Home · Foundation year · Rheinisches Studienkolleg

Private foundation college · Berlin

A Berlin foundation year, paced to your German.

Rheinisches Studienkolleg in Berlin prepares you for the external Feststellungsprüfung, recognised at every German state university. You can start from B1, and the lower your level, the earlier you join, so you get more preparation before the exam.

Duration
~10 months · 28 lessons a week
Fee
€6,490, both semesters
Courses
M · T · W · G/S
Entry
From B1, level sets start
Your German sets your start
Summer 2026 start
11 May 2026
Earliest start, the longest run-up to B2 and the exam.

Lower level, earlier start, more preparation. Winter dates follow the same rule.


What it is

The external FSP, recognised across Germany.

Rheinisches Studienkolleg Berlin is a private foundation college that prepares international applicants for the external Feststellungsprüfung (FSP). With your school certificate, the FSP qualifies you to apply for a bachelor's place at any German state university, and the certificate is recognised at all of them.

Each course runs about ten months at 28 lessons a week, with mandatory attendance. You can switch between classroom and online teaching. There is also a Bonn campus.


Why this route

What sets the Berlin college apart.

A start paced to you

Join earlier with a lower level and later with a higher one, so weaker German buys you more preparation time.

Four focus courses

M, T, W and G/S cover medicine through humanities, including the language-focused S variant.

Recognised everywhere

The external FSP certificate counts at all German state universities, not only in Berlin.

Classroom or online

Lessons are taught in person, and you can switch between on-site and online study.

Berlin or Bonn

Study in Berlin-Mitte, with a second campus in Bonn if that suits you better.

Residence-permit support

Once admitted, the college issues the documents you need to apply for or extend your residence permit.


The courses

Four courses, each tied to its exam subjects.

Choose the course that matches your degree. Select one to see its subjects and FSP exam.

MMedicine

M-course · medicine, biology & pharmacy

For medical, biological and pharmacy degrees.

Subjects
GermanBiologyPhysicsChemistry
FSP written
GermanBiologyPhysics
FSP oral
Chemistry
Exam held at the Cologne district government (Bezirksregierung Köln).
TTechnical

T-course · engineering, natural sciences & maths

For engineering, technical and mathematical degrees.

Subjects
GermanMathsPhysicsChemistryComputer science
FSP written
GermanMathsPhysics
FSP oral
ChemistryComputer science
Exam held at TU Berlin, with the application made through uni-assist. Registration needs C1 German.
WBusiness

W-course · economics & social sciences

For economics, business administration and social-science degrees.

Subjects
GermanMathsEconomics (VWL)EnglishBusiness (BWL)Economic history
FSP written
GermanMathsEconomics
FSP oral
English
Exam held at TU Berlin, application through uni-assist. Registration needs C1 German.
G/SHumanities

G/S-course · humanities, cultural & social sciences

For the humanities, with the S variant focused on languages.

Subjects
GermanHistorySocial studiesGerman literatureEnglish (S-course)
FSP written
GermanHistorySocial studies
FSP oral
German literature
Exam held at the Cologne district government (Bezirksregierung Köln).

The four courses at a glance.

Course Starts Duration German to start FSP exam
MM-courseSummer or winter~10 monthsFrom B1Bezirksregierung Köln
TT-courseSummer or winter~10 monthsFrom B1TU Berlin
WW-courseSummer or winter~10 monthsFrom B1TU Berlin
G/SG/S-courseSummer or winter~10 monthsFrom B1Bezirksregierung Köln

Subjects can vary by federal state and exam centre. Exam centres also operate in Berlin, Cologne and Nordhausen.


Your entry point

Your German level sets your start date.

You can begin from B1. To register for the FSP you reach B2 during the course, and TU Berlin asks for C1. The college slots you into the start that gives you the right runway.

IntakeYour levelStart date
Summer 2026B1 certificate11 May 2026
B2, not yet official15 Jun 2026
Official B217 Aug 2026
Winter 2026/27B1 certificate9 Nov 2026
B2, not yet official4 Jan 2027
Official B21 Feb 2027

Accepted B2 certificates for FSP registration: telc B2, Goethe B2, ÖSD ZB2, TestDaF (TDN 3 in all sections), DSH-1 and DSD II. Places are limited, so we apply early.


The journey

From application to a German university place.

One line, four steps: apply, sit the foundation year, pass the external FSP, then enrol.


The exam

How the Feststellungsprüfung runs.

Where you sit it

  • T and W courses: at TU Berlin, applied for through uni-assist online.
  • M, G and S courses: at the Cologne district government, applied for by post.
  • A confirmed admission from a Berlin university, applied for in parallel via uni-assist, is required.

The format

  • Held twice a year, with a written and an oral part.
  • Written main subjects last 180 minutes, written German lasts 240 minutes.
  • The oral exam gives 30 minutes of preparation and a 20-minute exam.

Costs

€6,490 for the full course.

€6,490 Both semesters
What you payCost
Covers all teaching units across both semesters€6,490
Invoiced after a positive admission decisionOn admission
Exact fee can depend on your entry level and startConfirmed for you

About Schüler-BAföG

The college is recognised for German school funding (Schüler-BAföG), a grant with no repayment. Most international students who come to Germany only to study do not qualify, so we set expectations honestly and check your case before counting on it.


Entry & application

What you need, and what we do.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the next start. Places are limited, so we apply early.

  • KMK-qualifying certificateA school-leaving certificate that qualifies you for a Studienkolleg, checkable on anabin.kmk.org.
  • German from B1Start from B1 and reach B2 for FSP registration. C1 is needed for the FSP at TU Berlin.
  • Parallel university admissionFor the FSP you also need a confirmed admission from a Berlin university via uni-assist.
  • Course fee€6,490, invoiced after a positive admission decision.
Apply via Laghbani Consulting

We handle the whole process.

Foundation Year €599
  • Match your course and the start date to your German level
  • Document collection, translation and certification
  • Submit to the college and run the parallel uni-assist application
  • Handle the admission and residence-permit documents
  • Add Pre-Arrival or Premium later for the full visa and arrival service
Apply with the Foundation Year package

Apply through us on the Foundation Year package (Studienkolleg, €599), guided from documents to your admission letter.

No B1 yet?

You can take a German course with the college's partner language school and receive a combined invitation and admission package for your student visa application.

Berlin or Bonn

The main campus is in Berlin-Mitte on Michaelkirchstraße. A second campus operates in Bonn, so you can choose the city that suits you.


Questions

Rheinisches, answered.

Is the FSP recognised outside Berlin?

Yes. The external Feststellungsprüfung certificate counts at all German state universities, not only in Berlin, so it does not tie you to one region.

Can I really start at B1?

Yes. You can begin from B1, and a lower level means an earlier start with more preparation. You reach B2 during the course for FSP registration, and C1 is needed for the FSP at TU Berlin.

Berlin or Bonn, and is it online?

The main campus is in Berlin-Mitte, with a second campus in Bonn. Lessons are taught in person, and you can switch between on-site and online study.

What does the €6,490 cover?

It covers all teaching units across both semesters and is invoiced after a positive admission decision. The exact fee can depend on your entry level and start, which we confirm for you.

Berlin, on your timeline

Let's find the start date that fits your German.

One call confirms your recognition, the right course and the intake that gives you the runway you need.