Frequently Asked Questions
All About BIC's Studienkolleg
A Studienkolleg is a preparatory college that prepares international students for university studies in Germany. German universities typically require 13 years of education rather than 12. If an international student does not qualify for direct admission to German universities, they may qualify for a Studienkolleg and join a German university once they pass the Studienkolleg examinations.
The BIC program is either taught completely in English or completely in German.
You can choose whether you prefer the English or German program during your initial application.
BIC's program is 8 months long.
This year the program will begin on November 16th, 2026 and conclude on July 31st, 2027
BIC, or Berlin International College, is located in the capital of Germany - Berlin, at the station Treptower Park. Our exact address is: Martin-Hoffmann-Str. 18, 12435 Berlin, Germany
T-Course (Technical/Engineering) – for engineering, IT, or natural sciences
W-Course (Economics/Business) – for business, economics, and social sciences
After passing the BIC final examination you will be able to join a BIC partner university of your choice.
BIC is a private Studienkolleg.
Yes. The tuition fee for the entire program, course materials etc. is €10.860.
As a private Studienkolleg BIC offers a specialized program and special services and support to students during their studies which are financed through the tuition fees.
Yes. Students may pay in installments.
The first installment (€5.430) is due four weeks after receiving your acceptance letter.
The second installment (€5.430) is due latest two weeks before the start of your program.
Yes. Graduates of BIC will continue on to a partner university in the program of their choice.
BIC students spend c.a. 35 hours a week attending classes.
Currently BIC does not offer scholarships.
BIC does not offer accommodation. We are, however, partnered with various accomodation providers that make finding a place to live in Berlin much easier.
BIC Entry Requirements and Application
No. BIC bases your eligibility on your previous high school final certificate and English language skills.
1.) Final high school leaving certificate
2.) IELTS, PTE, Cambridge Certificate
3.) A copy of your passport
Simply click here or on the apply now button at the top right of the page.
You can expect to hear back from us within 3 business days regarding your application.
Yes. The application fee is €195 and payable over Flywire or direct bank transfer.
Yes! Each applicant will have their own personal study advisory team to help them with the entire process - from initial application all the way until you reach Berlin.
Please always feel free to reach out to our study advisory team in case of questions: click here!
BIC's Partner Universities
BIC has many partner universities, both private and public, where students may study after completing the program. To see a full list of our partners click here!
BIC offers both IT/Engineering and Business study tracks. We currently have over 100+ study programs in these areas. To see a full list of the study programs at our partner universities click here!
Yes! During the application you can select up to three partner universities and study programs. We will contact the university and do the rest for you.
BIC is partnered with both public and private universities.
Our public university partners charge low semester fees.
Our private university partners charge higher study fees, but students benefit from small class sizes, more personalized support, and professional networking opportunities.
Student Life in Berlin
Students in Berlin spend €950 to €1,400 per month on average, depending mainly on rent and lifestyle.
Yes! Students may work up to 20 hours per week with their student visa.
No. While a part-time job may off set some of your living costs, it is not enough to cover everything.
Yes! Berlin is arguably Germany's most international city. While German skills will always help you to navigate and adjust to life in Berlin, it is not a requirement to survive.
Plenty!
Berlin has the most museums of any city in Germany, and students often receive reduced or free entrance. Furthermore Berlin is one of the liveliest cities in Europe with thousands of cultural events, restaurants, and activities.
The price of accommodation varies depending on location and type of flat.
Shared flat (WG – Wohngemeinschaft): €450 – €750
Private studio apartment: €750 – €1,200+
Yes! Berlin has an extremely well-connected public transportation system which includes buses, trams, subways, short and long-distance trains.
Students can subscribe to the Germany Ticket (€63 per month) which allows them to take all forms of public transportation across the entire country - with the exception of long-distance trains.
Yes. Students are legally required to have a valid health insurance policy while studying in Germany. BIC provides and assists students in booking a valid health insurance during the admissions process and after their arrival.
Study Visa for Germany
Yes. All international students from non-EU countries require a student visa to study in Germany.
Applying for a visa to study in Germany varies on your country of origin. Click on the following link to find out the specifics for your home country: Homepage - Consular Services Portal.
1.) BIC Acceptance Letter + Conditional University Admission Letter
(Received from BIC during the admissions process)2.) Passport (valid beyond one year)
4.) English Proficiency Certificate (min. B2, i.e. IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 72, Cambridge B2)
5.) Final High School Certificate
6.) BIC Payment Receipt
(Available for download over Flywire)7.) APS Certificate (China, India, Vietnam)
(To confirm your high school diploma)8.) Letter of Motivation (if applicable)
9.) CV/Resume
10.) Proof of Health Insurance (Mawista, Expatrio etc.)
The timeline for processing study visas for Germany varies greatly depending on the country. Please consult your local German embassy to find out more about the current processing times.
If your visa is rejected please inform us immediately and send us the rejection letter you received from the German embassy. Based upon the reasoning for the rejection we offer you personalized support to decide what the best next steps are. In most cases students simply reapply for the visa after a rejection, which is often successful after the second time.
Yes. If your visa is rejected you will receive a partial refund. Please note that a 10% administrative fee along with the proportional course costs (pro rata temporis) will be kept.
A Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) is required in most cases for students to receive a student visa to study in Germany. This special type of bank account allows students to prove their financial stability to the German embassy. Below you will find all the details of how to open a blocked account.
To set up the blocked account, you must deposit €11,904 and you can withdraw up to €992 each month to cover your first year living expenses while in Germany.
Normally students will only need a blocked account for their first year in Germany. After the funds are used, students simply use their normal bank account. Please note that the immigration office may ask you for further proof of financial stability when you extend your visa.
Yes. Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week on a study visa.
Yes. Students are legally required to have a valid health insurance policy while studying in Germany. BIC provides and assists students in booking a valid health insurance during the admissions process and after their arrival.