Glossary of studying in Germany: terms from A to Z

A

anabinAnerkennung und Bewertung ausländischer Bildungsnachweise: The open database of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) on how foreign school certificates and degrees are recognised in Germany. Universities and uni-assist use it to decide whether a certificate gives direct access to study or a Studienkolleg comes first.
Anmeldungregistration of residence: Registering your address at the local registration office (Bürgeramt): by law within two weeks of moving in. The registration certificate is needed for many next steps — banks and the immigration office, for example, ask for it.
Aufnahmeprüfungentrance examination: The entrance examination of a Studienkolleg: German and, depending on the course, mathematics. The college uses the result to select students for a limited number of places.

DSHDeutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang: The German exam for university admission that the university itself holds. The level required (DSH-1, DSH-2 or DSH-3) is stated in the programme's requirements; universities accept the DSH on a par with TestDaF.

ECTSEuropean Credit Transfer and Accumulation System: European study credits that measure the volume of study: 60 credits make a full academic year. The number of credits of your previous degree decides whether it is enough for a master's.

Fachhochschule (HAW)Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften: A university of applied sciences: less theory and more practice, a practical semester, small groups. The bachelor's and master's degrees are the same as at a university.
FSPFeststellungsprüfung: The final examination of a Studienkolleg. Passed together with your school certificate, it gives the right to apply to programmes in the field of the course you took; German is part of the exam.

hochschulstartStiftung für Hochschulzulassung: The central university admissions service in Germany. Applications for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy always go through it; for other programmes it coordinates admission when the university takes part.
HZBHochschulzugangsberechtigung: The right to enter university. A foreign school certificate either gives it directly or only after a Studienkolleg and the FSP — decided by the recognition rules (anabin).

Immatrikulationenrolment: Enrolling at the university after admission: you pay the semester contribution, hand in your documents and proof of health insurance — and become a student with a number (Matrikelnummer). The deadline is in the admission letter.

NCNumerus clausus: Restricted admission: there are fewer places than applications, and selection goes mainly by the grade average. A year's cut-off grade is the grade of the last applicant admitted — it is not known in advance.

Semesterbeitragsemester contribution: A compulsory contribution every semester — also at universities without tuition fees. The university sets the amount; it often includes a public transport ticket. It is not a tuition fee.
Sperrkontoblocked account: An account into which you pay the money for a year of living before the visa; only a fixed amount can be withdrawn each month. The main way to prove your funds for a student visa.
Studentenwerkstudent services organisation: The student services organisation of a city's universities: halls of residence, canteens, counselling, financial help. Its halls are usually the cheapest housing, so apply as early as you can.
Studienkollegpreparatory college: A preparatory course for those whose school certificate does not give direct access to study in Germany. The course is chosen for the future field of study and ends with the FSP exam.

T-Kurstechnical course of a Studienkolleg: The Studienkolleg course for engineering, computer science and natural sciences: mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science. The FSP of the T-Kurs opens programmes of this field.
TestASTest für Ausländische Studierende: An aptitude test for international applicants: logic and subject-specific tasks. Some universities require it or count it as a plus in selection.
TestDaFTest Deutsch als Fremdsprache: The standardised German test for university admission. The result required (the TDN level in each part) is stated in the programme's requirements; universities accept TestDaF on a par with the DSH.

UEUnterrichtseinheit: A teaching unit in language courses — usually 45 minutes. Compare courses by the number of UE per week, not by «lessons».
uni-assistArbeits- und Servicestelle für internationale Studienbewerbungen: The service through which many German universities receive applications from abroad: it checks the documents and passes them on. It charges per semester EUR 75 for the first chosen programme and EUR 30 for each further one.

Vorpraktikumpre-study internship: A work placement in the field that some programmes — mostly in engineering — require before studies start or by a certain semester. The requirement and the deadline are in the programme's internship rules (Praktikumsordnung).
VPDVorprüfungsdokumentation: uni-assist's assessment of your documents for a specific university: the converted grade and a verdict on access to study. Some universities ask for a VPD and take the application themselves.

WGWohngemeinschaft: A shared flat: everyone has their own room, the kitchen and bathroom are shared. One of the most common ways students live.

ZulassungZulassungsbescheid: The university's letter saying you have been admitted to a programme. With it you apply for the visa and enrol (Immatrikulation) by the deadline stated in the letter.