MIGRATION & CERTIFICATES
Germany Bachelor & Studienkolleg from Vietnam: The 36-Point THPT Rule, Foundation Courses, and the €11,904 Blocked Account
How Vietnamese high school graduates study in Germany: the 6-subject 36-point THPT rule, Studienkolleg T/M/W/G/S courses, and the €11,904 blocked account.
VON GERMANIUM
Editorial desk — sourced to the KMK/anabin regulations for Vietnamese secondary education, Studienkolleg directors' working group, and BAMF
Germany's tuition-free public university system makes it a premier destination for Vietnamese students. However, because the Vietnamese general education curriculum spans 12 years while the German secondary gymnasium track (Abitur) spans 13 years, Vietnamese high school graduates cannot enter a German Bachelor's degree directly. Instead, students must complete a *1-year preparatory foundation course (Studienkolleg) and pass the state assessment exam (Feststellungsprüfung* - FSP) or complete 4 accredited university semesters in Vietnam.
The KMK 6-subject national exam criteria (Điều kiện thi THPT)
Under the formal regulations of the German Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (Kultusministerkonferenz - KMK), Vietnamese high school graduates must satisfy all of the following conditions in their National High School Exam (Kỳ thi Tốt nghiệp THPT):
| Criterion | Official KMK Requirement | Common Disqualification Trap |
|---|---|---|
| Total Exam Subjects | Must take 6 subjects (3 mandatory: Math, Literature, Foreign Language + 1 combination group: Sciences or Social Sciences) | Taking fewer than 6 subjects or exemption from Foreign Language without official score |
| Minimum Total Score | At least 36.0 points total across the 6 subjects | Scoring below 36.0 total points (even 35.75 is rejected) |
| Minimum Subject Floor | No single subject score below 4.0 points (out of 10.0) | Having 5 subjects at 8.0 but one subject at 3.75 automatically disqualifies |
| Upper Score Requirement | At least 4 subjects with scores >= 6.0 points | Having too many scores concentrated in the 4.0–5.5 range |
| University Admission | Admission to an accredited Vietnamese university (Đại học chính quy) | Non-accredited vocational certificates without university qualification |
Studienkolleg specialized course tracks (Kursarten)
Applicants attend the specific Kurs matching their intended undergraduate major:
| Studienkolleg Track | Target Degree Subjects | Core Subjects Taught | Aufnahmeprüfung Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Kurs (Technical) | Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, German | German (B1/B2) + Mathematics |
| M-Kurs (Medical/Bio) | Medicine, Pharmacy, Biology, Veterinary Medicine | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, German | German (B2) + Biology/Chemistry |
| W-Kurs (Economics) | Business Administration (BWL), Economics (VWL), Finance | Mathematics, Economics, Social Studies, German | German (B1/B2) + Mathematics |
| G-Kurs (Humanities) | History, Philosophy, German Studies, Arts | History, Literature, Social Sciences, German | German (B2/C1) + Humanities |
| S-Kurs (Languages) | Foreign Languages, Linguistics | German, Second Foreign Language, Literature | German (B2/C1) + Language Aptitude |
What German language level is needed to take the Studienkolleg entrance exam (Aufnahmeprüfung)?
Most public Studienkollegs require a verified B1 or B2 certificate (Goethe, ÖSD, telc) to sit for the Aufnahmeprüfung. Because admission is highly competitive, candidates with strong B2 proficiency have significantly higher pass rates.
How can a Vietnamese student skip Studienkolleg and enter a German Bachelor directly?
By successfully completing at least 4 full academic semesters (2 years) in the same academic field at an accredited anabin H+ university in Vietnam. In that case, the applicant is eligible for direct admission to a German Bachelor's program.
Are public Studienkollegs in Germany free of tuition?
Yes. State-run public Studienkollegs charge zero tuition fees. Students only pay a standard administrative semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) ranging from €150 to €350 per semester, which includes a local public transit pass (Semesterticket).