Your educational background and your country of origin determine the steps you need to take in order to gain university admission in Germany. Detailed information on this topic can be found on the website of the Deutscher Akademischer Ausdauschdienst (DAAD   German Academic Exchange Service),  on the page “Admission.”

A basic prerequisite for studying at German universities is the mastery of the German language. You will need German for your academic work as well as in daily life. Even though many people in the German university setting may speak English, being able to communicate in German is key for your integration into everyday life here in your host country. And of course, language skills will put you at an advantage  in job interviews and applications. Your future employer will most likely expect you to have acquired a thorough knowledge  of the German language during your stay abroad. As you can see,  there are many good reasons for learning the language of your host country!

We recommend that you take German courses while still in your home country! It is best if you can speak and write the language well enough so that you will not need to take additional German courses to gain admission at the university once you arrive here.  

As part of your application you will be asked either for proof (certificates) of your language abilities, or you will need to pass certain tests. You can find more detailed information about this on the DAAD website (Deutscher Akademischer Ausdauschdienst), under German language examinations for university admission.

International  Offices

The staff at the International Offices (Akademische Auslandsämter) will be happy to assist you if you have  questions concerning your stay in Germany and your university admission (attendance of a preparatory college, application deadlines, language tests etc.). Contact information can be found on the websites of the universities’ International Offices:

Universität Osnabrück
Hochschule Osnabrück
Hochschule Vechta

back to Preparing for Your Study Abroad – Overview