Wildau Foundation Year (WFY) is a one-year or a one-and-a-half-year study preparation programme for international students, facilitating their entry into the German academic world through preparatory studies. The core elements of WFY are language studies (Colloquial and Technical/Academic German) and subject-specific courses in IT, Mathematics, Physics, and Business/Economics. This integrative, modularised academic programme prepares international students for their studies at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau (TH Wildau) and partner universities. With regard to facilitating the integration of international students, WFY has two key aspects:
The WFY follows two professional tracks, engineering and business, geared specifically towards the courses offered at TH Wildau. The programme team supports participants in selecting a course of study tailored to their professional interests. It offers them the opportunity to develop their subject-specific knowledge and language skills in order to meet the requirements of their chosen degree programme after the completion of the study preparation programme. WFY offers international students a preview of different undergraduate study programmes.
The Wildau Foundation Year offers training and support in:
The programme runs for either two or three semesters and comprises three main areas of competence:
Language training and specialised courses are the focus of each semester.
In the one-year programme, colloquial and academic German is supplemented by academic English as well as subject-specific and laboratory courses.
In the one-and-a-half-year-programme, the first semester consists of colloquial German language classes only. In the second and third semesters, academic German, the subject-specific and laboratory courses are mandatory elements of the WFY programme.
The lectures are supported by field trips to companies, research institutions, and museums as well as political and cultural institutions in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region.
Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau has two departments:
Students graduating from the Wildau for You (WFY) programme can apply for the study subject of their choice after successfully passing the final WFY exams and the German language exam DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang - the German language exam for admission to a university).
One-year programme (requires B1 certificates in both German and English): 10,200 EUR (+ 934 EUR living costs/month)
The tuition fee includes all costs for participation in the programme, including a blocked account for one year or one and a half years with 934 EUR monthly (includes teaching fee, costs for examination and language test, teaching materials, semester ticket, and administrative cost but excludes visa fees, pocket money, and registration fee).
After the tuition fee has been paid, applicants will receive their final admission confirmation together with a bank statement proving that they have paid the university the amount for the blocked account and proof of health insurance.
The programme addresses international applicants who are interested in studying in Germany, but are not yet eligible to study at a German university. In order to join the one-year programme, applicants need German and English language skills at a level B1, according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). For the one-and-a-half-year programme, no German language competence is needed, but English language skills need to be at a level B2, according to CEFR.
In addition, applicants must prove:
The Wildau Foundation Year addresses school graduates lacking German higher education admission requirements. Applicants for the one-year WFY programme must have a proven knowledge of both German and English proficiency at level B1 according to CEFR. Applicants for the one-and-a-half-year WFY programme can join the WFY programme without basic knowledge of German language, but they must have English proficiency at level B2 according to CEFR.
The accommodation for WFY participants will be located either in Wildau, Königs Wusterhausen / Niederlehme, or Berlin.
The student accommodation, as organised by TH Wildau, provides shared kitchens in which students can prepare breakfast and supper. Supermarkets, where students can buy food and soft drinks, are within walking distance of the dorms.
For lunch, the cafeteria ("Mensa" in German) offers a regular choice of four different meals, including vegetarian and vegan options. Moreover, the cafeteria offers a "veggie day" once a week.
Orientation week, excursions, sport courses, etc.
Technische Hochschule Wildau – Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau (TH Wildau) is one of four universities of applied sciences in the state of Brandenburg. By combining the familiarity of a small, compact campus with its proximity to the international metropolis of Berlin, TH Wildau offers the best of both worlds.
A modern campus university on Berlin's doorstep
The university opened its doors in 1991 with just 17 students in the mechanical engineering degree programme. Today, there are around 3,300 students, ensuring that TH Wildau keeps its familiar atmosphere. On a modern campus with a direct rail connection to Berlin, aspiring academics enjoy an ideal environment for their studies in a range of disciplines covering the natural sciences, engineering, economics, law, business administration, and management.
Practical and application-oriented
The practical orientation of the degree programmes is one of the distinctive characteristics of TH Wildau. Students can carry out practical exercises and experiments with top-quality laboratory and computer technology. An optimal study environment allows creativity and enthusiasm so that research can flourish.
Close interaction between the university and the economy
Its potential for scientific innovation and development is what makes TH Wildau a desirable partner for innovative small and medium-sized businesses as well as large international firms.
Collaborations include giving input into designing the curricula for our degree programmes, project work for students within the companies, and joint research activities. This allows students to gain valuable practical experience in various fields even before they have completed their studies, thus making them an attractive choice for businesses when starting their careers.
Excellent international networking
An international and intercultural outlook shapes each working day at the university. Young people from over 80 countries around the world study at TH Wildau. About one in six students comes from abroad.
TH Wildau actively promotes international exchanges for students and researchers. It is for these reasons that the university cooperates with more than 75 partner universities around the world. TH Wildau has contacts through its traditional partnerships in Eastern and Southern Europe as well as through links to Asia, Latin America, the Arab world, and Africa. Students have a wide range of attractive options for spending a semester studying or working abroad, for learning foreign languages, and for interacting with other cultures.
A strong research university
TH Wildau has a strong research focus. In comparison to other small universities of applied sciences, it has done exceptionally well in obtaining third-party funding. Academics work in over 40 research groups dealing with the latest topics in applied and fundamental research. This has given the university its reputation as a centre of excellence in various scientific disciplines.
TH Wildau is located approx. 45 minutes south-east from the centre of Germany's capital city Berlin.
Green, interconnected campus
TH Wildau is a campus university. The teaching and administration buildings, dining room, and library are all located on an interconnected campus by the Wildau "S-Bahn" train station, with direct access to Berlin. This makes studying in Wildau exceptionally convenient.
Modern infrastructure with tradition
The campus is located on a historic industrial and manufacturing site. Where once locomotives were built in vast production halls, today people study, teach, and research. Some of the teaching and laboratory facilities of the TH Wildau are housed within these historic walls, while others are housed in new buildings. This extraordinary mix of old and new continues to attract students and visitors with a passion for architecture.
Prizewinning university library
TH Wildau has a state-of-the-art library in an architecturally dazzling industrial production hall. In 2012, it was nominated "Library of the Year" and not without reason. With its wide range of forward-looking services, the library is quite innovative, and it is setting new standards by developing novel technical solutions for library organisation. Last but not least, the library is open for student access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Language course/short course
