heide Schleswig-
Rostock Greifswald
Holstein
Lbeck
Elmshorn Wismar
Pinneberg
Wedel Neubrandenburg
Wilhelmshaven Mecklenburg-
Bremerhaven Hamburg
Vorpommern
Emden Hamburg
Bremen Ottersberg Lneburg
Oldenburg Bremen
Brandenburg
Eberswalde
Vechta Stendal Berlin
Niedersachsen Elstal
Berlin
Brandenburg
Potsdam Frankfurt/O.
Hannover Wildau
Osnabrck Braunschweig
Wolfenbttel Friedensau
Herford Magdeburg
Bielefeld Lemgo
Mnster Hildesheim
Nordrhein- Detmold Wernigerode Kthen Cottbus
Holzminden Clausthal- Sachsen-
Westfalen Anhalt Senftenberg
Gelsenkirchen Bochum Paderborn Zellerfeld
Dortmund Halle
Duisburg Gttingen Merseburg
Essen Nordhausen
Krefeld Wuppertal Witten-Herdecke Kassel Leipzig Grlitz
Iserlohn
Dsseldorf Hagen Bad Sooden- Thringen Sachsen Moritzburg
Allendorf Dresden Zittau
Marburg Weimar Mittweida Freiberg
Aachen Kln Hessen Erfurt Jena
Brhl Siegen Chemnitz
Alfter St. Augustin Gieen Schmalkalden Zwickau
Bonn Bad Honnef Fulda Ilmenau Plauen
Vallendar Idstein Friedberg Hof
Koblenz
Oberursel Frankfurt a.M. Coburg
Oestrich- Offenbach
Rheinland- Wiesbaden Schweinfurt
Pfalz Winkel
Mainz Aschaffenburg
Bingen Wrzburg Bamberg Bayreuth
Trier Weiden
Worms Darmstadt
Kaiserslautern Erlangen Amberg
Ludwigshafen Mannheim Nrnberg
Saarland Speyer Heidelberg Ansbach Neuendettelsau
Saarbrcken
Bruchsal
Landau Heilbronn
Karlsruhe Schwbisch Hall Regensburg
Pforzheim Ludwigsburg Eichsttt Deggendorf
Stuttgart Aalen
Hohenheim Esslingen Schwbisch Gmnd Passau
Ingolstadt
Offenburg Tbingen Nrtingen
Reutlingen Bayern Landshut
Rottenburg
Lahr Ulm
Albstadt- Neu-Ulm Freising-
Trossingen Riedlingen
Furtwangen Sigmaringen Augsburg Weihenstephan
Freiburg Baden- Biberach Mnchen
Weingarten
Wrttemberg Ravensburg Rosenheim
Benediktbeuern
Weilheim- Isny
Bierbronnen Kempten
Konstanz Friedrichs-
hafen
Statistics: Foreign Students at German Higher Education Institutions 57
Statistics: Foreign Students at German

Higher Education Institutions
The following statistics aim to provide an The figures come from the DAAD publi-
overview of the origin and subject focuses cation Wissenschaft weltoffen 2006
of foreign students in Germany. For and refer to academic year 2005. Further
statistical purposes, the following divides sources are the official higher education
foreign students into Bildungsinlnder and statistics compiled by the Federal Statis-
Bildungsauslnder: tical Office and the Social Surveys of the
Deutsches Studentenwerk.
Bildungsinlnder gained their higher
education entrance qualification at a
school in Germany or at a German
school abroad.
Bildungsauslnder gained their higher
education entrance qualification at a
foreign school. In some cases, students
additionally had to attend a Studien-
kolleg (preparatory course) to qualify for
entry to higher education in Germany.
German and foreign students at German

higher education institutions
Number in 2005 Percentage change
over 2004
German students 1,716,774 +3.2
Bildungsauslnder 186,656 +3.5
Bildungsinlnder 59,678 -9.4
Total 1,963,108 -2.7
Bildungsauslnder by type of higher education institution

(as a percentage)
Universities, colleges of art, film and music 10.8 %

Fachhochschulen 6.3 %
Bildungsauslnder students:
regional origin
Number in 2005 Percentage of all

Bildungsauslnder
students in Germany
Africa 20,475 11.0
America 10,330 5.5
Asia 58,913 31.6
Europe 96,108 51.5
Australia and Oceania 312 0.2
Stateless or unknown 518 0.3
Statistics: Foreign Students at German Higher Education Institutions 59
Bildungsauslnder students:
the 10 key countries of origin
Number in 2005 Percentage change Percentage of all

over 2004 Bildungsauslnder
students in Germany
China 25,987 +7.9 13.9
Poland 12,209 +5.4 6.5
Bulgaria 12,467 +7.6 6.7
Russian Federation 9,594 +7.7 5.1
Morocco 6,986 +2.9 3.7
Turkey 6,587 +1.7 3.5
Ukraine 6,532 +12.1 3.5
France 5,512 -1.5 3.0
Cameroon 5,245 +2.6 2.8
Austria 4,148 -3.3 2.2
Tips and Information
Where to Go with Your Germanys universities. The Interna-

First Questions tional Offices or other relevant offices
at universities in Germany will respond
Contact the following institutions in your to your inquiry by sending you all the
home country for advice on studying in material you need, such as information
Germany: on study opportunities and degree pro-
grammes, on admissions requirements,
The German missions abroad (embas- and on any other conditions you have
sies, consulates). These provide infor- to meet. The addresses are contained
mation on degree programmes and on the enclosed CD-ROM.
study opportunities, on entry forma- DAAD Head Office in Bonn. Staff at
lities and entry conditions. head office will be pleased to advise you
The DAAD Regional Offices (addresses on questions relating to a study stay in
pp. 6668). These offer lots of infor- Germany (address p. 66).
mation, including sources of funding The German missions abroad, the DAAD
and scholarships. Lektors and lecturers, and the Goethe
The DAAD Information Centres (ICs) Institute will also tell you which official
located in almost 50 countries around agencies or authorities in your country
the world (p. 68). are responsible for international acade-
The DAAD Lektors and lecturers placed mic contacts and where you can receive
at universities abroad will be pleased to further information on sources of
provide you with information and advice. funding and scholarships.
The Goethe Institutes have 144 branches
in 78 countries and perform language
and cultural work for Germany. If no
DAAD-placed Lektors or lecturers are
working in the town in question, the
local Goethe Institute will also provide
information and advice normally given
by these.
Tips and Information 61
Recommended Reading Further literature sold by good book shops

(not available from the DAAD):
The DAAD publishes information material
on studying in Germany. The following 3 Studien- und Berufswahl
lists some publications that you can request ed.: Bund-Lnder-Kommission fr Bildungsplanung
from the DAAD and its Regional Offices und Forschungsfrderung [BLK] und Bundesagentur
or Information Centres. You can also fr Arbeit; German only
obtain information from the Goethe Insti-
tutes and the German missions abroad. 3 Universitten in Deutschland /
Universities in Germany
3 Studieren und Forschen in Deutschland. eds.: Christian Bode, Werner Becker and Rainer
Kommentierte Weblinks / Study and Klofat; bilingual edition: German-English
Research in Germany. Annotated Weblinks
available in German and English 3 Fachhochschulen in Deutschland /
Fachhochschule Institutions in Germany
3 Ziel Deutschland / Destination Germany eds.: Christian Bode, Werner Becker, Claudius
bilingual edition: German-English Habbich and Rainer Klofat; bilingual edition:
German-English
3 DAAD-Scholarships for Foreign
Academics and Students 3 Kunst- und Musikhochschulen in
bilingual edition: German-English Deutschland / Colleges of Art and Music
eds.: Christian Bode, Werner Becker, Claudius
3 International Degree Programmes Habbich; bilingual edition: German-English
in Germany
English only 3 Wissenschaft weltoffen 2006: Facts
and Figures on the International Nature
3 Summer Schools in Germany of Studies and Research in Germany
bilingual edition: German-English ed.: DAAD; bilingual edition: German-English
3 Degree Courses at Institutions of

Higher Education in Germany
English only
3 Deutsch als Fremdsprache. Die

deutsche Sprachprfung fr den Hoch-
schulzugang. Zielsetzung, Verfahren,
Beispiele
German only
3 Information on TestDaF
Flyer; available in German and English
Evaluation of Foreign Higher Education

Entrance Qualifications
The most important prerequisite for your HZB does not qualify you for
admission to studies at a German higher direct admission to higher education,
education institution is that you hold a which means you must first attend a
secondary school leaving certificate or Studienkolleg (preparatory course)
qualification that you gained personally and pass the Feststellungsprfung
and that entitles you to study in your home (assessment test) see pp. 3234 before
country. If your home country additionally you can be admitted to higher educa-
requires you to pass a university entrance tion; alternatively and under certain
exam, you must also prove that you have circumstances, proof of having succes-
passed such an exam before you can enter sfully completed one or two years of
a course of academic studies at a higher academic (university) study in your
education institution in Germany. home country may also be accepted as
a qualification.
Your second step is to check carefully how
the higher education entrance qualification To find out which categorie applies to
(known in Germany as the Hochschul- your higher education entrance qualifi-
zugangsberechtigung or HZB) you gained cation, please go to www.anabin.de. Click
in your home country compares with the on Land whlen to see a map where you
German school leaving qualification called can choose your country. You then get a
Abitur. This differs and depends on list of countries and can click on yours.
your country of origin and on your school Finally, click on Zeugnisse to find the
leaving certificate. Essentially, there are information. The DAAD offers general
three evaluation levels: initial information on how certificates
from all countries of origin are evaluated
your HZB qualifies you for direct on its website: www.daad.de/zulassung.
admission to higher education, i. e. Please note, however, that this does not
you can choose to study practically include all special cases or agreements.
any subject;
your HZB only qualifies you for subject- The admissions decision is generally made
specific admission to higher education, by the higher education institution to which
i. e. within a specific subject group, for you are applying. The institution is autono-
example in the natural sciences, which mous in its decision. So it is always advis-
means you can choose to study physics, able to contact the International Office first
chemistry, etc.; to obtain information about the specific
requirements at the chosen institution.
German Schools Abroad 63
German Schools Abroad
The German Government allocates funds

to the Federal Foreign Office to support
117 German schools abroad (Auslands-
schulen). In addition to these, another
370 schools abroad receive special support
in the field of German language teaching.
In most cases, students who complete
the secondary stage at a German school
abroad can gain the Abitur qualification.
In many cases, schools offer a national
school leaving certificate or alternatively
an International Baccalaureate parallel
to this.
Students who leave these schools with an

Abitur certificate (general higher education
entrance qualification) are treated on the
same basis as German applicants as far
as admission to higher education is con-
cerned. Students who gain a national school
leaving certificate, but have also passed
the Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultus-
ministerkonferenz (known as DSD II),
are exempted from the requirement to
provide proof of their German language
proficiency.
Further Information
3 www.auslandsschulwesen.de
German only
DAAD
Goals, Roles and Programmes in 1950 as a registered association under

of the DAAD private law. The DAADs full members are
on application the higher education
The DAAD is a joint organisation of institutions represented in the German
Germanys higher education institutions Rectors Conference (Hochschulrektoren-
and is responsible for promoting inter- konferenz HRK) and the student bodies
national academic relations, primarily of these institutions. At the end of 2005,
through the exchange of students, acade- DAAD membership numbered 232 higher
mics and researchers. Its programmes are education institutions and 127 student
generally open to all disciplines and all bodies, with all the various types of higher
countries and equally benefit foreigners education institutions represented.
and Germans.
Five strategic objectives give the various
The DAAD also supports the international DAAD programmes their long-term
activities of Germanys higher education orientation:
institutions by providing a number of ser-
vices. These include information and publi- 1. Scholarships for foreigners: To promote
cation programmes, marketing, consul- studies and research by outstanding young
tancy, support and guidance services, plus foreign students and academics at German
an increasing number of institutional pro- universities and research institutes.
grammes that serve to raise the interna- 2. Scholarships for Germans: To promote
tional profile and worldwide appeal of young German professionals in their
Germanys higher education institutions. studies and research abroad (including
And, finally, the DAAD advises the German ERASMUS).
government on the formation of its policies 3. Internationalising the higher education
in the fields of international cultural rela- institutions: To raise the appeal of
tions and academic relations at European Germanys higher education institutions
and international level, as well as on ques- (including marketing and funding to raise
tions of national higher education and the international dimension of German
development cooperation. The predecessor higher education).
to the German Academic Exchange Service,
the Austauschdienst der Hochschulen,
was first established in 1925 in response
to an initiative in academic circles. It was
dissolved in 1945 and newly established
DAAD 65
4. Supporting German studies and the

German language abroad: To promote
German language and culture and en-
courage a knowledge of and interest in
Germany as part of the process of global
cultural exchange.
5. Educational cooperation with devel-
oping countries: To promote higher edu-
cation development in developing and
reforming countries as means of support-
ing their economic and democratic reform
processes.
The DAAD also performs a number of

special responsibilities that aim to en-
courage and fund Europe-wide mobility
by students, academics and professionals.
The DAAD is the so-called national
agency for the EU programme SOCRATES
(general education). In this capacity, it
awards scholarship funds to participating
German students and advises the higher
education institutions on the programme.
The DAAD also supports the two program-
mes LEONARDO DA VINCI (vocational
education) and TEMPUS (cooperation with
Central and Eastern Europe) by operating
a national information and advice service.
DAAD Addresses in Germany and Abroad
Bonn Head Office Branch Offices

Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
Kennedyallee 50 Beijing Office
53175 Bonn (Germany) German Academic Exchange Service
P.O. Box 20 04 04, 53134 Bonn Unit 1718, Landmark Tower 2
Tel. (++49/228) 882-0 8 North Dongsanhuan Road
Fax (++49/228) 882-444 Chaoyang District
E-mail: postmaster@daad.de 100004 Beijing (China, Peoples Republic of)
Internet: http://www.daad.de Tel. (++86/10) 65 90-66 56, -66 76
Fax (++86/10) 65 90-63 93
Berlin Office E-Mail: postmaster@daad.org.cn
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst Internet: http://www.daad.org.cn
Im Wissenschaftsforum am Gendarmenmarkt
Markgrafenstrae 37 Cairo Office
10117 Berlin (Germany) German Academic Exchange Service
Tel. (++49/30) 20 22 08-0 11 Sharia Saleh Ayoub
Fax (++49/30) 204 12 67 Cairo-Zamalek (Egypt)
E-mail: info.berlin@daad.de Tel. (++20/2) 735 27 26
Berlin Artists in Residence Programme Fax (++20/2) 738 41 36
Email: bkp.berlin@daad.de E-mail: info@daadcairo.org
Internet: http://www.daad-berlin.de Internet: http://cairo.daad.de
Hanoi Office
German Academic Exchange Service
1 Dai Co Viet
Hanoi (Viet Nam)
Tel. (++84/4) 868 37-73, -81
Fax (++84/4) 868 37-72
E-mail: daad@daadvn.org
Internet: http://www.daadvn.org
DAAD Addresses in Germany and Abroad 67
Jakarta Office Nairobi Office

German Academic Exchange Service German Academic Exchange Service
JI. Jend. Sudirman, Kav. 61-62 Regional Office for Africa
Summitmas I, Lt. 19 Madison Insurance House, 3rd floor
Jakarta 12190 (Indonesia) Upper Hill Road, P.O. Box 14050
Tel. (++62/21) 525-28 07, 520-08 70 00800 Nairobi (Kenya)
Fax (++62/21) 525-28 22 Tel. (++254/20) 272-26 60, -26 62
E-mail: info@daadjkt.com Fax (++254/20) 271-67 10
Internet: http://jakarta.daad.de E-mail: info@daadafrica.org
Internet: http://nairobi.daad.de
London Office
German Academic Exchange Service New Delhi Office
34 Belgrave Square German Academic Exchange Service
London SW1X8QB (United Kingdom) Regional Office Bangladesh, India, Nepal,
Tel. (++44/20) 72 35-17 36 Sri Lanka
Fax (++44/20) 72 35-96 02 72, Lodi Estate, Lodi Road
E-mail: info@daad.org.uk 110003 New Delhi (India)
Internet: http://london.daad.de Tel. (++91/11) 246 15 148
Fax (++91/11) 246 90 919
Mexico City Office E-mail: info@daaddelhi.org
Servicio Alemn de Intercambio Acadmico Internet: http://newdelhi.daad.de
Direccin Regional del DAAD
Calle Kepler 157, Col. Nueva Anzures New York Office
Del. Miguel Hidalgo German Academic Exchange Service
C.P. 11590 Ciudad de Mxico (Mexico) 871 United Nations Plaza
Tel. (++52/55) 52 50 18-83 New York, NY 10017 (USA)
Fax (++52/55) 52 50 18-04 Tel. (++1/212) 758-32 23
E-mail: info@daadmx.org Fax (++1/212) 755-57 80
Internet: http://www.daadmx.org E-mail: daadny@daad.org
Internet: http://www.daad.org
Moscow Office
German Academic Exchange Service Paris Office
Leninskij Prospekt, 95a Office Allemand dEchanges Universitaires
117313 Moscow (Russian Federation) 24, rue Marbeau
Tel. (++7/095) 132-24 29, 132-23 11 75116 Paris (France)
Fax (++7/095) 132-49 88 Tel. (++33/1) 44 17 02 30
E-mail: daad@daad.ru Fax (++33/1) 44 17 02 31
Internet: http://www.daad.ru E-mail: infodaad@daad.asso.fr
Internet: http://paris.daad.de
Rio de Janeiro Office Asia

Servio Alemo de Intercmbio Acadmico Abu Dhabi, Almaty, Baku, Bangkok, Bishkek,
Rua Presidente Carlos de Campos, 417 Chennai, Damascus, Dushanbe, East
22231-080 Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Jerusalem, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City,
Tel. (++55/21) 25 53 32 96 Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Seoul,
Fax (++55/21) 25 53 92 61 Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tashkent,
E-mail: daad@daad.org.br Tbilisi, Tehran, Yerevan
Internet: http://rio.daad.de
Europe
Tokyo Office Ankara, Athens, Barcelona, Budapest,
German Academic Exchange Service Bucharest, Istanbul, Kiev, Minsk, Novosibirsk,
Akasaka 7-5-56 Prague, Riga, Rome, St. Petersburg
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (Japan)
Tel. (++81/3) 35 82 59 62 North and Central America
Fax (++81/3) 35 82 55 54 Havana, San Francisco, San Jos, Toronto
E-mail: daad-tokyo@daadjp.com
Internet: http://tokyo.daad.de Australia
Sydney
Warsaw Office
Niemiecka Centrala Wymiany Akademickiej South America
Przedstawicielstwo w Warszawie Bogot, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Santiago de
Ulica Czeska 24/2 Chile, So Paulo
03-902 Warszawa (Poland)
Tel. (++48/22) 617 48 47, 616 13 08 DAAD-affiliated Institutions
Fax (++48/22) 616 12 96
E-mail: daad@daad.pl Maison Heinrich Heine
Internet: http://www.daad.pl Fondation de lAllemagne la Cit
Internationale Universitaire de Paris
Information Centres (ICs) 27 C, Boulevard Jourdan
75014 Paris (France)
The DAAD maintains Information Centres Tel. (++33/1) 44 16 13 00
(ICs) all around the world. They currently Fax (++33/1) 44 16 13 01
number 48 and can be found in the following E-mail: info@maison-heinrich-heine.org
cities: Internet: http://www.maison-heinrich-
heine.org
Africa
Accra, Johannesburg, Khartoum Please note: a continually updated list of the
addresses is available on the DAAD website
from: www.daad.de/offices
Index 69
Index
Abitur 12 Dissertation 17 f.
the highest German school leaving dissertation
certificate and higher education
DSH 34 ff.
entrance qualification
a German language test that
Akademisches Auslandsamt 28 qualifies foreign students for
International Office admission to higher education
Allgemeine Hochschulreife 12 EU 10, 37, 40 f., 43, 45 ff., 54

see Abitur EU (European Union)
AStA 28 Exkursion 15
student council (institutional level) excursion
Aufenthaltserlaubnis 40 ff. Fachhochschulreife 21

residence permit a higher education entrance qualifi-
cation for Fachhochschulen (univer-
Bachelor 10, 11, 14, 16, 22, 26
sities of applied sciences)
Bachelors degree
Fachschaft 29, 52
BAfG 48 f.
departmental student society
Federal Training Assistance Act
(student loans and grants) Fakultt 28, 53
faculty
Diplom 17, 21, 26
a German degree mainly awarded Feststellungsprfung 32 ff., 62
in the natural sciences, engineering, assessment test
economics/business administration,
Graduiertenkolleg 18
or education (in the case of education,
graduate school, research training
please note that school teachers
group
(Lehramt) must hold a Staatsexamen
degree Grundstudium 13
basic study stage
Disputation 17
oral defence of a dissertation, also Hauptstudium 13
known as a viva (voce) main study stage
Hochschulreife 12, 25 Praktikum 13, 15, 21, 54

higher education entrance internship
qualification
Prsident 29
Hochschulzugangsberechtigung 32, 37, 62 president, rector, vice-chancellor (UK)
higher education entrance
Promotion 17 f.
qualification
doctorate
Job 43, 49
Regelstudienzeit 14, 21, 25, 46
job
standard time to degree
Kolloquium 15
Rektor 29
colloquium
rector
Krankenversicherung 41, 46 f., 51
Rigorosum 17
health insurance
oral defence of a dissertation, also
Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK) 32, 63 known as a viva (voce)
Standing Conference of the
Schwarzes Brett 52
Ministers of Education and
noticeboard
Cultural Affairs
Semester 14, 21, 25
KVV 52
semester
annotated course catalogue
(departmental) Semesterbeitrag 45
semester fee
Magister Artium 16
a German degree mainly awarded Semesterticket 45
in fields of the arts and humanities, semester ticket
cultural studies or social sciences
Seminar 14, 52
Master 10 f., 14, 16, 22, 26 seminar
Masters degree
Staatsexamen 17, 26
Meisterschler 26 a German degree awarded in
master pupil state-supervised professions,
like teaching, law, medicine, or
NC / numerus clausus 38
pharmacy
admissions restrictions
Studentenwohnheim 50 f.
student hall of residence
Studienkolleg 32 f.
preparatory course
Index 71
Studierendenrat 28
student council
StuPa 28
student parliament
TestDaF 34 f.
German as a foreign language test
bung 14, 25
exercise
uni-assist 37 f.
a certification service that aims to
make the application procedure
easier for foreign students seeking
admission to one of the uni-assist
member institutions
Visum 40 ff.
visa
Vorlesung 14
lecture
Vorlesungsverzeichnis 52
course catalogue
Wohngemeinschaft 50 f.
shared flat
ZVS 38
Central Universities Admissions
Service

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Studying in Germany

A Guide for International Students

Since the CD-ROM of the printed version

Section: Promotion of Studies and Research in Germany, Internet

Project Coordination Julia Quirll

Manuscript and Editor Norbert Grust,

Translation Guy Moore, Bad Honnef

Layout and Typesetting LPG Loewenstern Padberg GbR, Bonn

Screen Design snoopmedia GmbH, Bonn

Printed by Daemisch Mohr GmbH & Co. KG, Siegburg

Pressed by MPO Audio und Video GmbH, Kln

Print-run August 2006 60,000

This publication was funded by the Federal Foreign Office.

7 Studying in Germany the Higher Education System

12 Universities and Equivalent Institutions

20 Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences)

24 Kunst-, Film-, und Musikhochschulen (Colleges of Art, Film and Music)

28 Higher Education Institutions and their Facilities

31 How to Study in Germany A Guide for International Students

37 Application and Registration

40 Entry and Residence Provisions

44 Costs, Fees, Sources of Funding and Scholarships

50 How Best to Start Your Studies

56 Map of University and College Towns in Germany

57 Statistics: Foreign Students at German Higher Education Institutions

60 Tips and Information

62 Evaluation of Foreign Higher Education Entrance Qualifications

63 German Schools Abroad

66 DAAD Addresses in Germany and Abroad

Types of Higher Education Fachhochschulen (FH): Universities of

State and state-recognised higher education institutions

Source: Hochschulrektorenkonferenz, as per: 28 February 2006

must demonstrate their particular artistic universities also operate in Germany.

3 www.bologna-bergen2005.no Besides the international degree program-

Universities and Equivalent Institutions

Universities are responsible for promoting Further Information

Bachelors and Masters programmes Types of Courses

Bachelors and Masters ECTS Credit Points

Diplom Promotion (Doctorate)

Vechta Niedersachsen Berlin

Hannover Potsdam Frankfurt/O.

Freiburg Weingarten Mnchen

Fachhochschulen (FHs) were founded by Range of subjects offered

Admissions Requirements Organisation of Studies

School Qualifications Studies at a Fachhochschule are structured

Bachelors and Masters

Fachhochschulen also offer Bachelors and

However, Fachhochschule studies do

Graduates holding a Bachelors degree

Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany

Kunst-, Film- und Musikhochschulen

Students wishing to study at a college of Further Information

Admissions Requirements Some of the teaching is delivered in the

Just like university and FH programmes,

Academic Degrees Meisterschler / Konzertexamen

Diplom The highest qualification for artists in

Some institutions end the studies infor- Bachelors and Masters

Colleges of Art, Film and Music in Germany

Saarland Mannheim Nrnberg

Higher Education Institutions and their Facilities

Whatever it may be called at your institu-

Rector, President and Senate

Higher education institutions are headed