FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

No. After you have received the admission confirmation you will be admitted to the course.

We are a private foundation college since we do not receive any funds from the state government. Therefore, a tuition fee will be charged in order to be able to conduct the courses under optimal conditions.

We offer specific preparatory courses for international applicants who do not have a direct admission to German higher education. In particular, we offer preparatory courses focusing on engineering and natural sciences (T course) as well as economics and social studies (W course). We also offer German language courses and precourses (before T or W course).

Subsequently to the W course, you can study bachelor programmes like Business Administration, Economics, International Business Studies and many more...). Subsequently to the T course, you can study bachelor programmes like Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences and many more...). Your degree will be accepted at all German universities and universities of applied sciences.

Before entering Germany, applicants must apply for a student visa at the German embassy (or consulate) in their country. Do not enter Germany as a tourist! A tourist visa cannot be converted to a student visa or student applicant visa! Applicants from China, India and Vietnam  must submit an APS certificate.

Approximately 1-2 weeks before the beginning of the course, you will receive further information about the course contents, the timetable etc. via e-mail.

German B1 certificate is the basic requirement for a W or T course. Foreign certificates will be recognised by TELC or the Goethe-Institut. If you want to apply but are still in your B1 language course, please upload your attendence certificate instead of the B1 certificate in our online application form.

Yes, in order to be able to offer you the best possible study conditions, the tuition fee for our T or W course is 8.000 € for the 9-month course period (does not apply for participants in the APS special procedure). For students who start with Studienkolleg ab A2 (T or W course + language preparation) we charge 10.050 €.

Short answer: Yes!

Additional costs for the T or W course: Examination fees (approx. 575€), visa costs, accomodation, costs for personal needs (food, clothing, traveling etc.).

A copy of your passport and a scan of your high school graduation (original certificate and notarized translation in German or English). For our T- and W-courses we need a German B1 language certificate (or higher / or comparable certificate). If you want to apply, please use our application online form. This will guide you through each step...

Yes, it is statutory to have a health insurance for the duration of your studies at our college. We can convey a health insurance package through our partner Care Concept. Please contact us via e-mail or contact form after your successful application for more information!

During your stay at the Foundation College Paderborn you may work part time with the work permit issued by the alien office. In general, however, you will not have enough time for a part-time job because the courses at the Foundation College Paderborn will be full-time.

The Foundation College Paderborn has a student residence with several single and double rooms. Please contact us via our contact form.

Yes, there are Christmas holidays as well as public holidays. Enrolled students will receive detailed information during their studies. 

No, you don't have to. You can apply at all universities and universities of applied sciences in Germany after succeeding the FSP. However, our students get a guaranteed a place at the Paderborn University after passing the assessment examination! So you get a safe place of study in several bachelor programmes at the Paderborn University after our T- or W-Course AND you can apply at any university in Germany in addition.

German is a compulsory subject. You can only be exempted from the lessons and the exam if you have one of the following certificates:

Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II Test DaF with at least four points in each of the four parts of the test "Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom" or "Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom" from a Goethe-Instituts "Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung" (ZOP) from a Goethe Institut C1 or Telc Hochschule C1

Yes, but only for our W course. English is an examination subject in the W course. These classes are held at level B1. Basic knowledge of English should therefore be present so that you can follow the lessons. We recommend an intensive basic course prior to the beginning of your studies. Please contact us if you are interested!

The assessment examination (the so-called "Feststellungsprüfung" or "FSP") takes place after approximately 8 months of course duration:

The assessment examination will take place in November if you started your studies at the Foundation College Paderborn in April. The assessment examination will take place in June / July if you started your studies at the Foundation College Paderborn in October / November. The assessment examination will take place in Paderborn - internally

If you pass the assessment examination, you will receive a university entrance qualification for universities and universities of applied science in Germany!

We are allowed to execute the final assessment examination (Festellungsprüfung / FSP) internally by ourselves in Padeborn. This has many advantages for you! For example: You don´t have to travel to Cologne and you can fully concentrate on your final test in an familiar surrounding.

Your Foundation College diploma is recognised by all universities and universities of applied sciences throughout Germany (does not apply for participants in the APS special procedure).

W course subjects: German, English, Mathematics, Economics
T course subjects: German, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

The subjects are taught in German (except for English which is a subject at our W-Course).