The Freshman students live and learn on our Freshman Campus in Geilenkirchen, Germany, from October to July.
The Freshman Program is structured so that all participants are well-prepared for the final exams. Details about the structure are shown in our academic calendar.
Depending on the track chosen, students have different courses. The performance in the courses during the Freshman Program and on the final exams are based on the German grading system.
Are you thinking about a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business & economics, or medicine, biology , psychology & health sciences in Germany?
Do your school certificates not allow you direct access to the German academic system?
Do you not yet know German?
Do you want to study in English or German in Germany?
Are you curious about studying in an intercultural environment?
The Freshman Program has the answers. We make access to the German university system easier for international students.
The Freshman Program, the foundation programme (Studienkolleg) at the FH Aachen, is a joint programme between the Freshman Institute of FH Aachen and the Aachen Institute of Applied Sciences (AcIAS e.V.).
A year in the Freshman Program will benefit you for a lifetime!
More than 300 students successfully complete the Freshman Program each year. Our motivated and engaged students are from all over the world. Depending on your study preferences and language skills, you can choose from three different tracks offered in the Freshman Program:
During the Freshman Program, students receive a solid preparation for university studies, including:
Engineering students in the English to German Track also complete practical training in the university laboratories.
Join our online seminar: What is the Freshman Program?
Depending upon your future studies, you will study either completely in German, completely in English or transition from English to German.
Learn more! Join our online presentations with Q&A: What is the Freshman Program?
Students who apply to specific Bachelor's degree programmes at the FH Aachen or one of our partner institutions are guaranteed a place in a Bachelor's programme after successfully completing the Freshman Program. See What Can You Study? for a list of our programmes with guaranteed admission. Our staff assists students with their university applications.
Freshmen students in the English to German Track complete internships in the FH Aachen university labs and workshops. Depending on their focus, these internships may be in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, bioanalytics, etc.
Included in the fees are the following:
In order to be admitted to the Freshman Program, you must either
or
Depending on your selected field of study (see What Can You Study?), knowledge of English OR German is required for admission.
Required language levels:
If you take the entrance exam, you do not have to submit a language certificate. You will be tested at the level mentioned below during the entrance exam. Students applying with TestAS must submit a language certificate.
For English Track FSP and English to German Track: English: IELTS 4.5 or TOEFL iBT 53. Prior knowledge of German is recommended but not required for admission.
or
For German Track FSP: German level B1 with 90% or B2
During the Freshman Program, students live in furnished double rooms with four to eight people in apartments in our student dormitories. Bedrooms are equipped with a bed, desk, chair, and wardrobe for clothing. Kitchens have a refrigerator, sink, stove with burners and oven and basic kitchen supplies. Washing machines are provided for the students. All rooms have free internet.
Students shop for and prepare their own meals. By cooking meals together in small groups, students can learn important life skills as well as explore food from other cultures.
Snack machines are available if you get hungry between meals.
We offer excursions, social activities, sports and music, including free music lessons on our instruments or yours. Student bands play at our social events.
Students play in weekly football (soccer), badminton, and basketball games and get creative at the Art Club. Students are welcome to suggest their own activities (D&D, dance, chess, book club, etc.).
Social events offer students the possibility to interact with the community of Geilenkirchen.
Yearly highlights include our winter party, the open house day in the spring and the football tournament.
The Freshman Program is an integral part of the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences and the Aachen Institute of Applied Sciences (AcIAS e.V.) that prepares international students for admission to German universities if their educational background requires additional qualifications. Participants from around the world live and learn in small groups on campus. Approximately 300 students complete the Freshman Program each year.
The FH Aachen is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Germany. With roughly 15,000 students, we focus on engineering, business and related fields. Theory and practice are closely interconnected in all programmes. The FH Aachen has a long tradition of internationalisation with about 25% international students. The FH Aachen ranks very highly in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering and business among the German universities of applied sciences.
Our Freshman Program campus is in Geilenkirchen, a small town of about 28,000 people in a green environment. Shopping, doctors, pharmacies and a hospital are within walking distance. Larger cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf or Aachen can be reached free of cost via public transport using the student travel ticket. The train station is less than two kilometres from campus and can be reached by bus or on foot.
To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Preparatory course
