Preparing for University Study with the Studienbrücke Program
If you are a high-school student from another country who is interested in a degree program at the University of Bonn, the Goethe-Institut’s Studienbrücke training program provides targeted preparation for direct university entry and gaining a place to study in Germany.
What is the Studienbrücke program?
The Studienbrücke, or “bridge to university study,” is a training program that helps high-school students and leavers from non-EU countries prepare for university. Besides German language skills, participants will also need excellent grades in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The program gives participants targeted preparation in the language, terminology and learning culture that they will need for direct entry onto a bachelor’s degree program (STEM subjects and economics) at a partner university in Germany. Successful graduates from the Studienbrücke program will be able to apply to one of the German partner universities.
The program is coordinated in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and partner universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg and Thuringia.
What Countries is the Studienbrücke Offered In?
High-school students from a total of 20 countries are currently eligible to apply for the Studienbrücke:
- Eastern Europe/ Central Asia: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
- North and Central America: Canada, Mexico, US
- (South-)East Asia: Taiwan, Vietnam
- Africa: Burkina Faso, Kenya
What can Participants Expect from the University Preparation Program?
On the Studienbrücke program, local Goethe Institutes teach the participating high-school students and leavers the language, social and subject-specific skills they will need in order to study in Germany. It also includes the teaching, learning and campus culture specific to Germany and introduces participants to the social life of a student.
The Studienbrücke curriculum covers the following areas:
- German courses up to B2/C1 level
- Modules in specific STEM terminology: mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, engineering, economics
- Preparing for and taking the TestDaF and TestAS examinations
- Intercultural training
- Study advice and counseling
You can find more information about the Studienbrücke curriculum on the Goethe-Institut website.
Get to Know the Studienbrücke
Image video about the Studienbrücke by the Goethe-Institut
Applying for the Studienbrücke Program
How do Applications Work?
Applications to take part in the Studienbrücke are submitted via the Goethe-Institut in the respective country. Anyone interested can apply by the deadline specified by the relevant country. Selection interviews are held locally or via Skype. Successful applicants will then sign a participation agreement.
Please contact the Goethe-Institut in your home country for more details.
Who Can Apply?
To apply for the program, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a high-school student in your country’s equivalent of the German 9th to 11th grade.
- You must have proven German skills.
- You must have a high level of motivation for studying in Germany, as demonstrated by a letter of motivation, participation in school Olympiads, competitions or regional/ international projects in STEM subjects.
- You must be achieving above-average grades in the STEM subjects.
- You must have written permission from your parent/ carer.
Selection interviews will be held.
What Level of German is Required?
The level of German skills you will need will depend on your home country. Regardless of the level, you will need to provide a certificate, a confirmation of attendance or a placement test result as proof.
Please contact the Goethe-Institut in your home country for more details.
Studying at the University of Bonn
Would you like to tackle a degree program at the University of Bonn once you have successfully completed the Studienbrücke? You will find the most important information here.
The following degree program are offered for participants in the Studienbrücke program:
- Chemistry (Bachelor of Science)
- Geodesy and Geoinformation (Bachelor of Science)
- Geosciences (Bachelor of Science)
- Meteorology and Geophysics (Bachelor of Science)
- Physics (Bachelor of Science)
- School-leaving certificate (or grades from the last two semesters if this has not yet been obtained)
- Proof of very good German skills (TestDaF grade 4x4, DSD II or Goethe Certificate C2)
- At least 100 points in the core test and subject-specific test modules for the TestAS
- Confirmation of attendance from the Goethe-Institut, indicating that all Studienbrücke modules have been completed successfully
- Successful participation in competitions such as mathematics Olympiads or regional/international projects is desirable (please enclose certificate/s)
The University of Bonn provides the following support services to Studienbrücke participants when they start:
- A dormitory place
- Help with applying for a visa
- Help with anything to do with your journey here
- Arranging Study Buddies
- A place on the preliminary courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry (compulsory)
- The opportunity to get involved in the Welcome Days and the orientation events put on by the student councils
- Support throughout the first semester
- Information events on study scheduling and time management
- Intercultural training
Participants of the Studienbrücke program can only apply via the Goethe-Institut’s application portal. You will receive access to the portal after successful completion of the program.
Contact
Christine Müller
1.002
Poppelsdorfer Allee 53
53115 Bonn (Germany)
Office Hours
- by appointment
The Studienbrücke is offered in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut and the German Academic Exchange Service.
Also see
Goethe-Institut
You will receive further information on the Studienbrücke program on the website of the Goethe-Institut.
Degree Programs
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