Study Preparation Survey

The internationalisation of German higher education is an increasingly important topic for higher education institutions and education policy. Nonetheless, international students face several specific challenges, e.g. financing their stay, acknowledgement of previous education and diploma or language proficiency. For degrees from many of the most important countries of origin of international degree seeking students in Germany, a phase of study preparation is necessary. In case their school degree is not acknowledged as a university entrance certificate, prospective students have to visit a ‘Studienkolleg’ (preparatory college) in order to be able to apply for German higher education institutions. Our research project assesses the chances and challenges of recent immigrants on the way to German University studies in relation to their migration backgrounds.