Life situations
Foreign Students
To be admitted to study at an institution of further education in Germany, foreign applicants require proof of qualifications, which are equivalent to the German higher education admis-sion authorisation (Allgemeine Hochschulreife, Fachgebundene Hochschulreife or Fachhochschulreife). If your certificates do not originate from one of the European Union (EU) countries, then first of all the equal footing of the qualification is checked. Exact information can be obtained in the procedure description "Accreditation of the Higher Education Admission Authorisation (foreign school-leaving Certificates)".
Students from the EU including Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have to apply for a place of study (Application for admission) directly to the respective institution of higher education or to the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung just like German students.
All other foreign students (non-EU) can find the information that applies to them in the procedure description "Application for Admission of foreign Applicants (non EU)".
Since the 2017/18 winter semester, international students who come to Germany from outside the EU must pay 1,500 EUR per semester. For a second course of study, they must pay 650 EUR per semester.
Exceptions are possible.
To the procedures and services
- Academic degrees, titles and professional titles from foreign educational institutions
- Application for Admission of foreign Applicants (non EU)
- Apply for a settlement permit for highly qualified persons
- Apply for a settlement permit for skilled workers
- Apply for a student visa
- Applying for a work permit for foreign students
- Applying for evaluation of a foreign higher education qualification
- Applying for recognition of a foreign higher education entrance qualification
- Deregister residence
- Extending residence permits for students from countries outside the EU/EEA
- Residence permit for students from non-EU and non-EEA states - application
Release note
The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Wissenschaftsministerium released it on 11.01.2019. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts.
In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.