The school-leaving certificate “Mathayom 6” and “Vocational School Certificate” (Por Wor Chor, Por Wor Sor) in Thailand are not recognized as university entrance qualifications (HZB) for studies in Germany. Therefore, you are not able to enroll in a German university directly. However, you can get your qualifications by visiting the so called Studienkolleg in Germany.
Studienkollegs are the educational institutions in which international university applicants take the preparatory courses in order to prepare for the academic study at a German university. For the admission to the Studienkolleg, you must pass the entrance exam. At the end of the Studienkolleg your knowledge in various subjects which are essential for your field of study will be tested. The exam which also consists of the language test is called Feststellungsprüfung or the university entrance assessment examination.
For more detailed information, please visit the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
(1) Preparation in Thailand Taking German courses in Thailand in order to reach the required language level from Studienkolleg. |
(2) Focus on your goal Finishing the Studienkolleg in main subjects that are relevant to the university degree you intend to achieve. |
(3) Direct admission to the universities in Germany The only way for foreign students that do not have the school-leaving certificate and have not started their university study. |
(4) For your study in Germany If you pass the Studienkolleg, you will get the university entrance qualification to study at universities in Germany. |
Studienkollegs offer various preparatory courses which will prepare you for your particular subject area. Before applying, you should enquire about available courses offered by each Studienkolleg.
Always bear in mind that you can only apply for the field of study at the university, where you have taken the Studienkolleg. There might be some problems in the case of psychology for example. This subject might belongs to the field of medicine at one university, but belongs to the field of social science at another one. For this reason, you should always find out beforehand to which field of study your future study at the university belong, so that you can attend the right Studienkolleg and the right main subjects in preparatory course.
There are 5 types of Studienkolleg for the study at the universities:
- M-Kurs: for the field of study of medicine, biology or pharmaceutical.
Main subjects: German, mathematic and sciences - T-Kurs: for the technical and scientific field of study
Main subjects: German, mathematic, physic and chemistry - W-Kurs: for the field of study of economic and social sciences
Main subjects: German, mathematic, political sciences, history or geography, English - G-Kurs: for humanistic and linguistic field of study, history, German studies or philosophy
Main subjects: German, history, German or English literature, sociology/geography - S-Kurs: for the field of study of languages, foreign languages that are not German
Main subjects: German, foreign language, history or sociology/geography or German literature (There are the combination of G-/S-Kurs at some universities)
- TI-Kurs: for the technical and engineering field of study
- WW-Kurs: for the economic field of study
- GD-Kurs: for the fields of study of creative arts and fine arts
- SW-Kurs: for the fields of study of social sciences
Each preparatory course has its own requirements and documentary obligations. The required level of German language also varies from B1 to the higher level. You can find detailed information in the FAQ below.
Please take the application procedures as well as deadlines of each Studienkolleg or faculty into account. Some universities set their deadline according to university semester but some universities set their deadline according to the school semester.
Lists of the sworn translators in Thailand
- M-/T-/W-Kurse: German and Mathematic
- G-/S-Kurse: German and social sciences
The entrance exam usually takes place at the university of your choice. It means that you have to already be in Germany and take the risks of not passing the exam.
Instead of the Studienkolleg, the study applicants have to pass the qualification test, in which they must prove their knowledge and skill in the study of your choice.
Please find more information about the application process directly at the homepage of the education institutes.
Students, that graduated with the German leaving-school certificate (Abitur) or IB-Diploma (International Baccalaureate), can directly apply for the study at the portal Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung.
- TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)
- DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz)
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (only at some Studienkollegs)
- Goethe-Zertifikat B2
- Goethe-Zertifikat C1
- Goethe-Zertifikat C2
In most cases the language level of B2 is required. But in any cases, it is important to ask the Studienkolleg of your choice about it.
Do you want to test your German language competence?
Goethe-Institut provides you with an online assessment test.The Goethe-Institut as well as the website of Deutsch-Uni-Online also offer the preparation courses for TestDaF. Some publishers and other websites offer learning materials for the exam preparation.
At some Studienkollegs one can also take the Feststellungsprüfung as the external Feststellungsprüfung. It means that one does not have to attend the Studienkolleg beforehand. Nevertheless, such an exam is very difficult. The requirement of German skill is much higher than the one for the entrance examination. This option is only recommended if you are very confident about your level of German language.
If you can pass the test, you can then attend the field of study that you intend to pursue. Please bear it in mind that you can only repeat the exam once.
Pursuant to the law from 2012, the university admission for the students, that have already attained the admission for university study abroad, will be made easier. It means that they do not have to attend the Studienkolleg anymore, but they must take the entrance examination at the university of their choice. If you passed the entrance exam and are able to prove the required language skills, you can then enroll in a university and begin with your study.
If you have decided to study at one of these universities, please directly contact the International Office of the university of your choice.
As a participant of the Studienkolleg, you are entitled to the same rights as regular students: transportation, student discount, access to the cafeteria and the university library etc.
Do you still have questions? Write us!
Haran Thankham
Tel.: +66 2 108 8221
Fax: +66 2108 8299
E-mail: Haran.Thankham.extern@goethe.de