Information on University Admission with Qualifications Obtained Abroad

If you apply to a German university with a foreign school leaving certificate, a distinction is made between whether this degree allows for direct or indirect university admission to German universities.

Direct university admission

Direct university admission means that you are entitled to study at a German university with your foreign qualifications (school certificates, proof of academic achievement from studies you have started or completed etc.). There is no additional preparation or assessment.

You can see from your VPD (preliminary review documentation) under “Evaluation” if you have direct admission.

For example: VPD “evaluation” – direct university admission

“With these documents, the applicant proves that they have a university entrance qualification for all types of universities for the subject area(s) listed here

Economics and social science subjects

with an average score of XX.

The certificates leading to university admission were obtained on dd/mm/yyyy.”

If necessary, please mind that the admission is restricted to a specific study area. Depending on your previous training, it is possible that you have a general or subject-specific university entrance qualification.

Indirect university admission

If your VPD states under “Evaluation” that you have a university entrance qualification for the Studienkolleg (foundation course for international students), this means that a direct entry into studies is not possible:

For example: VPD “evaluation” – indirect university admission

“With these documents, the applicant proves that they have a university entrance qualification for the Studienkolleg for all types of universities for all subject areas

with an average score of XX.

The certificates leading to university admission were obtained on dd/mm/yyyy.”

You must first provide proof of your ability to study in Germany. There are various ways of doing this at HSBI:

1. Studienkolleg (foundation course for international students)

A Studienkolleg is a foundation course institution for international applicants who are not eligible to study directly.
You will attend a one-year programme there, preparing you for an admission examination (FSP). If you pass the examination, you can study an appropriate subject at a German university.

Difference between state and private Studienkolleg:

  • State-run Studienkollegs are usually affiliated with universities. Admission takes place through a selection procedure and classes are usually free of charge (except for semester fees).
  • At private Studienkollegs, you will be required to pay tuition fees, but they often offer more flexible start dates, smaller classes and more intensive faculty tutoring.

There are no state-run Studienkollegs in North-Rhine Westphalia. HSBI does not have its own Studienkolleg.

Please find more information on Studienkollegs here.

2. TestAS (test for foreign students)

The TestAS is a standardised admission test that assesses the ability of international applicants to study.
It consists of a core module (general part) and a subject-specific module, which varies depending on the course structure. TestAS can only be taken in certified test centres worldwide in German or English. In order to participate, you need language skills equivalent to at least B1 level.

At HSBI, the following minimum requirements are in force for university admission via TestAS:

  • Paper-based TestAS: at least 90 points in the core module and 90 points in the subject-specific module
  • Digital TestAS: at least 50 points in the core module and 50 points in the subject-specific module

If you achieve the above-mentioned scores, you will receive a local subject-specific university admission to HSBI and can apply for your preferred degree programme without attending a Studienkolleg. Please find more information about TestAS here.

 

Conversion of the HZB grade

For university admission via TestAS, the HZB grade is determined from two equally weighted components:

  • 50% from the  final mark of the school leaving certificate
  • 50% from the result of the TestAS

For this purpose, the TestAS results (core module and subject module) are converted into grades.

Score in TestAS Grade equivalent
90 3.1
91 3.1
92 3.0
93 2.9
94 2.9
95 2.8
96 2.8
97 2.8
98 2.7
99 2.6
100 2.5
101 2.5
102 2.4
103 2.3
104 2.3
105 2.2
106 2.2
107 2.1
108 2.0
109 2.0
110 1.9
111 1.9
112 1.8
113 1.7
114 1.7
115 1.6
116 1.6
117 1.5
118 1.4
119 1.4
120 1.3
121 1.3
122 1.2
123 1.1
124 1.1
>125 1.0

 

Please note that not all universities in Germany offer university admission with a study admission test for international applicants. Please also note that universities enabling university admission through a study admission test may require you to perform additional tests and/or have other scores. The information on this page exclusively apply to Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI).

3. ITB test

Similar to TestAS, the ITB test is a standardised admission test that assesses the ability of international applicants to study. The ITB tests can be taken online on your own computer and are offered in German and English.

Again, you have to reach a certain minimum score:

  • at least 90 points

The ITB test is offered in two subjects:

  • ITB business for economics and social science courses
  • ITB technology for STEM programmes

If you achieve the above-mentioned scores, you will receive a local subject-specific university admission to HSBI and can apply for your preferred degree programme without attending a Studienkolleg. Please find more information on the ITB test here.

 

Conversion of the HZB grade

For university admission via ITB test, the HZB grade is determined from two equally weighted components:

  • 50% from the final mark of the school leaving certificate
  • 50% from the result of the ITB test

You will find the grade equivalent of your test result on your results sheet.

Please note that not all universities in Germany offer university admission with a study admission test for international applicants. Please also note that universities that enable university admission through a study aptitude test may require you to perform other tests and/or have other scores. The information on this page exclusively apply to Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI).

4. DAAD programme “VORsprung”

The “Vorsprung” programme of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is aimed at international prospective students and prospective students in Germany with a refugee background who have a university entrance qualification for a Studienkolleg and are interested in studying STEM (studies in the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology) in German.

Programme contents and programme schedule

  • Technical preparation for the course of study: the technical preparation for a course of study in Germany comprises the subjects of the technical course (T-course) of a German Studienkolleg (mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science).
  • Language preparation: The language entry level at VORsprung is B2.1. Prospective students with language input skills at level B1.2 can also take part in VORsprung. However, they must complete a preceding four-week German intensive course.
  • The programme lasts up to 36 weeks.
  • At the end of the programme, participants take both the TestAS and the TestDaF examination.

You can apply twice a year. Please find more information on the VORsprung programme here.

5. Private university preparation programmes

In addition to Studienkolleg and admission tests, there are also private university preparation programmes that were developed specifically for international prospective students.
These programmes usually combine:

  • Intensive language preparation (German or English),
  • Subject-specific introductory courses
  • And individual support for your application and during your start of studies.

Such programmes often collaborate with German universities. Depending on the provider and subject, they can facilitate your transition to university studies or even enable subject-specific university admission. Private university preparation programmes are available for a fee. If you are interested in university preparation programmes, we will be happy to send you further information via email at: admission@hsbi.de.