Germany has an excellent and renowned higher education system, with many individual institutions having made themselves well-known in specific fields. It is home to almost 3 million students out of which over 400,000 are international students. Today we focus specifically on all those students who have an International Baccalaureate diploma and are considering pursuing their university studies in Germany. Keep on reading as we break down everything IB students need to know about studying in Germany.
In Germany, the methods and standards for undergraduate admissions might differ greatly depending on the field of study, the state, the institution, and even the particular department. Although the institutions themselves make the final admissions decision for the majority of academic subjects, some have national-level admissions procedures. We strongly encourage you to consider well in advance what you want to study and where, as well as whether you want to go into a field with national admissions or not.
In general, to study in Germany you need a recognized Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), also known as a “entrance qualification for higher education”. For German students, this is normally the Abitur, while the HZB can also come in different forms, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. If you don’t satisfy the minimal requirements for admission, you must attend a Studienkolleg for a preparatory course before taking the compulsory assessment test known as a Feststellungsprüfung.
To be able to enrol at a public university, German students without an Abitur may need to get a “Statement of Comparability” (Bescheinigung). These are official documents issued by the central education administration in the same state as the university. Not all states have such recognition centres so be sure to check with the university you are applying to. International students need to apply directly at the university.
Some degree programs have more candidates than available seats. Such courses are known as Numerus Clausus (NC) meaning “limited” or “closed”, and applicants need to compete for admission. All German universities must abide by national limits on some courses, while local restrictions specific to the state or university may apply to others. The real minimum NC criteria are based on the grades of the applications that were received, and they are determined each semester based on supply and demand. Therefore, the exact level of NC may not be known at the time of application, but the criteria from previous semesters are a good indicator.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) manages international applications for its member universities through the unified admissions site known as uni-assist. It might be necessary to submit an online application using the uni-assist portal, but it might also be necessary to submit a separate application directly to the university. Some national NC courses are also processed through uni-assist.
Diploma Programme (DP) students normally apply directly at the university they are interested in, unless they are applying for a national NC course. Regardless of where an IB student completed their DP, applications are typically handled in the same way. The admissions processes differ between institutions and between courses within the institutions. While some universities may have their own application forms, others may require applicants to go through uni-assist. Sometimes, applications must be submitted both online and on paper, and both must be received by the university before the application deadline.
If all conditions are met, DP students will usually be treated as having the same status as German citizen students when it comes to admissions and compete with them for the majority of NC course seats. All other applicants compete for the remaining places (often 5-10%).
Some advice for applying to NC courses:
In addition to the average required grade, universities may specify more requirements, such as letters of motivation, tests or selection interviews. To ensure the best chance of getting accepted, take care to provide all the necessary documents, double-check that the information you’ve filled out is correct and make sure that all your documentation is certified.
You will normally be required to submit the following documents, although specific documents and processes may differ:
The majority of courses are taught in German, which requires international applicants to submit proof of proficiency in the German language. This is typically done through a language test result or by taking a preparatory course. You should contact the university of choice to find out about the language requirements because they themselves decide which tests and courses they will accept. If you intend to enrol in an English-language course, you do not need proof of German but you may need proof of English-language proficiency.
The academic year is divided into two semesters: October to March (winter) and April to September (summer). It is possible to apply during either semester. The application period for the winter semester usually starts in May and ends on July 15th, while for the summer semester, it starts in December and ends on January 15th. However, application deadlines may vary between institutions and even between courses in the same institution. The application deadline for international students may also differ. We recommend submitting your applications at least six weeks before the deadline. You should expect to receive a formal response from the university about one to two months after the deadline. Take into account that these dates often differ for private universities.
Once admitted, entitlement is either direct or indirect and either general or subject-specific. Non-NC courses without any limitations on entrance are open to direct enrollment.
Students from countries within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, do not require a visa. Other countries have relaxed visa policies, but have restrictions on work. The majority of other students will need to apply for a visa before arrival. Those already accepted into a course can apply for a student visa, while those awaiting confirmation will need an applicant visa. Apply as soon as you can as it can take several months for visas to be issued.
There are no tuition fees for undergraduate studies at public universities in Germany. Most students just have to pay a small “semester fee”, usually no more than €300 per semester. Private universities charge tuition fees but also offer scholarships. The DAAD also offers numerous scholarships for international students. The cost of living varies depending on the location, with major cities being more expensive. In general, it is recommended to budget between €200 and €400 a month, depending on your lifestyle and, not including accommodation and health insurance.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article on everything IB students need to know about studying in Germany. If you are interested in studying in Berlin, take a look at the various study programs we offer.
Feel free to reach out to our Admissions & Student Affairs team at any time via application@berlin-international.de.
