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Undergraduate degrees and doctorates
Before studying
If you are interested in studying in Germany, the following options to prepare for your studies exist:
- Residence permit for the purpose of preparing to study
- Residence permit for the purpose of applying for a degree programme
This page explains which requirements must be met for these types of residence permit.
Preparing to study
If you are interested in studying in Germany but do not yet meet the requirements for embarking on a specific degree programme, you can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of study preparation. Study preparation includes participation in a preparatory language course, in the study-related preparatory course itself and the completion of preparatory internships all intended as preparation for a degree programme.
Please bring the following with you…
If you wish to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of preparing to study, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):
- Your valid passport
- A current passport photo
- A completed application form
- Proof that you are able to cover your living expenses: Blocked account with credit balance in the amount of € 934 per month / € 11.208 per year; parental guarantee; letter of intent
- Proof of health insurance
- Graduation certificate from your home country
- Proof of participation in the preparatory course (e.g. language course certificate, preparatory course certificate, internship contract)
- Fee: up to € 100.00
Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.
Please note: An appointment is required for the issue and extension of the residence permit. Please click send us an appointment request.
Please note: If you are seeking to improve your German language skills in preparation for your studies, the language course must be an intensive language course comprising at least 18 lessons per week.
Period of validity of the residence permit
A residence permit for the purpose of study preparation is generally issued or extended until the expected completion of your study preparation. The maximum duration of stay for the purpose of study preparation is two years in total.
Change of purpose of stay
After you have completed your preparatory studies, you may usually apply for a residence permit for another purpose. As a rule, this will be the residence permit for the purpose of studying.
When you are preparing for your studies, you may change the purpose of residence, except for the purpose of temporary employment.
Paid employment
During your stay for the purpose of preparing for your studies, you are generally permitted to take up employment up to 140 days per year or complete an internship intended as study preparation.
Study application
If you already fulfil the study requirements and are travelling to Germany to apply for a place at university, you can also obtain a residence permit for this purpose.
A residence permit for the purpose of applying for a place at university may also be issued if you have received a personal invitation to take part in a selection procedure at the university.
Please bring the following with you…
If you wish to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of applying to study, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):
- Your valid passport
- A current passport photo
- A completed application form
- Proof that you are able to cover your living expenses: Blocked account with credit balance in the amount of € 934.00 per month / € 11.208.00 per year; parental guarantee; letter of intent
- Proof of health insurance
- Graduation certificate from your home country
- Proof of sufficient language skills for admission to the degree programme
- Documents pertaining to your intended studies
- Fee: up to € 100.00
Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.
Please note: As a rule, the certificate of residential status is issued by the German embassy in your home country in advance of your arrival
Period of validity of the residence permit
A residence permit for the purpose of applying for a degree programme / seeking a place in a degree programme can be issued for a period of up to nine months.
Change in purpose of stay
It is only possible to change the purpose of your stay on your residence permit in the following cases:
- In order to engage in qualified vocational training
- In order to study
- In order to carry out employment as a skilled worker with vocational training or with academic training
- In order to obtain a residence permit to which you are legally entitled (e.g. in the case of family reunification)
Paid employment
Pursuit of paid employment for 20 hours per week and ancillary employment as a student as well as trial employment for up to 2 weeks in total are permitted if you have come to Germany in order to seek a place in a degree programme.