'How to Get into a Technical University in Germany: Language,

Admission to a technical degree program in Germany begins not with a university ranking, but with checking your eligibility: whether your school certificate or previous higher education is recognized, whether you need a Studienkolleg, which language is required for the chosen program, and where you need to submit your documents. Requirements can differ significantly between universities and even between programs at the same university.

1. Check whether you have a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung

To study at a German university, you need a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, that is, the right of access to higher education. For international applicants, this means that the German side must recognize a school certificate, previous university studies, or a diploma as sufficient grounds for admission.

The check is usually done in several stages:

• they look at the requirements for the country where the certificate or diploma was obtained;
• they check whether the document gives direct access to university study or only access through a Studienkolleg;
• they clarify whether the document is suitable for the specific field of study;
• they compare it with the requirements of the specific university and program.

DAAD and anabin provide guidance on the recognition of documents, but the final decision is made by the university or by the organization through which the application is submitted, for example uni-assist.

2. If there is no direct eligibility, you need a Studienkolleg

Studienkolleg is a preparatory course before entering a German university. It is not needed by everyone, but by those whose school education is not sufficient for direct admission. After Studienkolleg, the applicant takes the Feststellungsprüfung; passing it successfully gives subject-restricted access to higher education.

Studienkolleg courses are tied to the future field of study:

• T-Kurs: technology, engineering, mathematics, natural sciences;
• W-Kurs: economics and socio-economic fields;
• M-Kurs: medicine, biology, pharmacy, and related fields;
• G-Kurs: humanities;
• S-Kurs: language and philology-related fields.

For technical degree programs, T-Kurs is usually required. If the program sits at the intersection of disciplines, for example technical management, medical engineering, or Wirtschaftsinformatik, the requirements must be checked for the specific program.

3. Prepare the language required by the language of instruction

For German-taught programs, proof of German is required. Commonly accepted options include DSH, TestDaF, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, Deutsches Sprachdiplom II, or Goethe C2. In practice, many technical programs expect a level around C1, but the exact certificate and minimum score are determined by the university itself.

It is important not to assume that any C1 certificate is universal. One university may accept TestDaF with the required scores in all sections, another may prefer DSH, a third may accept telc C1 Hochschule, and some individual programs may explicitly specify which exams are suitable.

For English-taught programs, a German certificate is usually not required for admission, but IELTS, TOEFL, or another English test may be required. German is still useful for internships, part-time work, communicating with authorities, and life outside campus. Additional tools for self-study can be found in our other article.

4. Choose the program, not just the university

In Germany, technical fields are offered not only at Technische Universität institutions, but also at Universität, Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften, and duale Hochschule. The name of the university matters, but admission requirements, study format, and career trajectory depend on the specific program.

When choosing, compare:

• the language of instruction;
• the type of institution and whether it has an applied or research focus;
• requirements in mathematics, physics, computer science, or a portfolio;
• whether there is a Numerus Clausus or internal selection;
• application deadlines for the winter and summer semester;
• the application route: directly to the university or through uni-assist;
• requirements for certified copies and translations.

Links inside the university website are more important than general overviews. Always take the final list of documents from the program page and the admissions office of the chosen university. For an initial comparison, you can also use the internal overview “Best Technical Universities in Germany”., but make your decision based on the requirements of the specific program.

5. Gather your documents in advance

The standard set depends on the country, level of study, and program, but usually includes:

• school certificate and transcripts with grades;
• documents from previous university study, if any;
• language certificate;
• passport;
• CV;
• motivation letter, if required by the program;
• translations and certified copies;
• proof of internship, portfolio, or additional forms, if they are listed in the requirements.

For master’s programs, the fit of the previous bachelor’s degree is checked additionally: the number of ECTS in mathematics, computer science, engineering subjects, or other relevant modules. Even a strong diploma may not be enough if specific credits are missing.

6. Take visa and financing into account

Applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA may need a student visa. This usually requires proof of admission or participation in the preparatory process, health insurance, and proof of funding. In 2026, the official Make it in Germany portal lists a minimum of 11,904 euros per year for a student blocked account, but you should check the amount before applying because the requirements can change.

Do not postpone the visa part until after you receive a letter from the university: a consulate appointment, translations, insurance, and financial documents often take more time than expected.

Common mistakes applicants make

• choosing a university based on rankings without checking the program’s Zulassungsvoraussetzungen;
• assuming B2 is enough for any German-taught technical program;
• applying for T-Kurs even though the chosen program requires a different profile;
• ignoring that DAAD/anabin provide guidance, while the final decision remains with the university;
• preparing documents without the requirements of uni-assist or the specific admissions office;
• missing deadlines because of late translation and certification.

A short admission plan

1. Check your school certificate or diploma via DAAD/anabin and the website of the chosen university.
2. Determine whether you need a Studienkolleg and which course fits: for technical fields, this is most often T-Kurs.
3. Choose 5 to 8 programs and compare the language, mathematics, document, and deadline requirements.
4. Prepare the language certificate that the target university explicitly accepts.
5. Gather translations, certifications, and additional documents.
6. Submit the application through uni-assist or directly to the university.
7. In parallel, prepare visa and financial documents if they are required for your country.

FAQ

Can you enter a technical university in Germany right after school?

Sometimes yes, but it depends on the country and the type of school certificate. For some applicants, a Studienkolleg or prior university study in their home country is required.

Is TestDaF universal for admission?

TestDaF is widely used for German-taught programs, but it should only be considered “universal” after checking the requirements of the specific program. A university may set minimum scores for each part of the exam or accept a different set of certificates.

Do you need German for an English-taught technical program?

For admission to an English-taught program, the university usually checks English rather than German. But German helps with internships, part-time jobs, and everyday matters, so it is better not to postpone it completely.