Everything Vietnamese students need to know about Studienkolleg. APS certificate, anabin classification, visa, costs in VND, and step-by-step application.
Vietnamese students need an APS certificate (3,600,000 VND / ~150 USD) and B1-B2 German to enter a Studienkolleg in Germany. APS Vietnam holds interviews only twice a year — in May and November. Miss one session and you wait six months for the next. The full process from first German lesson to arriving in Germany takes 12-18 months and costs roughly 370-470 million VND for the first year, including the Sperrkonto (blocked account) of 11,904 EUR. Vietnam has one major advantage over other APS countries: Germany is home to about 200,000 people of Vietnamese origin, mainly in eastern cities like Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden. That means a support network, familiar food, and community connections from day one. This guide covers every step specific to Vietnam: qualifications, APS timing, language prep, visa, and a full cost breakdown in Vietnamese Dong.
The answer for most Vietnamese high school graduates: yes. German universities use the anabin database to classify foreign school certificates. The Vietnamese high school diploma — Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông (THPT) — is not rated as equivalent to the German Abitur. That means direct entry to a German bachelor’s programme is not possible with just a Vietnamese high school diploma.
Here is how anabin classifies Vietnamese qualifications:
| Vietnamese Qualification | anabin Classification | Pathway to German University |
|---|---|---|
| Bằng Tốt Nghiệp THPT alone | Not sufficient for direct entry | Studienkolleg required |
| THPT + 1 year at a recognized Vietnamese university | Conditional entry (bedingte Zulassung) | Studienkolleg or direct entry depending on grades |
| THPT + 2 years at a recognized Vietnamese university | Stronger conditional entry | Direct admission at many universities |
| Completed bachelor’s degree (Cử nhân) from a recognized university | Full recognition possible | Direct admission to bachelor’s or master’s |
If you have completed one or two years at a recognized Vietnamese university, you may qualify for conditional admission (bedingte Zulassung). Major Vietnamese universities — Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNU), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology — are listed as H+ in anabin. That means degrees from these institutions are recognized in Germany.
Your grades and the specific German university matter. Some universities accept you directly after one year at a recognized Vietnamese university. Others still require Studienkolleg. Check the anabin database to verify your university’s status.
Regardless of your pathway — Studienkolleg or direct admission — every Vietnamese student needs an APS certificate. This has been required since 2007. No APS means no university application and no student visa.
Example: Linh from Hanoi graduated from THPT with strong grades but no university credits. She needed Studienkolleg. Her friend Minh had completed two years of engineering at VNU Hanoi (an H+ university in anabin) and qualified for direct admission to TU Dresden without Studienkolleg. Both needed the APS certificate.
The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) verifies that your academic documents are genuine. It is a joint office of the German Embassy and the DAAD. Without the APS certificate, no German university will process your application and the German Embassy will not issue your visa.
You pay into a Vietcombank account. Keep the bank receipt — you need it as proof of payment with your application.
The APS Vietnam office operates out of the German Embassy in Hanoi:
Address: German Embassy, 29 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Interview sessions are also held in Ho Chi Minh City at scheduled times. You do not choose the location — APS assigns you based on availability.
All translations must be done by a certified translator. The APS office rejects unofficial translations.
This is the biggest challenge for Vietnamese applicants. APS Vietnam holds interview sessions only twice per year:
Document processing takes 6-8 weeks. After your documents clear, you are assigned to the next available interview session.
Total time from submission to certificate: 8-16 weeks, depending on when you apply relative to the interview dates.
If you fail the interview, you wait for the next session — six months away. There is no way to speed this up.
The interview is straightforward if you know your own academic record. Review every course on your transcript. Be ready to explain key concepts from your major in 2-3 sentences each.
Example: Thanh from Hanoi submitted her APS application in early February. Her documents cleared in 6 weeks, and she was assigned to the May interview session. She received her certificate in June — in time for a winter semester Studienkolleg application with a July 15 deadline.
For the full APS process including tips and country comparisons, read our APS certificate guide.
Most Studienkollegs require B1 German for admission. Some give priority to B2 applicants. Vietnamese students learn zero German in school, so plan for 12-18 months of language study before you apply.
The Goethe-Institut is the gold standard for German language courses. Vietnam has two locations:
Course fees at the Goethe-Institut Vietnam (2026 prices):
| Course Type | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard intensive (per level module) | 8 weeks | 5,500,000 VND |
| German for Living & Working — A1 | 12 weeks | 15,000,000 VND |
| German for Living & Working — A2 | 12 weeks | 15,000,000 VND |
| German for Living & Working — B1 | 16 weeks | 20,000,000 VND |
Using the standard intensive format, you complete roughly 2 modules per level. Reaching B1 from zero takes about 6 modules (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1, A2.2, B1.1, B1.2). That is roughly 33,000,000 VND (~1,070 EUR) for A1 through B1. Reaching B2 adds another 2 modules: roughly 44,000,000 VND (~1,430 EUR) total for A1 through B2.
Each module takes 8 weeks. At best, with back-to-back intensive courses, you reach B1 in about 12 months and B2 in 16 months.
Three Vietnamese universities offer German as a degree programme:
These universities also offer German language courses for non-degree students. The DAAD has four lecturers (Lektoren) placed at Vietnamese universities. This is a strong institutional connection between Vietnam and Germany.
The DAAD Regional Office in Hanoi (1A Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh) is the central contact for academic exchange between Germany and Vietnam. They offer advising sessions on studying in Germany, scholarship information, and connections to German universities. Visit them early in your planning.
Read our full guide on German language requirements for Studienkolleg.
Example: Duc in Ho Chi Minh City enrolled at the Goethe-Institut in September 2024. He took standard intensive courses (3 sessions per week) and reached B1 by September 2025. He then submitted his APS application for the November 2025 interview and applied to Studienkolleg for summer semester 2026.
The entire process from your first German lesson to your first day at Studienkolleg takes 12-18 months. The APS interview schedule (May and November only) controls your timeline. Plan backwards from there.
Enrol at the Goethe-Institut Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. If those are too expensive or too far, look into German courses at VNU Hanoi, Hanoi University, or private language schools. Aim for one level every 2-3 months in intensive format.
This is critical. Map the APS interview sessions against Studienkolleg deadlines:
| APS Interview | Submit Application By | Certificate By | Apply to Studienkolleg For |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | February 2026 | June/July 2026 | Winter semester 2026 (deadline July 15) |
| November 2026 | August 2026 | December 2026/January 2027 | Summer semester 2027 (deadline January 15) |
If you miss the February submission window, you wait until August. If you miss August, you wait until February of the next year. Build in a buffer — submit your APS application at least one month before the deadline.
Take your Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam. You need the certificate in hand before most Studienkolleg application deadlines.
Gather your documents, get notarized translations, and submit to the APS office. Run this in parallel with your language studies.
Studienkolleg application deadlines:
Some Studienkollegs use uni-assist for applications. Read our uni-assist guide for details. Others accept direct applications.
Apply to 3-5 Studienkollegs. You are not limited to one.
Most Studienkollegs require an entrance exam (Aufnahmeprüfung). It tests your German and sometimes subject knowledge (math for T-Kurs, for example). Some let you take the exam remotely. Others require you to be in Germany.
Once you receive your Zulassungsbescheid (admission letter), open a Sperrkonto and apply for your student visa immediately.
Arrive 1-2 weeks before classes start. You need time to register your address, activate your Sperrkonto, and settle in.
Vietnamese citizens need a national visa (Type D, Visum zu Studienzwecken) for Studienkolleg. You apply at the German Embassy in Hanoi or the German Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.
Since January 2025, the German Foreign Ministry uses the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de) for visa appointments. You book your appointment online, then appear in person at the embassy or consulate with your documents.
For short-stay Schengen visas, VFS Global handles applications in Vietnam (offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang). However, long-stay student visas (Type D) must be submitted directly at the German Embassy or Consulate — not through VFS Global.
Start your visa application the moment you receive your admission letter. Do not wait.
The visa fee is 75 EUR (approximately 2,300,000 VND). No refund if your visa is denied.
For the complete visa process, see our German student visa guide.
Example: Hoa from Ho Chi Minh City received her admission letter from Studienkolleg Leipzig on March 15. She booked her consulate appointment the same day — the earliest slot was April 8. She submitted her documents and received her visa on May 25. Her Studienkolleg started October 1. That five-month buffer gave her plenty of time to prepare.
Here is the full budget for a Vietnamese student attending a public Studienkolleg in Germany. All VND amounts use an exchange rate of approximately 1 EUR = 30,800 VND (March 2026 rate).
| Item | EUR | VND (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| APS certificate (undergraduate) | ~140 | 3,600,000 |
| Visa fee | 75 | 2,300,000 |
| Sperrkonto deposit | 11,904 | 366,800,000 |
| Flight (one-way, Hanoi to Frankfurt) | 350-600 | 10,800,000-18,500,000 |
| First month’s rent deposit | 300-800 | 9,200,000-24,600,000 |
| German course (A1 to B1 at Goethe-Institut) | ~1,070 | ~33,000,000 |
| Document notarization and translations | ~50-100 | 1,500,000-3,100,000 |
| Total one-time costs | ~13,900-14,700 | ~427,000-452,000,000 |
| Item | EUR/month | VND/month (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (student dorm or shared flat) | 300-550 | 9,200,000-16,900,000 |
| Health insurance (public, under 30) | 120-150 | 3,700,000-4,600,000 |
| Food and groceries | 200-300 | 6,200,000-9,200,000 |
| Semester contribution (monthly equivalent) | 15-75 | 460,000-2,300,000 |
| Transport (Deutschlandticket) | 29.40 | 905,000 |
| Phone and internet | 15-30 | 460,000-920,000 |
| Books and supplies | 20-40 | 620,000-1,230,000 |
| Personal expenses | 50-100 | 1,540,000-3,080,000 |
| Total monthly | ~750-1,275 | ~23,100,000-39,300,000 |
| Scenario | EUR | VND (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (eastern Germany, dorm, careful spending) | ~13,000-14,000 | ~400,000,000-431,000,000 |
| Mid-range (mid-sized city, shared flat) | ~15,000-17,000 | ~462,000,000-524,000,000 |
| Comfortable (Munich, Hamburg) | ~18,000-22,000 | ~554,000,000-678,000,000 |
The Sperrkonto covers your living expenses for 12 months at 992 EUR/month. In a budget city like Leipzig or Halle, your actual spending is well below that amount. The difference builds up as savings.
For a full comparison of all 46 Studienkolleg fees, read our complete cost guide.
Example: Trang studies at Studienkolleg Halle in Sachsen-Anhalt. Her dorm room costs 250 EUR/month, the Semesterbeitrag is 248 EUR/semester (~41 EUR/month), and groceries run about 180 EUR/month. Her total monthly spending is around 650 EUR — well below the 992 EUR from her Sperrkonto. She saves roughly 340 EUR/month for travel and emergencies.
Vietnamese students most commonly choose the T-Kurs (technical course). Vietnam has a strong engineering tradition, and the T-Kurs prepares you for engineering, computer science, and natural science degrees at German universities.
| Studienkolleg | City | Why It Appeals to Vietnamese Students |
|---|---|---|
| Studienkolleg an der Universität Leipzig | Leipzig | Large Vietnamese community (~10,000+), affordable rent, all course types |
| TUDIAS (Studienkolleg at TU Dresden) | Dresden | Strong Vietnamese community, feeds into TU Dresden (excellent for engineering) |
| Niedersächsisches Studienkolleg (Leibniz Uni Hannover) | Hannover | One of Germany’s largest Vietnamese communities (10,000-20,000), good T-Kurs |
| Studienkolleg an der TU Berlin | Berlin | Biggest Vietnamese community in Germany (~30,000), Dong Xuan Center, vibrant city |
| Studienkolleg Halle-Wittenberg | Halle | Very affordable (rent from 200 EUR), all 5 course types |
| Studienkolleg an der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt | Frankfurt | Central location, strong university network |
The Vietnamese community in eastern Germany dates back to the 1950s. The GDR invited North Vietnamese students and contract workers as part of socialist cooperation. By 1989, about 59,000 Vietnamese lived in East Germany. After reunification, many stayed and built businesses, restaurants, and community organizations.
Today, cities like Berlin (especially the Lichtenberg district), Leipzig, Dresden, and Chemnitz have well-established Vietnamese communities. You find Vietnamese restaurants, grocery stores, and community centres throughout these cities. The Dong Xuan Center in Berlin-Lichtenberg is the largest Vietnamese market in Germany.
For Vietnamese Studienkolleg students, this means practical support: familiar food, community networks that help with housing and paperwork, and people who speak your language.
For a full comparison by cost, courses, and location, see our Studienkolleg ranking guide.
Germany has the largest Vietnamese diaspora in Europe — about 200,000 people of Vietnamese descent. That makes the cultural adjustment easier than you might expect.
Vietnamese restaurants exist in every German city. In Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden, you find full Vietnamese supermarkets with everything from pho ingredients to Vietnamese coffee. The Dong Xuan Center in Berlin has hundreds of shops and a food court. Cooking at home with ingredients from Asian supermarkets costs 150-200 EUR/month.
University canteens (Mensa) serve affordable meals (2-4 EUR). They always have at least one vegetarian option. The food is decent, but not what you are used to.
Vietnamese students from the south find German winters difficult. Temperatures drop to -5 to 5 degrees Celsius from November to February. Budget 150-300 EUR for a winter jacket, thermal layers, and waterproof boots. Buy these in Germany after arrival — sizes and styles are designed for the climate.
Studienkolleg students can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year. At the 2026 minimum wage of 12.82 EUR/hour, working 10 hours per week earns about 500-550 EUR/month. That covers a significant portion of your living costs in an affordable city.
You cannot open a German bank account from Vietnam. After arrival, register your address at the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office), then open an account. Most students use online banks with free accounts. Your Sperrkonto is separate — it releases 992 EUR/month and cannot be used as a regular account.
Buy a German SIM card after arrival. Prepaid options start at about 8 EUR/month for calls, texts, and data. You need a German phone number for bank accounts, housing contracts, and official registrations. WhatsApp and Zalo work the same as in Vietnam.
Example: Phong from Da Nang studies at Studienkolleg Leipzig. He lives in a student dorm for 260 EUR/month and buys groceries at the Vietnamese supermarket near the city centre. He works 10 hours a week at a restaurant and earns about 520 EUR/month. Between his Sperrkonto and his part-time job, he is comfortable and even sends some money home.
Not necessarily. If you completed a full Cử nhân (bachelor’s degree) from a recognized Vietnamese university listed as H+ in anabin, you can apply directly to German universities. Studienkolleg is for students who have only a high school diploma or incomplete university studies. Check the anabin database to verify your university.
You wait for the November session. There is no way to schedule an individual interview outside the two annual windows. If you submit your APS application in April, your documents may not be processed in time for the May session. You would then be assigned to November. Plan your submission at least 2-3 months before your target interview session.
Plan for approximately 430-470 million VND for the first year. This includes the Sperrkonto deposit (367 million), APS (3.6 million), visa (2.3 million), flights (11-19 million), German courses (33-44 million), and initial setup. Monthly expenses in Germany run 23-39 million VND depending on your city. After the first year, you need about 280-400 million VND annually.
Yes, but you do not choose. APS Vietnam assigns you to either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City based on scheduling and capacity. Interview sessions in Ho Chi Minh City happen on the same schedule (May and November) but may not be available every session. If you live in the south, note that you might still need to travel to Hanoi.
Berlin has the largest Vietnamese community in Germany, with an estimated 30,000 people of Vietnamese descent. The Lichtenberg district is the centre of Vietnamese life in Berlin, anchored by the Dong Xuan Center — a massive market with Vietnamese shops, restaurants, and services. Leipzig, Dresden, Hannover, and Chemnitz also have established Vietnamese communities.
Yes. You are allowed 120 full days or 240 half days per year. At 12.82 EUR/hour minimum wage, a part-time job of 10 hours per week earns about 500-550 EUR/month. Many Vietnamese students work in Vietnamese restaurants, retail, or as university assistants.
No. Studienkollegs in Germany teach in German. You need a German language certificate (B1 or B2), not an English test. IELTS is only relevant if you later apply to an English-taught master’s programme.
Plan for 12-18 months minimum. The biggest factor is the APS interview schedule. If you miss a session, add 6 months. A realistic timeline: start German in January, submit APS by August, interview in November, apply to Studienkolleg by January 15, take the entrance exam in spring, receive admission by May, get your visa by July, arrive in Germany in September for a winter semester start in October.
You now have the full picture. Here are your action items:
Ready to find the right Studienkolleg? Search all 46 Studienkollegs by course type, location, and cost — and find the one that fits your goals.
admissionEverything Chinese students need to know about Studienkolleg admission: APS certificate, Gaokao requirements, German language levels, Sperrkonto, visa process, costs, and step-by-step application timeline.
universityPassed the Feststellungsprüfung? Step-by-step guide to university applications — Hochschulstart, direct applications, timelines, and what your FSP grade means.
admissionStep-by-step guide to using the anabin database. Check if your school certificate qualifies for direct university admission or requires a Studienkolleg in Germany.