6–8 semesters
typical bachelor's duration
the exact length depends on the programme and university
Admission after school or college
Bachelor's Studies in Germany with a clear admission strategy
We first check whether you are eligible for direct university admission. Then we select suitable programmes, prepare your documents, manage the application process, and guide you through the visa stage and relocation.
Eligibility assessmentIndividual programme selectionSupport through relocation
often no tuition fees
at public universities
exceptions exist, and semester contributions are paid separately
140 / 280 days
permitted work for students from outside the EU
or up to 20 hours per week during the academic term
up to 18 months
after graduation to look for qualified employment
subject to the conditions of German immigration law
6–8 semesters
typical bachelor's duration
the exact length depends on the programme and university
often no tuition fees
at public universities
exceptions exist, and semester contributions are paid separately
140 / 280 days
permitted work for students from outside the EU
or up to 20 hours per week during the academic term
up to 18 months
after graduation to look for qualified employment
subject to the conditions of German immigration law
The most important step
First, you need to determine your admission eligibility
A foreign school-leaving certificate does not always automatically correspond to a German higher education entrance qualification. Your actual route depends on the country, type of certificate, and your previous educational history.
01
Not available for every certificate Direct admission
If your school qualification gives you direct access to a German university, you can apply directly to suitable bachelor's programmes.
- check your admission eligibility
- identify the subject areas available to you
- compare the requirements of specific universities
02
Preparatory route Studienkolleg, preparatory college
If your school education is not sufficient for direct admission, one possible route is a Studienkolleg, a preparatory college followed by the Feststellungsprüfung, the final assessment examination.
- German is usually required
- an entrance examination is often required
- the course is selected according to your intended field of study
03
Depends on the country and documents Admission based on previous studies
In some cases, successful previous study at a recognised university in your home country can affect your eligibility for university admission in Germany.
- the duration of previous study matters
- the subject area and recognition of the university are considered
- the final decision is made by the German university
If a Studienkolleg is required, teaching is usually in German. Admission often requires approximately B1–B2 German and an entrance examination. After the preparatory course, students take the Feststellungsprüfung, the final assessment examination.
Admission process
From checking your certificate to enrolment
For many programmes, typical application deadlines are around mid-July for the winter semester and mid-January for the summer semester. These are not universal rules: Studienkollegs and individual programmes may close applications much earlier.
01
Check admission eligibility
We determine whether you can apply directly, need a Studienkolleg, or require another route.
02
Build the strategy
We define suitable fields, language requirements, budget, preferred cities, and a realistic level of competition.
03
Select programmes
We build the list based not on fame alone, but on fit with your profile, requirements, and realistic chances.
04
Prepare documents
We check your school certificate, translations, language certificates, CV, and any additional materials required.
05
Submit applications
We monitor portals, deadlines, and requirements. Some universities accept applications directly, while others use uni-assist, a preliminary document review service.
06
Support after the decision
We review the admission decision, further university requirements, the visa stage, financing, and relocation preparation.
Budget
Tuition-free study does not mean there are no costs
Many public universities do not charge general bachelor's tuition fees, but semester contributions, living costs, and visa-related proof of financing still apply. There are also regional and university-specific exceptions.
Tuition fees
Often €0
At most public universities, bachelor's tuition fees are generally not charged. However, exceptions exist.
Baden-Württemberg
€1,500 per semester
Many students from outside the EU pay a separate tuition fee at public universities in this federal state.
Proof of funds
€11,904
The minimum blocked-account amount stated for a student visa in 2026. Other forms of financial proof may also be possible.
Semester contribution
Paid separately
Even when there are no tuition fees, universities normally charge a semester administrative contribution.
In Bavaria, individual public universities may also charge tuition fees for students from outside the European Union. Costs therefore need to be checked separately for each university.
Want to understand your chances before you start preparing?
During the consultation, we review your current situation, possible admission route, language, budget, and next steps. You receive a clear picture of what to do next and where the main risks are.
Where applicants most often lose time
Admission is complicated by many small decisions, not one application form
The complexity comes from dozens of decisions: the right route, suitable programmes, deadlines, document formats, and the requirements of each university.
01
Searching for universities immediately
Before checking admission eligibility, a university list may be useless. The first step is to understand which route is actually available to you.
02
Assuming all public universities are free
Germany has many programmes without tuition fees, but regional and university-specific exceptions exist.
03
Choosing only by ranking
A high ranking does not mean a programme fits your profile, budget, language level, or career goals.
04
Using the same documents everywhere
Portals, document formats, additional forms, and requirements can differ even between similar programmes.
05
Starting too late
Language exams, document translations, eligibility checks, and application processing all require time.
06
Relying on a scholarship as the main financial plan
Scholarships exist, but full bachelor's funding is not available to every applicant and should not be your only financial plan.
A&B Study support
You are not simply buying a list of universities
You receive a structured admission process in which each next step is based on the previous one having been checked: eligibility, programme choice, documents, deadlines, applications, and the steps after admission.
Our role is not to promise an outcome that is decided by the university. Our role is to do everything that depends on strategy, application quality, documents, and organisation of the process.
Admission eligibility assessment
We review your educational documents and determine the realistic route: direct admission, Studienkolleg, or another option.
Programme and university selection
We create a balanced shortlist based on your profile, language, budget, competition, and career goals.
Application strategy
We prioritise programmes by deadlines and risk so that your plan does not depend on a single option.
Document preparation
We review structure, translations, academic documents, CV, and any additional materials.
Application and deadline management
We help you work with university portals and application services and keep track of key deadlines.
Communication on complex questions
We help clarify situations where a university requests an additional document or a requirement is ambiguous.
Visa and relocation preparation
After admission, we review the next steps: financing, visa documents, and organisational preparation.
Support after admission
Support can continue after the university decision, including the first administrative steps in Germany.
Admission eligibility assessment
We review your educational documents and determine the realistic route: direct admission, Studienkolleg, or another option.
Programme and university selection
We create a balanced shortlist based on your profile, language, budget, competition, and career goals.
Application strategy
We prioritise programmes by deadlines and risk so that your plan does not depend on a single option.
Document preparation
We review structure, translations, academic documents, CV, and any additional materials.
Application and deadline management
We help you work with university portals and application services and keep track of key deadlines.
Communication on complex questions
We help clarify situations where a university requests an additional document or a requirement is ambiguous.
Visa and relocation preparation
After admission, we review the next steps: financing, visa documents, and organisational preparation.
Support after admission
Support can continue after the university decision, including the first administrative steps in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
What you should know before applying
Short answers to questions international applicants and their parents ask most often.
Can I enter a German university directly after school? +
Sometimes, yes. It depends on the country, the type of school-leaving certificate, and your individual educational history. Some foreign qualifications require a Studienkolleg or previous university study. This should therefore be checked before selecting programmes.
Is German always required? +
No. Germany has bachelor's programmes taught in English. However, there are considerably more German-taught programmes, and German language skills expand your options and help with everyday life and employment.
Is a bachelor's degree in Germany really free? +
Many public universities do not charge general tuition fees, but semester contributions are paid separately. There are also exceptions, such as tuition fees for many non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg and specific rules at some universities.
When should I start preparing? +
It is best to start early. First, admission eligibility needs to be checked, then programmes selected, language requirements completed if necessary, and translations and documents prepared. For some programmes, the winter-semester deadline is often around mid-July, but exact dates vary.
Can I work while studying? +
Students from outside the EU may work within the permitted limits. Currently, this is up to 140 full or 280 half working days per year, or up to 20 hours per week during the academic term.
Can I stay in Germany after completing my bachelor's degree? +
After successfully graduating from a German university, graduates may, if the relevant conditions are met, receive a residence permit for up to 18 months to look for qualified employment.
Do you guarantee admission? +
No. The university makes the admission decision. Our role is to identify the realistic admission route, select suitable programmes, organise the process professionally, and reduce avoidable risks and mistakes.
Start by checking your admission route
The earlier the strategy is clear, the less chaos there is before deadlines
We will review your school qualification, language, budget, suitable fields, and a realistic plan for studying in Germany.
Book a consultation