Germany guide · After +2 · 3 min read
Study in Germany after +2 from Nepal: the Studienkolleg route, and the alternatives.
A Nepali +2 usually doesn't give direct entry to a German bachelor's. The common route is a Studienkolleg: a one-year foundation course in German, entered through a test, that ends with the exam (Feststellungsprüfung) that qualifies you for a degree. Before that you need German to about B1. The other route is to finish one or two years of a bachelor's in Nepal first. Either way, plan on a year more than in Australia or the UK, at a far lower cost.
The short version
- A Nepali +2 isn't usually enough for direct entry to a German bachelor's.
- Route 1: German to B1, then a one-year Studienkolleg, then the Feststellungsprüfung exam, then the bachelor's.
- Route 2: 1 to 2 years of university in Nepal first, depending on your subject and the university's rules.
- Most German bachelor's are taught in German, so you'll need B2 to C1 by the time the degree starts.
- You still show €11,904 a year in a blocked account, including the Studienkolleg year.
The routes
| Route | How long before the degree | German needed | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studienkolleg | 6 to 9 months of German, then 1 year | B1 to enter; B2 to C1 by the degree | Semester contribution at public ones, plus the blocked account | Strong +2 students who’ll learn German |
| 1 to 2 years of university in Nepal | 1 to 2 years | Depends on the course | Nepali fees, then Germany | Students who’d rather start at home, then switch |
| Private university with a foundation year | About 1 year | Often none (English) | Private tuition, €9,000 to €18,000 a year | Students who can pay and want English |
Route 1: Studienkolleg, step by step
- Learn German to B1. About 6 to 9 months of regular classes for most students. German levels and tests.
- Choose a course type that matches your +2 and the degree you want: T-Kurs (technical), W-Kurs (economics), M-Kurs (medical and biology), and others.
- Apply to Studienkollegs, directly or through the university, with your +2 transcript and German certificate.
- Pass the entrance test in German and maths or your subject.
- Get the visa: an admission letter for the Studienkolleg, the blocked account, health insurance.
- Study for a year, then sit the Feststellungsprüfung.
- Apply for a bachelor’s in the field your course type allows.
Route 2: start in Nepal
Some students finish one or two years of a bachelor’s in Nepal, then apply to Germany. Whether that gives entry depends on your subject and the German university’s rules, which use anabin to assess Nepali qualifications. We check your exact case before you plan around it.
The full timeline from +2
| Year | Studienkolleg route |
|---|---|
| Year 0 (after +2) | German A1 to B1, Studienkolleg applications, entrance test |
| Year 1 | Studienkolleg in Germany |
| Years 2 to 4 | Bachelor’s, mostly in German |
| After | Up to 18 months to find work; Blue Card or a work permit |
Is it worth it?
It depends on three things: whether you’ll really learn German, whether you can wait an extra year, and whether a German bachelor’s beats a pathway in Australia or the UK for your budget. For many +2 students on a small budget, the answer is yes. For students who want to start next year, it usually isn’t.
| At a glance | Germany after +2 | Australia after +2 |
|---|---|---|
| Years to a bachelor’s | About 5 | 3 (or 3 with a diploma into year 2) |
| Tuition | €0 at public universities | AUD 90,000 to 135,000 for the degree |
| Money to show each year | €11,904 | Tuition + AUD 29,710 |
| Language | German | English |
Our view. Germany after +2 suits disciplined students who want an engineering, science or economics degree, have a small budget and will spend a year on German. It’s a poor fit for students who need to start quickly or who won’t study German seriously.
