Prerequisites for studying and application

To enrol in a university in Rhineland-Palatinate, you must fulfil certain requirements:

Higher education entrance examination

Have you acquired your higher education entrance qualification in your home country and would like to study in Rhineland-Palatinate? Then your higher education entrance qualification must be also valid in Germany. This means: It will be checked whether your higher education entrance qualification is comparable to its German equivalent. If you would like to know whether your qualifications make you eligible to study in Germany DAAD database on admission requirements. There you will also find information on whether you need to take additional exams in order to receive an admission.

We also recommend you to take the test "Check: university admission" on the Uni-assist website. There you can check whether you meet the necessary requirements and what to do if you do not.

Preparatory course

Is your school leaving degree not comparable to the German equivalent? No worries, you can still study in Rhineland-Palatinate through earning the qualification to enter university in a so called preparatory course. Such a course takes one or two semesters. Find more information on the websites of the preparatory colleges in Mainz and Kaiserslautern.

Recognition of previous studies

You have already obtained a university diploma in your country of origin and want to continue studying in Rhineland-Palatinate, e.g. to complete a master’s degree? Then you should have your degree recognized before you enter Germany. The Anabin database of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs will inform you about the recognition of your university diploma. You can also contact the academic international office or the international office of your desired university. Find their contact information on the website of Higher Education Compass or on the DAAD website.

German language skills

If you choose to enrol in a course of study in German, you must prove that you have sufficient knowledge of the German language (at least level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference). As these prerequisites may vary, it is advisable to inform yourself directly at your university of choice about the language skills required and certificates accepted. It is recommended to have taken a German test in your home country before entering Germany. For example, you can acquire language skills in of the 157 Goethe-Institutes worldwide. You can find the institute closest to you on the interactive world map of “Make it in Germany”. 

The standard certificates for this purpose are the "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber" (DSH) and the "Test für Deutsch als Fremdsprache" (TestDaf). Both are recognized equally. If you have attended a German school abroad or a preparatory college, you do not have to take this test.

Find further information on language certificates and examinations at the portal of Study in Germany.

Visa and Entry procedure

Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not require an entry visa to live and study in Germany. You do not necessarily need an entry visa if you come from Australia, Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Canada, Monaco, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, San Marino, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or the United States of America either. All other students must apply for a visa for the purpose of studying. Detailed information on visas for study purposes is provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Financing & Health Insurance

If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA and need a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying, you must prove that you have the financial means to study and live in Germany.

For this purpose, you can set up a so-called blocked account (Sperrkonto) with a certain amount of money at a bank in Germany. Alternatively, you can ask friends or relatives in Germany to hand in a Declaration of Commitment for you at the Foreigners' Authority. With the Declaration of Commitment, the person handing in the document is bound to act as your guarantor. You can find more information on proof of financial resources on the Study in Germany website.

As a student, you generally have to take out health insurance. You will need proof of your insurance coverage for enrolling at university and for your residence permit (if need be). Depending on your country of origin, the health insurance from your home country may be recognized in Germany. It is advisable to seek out information on your health insurance status in Germany while you are still in your home country, either from your health insurance provider or from the International Office at your university. Please find more information on student health insurance in Germany on the Study in Germany website.
 

Apply for a study

There are two ways to apply to a university. Many universities and university of applied sciences allow you to apply through a special organization called "Uni-Assist". The Uni-Assist website lists the universities included. If your desired university does not appear on Uni-Assist, you may send your application directly to the university instead. Find the contact information of your desired university on the German Higher Education Compass website.

If you want to start studying in the winter semester, you generally need to apply by July 15th at latest. In order to start studying in summer, usually you need to submit your application by January 15th. Additional conditions and deadlines may apply for specific courses of study. In some departments, admission restrictions apply, i.e. a specific grade point average (numerus clausus) or entrance exams.

Tuition fees in Rhineland-Palatinate

State universities and technical schools in Rhineland-Palatinate do not charge tuition for the initial course of study. Students only need to pay registration or administrative fees. The semester fee that students pay mostly comprises a semester ticket for public transportation, as well as a contribution for the association of student affairs at your university (Studierendenwerk).

Learn about scholarships

Would you like to finance your studies with a scholarship? Many institutions in Germany offer monthly financial support for students who meet certain criterias. These might involve good marks or perhaps volunteer work. However, you should be aware that scholarships are rarely awarded for the first semester in Germany. Students in later semesters and graduates from abroad can apply for a scholarship sponsered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Some private institutions also support students from abroad.  Find out more about possibilities of financial support from the DAAD and other assistance organizations for international students on their website.

Getting settled in Rhineland-Palatinate

As an international student in Rhineland-Palatinate, you will surely feel at home quickly. The state of Rhineland-Palatinate has to offer a lot of culture and diverse activities. You can find out more about this in the "Our state" section.