Application deadlines
Summer semester:
November 1 - January 15
Winter semester:
May 1 - July 15
The complete application must have been received by uni-assist in Berlin by this date. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
FOKuS – start your studies in Germany
Preparatory Course for international prospective students
Ulm University, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences and Ulm University of Applied Sciences offer a preparatory course for international prospective students who wish to apply for a German speaking study programme. It includes an intensive linguistic as well as general and subject specific preparation for your studies.
In order to enroll in a specific study programme that is taught in German, you need a proof of a recognized language qualification for university entrance (DSH 2 - level).
We offer the opportunity to acquire these language skills directly at Ulm university and to participate in a B2-German language course and/or a DSH-preparation course (DSH = German language test for admission to higher education for foreign study applicants).
At the beginning of your studies, you will be faced with many new challenges. You will arrive at a new city of another culture and start a completely new chapter of your life: your studies. New learning strategies as well as a high degree of self-organization will be prerequisites to successfully overcome these challenges.
To help you get started with your studies in Germany, we want to prepare you comprehensively and sustainably. This preparatory course will not only prepare you linguistically for your studies, but you will become familiar with new learning strategies, your new study and living environment as well as with numerous organizational basics related to your studies.
FOKuS Overview
German Language
- B2+-Language Course (duration: 1 semester)
- DSH-Preparation Course* (duration: 1 semester)
*Preparatory German language course with final DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang - German language test for admission to higher education for foreign study applicants)
Study Skills
- Tutorial on learning strategies and study organization (learning methods, examination formats)
- Orientation week (e.g. campus-, city-, und library tour)
Specialized Skills
- Tutorials (e.g. math refresher)
- Specialized language course
- Offered irregularly: specialized courses (e.g. introduction to computer science, programming for beginners)
Key Competencies
- Seminar on current news with historical & political context
- Intercultural Workshop
Student Support
- Excursions + leisure activities
- Mentoring programme
Please note: If you begin with the B2+ language course and then take the DSH course, the prepatory programme will last 2 semesters (1 year).
The following criteria must be met for applying for the preparatory course:
- Proof of German language skills: completed B1 level at the minimum (according to the Common European Framework for Languages)
- All other admission requirements (except of proof of recognized language certificates for admission to higher education) for the desired study programme at Ulm University, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences or Ulm University of Applied Sciences
- Successful passing of the placement test: Applicants for the preparatory programme must pass a linguistic aptitude / placement test. Placement tests for admission for a winter semester take place in September; placement tests for admission for a summer semester occur in March. Specific dates will be announced on our website.
Direct admission: Applicants with the language certificate of DSH 1 or TestDaF (3,3,3,3) will be admitted directly to the preparatory programme, however, it is recommended that they take the placement test, otherwise they will automatically be admitted to the B2 course (not the DSH course). Please note: All TestDaF sections (Teilprüfungen) must be passed with a minimum of Level 3; a result of "under 3" is not sufficient.
The preparatory course including language courses is currently free of charge.
Participants are, however, responsible for paying their DSH examination fees, with the DSH examination fee is expected to be 175.00€.
The following fees are due for all Ulm University students (per semester):
| Administrative fee: | 70.00 € |
| Student services fee | 87.00 € |
| Contribution to the authored student body | 13.00 € |
| Total amount | 170.00 € |
The amount of living expenses is difficult to quantify, because these may vary from one person to another. A room for students in Ulm costs about 300.00 € per month at the minimum. Considering costs for food, clothing, insurance, etc., students usually need at least about 735.00 € to 800.00 € each month to cover all costs.
Important information and instructions for living and studying in Ulm and at Ulm University can be found at the following website: Welcome to Ulm!
Please apply online via the service center uni-assist (in Berlin).
Application documents to submit (online only!):
- Certificate that entitles you to study in your home country
- original document
- an official translation in German or English
- Proof of German language skills (B1 or B2)
- original document
- Study achievements, certificates, transcripts of grades or transcripts of records about your previous studies at a foreign university
- original document
- official translation in German or English
- Original APS certificate for applicants from China and Vietnam
Translations:
All application documents must be translated by a sworn translator in Germany or abroad (see: information about certified copies and translations from uni-assist). English or German language documents do not need to be translated!
Application deadlines:
- Summer semester: 15 October - 15 January
- Winter semester: May 15 - July 15
The complete application must have been received by uni-assist in Berlin by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Please note: It is not necessary to send the application by mail!
Application costs (uni-assist): [Last updated: September 2021]
- € 75.00 for your 1st choice of study in an application semester
- + € 30.00 for each further study request in the same application semester
Admission to the preparatory programme requires a linguistic aptitude/placement test. Placement tests take place in March and September before the start of a semester. The placement test is based on the written part of the DSH exam (similar structure and format). The placement test is divided into the sections of reading comprehension, listening comprehension, text production and grammar.
You can download an example of a DSH exam here:
Leseverstehen (LV) und Grammatik LV-Lösung
You can also find many other examples of the DSH exam here:
Applicants who would like to study the following unrestricted Bachelor programs at Ulm University, we can guarantee a study place after the preparatory semester.
For these subjects, a renewed application is not necessary.
- Chemistry (*)
- Chemical Engineering (*)
- Computational Science and Engineering (*)
- Electrical Engineering (*)
- Computer Science (**)
- Communication and Computer Engineering (*)
- Mathematics (**)
- Mathematical Biometry (*)
- Media Informatics (**)
- Physics (*)
- Software Engineering (**)
- Chemistry and Management (*)
- Mathematics and Management (**)
- Physics and Management (*)
- Economics (*)
* – start only possibly for winter semester
** - possibly for winter semester as well as summer semester
For all other study programmes it is necessary to apply according to the admission and enrolement rules.
Overview of the study programmes of Ulm University: www.uni-ulm.de/studiengaenge
Further information on the subject of housing can be found here.
Have a question?
Send us an email to
fokus(at)uni-ulm.de
Visa Application
Please note that applying for visa can take a long time.
We therefore recommend that applicants residing abroad apply early for the preparatory semester so that they can be present for the placement test.
