bbw Studienkolleg

bbw Studienkolleg in Berlin

If you are thinking of beginning your university studies in Germany, you may firstly need to pass the German University Qualification Examination, called the Feststellungsprüfung (or FSP for short). You will need to pass the FSP if your secondary school certificate does not allow direct entrance into the German university system.

If you come from outside the EU, two semesters of university study in your home country are often sufficient to achieve direct access, depending on where you are from. You can use anabin.de to check whether your higher education entrance qualification is recognised in Germany.

If you need to pass the FSP to begin your studies, bbw can help prepare you for the examination at our preparatory college, called a Studienkolleg. At our Studienkolleg, located in the heart of Berlin, you will receive similar tuition to what a German secondary school pupil is required to study in their final year, but with a focus on either the technical pathway (T-Kurs) or the business pathway (W-Kurs). bbw does not offer "M" or "G" pathways.

As a guide, the T-Kurs includes physics and chemistry, while the W-Kurs includes economics and accounting units. This means that if you are thinking of later studying an engineering bachelor's degree in Germany, you would study the T-Kurs. Those thinking of studying an economics degree are enrolled in the W-Kurs. Key topics in both include German, mathematics, informatics and business English. With the exception of English lessons, all classes are in German.

Course Certification

The curriculums for both the W-Kurs and the T-Kurs are tailored to the FSP organized by TU Berlin. This means that if you pass the FSP, you are awarded a certificate issued by TU Berlin, a member of TU9, allowing you to study in any German university programme where the W-Kurs or T-Kurs is a prerequisite.

Studienkolleg Details

• Study Period: Twice yearly - October to June and April to December
• Duration: Nine months (two semesters with two weeks vacation)
• Contact hours: 30 teaching hours per week (9 am to 3 pm)
• Course size: 15 to 20 Students
• Location: Berlin Charlottenburg
• Recommended German language starting Level: CEF-B2*
• German proficiency at conclusion of course: CEF-C1
• Recommended English Language Level: CEF-B1
• Studienkolleg fee: EUR 5.880,00 due no later than one month before course start
• FSP Examination fee: EUR 700,00

*If you don't have CEF-B2 level of German yet, but hold a recognized certificate demonstrating CEF-B1 German, you can take part in bbw's three-month B2 Bridging Course held twice a year to prepare you for the Studienkolleg. More info about this below.

B2 Bridging Course

bbw also offers a B2 Bridging Course to help bring international students to the CEF-B2 level recommended for enrolment in the Studienkolleg. This three month German language course runs immediately prior to the Studienkolleg's commencement. An internal B2 language assessment test will be given in the last week of the Bridging Course. Those who meet the B2 language requirements may begin the Studienkolleg. In certain case, those who do not score a passing mark may still be offered a place in the Studienkolleg but with the option of additional paid language support classes.

• Study Period: Twice yearly - June to September and December to March
• Duration: Two months (200 teaching hours)
• Contact hours: 25 teaching hours per week
• Course size: 18 to 22 Students
• Minimum German language starting level: CEF-B1
• German proficiency at conclusion of course: CEF-B2
• Bridging Course fee: EUR 800,00 due one month before course start

The Bridging Course fee includes all books required for the tuition. Students can also request an optional external language proficiency test via telc at for EUR 170,00. This is not a requirement for entrance into the bbw Studienkolleg however, as bbw will conduct its own language proficiency test to ensure those about to enter the Studienkolleg have reached a B2 level.

Application Procedure

Prepare your Documents

All applications to the bbw Studienkolleg occur over uni-assist. A detailed overview of what you need to apply can be found here.

1. The first step to applying is to gather the following documents:

• Secondary School graduation certificate from your home country
• Grade sheet from your final year of secondary school
• Your passport

For Studienkolleg:

• German language certificate Level: CEF-B2

For the Bridging Course:

• German language certificate Level: CEF-B1

Note that applicants from some countries require extra documentation.

2. If your documents are not in English or German, you will need to have them translated by a court-certified translator into German.

3. Make scans of the original certificates and their certified translations ready to submit online to uni-assist.

4. Make certified copies of your certificates and translations for the final (postal) step of the application. More information about this certification process can be found here.

Submit your application

Once you have collected all your documents, submit your details to uni-assist by completing the form and registering here:

https://ww2.uni-assist.de/online/Frontend/Registrierung/index

1. Once you have registered your details, select the Bachelor course you would like to study at bbw (i.e. Handelsmanagement, Modemanagement oder Elektrotechnik). The course you choose will determine whether you are to study T or W pathways during the Studienkolleg.

2. During the online application process, you will be asked if you would like to enroll in the Studienkolleg. Check this box, and your application will be assessed for the Studienkolleg.

3. Print out, sign and upload the application form PDF and submit your application.

4. You will then receive notification about the next steps, which will include sending your certified copies by post and paying the uni-assist application fee.

5. If your documents are all in order, you will receive a letter stating your Provisional Entry to Studienkolleg from uni-assist that confirms your ability to enroll at bbw Studienkolleg. Uni-assist will forward your documentations and notification of provisional entry to bbw.

6. Within a week, you will receive the Studienkolleg study contract from bbw. This needs to be signed and returned to bbw.

7. After we have received the signed contract, we will send you an invoice plus further details related to payment and your enrollment in the Studienkolleg. Payment is due 6 weeks prior to start of the first semester for the Provisional Enrolment confirmation to be sent. With this letter, you will be able to apply for a student visa at your nearest German embassy.

8. Once you are in Berlin, we will need the following documents:

• Visa
• Proof of address in Germany (Anmeldung einer Wohnung)
• Proof of health insurance

Details regarding these documents will be provided to you in your Provisional Enrolment confirmation.

Application Deadlines

• Winter Semester: Studienkolleg Enrolment Deadline, July 15
• Sommer Semester: Studienkolleg Enrolment Deadline, January 15
• Summer B2 Bridging (starts in June): Course enrolment deadline, March 15
• Winter B2 Bridging (start in December): Course enrolment deadline, October 15

Important! Depending on which course you plan to enroll in, your country of origin or your school, note that uni-assist can take several months to send you your Statement of provisional Entry to Studienkolleg. This means it is recommended that you begin your application process at least 4 months before the respective course deadlines to ensure you receive a reply with enough time to complete your enrolment and secure a place in your desired course.

Costs for Studienkolleg and FSP

Two-semester Studienkolleg fee: EUR 5.880,00

Feststellungsprüfung fee: EUR 700,00

Total Fee: EUR 6.340,00

By the end of February (for the summer FSP examination) or the end of August (for the winter FSP examination), we will register you for the FSP at our partner university TU Berlin. We will also transfer the fee to TU Berlin on your behalf. By the end of the Studienkolleg you will have the CEF-C1 level of German. As a student of the bbw Studienkolleg programme, you are not required to obtain a separate certificate demonstrating this proficiency.

W-Kurs Curriculum

The structure of the Studienkolleg's W-Kurs based on the FSP organized by TU Berlin. It prepares students for all economic and social science degrees. German, mathematics and economics are subjects of the written exam. Other subjects offered include computer science, business history, cost-benefit accounting and English. Participation in all courses is mandatory. A failed FSP may be repeated, but only once. Once you have passed your FSP, your German language level will be of CEF-C1 standard, and will be able to study at any University in the Federal Republic of Germany in the field of economics and social sciences.
The following subjects are included into W-Kurs:

• German
• BWL and VWL
• Mathematics and Informatics
• Economy History
• English

T-Kurs Curriculum

The structure of the Studienkolleg's T-Kurs is based on the FSP organized by TU Berlin. German, mathematics and physics or chemistry are subjects of the written exam. Other subjects offered include computer science. Participation in all courses is mandatory. A failed FSP may be repeated, but only once. Once you have passed your FSP, your German language level will be of CEF-C1 standard, and will be able to study at any University in the Federal Republic of Germany in the field of technical science (physics, engineering, IT, metallurgy etc.).

The following subjects are included into T-Kurs:

• German
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Informatics
• Chemistry

Assessment Test

Within a few weeks of the conclusion of the 9-month Studienkolleg, you will be able to take the FSP at our partner university TU Berlin. As a successful bbw Studienkolleg graduate, you will also receive automatic acceptance into applicable undergraduate programmes offered at bbw University of Applied Sciences in Berlin. An example of the W-Kurs exam structure is as follows:

The written section of the FSP includes:

For W-Kurs:

• German (270 minutes including break)
• BWL / VWL (180 minutes)
• Mathematics and Informatics (180 minutes)

For T-Kurs:

• German (270 minutes including break)
• Physics or Chemistry (180 minutes)
• Mathematics (180 minutes)

The oral section of the FSP includes:

For W-Kurs:

• English
• Economy History

For T-Kurs:

• Chemistry or Physics
• Informatics

Study Location and Contact

University of Applied Sciences

1.200 students study at the bbw Hochschule - University of Applied Science's campus. bbw Studienkolleg is located close to the centre of Berlin near the U-Bahn station Deutsche Oper or Ernst-Reuter-Platz.

Address

Leibnizstraße 11 - 13, 10625 Berlin
+49 (30) 3199095-102
+49 (30) 3199095-55
Email

Directions

U-Bahn Station 'Deutsche Oper'
U-Bahn line U2
5 minutes by foot

U-Bahn Station 'Ernst-Reuter-Platz'
U-Bahn line U2
6 minutes by foot

S-Bahn station 'Savignyplatz'
S7, S75, S9, S5
15 minutes by foot

Bus Station Leibnizstraße/Bismarckstraße
Bus line 101
1 minute by foot

More Information

Check out our International Student Guide for more information about moving and living in Berlin, accommodation, registering as a resident and more.

Guide for international students