Studienkolleg Application Deadlines 2027: Summer 2027 and Winter 2027/28 Calendar for All 49 Studienkollegs

As of November 6, 2026. You now have two realistic targets. Summer 2027 still works if you move fast: Mainz and Koethen close on November 15, Wismar on November 30, Heidelberg on December 15, TU Berlin on December 31, and the big group on January 15, 2027. If that is too tight, aim for winter 2027/28 — and watch the spring dates. “July 15 for winter” is only a rule of thumb: in Hamburg, Kiel, Darmstadt and Marburg the window closes three to four and a half months earlier.

This calendar covers all 49 Studienkollegs in Germany with their application route and dates. We re-checked the deadlines of the 22 public Studienkollegs listed at the time against the official pages of the Studienkollegs and universities on November 2, 2026, and those of the 23 private ones on November 5, 2026. We checked the four newly added Studienkollegs (Mittweida, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Rahn Education Halle, Prep-For-Study (htw saar)) on their websites on November 7, 2026. For two private ones (Freshman Institut, Studienkolleg & Sprachinstitut NRW) we could not confirm the information; the table says so. If a Studienkolleg has not published its dates yet, the table says so — in that case, a short email to the Studienkolleg is the only reliable way to find out.

How Studienkolleg Applications Work: Three Methods

Before diving into the deadline tables, you need to understand the three different application channels. Each Studienkolleg uses exactly one of these, and each comes with its own timeline and requirements.

Method 1: Via uni-assist (8 Public Studienkollegs)

uni-assist is the centralized application service for international students in Germany. When a Studienkolleg uses uni-assist, you submit your documents through their online portal and pay the processing fee (75 EUR for the first application, 30 EUR for each additional one). uni-assist then evaluates your credentials and forwards your file to the Studienkolleg.

uni-assist framework deadlines:

• Winter semester: July 15
• Summer semester: January 15

These two dates are the framework set by uni-assist — not automatically the deadline of the Studienkolleg. Several Studienkollegs close their window one to three months earlier: Marburg, for example, on October 15 for the summer semester, Frankfurt on November 1. The earlier of the two deadlines always applies.

Processing time: uni-assist takes 4 to 6 weeks to process applications, and during peak periods (May-July and November-January) up to 8 weeks. That means you should submit your application at least 8 weeks before the deadline, so there is still time to add missing documents.

Method 2: Direct Application (32 Studienkollegs: 25 private, 7 public)

Many Studienkollegs — especially private ones — accept applications directly through their own portal or by email. This means faster processing and often more flexibility with dates. Most private Studienkollegs operate on rolling admissions, meaning they accept applications year-round and fill seats on a first-come, first-served basis.

Typical pattern for private direct applications:

• No fixed deadline — applications accepted until all places are filled
• Multiple start dates per year (many private Studienkollegs start new cohorts every 2-3 months)
• Faster response time (usually 1-3 weeks)

Seven public Studienkollegs also take applications directly: Hamburg, Konstanz, Kaiserslautern, Koethen, Zittau/Goerlitz, Wismar and Kiel. There, the opposite of rolling admissions applies — fixed and sometimes very early cut-off dates. The HAW Kiel states explicitly that an application via uni-assist is not possible.

Method 3: Via University (9 Public Studienkollegs)

Some public Studienkollegs do not accept applications directly. Instead, you apply to a university in the same state, and the university determines whether you need to attend the Studienkolleg. If so, the university forwards your application to the Studienkolleg.

This applies in:

• Bayern (Bavaria): Apply to a Bavarian university (e.g., LMU, TUM, FAU) — the university assigns you to the Studienkolleg in Munich or Coburg
• Baden-Wuerttemberg: Apply to the university where you want to study later (Heidelberg, KIT, etc.)
• Hessen (Darmstadt): Apply through the TUCaN portal of TU Darmstadt or at another university in southern Hessen — not via uni-assist
• Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony): Apply to a university in Lower Saxony
• Rheinland-Pfalz: Apply to JGU Mainz directly
• Thueringen: Apply to a university in Thueringen, then register separately for the entrance test in Nordhausen

Deadlines: There is no uniform pattern here. For the summer semester 2027, the range runs from October 15, 2026 (Darmstadt) to January 15, 2027 (Bavaria, KIT, Hannover). For the winter semester 2027/28, the regular cut-offs run from April 15 (Darmstadt) to July 15, 2027. Which one applies to you is listed in the table below.

Complete Deadline Table: All 49 Studienkollegs

As of November 6, 2026. The early deadlines for the summer semester 2027 are gone: Hamburg, Kiel, Darmstadt, Marburg, Frankfurt, Konstanz and the online step in Kaiserslautern. What is still open runs from mid-November to mid-January. The winter semester 2027/28 column shows the regular cut-off each Studienkolleg gives for its winter intake. Most repeat it every year, but many only publish the exact 2027/28 dates in spring — so check the Studienkolleg’s own page before you apply.

Public Studienkollegs via uni-assist

For these Studienkollegs the application runs through uni-assist. In Berlin there is a second step: you apply in the portal of the university, and uni-assist only supplies the evaluation of your certificates (VPD).

Important notes for uni-assist applications:

• The FU Berlin only admits students to its subject courses for the winter semester. There is no course intake for the summer semester
• The TU Berlin closes the summer 2027 window on December 31, 2026, three weeks before its entrance test on January 22, 2027 — January 15 does not apply here. For winter 2027/28, TU Berlin lists May 1 to June 30 and marks it as provisional
• Marburg (April 15) and Frankfurt (May 1) sit well ahead of the uni-assist framework for the winter semester. Both of their summer 2027 deadlines have passed
• Kassel is running its final year in 2026/27. No summer intake, and no new cohort after that
• Halle treats January 15 and July 15 as hard cut-offs but asks for your documents by December 15 or June 30. Later than that, the invitation to the entrance test may not reach you in time
• For the Studienkolleg Sachsen, the date depends on the university you apply to. TU Dresden and TU Chemnitz use January 15 and July 15. Universitaet Leipzig has been offline since an IT incident at the end of October 2026, so we could not re-check its dates (previously December 15 and June 15). If you want to go through Leipzig, ask them directly
• The Hessen Studienkollegs hold their summer 2027 entrance exam on the same day: January 16, 2027

Public Studienkollegs via University Application

For these Studienkollegs, you apply to the university, not to the Studienkolleg directly. The university evaluates your documents and, if you need preparation, assigns you to the Studienkolleg.

Important notes for university-route applications:

• In Bayern, you apply to the university of your choice, which then forwards your application to the appropriate Studienkolleg (Munich for universities, Coburg for UAS). January 15 is an absolute cut-off: the complete documents must have reached the International Office by then
• Coburg has now confirmed its summer 2027 window: the PRIMUSS portal opened on August 1 and closes on January 15, 2027
• Darmstadt uses the TUCaN portal, not uni-assist, and keeps each window open for just one month — for winter 2027/28 that is March 15 to April 15
• At the Niedersaechsisches Studienkolleg, the summer intake via Leibniz Universitaet Hannover is now for the T-Kurs only; the other courses start in the winter semester. Other universities in Lower Saxony set their own deadlines, and 8 to 10 weeks pass between application and admission to the entrance test
• The Studienkolleg Mainz calls its terms Herbsthalbjahr (autumn) and Fruehjahrshalbjahr (spring). The deadline is May 15 (classes start in mid-August) and November 15 (classes start in mid-February)
• Nordhausen does not publish an application deadline of its own. You first apply to a university in Thueringen — ask there for the date — and then register for the entrance test yourself. For summer 2027 that registration runs from November 30 to December 15, 2026, with the test on January 11 and 12, 2027

Public Studienkollegs with Direct Application

These public Studienkollegs accept applications directly, without uni-assist or a university intermediary.

Important notes for direct public Studienkollegs:

• Hamburg runs a rhythm shifted by half a year. The window from July 1 to September 1 belongs to the summer semester (classes start in January), the window from January 1 to March 1 to the winter semester (classes start in August). There is no entrance exam in Hamburg — places are awarded based on German language skills and school grades
• Kaiserslautern has two staggered dates: first the online application, then the documents by post. The online deadline is the hard deadline
• Kiel does not accept applications via uni-assist. Its window for winter 2027/28 is already open and closes on March 31, 2027
• Zittau/Goerlitz only shows dates for past semesters on its website. Nothing has been published yet for summer 2027 or winter 2027/28, so ask the Studienkolleg before you plan around it
• Konstanz is the only public Studienkolleg in Baden-Wuerttemberg that accepts direct applications. There, the application and the registration for the entrance test are the same step

Private Studienkollegs

Most private Studienkollegs admit on a rolling basis: you apply, and if you meet the requirements and a place is free, you are in. A few do have fixed deadlines, though — Halle-Merseburg, Paderborn, Bochum, Mettingen, Magdeburg and Prep4University. The intake column reflects what each institution’s own website said on November 5, 2026.

Important notes for private Studienkollegs:

• Rolling admissions means there is no fixed deadline — still, apply early to secure your place, and add the embassy waiting time if you need a visa
• Studienkolleg Mettingen and Oekumenisches Studienwerk Bochum are private but tuition-free, so competition for places is stiff
• Costs shown are per semester — the full Studienkolleg program is two semesters (one year)
• Always confirm the current fee schedule directly with the institution, as private Studienkollegs adjust pricing regularly

Key Dates at a Glance: 2026/27 and 2027/28 Calendar

Two month-by-month overviews. The first shows what is still open for the summer semester 2027. The second lists the regular winter 2027/28 cut-offs — most Studienkollegs repeat them every year, but they only count as confirmed for 2027 once the Studienkolleg publishes them.

Summer Semester 2027: What Is Still Open (as of November 6, 2026)

Winter Semester 2027/28: Regular Cut-Offs

Left out on purpose: Zittau/Goerlitz and the Uni Leipzig route, because no confirmed dates exist, and Kassel, which is not taking a new cohort.

uni-assist Application: Step-by-Step Timeline

If your Studienkolleg uses uni-assist, follow this timeline to avoid surprises.

Step 1: Create Your uni-assist Account (12-10 Weeks Before Deadline)

Register at my.uni-assist.de and familiarize yourself with the portal. You will need:

• A valid email address
• Your passport or identity document
• Your educational certificates (school diploma, university transcripts if applicable)

Step 2: Submit Your Online Application (10-8 Weeks Before Deadline)

Fill in the online application form, upload all required documents, and select the Studienkolleg you wish to apply to. Required documents include:

• Secondary school leaving certificate (with certified translation)
• University transcripts (if applicable, with certified translation)
• German language certificate (B1 minimum, sometimes B2)
• Passport copy
• Passport photo

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee (Immediately After Submission)

uni-assist charges 75 EUR for your first application and 30 EUR for each additional application. Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card. Your application is not processed until payment is received.

Step 4: Send Certified Hard Copies (Within 1 Week of Online Submission)

uni-assist requires certified paper copies of your documents in addition to the digital upload. Send them by registered mail to:

uni-assist e.V., 11507 Berlin, Germany

Step 5: Wait for Processing (4-8 Weeks)

uni-assist evaluates all applications in the order they arrive. Standard processing takes 4-6 weeks, but during peak periods (May-July, November-January), it can take up to 8 weeks. You can track the status of your application at my.uni-assist.de.

Step 6: Receive Your Result

uni-assist forwards its evaluation to the Studienkolleg. If your documents meet the requirements, the Studienkolleg will invite you to the entrance exam (Aufnahmepruefung). If documents are missing, uni-assist will contact you — but only if you submitted early enough to still make the deadline.

Pro tip: Submit your application at least 8 weeks before the deadline. If you submit on July 10 for a July 15 deadline, uni-assist will accept your application, but the evaluation will not be complete for weeks. Some Studienkollegs will not wait.

Which Studienkollegs Only Admit for Winter Semester?

Not all Studienkollegs offer both winter and summer intakes. Here are the ones with restrictions:

Winter semester only (no summer intake):

• Studienkolleg an der FU Berlin — the subject courses only start in the winter semester
• Studienkolleg an der Universitaet Kassel — one-year operation, and 2026/27 is the final cohort

Summer semester with a limited course offer:

• Niedersaechsisches Studienkolleg Hannover — for the summer semester it only admits to the T-Kurs via Leibniz Universitaet Hannover; the M, W and G courses start in winter
• Some smaller Studienkollegs offer only specific courses in the summer semester — always check with the institution

At the KIT Karlsruhe, applications for the T-Kurs are possible for both semesters. Only the subsequent bachelor’s degree at KIT starts exclusively in the winter semester — for your planning, that matters more than the Studienkolleg deadline itself.

Both semesters available: Most public Studienkollegs admit for both semesters, though winter semester is the primary intake with more available spots. Applying for the winter semester gives you a better selection of courses and Studienkollegs.

Early Application Strategy: How to Maximize Your Chances

Competition for places at public (free) Studienkollegs is intense. Here is how to position yourself for success.

1. Apply to Multiple Studienkollegs

There is no rule against applying to multiple Studienkollegs. In fact, it is strongly recommended. With uni-assist, each additional application costs only 30 EUR. Apply to at least 3-4 Studienkollegs to increase your chances.

Strategic combination for the winter semester 2027/28 (example):

• 1 Studienkolleg with an early deadline (Darmstadt or Marburg, April 15, 2027)
• 1-2 Studienkollegs with a late deadline (Halle, Munich or KIT, July 15, 2027)
• 1 private Studienkolleg as backup (rolling admission)

One thing to keep in mind: the deadlines are up to three months apart. If you want to bundle your applications into one session, plan around the earliest one — otherwise half of your list drops out.

2. Start Early — Much Earlier Than You Think

The biggest mistake international students make is starting the application process too late. Here is a realistic timeline:

• 12 months before desired start: Begin German language preparation (aim for B1 minimum)
• 6-8 months before: Gather and certify all documents, research Studienkollegs
• 4-5 months before: Submit uni-assist applications (well before the deadline)
• 2-3 months before: Prepare for the entrance exam
• 1 month before: Arrange travel, accommodation, and visa (if needed)

3. Prepare Your German Language Certificate Early

Most Studienkollegs require at least a B1 German certificate for admission, and some require B2. Popular accepted certificates include:

• Goethe-Zertifikat B1/B2
• telc Deutsch B1/B2
• TestDaF (partial)
• DSH-1 (partial)
• oeSD Zertifikat B1/B2

Getting your certificate ready before you start the application process eliminates a major bottleneck.

4. Have Your Documents Certified Correctly

Incorrect or missing document certifications are the number one reason for application rejections. Requirements vary by country, but you need:

• Certified translations into German (by a sworn translator)
• Certified copies of original documents (by your school, a notary, or the German embassy)
• Apostille for certain countries (check the Hague Convention list)

5. Use Private Studienkollegs as a Safety Net

If you miss the deadlines for public Studienkollegs or do not pass the entrance exam, a private Studienkolleg with rolling admissions can be your Plan B. The fees are higher (2,180-10,750 EUR per semester, see the table above), but you avoid losing six months.

Understanding the Entrance Exam (Aufnahmepruefung)

Meeting the application deadline is only the first step. You also need to pass the entrance exam. Here is what to expect.

What Is Tested?

The entrance exam typically consists of:

• German language test (always included — tests grammar, reading comprehension, writing)
• Subject-specific test depending on the course you are applying for:
  • T-Kurs (technical): Mathematics
  • M-Kurs (medicine): Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics
  • W-Kurs (business): Mathematics, English
  • G-Kurs (humanities): German (advanced), sometimes History or Social Studies
  • S-Kurs (languages): German (advanced), a second foreign language

Entrance Exam Dates 2026/2027

The exam date is not the application deadline — it comes weeks or months later. If you plan around the exam date, you apply too late. Exam dates for winter 2027/28 are usually set in spring; the 2026 column shows roughly when each exam tends to take place.

What Happens If You Fail?

If you do not pass the entrance exam:

• You can retake the exam once (at the next intake)
• You can apply to a different Studienkolleg and take their entrance exam
• A private Studienkolleg may have lower entrance requirements or offer preparation courses before the exam

Our take: Plan around the earliest deadline, not the latest. We check the table above regularly, but Studienkollegs sometimes change dates at short notice – the institution’s own website always takes precedence. If you submit in the last few days before the deadline, you risk not being able to send missing documents in time. Our advice: put your preferred Studienkolleg’s deadline in your calendar two to three weeks early.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Checklist: Before You Submit Your Application

Use this checklist to make sure you have everything ready:

• Language certificate — B1 minimum (B2 for some Studienkollegs) from an accepted provider
• School diploma — original plus certified German translation
• University transcripts (if applicable) — original plus certified German translation
• Passport copy — valid for at least 6 more months
• Passport photo — biometric format
• APS certificate (for students from China, India and Vietnam)
• uni-assist account created and payment completed (if applicable)
• Hard copies sent by registered mail (for uni-assist applications)
• Applied to 3-4 Studienkollegs — not just one
• Calendar reminders set for all relevant deadlines
• Entrance exam preparation started (German + subject-specific)

Missing the deadline is the most common — and most preventable — reason students fail to get into a Studienkolleg. Start early, apply broadly, and track every date on your calendar. Good luck with your application.

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