VORsprung: A digital head start for Engineering and Science studies in Germany

Internationale Studierende führen ein Chemie-Experiment in einer deutschen Hochschule durch

With the free, digital study preparation programme VORsprung, we want to make a significant contribution to attracting international first-year students in the STEM field and ensuring their academic success, while offering universities a simple and innovative way to utilize alternative university admission routes.

About VORsprung

Most prospective students from non-EU countries pursue studies in STEM subjects. At the same time the demand for well-prepared international students at German universities remains unabated. The existing offers for study preparation measures mainly rely on face-to-face teaching formats, which are either affiliated with universities in the form of preparatory courses or operate as independent units. However, these are naturally limited to a smaller number of possible participants.

This is where the free, digital study preparation programme VORsprung comes in: We prepare international prospective students and prospective students in Germany with a refugee background, regardless of their location, for a STEM degree in Germany – including taking the TestAS and TestDaF entrance exams.

Upon completion, VORsprung graduates receive university admission for selected degree programmes at our partner universities.

How Can I Participate in VORsprung?

Are you interested in studying a STEM subject in Germany and need to attend a preparatory college?

Then apply to VORsprung! You can find all the information you need on our application page.
Are you a German university interested in becoming a VORsprung partner and attracting well-educated prospective STEM students? Then please contact us via vorsprung at daad.de.

Participation in VORsprung is subject to the legally established alternative university entrance requirements in your federal state. Here you will find an overview of our partner universities.

VORsprung is advertised twice a year for prospective students.

What Does the VORsprung Programme Involve?

The thorough, standardized technical preparation for studying in Germany covers the subjects of the technology course (T-course) at a German preparatory college (Studienkolleg): mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science. Participants take two of the four modules: the mathematics module plus another subject module (depending on their desired field of study).

The teaching materials for VORsprung were developed by preparatory colleges (Studienkollegs) and universities during the first phase of the project (2021-2024) and are available under open licenses, unless otherwise indicated.
The language entry level for VORsprung is B2 (CEFR). Participants complete modules from Deutsch-Uni Online (DUO) and are prepared specifically for the TestDaF.

Prospective students with language skills at level B1 (CEFR) can also participate in VORsprung. However, they must first complete a four-week intensive German course.
As an online course, VORsprung requires a high degree of personal responsibility and motivation. To provide participants with the best possible support, contact persons are available on the learning platform:
- Tutors for subject-specific support in weekly online tutorials, for online consultations, and for correcting submitted assignments
- The DAAD Community Management to connect participants and provide assistance with non-subject-related questions
- Support for technical problems
At the end of the programme, participants take both the TestAS and the TestDaF, which are offered regularly in test centers worldwide in digital or paper form.

Schedule

The programme lasts up to 35 weeks:

4 weeks of intensive German language course (only for participants with language entry level B1)
2 weeks of onboarding and start of the regular German course
26 weeks of subject-specific and language preparation, including 2 weeks of vacation
3 weeks of TestDaF training
TestAS & TestDaF depending on available dates

Funded by the DAAD with funds from the German Federal Foreign Ministry

About VORsprung

How Can I Participate in VORsprung?

Applying as a Prospective Student

Become a German Partner University

What Does the VORsprung Programme Involve?

Technical Preparation

Language Preparation

Teaching and Support

Exams

Schedule