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Studies at the University of Bamberg

Prospective students (international)

  1.  University of bamberg
  2. Studies at the University of Bamberg
  3. Prospective students (international)
  4. Non-Exchange Students (Undergraduate)
  5. Prior to Applying: Prerequisites

Prior to Applying: Prerequisites

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University Entry Qualifications (Approval)

To begin a course of study at the University of Bamberg, your higher education certificates from abroad are officially evaluated. This process ensures that your qualifications meet the requirements for university admission in Bamberg.

Important note regarding the procedure: A preliminary evaluation of your documents is not possible if certificates or requests are sent via e-mail. An official academic evaluation can only be carried out once you have submitted your complete documentation in the correct form and by the specified deadline as part of your official application.

How will your certificates be evaluated?

The International Office evaluates your documents based on the anabin database. There are three possible results: 

  • Direct University Entry Qualification: You will be allowed to study an undergraduate programme immediately (where applicable, subject-restricted).
  • Pre-University Examination/Studienkolleg: You must complete a preparatory course at the Studienkolleg and pass the pre-university examination before commencing your studies.
  • No access to study: Admission is unfortunately not possible based on the certificates provided.

Important note regarding subject restrictions

  • Bachelor: The subject restriction concerns the major subject only. The minor subjects, resp. the other major can be chosen without restriction.
  • Teacher training programme (Lehramt): For the teacher training programmes Lehramt an Gymnasien and Realschulen, direct access for all subjects is mandatory.

Information on Studienkolleg München (preparatory college)

  • If the evaluation of your certificates results in ‘pre-university examination/Studienkolleg‘ (Feststellungsprüfung/Studienkolleg), you must attend the Studienkolleg München and take the pre-university examination at the Studienkolleg (preparatory college: an institution which prepares students in language proficiency and in diverse subject areas for their studies at universities in Germany). Direct application to the Studienkolleg is not possible. You must apply to a Bavarian university of your choice.
  • Prerequisite: Passing the entrance examination (German, and mathematics where applicable).
  • Duration: Generally two semesters until the Feststellungsprüfung (‘FSP’: pre-university examination).

Specialised courses (Studienkolleg München)

Depending on your intended degree programme, you must take the appropriate course at the Studienkolleg. For Bamberg, the following applies:

  • W-Course: For Geographie, Politikwissenschaft & Wirtschaftsinformatik
  • G-Course: For Psychologie
  • M-Course: Not possible in Bamberg as no corresponding degree programmes are offered.
  • For all other Bachelor’s subjects, please contact us directly for individual information.

Important: There is no Studienkolleg at the University of Bamberg. Since the winter semester 2020/21, the external pre-university examination (externe Feststellungsprüfung) is no longer offered by the Studienkolleg München.

Additional links

German Language Proficiency Requirements

German language knowledge is mandatory for all undergraduate study programmes at the University of Bamberg. An application with levels A1 or A2 is not possible.

Required German proficiency level depending on your goal:

  • Admission to the intended degree programme & short-term study programme: generally B2. For some degree programmes, C1 is required at the time of application.
  • German Course for Study Purposes: Minimum B1 (only possible with direct university entrance qualification)
  • Studienkolleg: Minimum B2

German Course for Study Purposes

If you have a direct university entry qualification but do not yet have sufficient German language skills for your intended degree programme, you can attend this intensive course (from B1 to C1/C2). 

Prerequisites & Application:

  • German proficiency level: Proof of at least level B1, e.g., telc Deutsch B1, TestDaF with at least level 3 (in at least two sections of the examination) or level U3 (in max. two of the sections), Goethe-Zertifikat B1, ÖSD B1, or DSD I.
  • University entry qualification: Direct university entry required
  • Application: Select the option "German Course for Study Purposes" in the application portal.
  • Important: The course will only take place if a minimum number of participants is reached. 

Course Details & Costs:

  • Fees: € 750 per semester (plus semester fees for enrolment). Refunds are excluded.
  • Course schedule: Daily classes (Monday-Friday) during the lecture period, 4 units per day.
  • Terms of participation: A placement test before the start and an attendance rate of at least 80 % are mandatory.
  • Goal: The course prepares you for your intended degree programme within a maximum of two semesters.
  • Status: You will be enrolled as a student for a maximum of two semesters (Status: "non-degree study programme"). It is not possible to study for a degree at the same time.

Important Information:

  • Limited places: Places are allocated upon receipt of the course fee payment.
  • No course participation for: Short-Term Non-Degree Study programme students, external applicants (without intent to study in Bamberg), or persons required to do the pre-university examination at a Studienkolleg.
  • Subsequent studies: After the course, you must submit a separate application for your intended degree programme.

For subjects with restricted admission, proof of a recognised German language examination must be submitted by the end of the application deadline.

Admission to the Intended Degree Programme

A German language examination is required for all German-taught study programmes at the University of Bamberg.

Important: For subjects with restricted admission, this proof must be submitted by the end of the application deadline.

1. German Proficiency Level B2

The following German language certificates are the minimum requirements for most undergraduate programmes:

  • telc Deutsch B2
  • TestDaF (at least level 3 in all four sections of the examination, passed in one sitting)
  • DSH-1 (with HRK registration)
  • Goethe-Zertifikat B2
  • ÖSD Zertifikat B2
  • DSD II

2. German Proficiency Level C1/C2

Higher German language skills are required for the Bachelor’s subjects Germanistik, Psychologie, and German as a main subject (Unterrichtsfach) in all teacher training programmes:

  • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
  • TestDaF (at least level 4 in all four sections of the examination, passed in one sitting)
  • DSH-2 (with HRK registration)
  • Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (as well as ZOP, KDS, GDS)
  • ÖSD Zertifikat C2
  • DSD II

Exemptions

Proof of a recognised German language examination is not required for:

  • Students who are native speakers of German
  • Short-term non-degree study programmes

Note: A degree in German Studies or other studies in German language completed abroad does not exempt you from proof of the required German examination.

You can find further certificates and information at the KMK:
→ Language Examinations According to RO-DT in Addition to the German Language Diploma
→ Exempting Certificates
→ Admission of Foreign Applicants with Foreign Educational Qualifications to Studies at German Universities: Proof of German Language Proficiency

Short-Term Non-Degree Study Programme

If you wish to study at the University of Bamberg for a maximum of two semesters without the intention of completing a degree, you can apply for a short-term non-degree study programme.

Requirements & Application

  • German proficiency level: Proof of at least level B2 at the time of applying. For the subjects Germanistik and Psychologie, level C1 is required.
  • University entry qualification:Direct university entry required.
  • Application: In your application you must select the option “short-term non-degree study programme”.

Important Information:

  • Duration: Maximum of two semesters
  • Goal: Free choice from a range of courses without obtaining a degree.
  • Restriction: Participating in the German Course for Study Purposes is not possible in this status.

Studienkolleg München

If your foreign educational certificates do not grant you direct university entry, you generally must pass the pre-university examination (Feststellungsprüfung) at a Studienkolleg before starting your studies.

Requirements & Application:

  • German language knowledge: Proof of at least level B2, e.g. telc Deutsch B2, TestDaF (at least level 3 in all four sections), DSH-1 (including HRK registration), Goethe-Zertifikat B2, ÖSD Zertifikat B2, DSD II.
  • University entry qualification: Qualification for the pre-university examination at a Studienkolleg.
  • Application: In your application you must select entry to the Studienkolleg.


Important Information:

  • Restriction on teacher training programmes: An application for the teacher training programmes Lehramt an Gymnasien and Lehramt an Realschulen is not possible via the Studienkolleg.
  • German language courses: Registration for a German Course for Study Purposes is excluded in this status as this requires direct university entry qualification.