When planning a move to Germany and finding a job, people who have been educated in their home country will need to deal with the recognition of their diploma. Where to start, what documents are needed for this, where to apply – these and a number of other questions arise for everyone who wants to work in one of the German cities in their specialty. In this article we will explain the intricacies of the process and provide you with detailed information about professional qualifications recognition in accordance with the new German law.

Vocational qualifications in Germany: recognition and assessment of academic certificates

In order to be able to work in Germany in a profession that you have already obtained in your home country, you must have a special document recognizing your professional qualifications. This, in turn, will give a German employer the assurance that the profession you have acquired is equivalent to a similar profession in Germany. Therefore, your qualification confers the right to take up employment in your chosen profession in your home country.

All regulated professions, such as teachers, nurses, doctors and some others, are legally required to undergo this procedure.
A professional qualification is understood to be a document obtained in the profession in one’s own country, i.e. a certificate of training (diploma). The profession, however, must belong to a clearly defined profession.
Recognition could also be taken if you have:

• a certificate of professional advancement;
• a work permit;
• an approbation.

As a result, you will receive a decision with one of the following options:

• Full recognition – if the qualification obtained in your country matches the German one.
• Partial recognition – if it differs from the German qualification in terms of content and length of training. You can compensate for the difference with additional training or further training. Depending on the profession, this can be in the form of aptitude tests, training courses or theory knowledge tests.
• Lack of recognition – this is granted in case the difference between the corresponding German profession and your qualification is too great.

It is worth noting that not all professions must go through the recognition procedure. So, for example, for mathematicians, geologists and some others, who do not imply a vocational qualification, the evaluation of educational documents is used. Once you have applied for and reviewed your university degree, the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) will issue a description and specify how you can use your qualifications.

Getting recognition can be an important criterion for immigration to Germany for non-EU citizens.

Recognition of professional qualifications: step-by-step instructions

You can start the process of obtaining recognition before you travel to Germany. When remaining in your country, it is worth finding out right away under what conditions you can get a work and residence permit. BSA agency managers can help you with this: they will do a quick check of your documents and make a plan for further action. This will be especially convenient for those whose German level is not too high. For others, working with managers from the agency will greatly reduce the time to search for information, gather documents, and sort out the nuances of the process, of which there are a lot.
Let’s take it one step at a time:

Step 1: Find out whether your profession requires recognition at all – an assessment of your educational documents might be sufficient. To do this, you have to determine which of the German professions corresponds to the profession you have acquired.

Step 2: Find the competent authority in the land and city where you plan to live and work. This can be an office or institution which will carry out the recognition procedure according to the administrative and legal provisions. There are about 1,500 such offices throughout the country.

Step 3. Determine the list of documents that you will need in order to apply according to specifically your profession.

Step 4. Professional qualifications can be confirmed through records, or course completion certificates, or other documents confirming your experience in the profession, which should be attached to the application. You can submit it before you travel to Germany. Remember, however, that all employees at government institutions speak only German. And if you have any language difficulties or cannot find a competent authority to submit your application and documents, you can seek the assistance of our agency managers.

Step 5: Wait for the results of the verification of your documents. It will take about three months, provided that you have collected all the necessary document set. This period may vary for a number of professions and in complicated cases may be extended by the institution to which you have applied, but only once and always on reasonable grounds. The process may also be longer in case of missing documents and in case of a qualification analysis (applies to persons with dual educational training and persons with the title of master).

Step 6: Receive the decision in the form of a letter from the institution where the application was submitted with the result. If the recognition is full, you have the right to work within your specialty or to have an official state admission to the profession.

Partial recognition of professional qualifications in regulated and non-regulated occupations

If you receive a partial recognition decision and would like to work in one of the regulated professions, you need to make up for the substantial differences indicated in the letter. To do this, you must successfully complete training or pass an exam. This may be:

• An Academic Bridging Program, which provides practice in the profession under the supervision of a skilled professional. The duration of the training depends on the significant differences indicated, but not more than 3 years.
• Aptitude test, which takes into account your professional qualifications in your home country. The content of the examination material therefore relates solely to the work in the relevant specialty.
• The theoretical knowledge test, which is conducted by the institution that gave you the decision letter. It is equivalent to the state final exam and may contain questions on all of the material or only part of it.

If you have found work in a non-regulated profession, then recognition is not required. However, you do have the right to take the recognition process, which will be an advantage when looking for a job. In addition, your future employer can help you get a refresher course by paying for it, provided that the decision of the competent authority is partial recognition.

Recognition of qualifications without documents

If you received your education in your home country and do not have all package of documents, you can also apply for recognition of qualifications. Then you will have to undergo a qualifications analysis – get an expert assessment of your professional skills.
This option is suitable for those who have received vocational training or plan to become a master. To do this, you need to do trial work or answer the questions of the expert committee.

The obligatory condition in this situation is that the lack of documents in your hands is not your fault. Be prepared even for the fact that you may be required to declare it under oath.
In the case of professions that require recognition of qualifications, it is likely that you will be offered a theoretical knowledge test if you are undocumented. However, you will need to clarify the details of the process with the institution where you are applying to, as well as the land and the city where you plan to work. Note that the application in this situation can be submitted even without documentation.

Costs

The process of collecting documents, applying, reviewing and issuing a decision, and possibly completing additional courses or taking an exam is not quick and it costs money. In addition to the recognition process, there may be fees for:

• translation of documents;
• examination;
• qualifications analysis (experts, materials or workshop rental might be paid).

The costs are paid by the applicant, but if you participate in some government programs, check with your employment center to see if they can financially support you in such a situation.
Our agency will be able to help you at all stages: from finding a suitable profession in Germany to taking an advanced training exam or executing trial tests. The complexity of the process is that all government institutions that provide this service and the application itself to be submitted are in German. In addition, if you do not know all the details, you can delay the process for many months.
Blue Card Agency managers are available to answer any questions and make the best plan of action to reduce waiting times and help make your move to Germany comfortable and fast.

A driving license is a document that either ‘arrives’ in Germany with you or is scheduled to be issued as a priority after you have moved. Immigrants inevitably have a number of questions about driving licenses. How and where to get it, what test to take if you already have driving experience, where to apply, how to choose a driving school, and other details of the process will tell the Blue Card Agency in this article. We will give you detailed step-by-step instructions on how to become a full-fledged driver on German roads.

Who is allowed to drive in Germany?

Driving in the country is permitted from the age of 17 as long as an adult is present, and from the age of 18 you may drive yourself. So if you see too young drivers in a driving school class, don’t be surprised.

If you are an experienced driver and have arrived in Germany with a license from a non-EU country, you are entitled to drive, but only for six months after you receive your residence permit. After this period, you will need a German driving license, as driving with an expired license is equivalent to driving without one and is punishable by law.

German driving schools: features and regulations

The training system in German driving schools does not differ much from what we are used to in the former Soviet Union. It consists of theoretical and practical lessons and ends with an exam, which is taken by an independent assessor who remains unknown even to your driving trainer until the exam itself.

• Theory course usually consists of 14-16 lessons, which each school organizes in its timetable as it sees fit: from 1 to 3 times a week.
• If the student already has a driving license, it is not necessary to attend the theory course. However, it is useful for immigrants to establish some new contacts, practice the language and refresh their knowledge before the exam. Moreover, the theoretical part of the course is free.
• There are 12 practical lessons of an hour and a half each. They go either in parallel with theoretical lessons, or at the end of them, after passing the theoretical exam – in each driving school it is different.
• An experienced driver does not have to attend practical lessons and can take a driving test immediately after passing the theory part. However, you should not neglect the chance to get used to the German roads.

Step-by-step instructions for future drivers: how to get your driver’s license in Germany

The specifics of a driving course depend on several factors: the city, the driving school itself and whether or not you have driving experience. You will have to find out and adapt to them as you go along. We will, however, outline the mandatory steps towards obtaining or proving your driving license in Germany.
1.Identify the driving school in your town and find out to which institution the application and documents must be submitted. In smaller towns it is the Bürgeramt, in others it is usually the Führerscheinstelle, and to prove your driving license you must go to the Ordnungsamt. It is also possible to collect your driving license at the end of your course from these institutions. Often driving schools will submit the documents themselves, you only need to clarify this issue.

2. Take a medical first aid course, generally lasting one or two days. The driving school will also tell you how and where to do this.

3. You do not have to undergo a thorough medical examination, but you must have your eyesight checked. This may be done during a medical course.

4. Have your photograph taken. It must be biometric and be 3.5 x 4.5.

5. If you already have a driver’s license, have it translated into German by a sworn translator and apply to the Vehicle Registration Office to have it approved. Driving schools themselves may also do this.

6. Collect all your documents and submit them to the Vehicle Registration Office. In addition to the application, you will need:

• a passport and a biometric photo;
• a certificate with the result of an eye test;
• certificate of completion of a first aid training course;
• certificate of the first border crossing from the Foreigners’ Office (the Ausländerbehörde) or on the basis of a stamp in your passport;
• translation of your driver’s license by a sworn translator;
• receipt of payment of the fee.

7. Take the theoretical part of the driving course.

8. Obtain admission to the test by successfully completing the required tasks. Some schools give it to you only after you have passed several practice tests. The test takes no more than half an hour and the result is displayed on the screen at the end of the test. For foreigners it is possible to take the test in Russian.

9. Take practical driving lessons. Usually, driving schools offer about 20 hours of the program, but for experienced drivers this number may be shortened.

10. Get through the driving test. It lasts 45 minutes, with a driving trainer and an independent assessor in the car with the student. Among the skills tested are the ability to park, brake extremely hard, make a U-turn, drive on the autobahn and city roads, navigate the technical matters that are asked at the beginning or at the end of the exam. The examiner also observes the driver’s behavior and checks his/her sense of distance and speed and whether he/she is able to change lanes, etc.

11. Get a confirmation of successful passing of the test and exchange it for a valid driver’s license from the institution where you filed your application and documents before enrolling in driving school.

12. If you fail the test, you may retake it in two weeks for a fee. The number of retakes is not limited.
All questions about the process of obtaining or confirming a driving license in Germany may be addressed to our managers. Also, by contacting us, you will get help in finding an institution for the application and driving school in your city, a sworn interpreter and collecting the necessary documents. We are sympathetic to the difficulties that arise for a person adapting to a new linguistic and social environment, so we are willing to take on at least part of the necessary tasks to speed up and simplify them.

In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine life without social media. We use them for entertainment and communication, learning, business development and sales, showing part of our lives and observing the lives of others. Social networks are constantly improving and have often become powerful tools in the development of different areas of life. For example, by creating a profile on some of them, you will not only be able to talk about yourself, but also create a lively online professional CV in a detailed form which will allow the best employers know about you and you will find the job you have been dreaming of for a long time.
Which social networking site should job seekers register with in the German labor market? And how to set up a user profile so that you could get an automatic notification of job offers? In this article, Blue Card Agency tells about the most popular business network XING as a job search tool.

Features and capabilities of XING

The functionality of this social network is quite extensive and differs significantly from other platforms. For example, XING users have the option:

• to register two types of profile: personal or corporate;
• to introduce yourself as a future employee or business founder;
• to post job vacancies and search for jobs;
• to organize meetings, events, forums and other networking activities;
• to exchange business contacts and find the new ones.

You can also share your hobbies, thoughts and photos on your profile, but everything you do will be solely for the purpose of building your business image, expanding your professional network and building your career. Accordingly, the visual and textual information you post should be carefully selected and considered. Otherwise, headhunters will pass by your profile and you may not receive any job offers.

XING for your job search: 7 steps towards the perfect profile

To ensure that your profile serves you as a passive but effective job search tool, remember that you need to take every last detail into account when filling it out. Follow our tips to get the best results.

Step 1: Registration.

The best way to create a profile is to use an e-mail account set up on the German domain. It is also worth remembering that this is the same e-mail address that you will be actively using in the future. And so in his name, write your first and last name. The German standard for an e-mail account name is firstname.lastname@… Otherwise, how can you explain to your employer why you are using someone else’s e-mail address?

Step 2: Adding a profile picture.

The first thing an employer or a colleague sees when they click through to your account is your photo. And there are special requirements for it on this social networking site. Neither your CV nor your XING profile will be considered without a photo. It has to be taken in a studio, with a dark background, of high quality and definitely with a smile.
To guide your photographer, enter the word Bewerbungsfoto into any search engine and show the results. Remember the dark background and the smile. Together you will achieve the best possible result.

Step 3: Define your skills.

You should be clear about what you have to offer and what you expect from the employer by filling in the ‘I am looking for’ and ‘I am offering’ sections. It is important to use the right keywords to describe your experience and requirements for the job, which is how recruiters will look for you. And the more accurately you describe in this block, the more similarity the employer will see between your details and the requirements of the vacancy you are applying for, the better your chances as an applicant.

Step 4: Career and training descriptions.

One of the important sections that will prove your experience and confirm that you have the right education. Don’t neglect to fill it out, making sure to list your work and study places in reverse chronological order. Here you should also indicate the courses you are leading or additional projects you are involved in or running.

Step 5: Indicate your language level and certifications.

Add to this section any certificates of professional or language courses, further training courses, and participation in social projects (if any). Remember, you are creating a holistic image of a professional and well-rounded person.

Step 6: Fill in the section on personal interests and hobbies.

If you’re into yoga or team sports, this will definitely play to your advantage. Avoid extreme sports like skydiving or rock climbing. A potential employer may wonder whether to hire an employee who risks dropping out of the process indefinitely and leaving important projects behind.

Step 7: Adding work to your portfolio.

Probably one of the most important sections of your profile. You have the opportunity to add photos of your work, graphics, files, work samples, text blocks – anything that can prove your successful work cases to your account. This is the best evidence of your professional experience.
Consider adding links to your other social media profiles. Remember that your image is formed from a combination of facts about you, your first impression and your described work experience. So use this section only if your other profiles do not contain provocative photos or information about you.

How do I find a job with XING?

Once you have completed the most important step – filling in your profile – you can start looking for jobs. There are a number of ways you can do this:

• search through your list of open, published jobs;
• get added to the job groups and watch for updates;
• make sure you follow all the recommendations for stuffing your profile so that employers or recruiters cannot refuse to do business with you.

Don’t forget that a properly completed XING account that contains proof of your experience and reflects your personality is the key to a successful career. It’s a unique opportunity to get a ‘lively’ CV that works for your success. We hope our recommendations will help you create the image of a modern and in-demand professional.
We understand how complex and painstaking this process is when you have to consider all the nuances and make no mistakes. That’s why our agency managers, with many years of experience of living and working in Germany, can help you optimize or create your XING profile.

Many people who already live and work in Germany or are planning to move and integrate into German society, are thinking more or less about obtaining citizenship. What benefits does a German passport bring to an immigrant? What requirements must be fulfilled in order to obtain one? Is it possible to speed up the process and how long does it take? The Blue Card Agency answers in this article.

German citizenship: nuances and advantages

Actually, there are no significant differences between the permanent residence permit (Aufenthaltsgestattung) and the German citizenship, apart from the fact that you have the right to vote. A pleasant bonus will be the possibility of visa-free entry to many European countries. For many, however, it is important to feel that you can be included in German society by having a German passport. But let us get through this from the beginning. There are several stages to come before obtaining German citizenship.

These are usually followed by one another in an unbroken sequence:

• Entering the country on a National visa;
• Obtaining a temporary residence permit;
• Obtaining a Permanent Residence Permit.

Of course, there are certain conditions for obtaining the appropriate permit. Often they include an employment contract and, eventually, the Blue Card. However, marriage to a German, sole entrepreneurship or study at a German university may also be prerequisites for obtaining a residence visa and a permanent residence permit. In all cases, obtaining citizenship must be preceded by the long-term residence in Germany.

Who can obtain a German passport?

Foreigners living in Germany can become German citizens if they fulfil a number of conditions. In general, these requirements include a long period of legal residence in Germany, a certain level of language skills and an understanding of life in German society. Let us consider these requirements in more detail.
Persons who are eligible for citizenship are those who:
1.Have been legally residing in Germany for:

• 8 years;
• 7 years if they have completed an integration course;
• 6 years with a language proficiency higher than B1;
• 3 years if 2 of them have been legally married or in a domestic partnership to a German passport holder.

2.Have an identity card and citizenship of their country.

3.Strictly obey the law, do not belong to any extremist organizations and do not support terrorist acts.

4.Have a residence permit (a permanent residence permit) in Germany.

5.Are citizens of the European Union or Switzerland.

6.Do not receive benefits in the form of Job seeker’s allowance or social assistance from the state. This also applies to the rest of the family.

7.Have no criminal record.

8.Confirmed their knowledge of German at least at level B1 and have the appropriate certificate.

9.Have the knowledge of the rules of German society (have passed the citizenship test).

Double citizenship in the territory of the FRG

If you plan to become a German citizen, be prepared to put an end to your country’s passport. The law definitely provides for exceptions to this rule in clearly defined cases. So can you have another citizenship in addition to your German one? Let’s have a good look at this question.
Multiple citizenship on the territory of Germany is allowed in the following cases:

• If one parent is German and the other is the citizen of another country, their child automatically acquires both nationalities at birth.
• Ethnic German returnees have the right to retain their former citizenship after receiving the appropriate certificate. In this case, their children born in Germany receive both German and their parents’ citizenship at birth.
• If a German citizen applies for double citizenship, he or she can acquire the foreign citizenship without giving up his or her own.
• In view of increasing European integration, EU citizens may not have to renounce their citizenship by obtaining German citizenship, and Germans may retain theirs by obtaining a second one as well.

Multiple citizenship obtained for one of the reasons mentioned above is usually passed on from parents to children and is retained. However, persons holding it may renounce their German nationality, as stated in Section 26 of the Nationality Act.

Despite the loyal attitude towards multiple citizenship, immigrants who obtain a German passport are forbidden by the state to retain their previous one. German law thus tries to prevent the creation of multiple citizenship through naturalization, but provides for special cases. To do so, the local naturalization authority must be contacted.

Rights of citizens

Persons who have a foreign citizenship in addition to their German one have the equal rights as all other German citizens in the FRG. In addition, they have the rights as citizens of their own country that are specified by law for such cases.
Also it should be noted that German embassies or consulates in other countries can only offer limited protection to people with dual nationality because they are primarily regarded and treated as citizens of their own country in the other country of their citizenship.
Our managers can answer all your questions about obtaining a residence permit, a permanent residence permit and, subsequently, a German passport. Often, to avoid long waits and repeating the same steps over and over again, it is better to entrust the work to the experienced specialists who would make your move and adaptation faster and more comfortable.

Employment for foreigners in Germany involves several stages: both the preparatory process – collecting documents and looking for jobs – and the process of finding an employer, sending your CV and being interviewed. How not to miss a chance and get a job of your dream? What can and can’t you put on your CV? How to compose a covering letter correctly? And in general, how to empress German employers? We will tell you in this article.

The ideal job seeker: what the employers are waiting for

Recruiters can go through hundreds of CVs for one single position. So if you really want to get the job, you should approach all stages of the employment process responsibly:

• Write a brief but capacious CV.
• Write a meaningful covering letter.
• Get an interview.

When going through these steps, you should be clear about what the employer is expecting from you and how to stand out from the rest of the of jobseekers.
What will determine whether you are the person who will be invited to the position you want?

Regulated professions (German: Reglementierte Berufe)

In order to be allowed to work in a regulated specialty you must have your professional qualifications recognized. Such professions in Germany are, for example, nurses, doctors or teachers.

1.The individual approach to each vacancy.

One of the mistakes that jobseekers make is rushing to send out more CVs for different jobs. However, each CV requires an individual approach. Look at the employer’s requirements, embrace the style of the corporation, talk to them through the CV in their language and style. Check for errors – HR managers pay attention to this as well.

2. Carefulness and accuracy.

The employer’s initial meeting with you will not be personal – his manager will first see your documents. They should be collected as required and put together in a certain order (if submitted in paper form). An electronic CV should also contain all the required list and be drawn up as applicable.
A good quality photo, taken in accordance with the company dress code, will draw attention: employers will appreciate your serious approach.
Keep in mind all the nuances when reading the vacancy; if it says that communication is by e-mail only, you shouldn’t call. If you want to know the outcome of your application, write to the e-mail address that was mentioned no earlier than 10-14 days after submitting the documents.

3. Clarity and concise.

A covering (motivational) letter must be enclosed with your CV for the job you want to apply for. While the CV briefly mentions your work experience, qualifications, and where you have studied and developed your skills (a CV is usually read fluently), the covering letter should describe your advantages in a clear and concise way: why you should be hired for the position and what the employing company will get from you.

4. Interest.

When going for a job interview, prepare for it. A German employer will appreciate it if you are aware of the activities the corporation conducts, know its history, read reviews, and be able to operate with this information. In this way, you can show that you are genuinely interested in the position and therefore you will be able to become a responsible employee. In addition, it will be easy for you to answer the question of why you want to join this particular company (corporation, firm).

5. Honesty and the ability to evaluate yourself objectively.

The interview can last from 15 minutes to an hour and during this time you will be asked all kinds of questions. Perhaps the employer (manager) will ask about your strengths and your weaknesses. It would be a mistake to praise yourself, as well as to talk unnecessarily about your pain points. Be honest. Try to evaluate yourself appropriately, noting that you are a quick learner, correcting mistakes and always working on your weaknesses in an effort to improve.

6. Strive for growth and development.

A German employer is unlikely to ask whether you have an understanding of the historical development of Germany or how friendly you are. But they do value coping skills, conflict management skills, teamwork skills and the desire to develop in your chosen profession. If you are given the chance to ask questions about the company during the interview, don’t say there are none, just ask! But inquire about the possibility of advanced training, internships, on-the-job training. Do not immediately raise a question about the length of vacation or the salary level.

Job search: tips for jobseekers

When you are looking for a suitable vacancy, remember that it is a lengthy process, and it will only be successful if you are taking a responsible approach to it. Also, don’t forget that you are chosen by a person, and rejection may have nothing to do with your professional qualities, work experience or skills. It is simply someone else’s subjective decision. Try to learn about all the standards of applying for a CV and being interviewed so that you can meet them as much as possible.

The managers of our agency will be able to help you at any stage:

• they will go through all the information resources with vacancies;
• they will select the most suitable ones according to your preferences and education;
• they will help you with writing your CV and covering letter;
• they will give a piece of advice about the interview process and look at all possible questions you might have to deal with.

Choosing your future occupational area, just like choosing a place of study, is a big and important step in the life of any graduating student. What if you already know that you want to receive particularly a German education? How do you get to study at a German university right after graduating from school in your own country? We will answer all of your questions in this article.

Getting into a German university: what a prospective university student needs to know

Every year thousands of high school leavers from all over the world come to Germany to get the European diploma. Foreign students can enter a university in this country after high school graduation only if the school leaving certificate they have received corresponds to the German Abitur (Higher School Certificate). It takes between 12 and 13 years to study here, so extended education or a preparation course will be necessary for admission to higher institution.

Applicants are entitled to apply to a university in Germany if they:

• have completed two courses of university (or four courses by correspondence) before 2015 (for Ukraine – before 2012) in their native country;
• received their Higher School Certificate in 2015 and later (for Ukraine – in 2012) and studied for one year at a university in the country of their birth or at a preparatory college in Germany – Studienkolleg.
• received their Higher School Certificate before 2015 (for Ukraine – before 2012) and completed their first year at a university or preparatory college in Germany.

Pre-university training for foreign applicants: peculiarities of studying at Studienkolleg

Studienkolleg in Germany is a special educational institution that prepares prospective students for entry into German universities. Studying at such a college allows you to level out the difference between the education systems of the two countries. Among the nuances of enrollment and studying at the college we can distinguish the following:

• For admission, you need a B1 or B2 language certificate (depending on the educational institution) in addition to your Higher School Certificate.
• Usually the documents are not submitted to the college itself, but to the institute of higher education in the federal land where it is located.
• Studying is free of charge, only a small semester fee of €100 – 150 is collected.
• All costs for accommodation, meals, insurance etc. are paid by the student himself/herself, so a bank account statement confirming that there is €10,236 in the account will be needed to open a student visa.
• The duration of training is one year. Lessons take about 30 hours a week, students study 5-7 subjects closely resembling the future specialty. Regular attendance at the lectures is compulsory, as well as almost every week turning in students’ papers. Each semester of study results with an examination period.
• There are several fields of education at the Studienkolleg. You should decide on your profession before you begin your course, so that you can choose the appropriate field of study.

Humanities Course (G-Kurs).

Prepares for earning a degree in psychology, history, art, law.

Economics Course (W-Kurs).

This course is suitable for applicants who plan to connect their life with management, sociology, sports economics, applied mathematics, computer skills, pedagogy, geography, etc.

Medical (Biology) course (M-Kurs).

Those who plan to become dentists, pharmacy technicians, veterinarians, chemists, biologists, ecologists, agronomists, etc., choose this course.

Language Course (S-Kurs).

Prepares you to study for a degree in philology. You will need two other languages (English and Russian, for example) for admission.

Technical Course (T-Kurs).

It is suitable for future specialists in the field of natural and technical sciences. To take this course you will need to pass an exam in mathematics or physics, but a high level of language proficiency is not required.

Studying in Germany: German Academic Exchange Service Grants

To improve your German language skills before entering a German university or a preparatory college, the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutsche: Gesellschaft für Arbeit), a social organization for the exchange of academics and students, offers an annual educational grant.
Grant programs are provided for all categories related to science, from second-year students and up to doctors habilitated. Every candidate has a chance to receive an educational grant – the main thing is to fill out and submit all the documents correctly.

Language Courses Grant

The program is an 18-day cross-cultural or language course at a German state university. The grant amounts to €850 plus travel allowance. This amount usually covers the full cost of meals, accommodation, travel and the course itself.
The following persons can apply for the grant:

• students who has completed their first year and is over 18 years old.
• teachers of German (up to 32 years old).

Applicants must have a language certificate level B1, technical and natural science students of regional universities – level A2.

Master’s Grant

The duration of the program can be from 10 to 24 months. The financial value of the grant is €850 per month, as well as partial allowance of travel expenses, health insurance cover, rental expenses, and an additional payment for accompanying family members (spouses and children).
The following persons can apply for the grant:

• graduates who finished their degree no more than six years ago;
• students in the graduating class of university;
• foreign students in the first year of a German Master’s program. In this case, the grant will cover the second year of study.

Among other documents, submitted with the application for a grant, the student must also provide an appropriate language certificate (in accordance with the requirements of the host institution), a curriculum vitae from an academic and a motivational letter (no more than three pages) with a story about himself or herself and an explanation of the reasons for choosing these particular Master’s programs.

Postgraduate Grant
For young learned persons DAAD offers short-term (up to 6 months) and annual (from 7 to 10 months) grant programs. The amount of the grant ranges from €750 to €1000 and assumes partial allowance of lodging and travel expenses. If necessary, the DAAD can also pay for language courses and the TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat certification examinations before the start of the project.
Candidates who may apply for a grant:

• students who received their degree no more than 6 years ago;
• Candidates of Sciences who defended their dissertations no more than 4 years ago;
• PhD students who started work on their dissertations or entered a PD program no more than 3 years ago.

Applicants who have been in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application filing, cannot go in for the competition.

In addition to the standard application package, candidates must also:
• find a supervisor for their work who agrees to give guidance on their project even before the program begins;
• get a recommendation from a former supervisor or academic;
• draw up a project description and a schedule for the project before submitting the application.
The comprehensive list of documents for all DAAD grant programs includes:

• a completed questionnaire:
• resume;
• a translated and certified copy of the diploma and its supplement;
• language certificate;
• motivational letter;
• curricula vitae from the previous place of study;
• certificates of attendance at conferences and completed internships.

In any of the above options, the applicant will also need to arrange a student visa, collecting and submitting all the necessary documents to the embassy.
The huge amount of paperwork to be prepared, the drafting of the motivational letter and other nuances of application filing and applying for a visa can be very difficult to understand on your own. Moreover, these processes need to be optimally coordinated to minimize the time to prepare for your departure and not to miss the application deadlines for the chosen semester. That is why you can entrust any of the stages to our agency managers, who, among other things:

• will help you to choose a university, an appropriate Studienkolleg and a suitable area of study;
• will determine the deadlines for submitting the documents for timely admission;
• will draw up and translate the necessary documents;
• will help you to put together a motivational letter in the right manner;
• will provide help and support with obtaining insurance and starting a bank account;
• will help you with finding and renting accommodation.