Important Steps to Studying

On this page, we've gathered all of the important steps foreigners or Germans with a foreign university entrance qualification must take to pursue a course of studies at the HTW. Please carefully read through each of the issues below and click the links to find more detailed information.

We provide you with an online overview of all of the courses of study available at the HTW, including comprehensive information on each of the study programmes. Please check your desired study programme in this section to find information concerning the start of your first term and any possible admission restrictions or special prerequisites.
Study Programmes at the HTW

You can find an advisor to assist you in selecting a study programme here:
Contact

The HTW offers various preparatory courses in the fields of design, mathematics and foreign languages. There is a fee for these courses and they are taught in German. You can find more information on the entire range of our prep courses here:
Advanced Training

Almost all of the study programmes at the HTW are taught in German. You must be able to provide proof of solid knowledge of German before pursuing German language studies. For English language study programmes, you will need to supply proof of sufficient English language skills.
Please make sure you acquire the necessary language skills and have them certified in due time.
Language Requirements

Find information for the validation of credentials under the database of "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB)" (Central Federal Agency for Foreign Education) www.anabin.de
You must have your school leaving certificate and any university degrees validated by the "Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung" (Berlin senate office for education, science and research) in order to apply for a Bachelor’s degree programme or German "Diplom" programme if your certificate is not listed in the ZAB database. Please note that the senate office takes between two and three months to process credentials.
Validation of Credentials

If your secondary education has not been recognised by the ZAB as sufficient for pursuing a course of studies in the desired degree course in Berlin, then you must take the so-called "Feststellungsprüfung" (assessment test). We recommend enrolling in a preparatory course at the "Studienkolleg" .
Preparatory Course

Almost all Bachelor’s degree and German “Diplom” programmes require prospective students to complete a pre-study internship of at least 13 weeks’ duration in a field related to their study programme. We recommend doing your pre-study internship in your native country before leaving for Germany.
Pre-Study Internship

You must submit samples of your work and take special aptitude tests for some Bachelor's degree and German "Diplom" programmes in the field of design. These tests take place a few months before studies begin and necessitate a separate application. Instructions and deadlines can be found here:
Work Samples/Aptitude Tests

You can find all information regarding application deadlines, the application procedure and all documents to be submitted here:
How to apply

Make sure you find out about the applicable entry regulations for Germany in due time. If you require a visa, apply for one as soon as possible because it can take up to two to three months before it is issued. Please also keep in mind that obtaining all of the certificates necessary for your application can require quite some time.
Entry Requirements/Visa

Applicants in need of a residence permit should make an appointment with the “Ausländerbehörde” (foreigners authority) two to three months prior to the start of their first term in order to avoid long delays later on.
Residence Permit

If you have been accepted to the HTW, you will receive a letter of acceptance at least one month prior to the start of the first term. You then have 14 days to pay your semester fee (via bank transfer) and confirm that you will enrol, otherwise your place at the University of Applied Science will be given to another student!
Your notification of acceptance to the university states all documents that must be submitted for enrolment.
More information on admissions and acceptance of your university place can be found here:
Admissions

Health insurance is compulsory for students in Germany.
You must either have proof of adequate health insurance coverage from your native country, which is valid in Germany, or you are obligated to insure yourself upon arrival in Germany. Please inform yourself of all the details here:
Health Insurance

If possible, before you enter Germany, get informed about the future expenditures you can expect, financing possibilities or scholarships, and how to find accommodations.
Fees/ Costs
Accommodations and Financing

Be sure to arrive in Germany in time for the start of the term in order to attend to all pending formalities in conjunction with your residency in Germany and enrolment at the university.
Important Formalities Upon Arrival

Once you have submitted all necessary documents, you will be enrolled at the HTW and receive your student identification card, which also includes a semester ticket for public transport in Berlin.
Enrolment

We also recommend obtaining an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which offers you additional advantages and rebates and can be issued by e.g. the "AStA" (student union) of the HTW.
International Student Identity Card

Please be sure to participate in the welcome meeting for foreign students given by the “Studierendenservice” (students service centre), as well as the opening event of your study programme, which takes place at the start of the term! You will receive information on both events together with your notification of acceptance to the HTW.