The International Foundation College at Paderborn University offers specific preparation courses for international students who are interested in studying mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, information technology, industrial engineering, mathematics, computer sciences, physics, or chemistry, etc. The foundation college helps high school graduates (secondary school graduates) whose school diploma does not directly entitle to enter a bachelor study program at a German institution of higher education. It offers the necessary courses which, after successful passing of the final assessment exam (Feststellungsprüfung/FSP), give access to these technical and scientific higher education programs at all German universities and universities of applied sciences.
After you successfully complete the final exam (FSP), you can begin your studies in one of the bachelor’s programs with unrestricted admissions in the MINT sciences (mathematics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and information technology, physics, as well as chemistry) at the University of Paderborn or at another university or a university of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia. For restricted study courses you need a specific admission.
By enrolling in the foundation college students receive full student status, i.e., a student ID card, identical to that of BSc/MSc-students at the University of Paderborn, which offers benefits such as discounted meals in the canteen, library access and free of charge public local transportation (buses, trams, local trains) at Paderborn, and throughout the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
10 good reasons for the International Foundation College Paderborn
There are good reasons to choose the International Foundation College Paderborn. Our advantages are:
- A diploma that is recognised at all German universities and universities of applied sciences
- State-approved assessment test (”Feststellungsprüfung”) at the Paderborn University on behalf of the district council of Cologne
- Learning environment with modern classrooms and laboratories
- Well-equipped accommodations near the campus of the university
- Highly qualified, friendly teachers with a lot of professional experience
- Awarded with the quality label "Training - Made in Germany" by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
- Guaranteed place of study for our graduates in an admission free bachelor programme at Paderborn University
- Several scholarships every year (up to 7.000€ each)
- The only foundation college in North Rhine-Westphalia that cooperates with a state-owned German university
- Semester ticket for free use of public transportation throughout North Rhine-Westphalia as well as interesting excursions
