International Foundation College at Paderborn University — Paderborn
Facts about the college
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Language of instruction | German |
| Duration | 2 semesters |
| Courses | T-Kurs · W-Kurs |
| Entrance exam | No entrance exam |
| How the FSP is taken | At the college, by its own board |
| Application method | Directly to the college |
| Cost and fees | €8,000 for the whole course |
| Nearest intake | Summer semester 2027 · apply by 15.03.2027 |
Data from the college's official pages
About the college
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
Courses of the college
The course is chosen for your future field of study: it cannot be changed after enrolment.
Exams
No entrance exam: admission by documents and the German certificate.
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INTERNAL ASSESSMENT TEST (FSP)
The official assessment test takes place at the end of the course (in December/January or in June/July). You can apply to a German university / university of applied sciences immediately after passing the exam. When choosing a university, you are not limited to the University of Paderborn. It doesn't matter whether it's RWTH Aachen, TU Munich or the universities in Cologne, Berlin or Hamburg: After passing the assessment test, you can apply for a bachelor's degree in Germany!
- Internal assessment test (FSP)
- Optimal exam preparation in the courses
- Not a long journey
- Bachelor's degree possible at a university or technical college in Germany
- Guaranteed study place at the University of Paderborn
THE FINAL EXAM IN PADERBORN
Another highlight of our preparatory college is that we hold the state-recognized assessment test on behalf of the Cologne district government at the University of Paderborn. You don't have to travel far, you can take the final exam in a familiar environment. Our lecturers will prepare you for your own exam. Thus, the lesson content fits perfectly with the exam.
Examination subjects (FSP):
- Written exam: German, physics, mathematics
- Oral exam: Chemistry
Linked universities
Universities the college works with. At a home university the college is part of the university or admits its applicants.
How to apply
- 1Check that you need a StudienkollegYour certificate's status in the recognition database decides — direct admission may be possible after one or two years at a university at home.
- 2German B1Confirmed by a certificate at the time of application.
- 3Apply directly to the collegeDocuments go straight to the college, by its own deadlines.
Places are allocated in the order applications arrive — apply early, before the places for your intake are taken.
- ✓We check the certificate and the translations
- ✓We fill in and submit the application
- ✓We stay in touch with the college until enrolment
Partner college: the application and our support are free for you.
To apply with us, order at least 2 weeks before the application deadline — for the nearest intake by 01.03.2027. What matters is the order itself — documents can follow later: these two weeks are exactly the time for checking and preparing them. The earlier you order, even if something is still missing, the calmer and more reliably we prepare everything together for the strongest application.
Apply for freeStudyInFocus does not represent the college and does not influence the admission decision.
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First check whether you need a college
Many applicants could do without a Studienkolleg — it depends on the country and the year of the certificate. The check is free.