Study in Germany: Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Courses

Germany is one of the most popular study abroad destination among international students. Candidates around the globe desire to study in Germany, however, only a fraction of students secure an admission due to the competitive nature of the universities. In order to study in Germany, you are required to meet the admission requirements. In this article, we will dicuss the eligibility criteria for undergraduate courses in Germany, language requirements, and more.

Germany, with a vast and hybrid cultural heritage, continues to be recognized across the world for its excellence in technology. Hence, it is no surprise that Germany is the country of choice for students wishing to pursue their technical education – both at the graduate and postgraduate levels. The research-based curriculum and healthy support for researchers have attracted top scholars from across the world over the past century to pursue their doctoral programs in Germany. In recent years, with the opening up of International Courses, MBA/MS in Germany have also picked up great demand. This is because of the active interface between the world’s best companies and the Business Schools in the region. You can read about the eligibility criteria for doctoral and PG courses to understand the processes better.

To study in Germany, you typically need a recognized higher education entrance qualification, which can include a school-leaving certificate or an international diploma like the IB or GCE. Your 12th-grade marks do matter; generally, a minimum percentage of around 50% is required, although this can vary by program and university.

If you're coming from India, you may need to complete a preparatory course called Studienkolleg before applying for a bachelor's degree, especially if your qualifications don't fully align with German standards. This course includes passing an exam known as the Feststellungsprüfung. For those who have performed well in the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), direct admission into technology and natural sciences programs may be possible. 

Requirements to study in Germany for international students

But while students are waking up to the many advantages of pursuing their education from Germany, the eligibility criteria continue to baffle and confuse students. This is primarily because German universities have multi-level eligibility criteria. To unravel the same, we present de-cluttered eligibility criteria for admission to UG courses in Germany.

Like any country, Germany, too, checks your eligibility on two parameters,

1. Subject/ Scholastic Aptitude
2. Language Proficiency

Subject/ Scholastic Aptitude

The absence of standardized scholastic aptitude tests like the SAT or ACT, however, creates confusion for students. Well, there is no reason to worry. Just because there are no standard tests does not necessarily mean bad news. In fact, students planning for engineering/ pure science courses have reasons to rejoice – JEE Advanced is accepted across most of German Universities.

Starting from the beginning, to pursue undergraduate courses in Germany you ought to have cleared your 12^th/ Secondary Level Certification and,

• Cleared your JEE Advanced
• Completed one year of bachelor's degree education from a recognized university in India
• Cleared the Feststellungsprüfung – the entrance exam for different universities you would take to signify effective completion of Studienkolleg.

The first two points are clear enough. For students of non-science background, the first is obviously not an option and can be accordingly discounted. So, say for instance you are interested in pursuing Economics from Germany and you have completed one year of B.A. in economics from a recognized university in India, then you are eligible for direct admission to the B.A. Economics courses in Germany.

It is important to note here that different universities have different eligibility criteria based on the course on offer. It is always advisable to check the same from the university you are applying to as well. Also, high academic performance increases your chances of admission. Higher level of excellence results in universities asking for as high as 90% in your secondary school examinations. However, in case you have cleared your JEE Advanced, the cut off is 50%.

In case you do not qualify under the first two, there is always a road open for your studies in Germany via the Studienkolleg.

Studienkolleg is a public institute that offers you preparatory courses in the desired subjects in case your educational qualification is not considered at par with the Abitur or High School Level required for university studies. Simply put, even if you don’t fall under the first two categories, you can plan to study in Germany by undertaking the subject-related preparatory course offered by Studienkolleg. The preparatory courses are divided per subjects under 5 broad categories:

• G course: for Humanities
• S course: for language subjects (some universities also offer a combined G/S course).
• W course: for Social Sciences and Economics (or related subjects).
• T course: for technical or scientific subjects. Also for mathematics.
• M course: for Medicine or Biology (or related subjects).

The courses offered are full-time courses and extend to two semesters. At the end of the course, the students are required to clear the Feststellungsprüfung which deems you eligible for the admission in the desired course.

It is important, however, to note that clearing the test does not guarantee admission. Hence, for students in India, it is advisable to devote one year in the subject of choice from a recognized university and prepare for the other important aspect of admission to German Universities – Proficiency in the German Language.

Language Proficiency

Germany is a country that speaks German! Simply put, it’s a different language and while the course of choice might be an English-taught course and fall under the category of the International Programs, a basic understanding of the language is both expected and desirous if you plan to study in Germany, especially at an undergraduate level.

There are standardized tests (TestDAF) as well as university-level (DSH) exams available for you and you can take either of the two once you understand which suits you better.

You would be required to show a basic understanding of the language even for visa purposes so it becomes an integral part of the preparation for your study in Germany option. Moreover, it always helps to learn a language which would facilitate your communication in a foreign land. One of the main reasons for Germany being the most sought-after destination for international students is that most of the masters courses in Germany are taught in English. It is not required to know German to study at a German university. 

Also, while applying for an English-taught course in Germany, you would be required to show proficiency in the language and an IELTS / TOEFL is usually acceptable. Again, we urge you to go refer to the respective universities and their eligibility criteria to understand the individual cutoff requirements.