Anyone who has earned a high school diploma abroad and wishes to study in Germany must first determine whether that diploma qualifies them for direct admission to a university. Depending on their country of origin, high school diploma, and educational background, they may be able to enroll directly in a degree program or may first need to complete a Preparatory College with an Assessment Exam will be required.
Quick Answer: To study in Germany, international applicants need a qualification for university admission. Whether a foreign high school diploma is sufficient depends on the specific educational credential. Options include direct admission to a university, subject-specific admission, or admission through a Studienkolleg and the Feststellungsprüfung. When applying, German or English translations of school transcripts may also be required.
What is a high school diploma?
The university entrance qualification—often referred to as HZB (abbreviated) – refers to the educational credentials that qualify a person to study at a German university.
For applicants with German high school diplomas, this is often the Abitur or another equivalent qualification for admission to higher education.
The situation can be more complex when it comes to foreign educational credentials.
Depending on the country of origin, eligibility for admission to higher education may be based on, for example:
- based solely on a foreign high school diploma,
- High school diploma plus college entrance exam,
- High school diploma plus any college coursework already completed, or
- High school diploma plus successful completion of the assessment exam.
For this reason, a foreign high school diploma should not simply be considered equivalent to a German Abitur.
Can I enroll in college in Germany right away with my foreign high school diploma?
That depends on the country of origin, the type of high school diploma, and, in some cases, other educational credentials.
In general, different results are possible:
- direct, general access to higher education,
- direct, subject-specific admission to college,
- Admission is granted only after a certain period of study has been completed,
- Admission to the preparatory program and to the placement exam, or
- Insufficient eligibility for college admission based on the documentation provided to date.
The official website provides an initial overview Check: University Admissions via uni-assist.
What does "direct admission to college" mean?
Direct admission to higher education means that the educational credentials held generally grant access to a degree program in Germany without the need to first complete a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) and pass an entrance examination.
However, it is important to note that eligibility for college admission alone does not guarantee admission to a specific program.
In addition, the following may be required, for example:
- certain grades,
- Knowledge of German,
- Knowledge of English,
- Numerus clausus or other selection criteria,
- Aptitude tests,
- Internship certificates or
- Additional program-specific requirements.
What does "subject-specific university admission" mean?
Subject-specific university admission means that existing educational credentials do not automatically qualify a student to study all fields of study.
Instead, admission may be limited to certain fields of study.
Which field of study is available depends on the student's educational background in another country or on whether the student has taken an assessment exam.
For example, anyone who holds a subject-specific college entrance qualification should therefore check before applying whether the desired degree program is covered by that subject requirement.
How do I have my foreign high school diploma evaluated?
Several sources of information are available for an initial review.
Check: University Admissions via uni-assist
The „Check: University Admission“ tool can be used to determine how educational credentials from specific countries are generally evaluated for the purpose of studying in Germany.
The information is based on the assessment recommendations of the Central Office for Foreign Education and is provided for reference purposes.
anabin
The Database anabin The Central Office for Foreign Education contains information on the evaluation of foreign educational credentials.
It includes, among other things:
- Qualifications for admission to higher education,
- High school diplomas,
- Colleges,
- College degrees and
- vocational education credentials.
If the country of origin or educational background is not adequately represented in the Higher Education Admission Check, the information in anabin can provide additional guidance.
The desired college or university
The specific application requirements of the university are always the deciding factor.
The university determines which documents are required for each degree program and how the application materials must be submitted.
What is a Studienkolleg?
A Preparatory College prepares international applicants academically and linguistically for university studies in Germany if their prior education is not sufficient for direct admission to a university but they meet the requirements for admission to the Studienkolleg.
The preparation typically takes about one academic year.
In the end, there is the Assessment Audit.
Upon successfully passing the qualifying exam, students can obtain a subject-specific college entrance qualification for the corresponding field of study.
Does every international student have to attend a preparatory program?
No.
Students who already have sufficient direct eligibility for university admission are generally not required to attend a preparatory college solely because they hold a foreign high school diploma.
A preparatory program is particularly worth considering if a student’s high school or previous academic background does not qualify them for direct admission to a degree program but does grant them access to the preparatory program.
What is a declaratory audit?
The Assessment Audit—FSP for short is the final exam at the Studienkolleg.
It assesses whether international applicants meet the academic and language requirements for a degree program in the respective field of study.
After passing the exam, you can apply for undergraduate programs in the relevant field of study.
However, passing the qualifying exam does not automatically guarantee a spot in a specific program. The other admission requirements for the desired program still apply.
Can the placement exam be taken even without attending a preparatory college?
Some preparatory colleges offer the option of a so-called external verification audit.
In this case, the exam is taken without having previously attended classes at the Studienkolleg on a regular basis.
Whether this option is available and what requirements apply depends on the specific Studienkolleg or federal state.
What courses are offered at the Studienkolleg?
Preparatory colleges do not provide general preparation for every field of study at the same time. Instead, they offer what are known as specialized courses.
Depending on the preparatory program and the type of institution, courses may be offered in the following areas, for example:
- technical and science degree programs,
- medical and biological degree programs,
- economics degree programs,
- degrees in the humanities and social sciences, or
- Linguistics degree programs.
The type of course required depends on the degree program you plan to pursue later.
Preparatory Program at a University or University of Applied Sciences—Is There a Difference?
Yes. The type of preparatory program or placement exam can influence the type of institution of higher education where a student can subsequently pursue their studies.
According to information from uni-assist, passing a placement exam at a preparatory college affiliated with a university of applied sciences generally qualifies a student to study at a university of applied sciences.
In contrast, a corresponding qualifying examination at a university preparatory college can open the door to both universities and universities of applied sciences.
For this reason, you should determine which type of university you plan to attend before applying to the Studienkolleg.
Are there state-run preparatory colleges in North Rhine-Westphalia?
According to the latest information from uni-assist, there are generally no state-run preparatory colleges in North Rhine-Westphalia.
However, this does not mean that applicants from North Rhine-Westphalia have no way to prepare for an entrance exam.
You should check directly with the respective college to find out what options are currently available and what documentation the college of your choice accepts.
Do I need to know German to attend the Studienkolleg?
Generally speaking, yes.
Preparatory colleges have their own requirements regarding German language proficiency. In addition, an entrance exam is often administered before admission.
The required language certificates and language proficiency levels may vary from one Studienkolleg to another.
Even if you plan to pursue a degree program taught in English later on, proof of German language proficiency may be required for the Studienkolleg.
What is the entrance exam for the Studienkolleg?
An entrance exam is often required before admission to a preparatory program.
According to general information from uni-assist, these exams may assess, in particular, proficiency in German and basic knowledge of the chosen field of study.
Passing the entrance exam should not be confused with the placement exam.
The entrance exam takes place before or at the beginning of the preparatory program. The placement exam, on the other hand, marks the end of the program.
What documents do I need to apply for a bachelor's degree with a foreign high school diploma?
The specific list of documents depends on the university, your country of origin, and your educational background.
The documents most frequently requested include:
- High school diploma,
- Complete overview of courses and grades,
- if applicable, proof of having passed a college entrance exam,
- if applicable, proof of university coursework already completed,
- Language certificates,
- any additional country-specific documents, if applicable, and
- German or English translations, if necessary.
For applications submitted through uni-assist, you must also review the relevant country-specific guidelines.
Why can previous periods of study be important for college admission?
For some foreign high school diplomas, the diploma alone is not sufficient for direct admission to a university in Germany.
However, depending on the education system, a certain period of successful study at a recognized institution of higher education in the student’s country of origin may qualify the student for direct or subject-specific admission to a university.
In such a case, the following may be required in addition to a high school diploma, for example:
- official academic transcripts,
- Transcript of Records,
- Subject and Grade Summaries, or
- Additional documentation from the university.
Which periods of study and subjects are taken into account depends on the respective educational system and the assessment of the specific case.
Why can a college entrance exam from the student's home country be important?
In some states, a national or institutional college entrance exam is a requirement for regular admission to college.
Depending on the country of origin, proof of having passed such an exam may therefore be a requirement for the German university entrance qualification exam.
Anyone who has passed a relevant exam should not omit the result from their application if it is required according to the state guidelines or application requirements.
Do I need to have my foreign high school diploma recognized in Germany?
Here, a distinction must be made between different purposes.
In general, the state-level certificate recognition offices are responsible for recognizing foreign high school diplomas as equivalent to German high school diplomas for vocational or other purposes.
When it comes specifically to enrolling in a college or university program, however, the admission rules of the respective institutions or the offices involved in the application process apply.
A general certificate of recognition and admission to a specific degree program are therefore not the same thing.
What is a credential evaluation agency?
The state-level certification agencies assess foreign high school diplomas to determine their equivalence to German high school diplomas.
Such a certificate may be relevant for professional purposes, for example.
When applying to college, however, you should also check what requirements the college of your choice has regarding high school graduation qualifications.
Have a school transcript translated for college admissions
For international applications, a German or English translation of the high school diploma may be required.
As a general rule at uni-assist: Certificates must be submitted in their original language and accompanied by a German or English translation, unless the document was already officially issued in German or English and there are no specific country-specific instructions to the contrary.
Therefore, the translation does not replace the original document.
Who is authorized to translate transcripts for uni-assist?
In accordance with its general standards, uni-assist accepts, among other things, translations provided by individuals or institutions authorized to issue sworn or court-certified translations.
An authorized department at the issuing school or college may also provide such translations.
Translations provided by a general translation agency without the appropriate authorization will not be accepted under the general uni-assist rules.
Does an English school report card need to be translated into German?
Not automatically.
If the transcript was officially issued in English by the issuing institution, uni-assist does not require an additional German translation in accordance with its general standards.
However, specific requirements may apply for certain countries of origin or universities.
For this reason, you should always check the country-specific guidelines and the requirements of your chosen university as well.
Do both the front and back of the report card need to be submitted?
If both sides are labeled, both sides should be submitted in their entirety.
The backs of documents often contain important information such as:
- Grading Scale,
- Rating systems,
- Stamp,
- Certification notes,
- additional course information or
- Additional official information.
Therefore, even when requesting a translation, all relevant pages should be scanned in their entirety.
What needs to be translated on a school report card?
If a complete translation is required, all relevant content in the document should be included.
These may include, for example:
- Name of the school,
- Name of the student,
- Type of degree,
- Subjects,
- Grades,
- Grading Scale,
- Completion date,
- Stamp,
- Signature notes,
- Side notes and
- relevant reverse sides.
Are foreign musical notes converted when translated into German musical notation?
A translation and a technical evaluation are two different services.
A professional translation accurately conveys the notes and information contained in the source document.
It should not decide on its own which German grade corresponds to a foreign grade.
The evaluation or conversion is carried out by the relevant university or other competent authority in accordance with the rules in effect there.
Translate school report cards written in Arabic, Cyrillic, or other scripts
For school report cards written in non-Latin writing systems, it is also important to use a consistent spelling for names.
This applies, for example, to documents in:
- Arabic script,
- Persian script,
- Cyrillic script,
- Greek script,
- Chinese characters or
- other writing systems.
If an officially recognized Latin spelling of the name already appears in a passport or residence permit, please provide it when requesting a translation, if possible.
Express Translation of School Transcripts for a College Application
When applying to college, application deadlines may require prompt processing.
For urgent educational documents, StartDE may consider expedited processing, depending on the specific request.
Depending on the document, language pair, length, and availability, a The certified translation will be completed the same day.
To ensure a prompt review, please submit the following as soon as possible:
- Complete scans of all transcripts,
- Source language,
- Desired target language,
- Purpose,
- any requirements from the university or uni-assist, and
- Desired completion date.
Get the translation as a PDF
Once the translation is complete, a PDF version or a scan of the translation can be provided initially.
This can be particularly helpful when applying online.
Whether the digital version is sufficient for the entire application process depends on the current requirements of the university or the relevant admissions office.
Received a physical copy via DHL
A physical copy can be provided upon request via DHL be shipped.
In urgent cases, express delivery may also be an option, depending on the appropriate DHL service.
The actual delivery time depends on the shipping service you choose and the delivery address.
What documents does StartDE need for the translation?
- Complete and clearly legible scans
- all labeled front and back sides
- Source language
- Desired target language
- Purpose
- if applicable, country-specific information or university guidelines
- Desired completion date
- For non-Latin scripts, the name as it appears on the passport, if applicable
You can submit your request directly through our website Professional and Certified Translations at StartDE transmit.
Step by Step: Studying in Germany with a Foreign High School Diploma
- Choose your desired major: Select a college and a degree program.
- Check university admission requirements: Use the Higher Education Admission Check (or ANABIN) to determine how your educational background is generally evaluated.
- Determine whether you qualify for direct admission or need to attend a preparatory program: Determine whether direct admission or admission based on a specific field of study is available, or whether an entrance exam is required first.
- Check the university's requirements: Check the application process, language proficiency requirements, deadlines, and additional requirements.
- Please note the country-specific information: Check which specific documents are required for the country of origin.
- Do not request translations until then: Translate only those documents that actually need to be translated.
- Submit all required documents: Upload or submit original-language transcripts, translations, and, if applicable, other educational documents.
Conclusion: A foreign high school diploma does not automatically mean you have to attend a preparatory college.
Whether a foreign high school diploma grants direct admission to a German university cannot be determined solely by the name of the diploma.
The key factors are the country of origin, high school diploma, university entrance exam (if applicable), previous periods of study, and the desired degree program.
Some applicants can enroll directly in a degree program, others have subject-specific admission requirements, and still others must first attend a preparatory program or take a placement exam.
Similarly, not every foreign transcript needs to be automatically translated into German. You should check the requirements of the university, uni-assist, and the relevant country-specific guidelines before placing an order.
Do you need a professional or certified translation of your high school transcript for a college application in Germany? Please submit the complete documents, source language, desired target language, and intended use to StartDE via our website Interpreting & Translation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying with a Foreign High School Diploma
Can I enroll in college in Germany right away with a foreign high school diploma?
That depends on the country of origin, the degree held, and, if applicable, other educational credentials. Options include direct admission, admission based on a specific field of study, or, initially, attending a preparatory college and taking the placement exam. uni-assist
How can I check whether my high school diploma qualifies me for college?
The „Check: University Admission“ tool from uni-assist provides an initial overview. The information is based on the evaluation recommendations from ZAB/anabin. The requirements of the respective university remain decisive. uni-assist
Does everyone with a foreign high school diploma have to attend a preparatory program?
No. A Studienkolleg is particularly relevant when a student’s existing educational background is not sufficient for direct admission to a university but does qualify them for admission to a Studienkolleg. uni-assist
What is a declaratory audit?
The qualifying examination is the final exam at the Studienkolleg. Upon successful completion, students can apply for undergraduate programs in the relevant field of study. uni-assist
Can I take the placement exam without attending a preparatory college?
At some preparatory colleges, it is possible to take an external placement exam. In this case, you prepare for the exam on your own. Whether this option is available depends on the specific institution. uni-assist
Do I need a translation of my high school transcript for uni-assist?
If the certificate was not officially issued in German or English, a German or English translation is generally required in addition to the original language. Country-specific rules may apply. uni-assist
Is the translation alone sufficient for uni-assist?
No. uni-assist also requires the documents in their original language. The translation does not replace the original transcript. uni-assist
Is the recognition of my high school diploma the same as admission to college?
No. Credential evaluation agencies can assess the equivalency of school diplomas. For admission to a degree program, the specific university’s admission requirements also apply. Recognition in Germany
