Unfortunately, this course has already ended.
The Freshman College at the Academy of Ruhr-University Bochum prepares international applicants, who do not yet meet all the admission requirements for studying at a German university, for a BSc course at the Ruhr-University Bochum.
The programme is divided into two semesters of 19 weeks each, i.e. a total of 38 weeks. Including two weeks of Christmas vacation and all public holidays, the Freshman College runs for about 10 months. The programme begins on Monday, 14 September 2026 and the first semester ends on 5 February 2027. There is a two-week Christmas break from 18 December 2026 to 4 January 2027. The second semester runs from 8 February 2027 to 18 June 2027. The final exams with TestAS and TestDaF will then take place at the latest.
The Freshman College is exclusively taught in German. Students need at least a completed German A2 language certificate to apply. Over the course of the Freshman College, students will improve their German language skills to C1 level.
After successfully completing the Freshman College by passing the TestAS and TestDaF final examinations, students are guaranteed to be offered a place in all of our scientific and engineering subjects at Ruhr-University Bochum.
Please note: Unlike other “Studienkollegs” in Germany, the Freshman College of the Academy of the Ruhr-University does not(!) conclude with a so-called “Feststellungsprüfung” (FSP). This saves you the fees that other providers charge for this assessment method. Another advantage: the final exam via TestAS and TestDaF is very flexible and allows you to tailor your preparation. However, you cannot transfer to any German university after graduation, but only to the designated BSc programmes at Ruhr-University Bochum.
Included in the fees are the following:
As a participant in our Freshman College, students will be enrolled at Ruhr-University Bochum. They are not yet an official student but have the status of a “Kollegiate”. This means that they are not yet allowed to attend lectures and seminars at the university (this will only happen when they officially start their studies after successfully passing the Freshman College final exam) – but they can take advantage of the wide range of offers at RUB, such as discounted meals at the different canteens (Mensen), the cultural and sports programme.
Applicants need a school-leaving certificate that entitles them to study at a university in their home country.
If you are unsure whether your school-leaving certificate is sufficient to apply to a preparatory college (Studienkolleg) in Germany, kindly check this DAAD database for clarification.
For any further questions, please contact freshman-college@akademie.ruhr-uni-bochum.de.
The Freshman College is exclusively taught in German.
A completed German A2 language certificate is the minimum requirement to apply for the Freshman College.
Before being admitted to the Freshman College, we carry out an onSET language placement test to see whether your German language skills are sufficient / on A2 level. This is done online and quickly – the onSET takes a maximum of 40 minutes.
For the first two weeks, all Freshmen will be accommodated together in rooms at the Language Institute (LSI) of Ruhr-University Bochum. The costs for this period are already included in the Freshman College fee.
Our experience shows that it is very beneficial for a relaxed arrival in the new environment to have a place on-site and also to get to know your new fellow students straight away. This allows you to make contacts immediately and not feel alone from day one!
After the first two weeks, students will have to book and pay for their own room. We are happy to help with this and put students in touch with private student accommodation providers. We also provide a list of other options if students prefer to live more cheaply and look for a room in a shared flat, for example.
If you have any questions, of course, we will be happy to help you!
Students can take advantage of the huge range of sports on offer at RUB, from aerobics to basketball, from archery to diving, from climbing to soccer or from karate to Zumba, and make full use of all the courses to work out! They also have the opportunity to work out in the university’s own fitness studio, “Unifit”.
The status as a RUB fellow also allows them to take advantage of cultural offers at a reduced price. Thanks to a cooperation with the Schauspielhaus Bochum, they can get flat rate tickets at low prices and watch great plays.
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