G-Kurs: preparation for the humanities and law
G-Kurs is the humanities track: history, literature and German. It opens law, history, philosophy and education. Not every college offers it.
What is studied
How the course works
The format is the same for every Studienkolleg track — only the core subjects differ.
Status of a Studienkolleg student
Enrolment at a Studienkolleg gives almost the same rights as a university student has.
- ✓A student visa and residence permit for the duration of the course
- ✓Semester ticket and student discounts — at state colleges through the university
- ✓A place in a Studentenwerk hall of residence on the usual terms
- —Part-time work is more restricted than for students: only in the holidays, under the rules of the foreigners' office
- —At private colleges the status and the transport ticket depend on the contract with a university — check on the course page
Which programmes it opens
The FSP of the G-Kurs is accepted for humanities programmes and law.
Exams
Two exams: on entry the college checks whether you will cope, at the end — whether you are ready for university.
German in writing (often a C-test and an essay) and the main subject of the course, in German. At state colleges places are limited and go to the best results; private colleges usually hold a placement test without competition.
German and the core subjects of the course in writing, then orally. The FSP grade replaces the school-leaving grade in university applications. Who holds the exam — the college's own board or an external state board — decides where the result is recognised.
Do you need a Studienkolleg
A Studienkolleg is needed only if your certificate does not give direct access. For some countries access comes after one or two years at a university at home — then a preparatory course is not needed.
Check my certificateMore about the G-Kurs
Who this course is for
The G-Kurs is the humanities track: for applicants heading for law, history, philosophy, education, German studies and other humanities programmes. At some colleges the G-Kurs and S-Kurs are combined into one G/S course.
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What happens in class
German and European history, German literature and text analysis, the basics of politics and society — all in German. There is usually no mathematics in the course.
How hard it is
The language demands are the highest of all tracks: a lot of reading, analysing sources and writing long texts in German, arguing your position.
What comes next
The G-Kurs FSP opens humanities programmes and law; economics needs the W-Kurs. In law, language is the main tool — precise wording decides everything — so keep your German at a high level after the college too.
Where to take the G-Kurs — nearest intakes
The content of the course is the same everywhere; the conditions differ: price, how often it starts, who holds the FSP.
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Questions about G-Kurs
Can I study economics with the G-Kurs?
Not sure the G-Kurs is your course?
The course is chosen for your future field of study and cannot be changed after enrolment. We check your goal against the FSP subjects before you apply.