Study and research in Germany

German at University

The German system of education has a long tradition and a good international reputation. Foreigners like coming to Germany to study. In the ranking of the most attractive countries for foreign students, Germany lies in third place. A total of 224,000 foreigners are studying and conducting research at 350 research institutes and institutions of higher education in Germany.

Did you know that exactly 100 years ago half of all people studying abroad were attending German universities? In those days, Germany was a world-wide magnet for education and research. Germany can look back over a long university tradition. The oldest German university is the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität in Heidelberg, which was founded in the year 1386. But other universities also have long histories. Before the Second World War, top universities were to be found in Germany. Famous German personalities/academics have occupied posts as professors at German universities or in academic institutions: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in German Studies, Werner Heisenberg and Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in Physics, Robert Koch in Medicine, Immanuel Kant and Theodor W. Adorno in Philosophy, Martin Luther in Theology, and many others. These names have left their mark and have passed into history – proof of the fact that there have always been good arguments in favour of studying in Germany. With over 350 universities and research institutes, Germany possesses a dense educational network. Universities and universities of applied sciences offer a broad range of courses. Institutions such as the Max Planck Society (MPG), the Leibnitz Association (WGL), the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Fraunhofer Society (FhG) and the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of National Research Centres (HGF) offer optimal conditions for research. Foreigners like studying in Germany. Germany occupies third place in the ranking of countries targeted by foreigners for their studies. A total of 225,000 foreigners are studying and conducting research at research institutes and institutions of higher education in Germany. The German institutions of higher education are facing up to global competition by offering courses of study conducted in English. These course are customised for foreign students. If foreign students fulfil the formal requirements, their chances of gaining admission to German universities and institutions of higher education are good. Anyone wishing to study in Germany must have some knowledge of either German or English. For the international courses of study it is enough to know English, (e.g. TOEFL), German can be learnt parallel to this course of study in other courses at the university. A knowledge of German is normally necessary for PhD studies and research projects. In some disciplines, PhD studies are also offered in English, and doctoral theses may also be written in English. If you wish to study at an institution of higher education in Germany, not only will your knowledge of German be checked, but also your final educational qualification (higher education entrance qualification). Universities in Germany are autonomous. Each university decides for itself on the admission and required qualification of foreign applicants, and on the recognition of foreign qualifications and their authentication. If no international course of study is involved, you must prove that you have an adequate command of German before starting your course. Evidence of this may be furnished by qualifications gained either at home or in Germany.

TestDaF
"Test German as a Foreign Language" (TestDaF) can be taken in test centres in many countries of the world, and in Germany, too. TestDaF is a standardised test which has been on offer from the TestDaF Institute since 2001. TestDaF is recognised by all German universities.
Further information on TestDaF and when it may be taken:
http://www.testdaf.de
Specimen TestDaF examinations may be found under:
http://www.testdaf.de

DSH
The "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang" (DSH) may be taken at German universities. Nearly every university offers parallel or preparatory courses in "German as a Foreign Language".
Further information on DSH courses and DSH examinations can be found here.

Examinations organised by the Goethe-Institut
The"großes deutsches Sprachdiplom" (GDS), the "kleines deutsches Sprachdiplom" (KDS) and the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) of the Goethe-Institut provide adequate proof of German proficiency for admission to a university course. The examinations may be taken in 76 countries of the world or at the16 Goethe-Instituts in Germany.
Further information on examinations organised by the Goethe-Institut:
http://www.goethe.de/z/pruef/deindex.htm

DSDII (Sprachdiplom KMK II. Stufe)
The "Deutsches Sprachdiplom" KMK (DSDII) provides adequate proof of proficiency in German for university admission. It may be taken at German schools abroad, and in foreign schools offering teaching in both languages.
Informative Website on German for University Studies
The "Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst" (DAAD) is your contact for all questions relating to university studies. The DAAD´s website provides information on studying and researching in Germany, available international summer courses, possibilities for financial help, and practical tips and information (three languages):
http://www.daad.de


The HRK (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz) publication "Hochschulkompass" provides information on all German universities, courses of study and opportunities for international co-operation (two languages):
http://www.hochschulkompass.de

The website of the "Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen" (ZVS) provides information on the courses allocated by the ZVS and which have entrance restrictions (numerus clausus):
http://www.zvs.de/Studienangebot/Angebot.htm
Information on the recognition of foreign educational qualifications:
http://www.deutsch-als-fremdsprache.de
http://www.kmk.org/zab/home.htm
http://www.anabin.de

Information on the recognition of academic attainment: ECTS (European Credit Transfer System):
http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/ects/index_en.html

Online course: Deutsch als Wissenschaftssprache zur Studienvorbereitung und Forschungsbetreuung (Preparatory academic language course):
http://www.uni-deutsch.de

Information on admission procedures may be found under:
http://www.daad.de/deutschland/zulassung/00506.en.html
http://www.studienkollegs.de
http://www.zvs.de

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