Germany guide · After +2
How to study in Germany after +2 from Nepal
A Nepali +2 on its own usually doesn't get you into a German bachelor's. You have two routes: a one-year foundation course in Germany called a Studienkolleg, which needs German at about B1 to B2 and an entrance test, or a year of a related bachelor's in Nepal first. Either way, plan for about 2 years from today to your first lecture.
Written byKamal Pandey, Senior counsellorHandles UK and Germany files, from shortlist to visa appointment.
Checked byRabindra Joshi, Head of complianceChecks every money and visa page against the official source.
Published · 5 min read
The two routes at a glance
- Route 1
- Studienkolleg in Germany: one year, taught in German, ends in an exam
- Route 2
- One year of a related bachelor's in Nepal, then apply directly
- German needed
- About B1 to B2 for the Studienkolleg entrance test
- Tuition
- None at public Studienkollegs and most public universities
- Time to your bachelor's
- About 2 years from starting German
Each university and Studienkolleg sets its own rules; we check them for your marks in the year you apply.
Why a Nepali +2 isn't direct entry
Germany compares every foreign school certificate with its own Abitur, which takes 13 years. A Nepali +2 is 12 years, so German universities usually ask for one more year of preparation before a bachelor's. The rules for each country are published in the anabin database, and universities or uni-assist check your documents against them. A Nepali +2 doesn't need an APS certificate; an Indian one does.
That's why friends who say "just apply to an English bachelor's and skip German" are usually wrong. English-taught bachelor's at public universities are few and very competitive, and they still need the extra year.
The first route, a Studienkolleg in Germany
A Studienkolleg is a one-year foundation course at or near a German university. It's taught in German and ends with an exam, the Feststellungsprüfung, which gives you the right to start a bachelor's in your field.
| Course | Leads to |
|---|---|
| T course | Engineering, computer science, maths, natural sciences |
| W course | Business and economics |
| M course | Medicine, biology, pharmacy |
| G and S courses | Humanities, social sciences, languages |
- Entrance test: public Studienkollegs set an entrance test, usually in German and maths. You apply from Nepal and travel only if you're invited and pass.
- German: most ask for about B1 to B2 before the test. From zero, that's usually 8 to 12 months of classes in Kathmandu.
- Cost: public Studienkollegs charge no tuition, only a semester contribution. You still need the €11,904 blocked account for living costs, and the visa.
- Places are limited. Apply to several Studienkollegs, because each takes a small group.
Roshan, one of our students in Hamburg, took this route after +2 science in Butwal: a year of German in Kathmandu, B1, the Hamburg entrance test, the Studienkolleg, then computer science. From his first call to his visa took 373 days, most of it learning German.
The second route, a year of university in Nepal
Many German universities accept Nepali students who have finished one year of a bachelor's at a recognised university in Nepal, in a related subject. You then apply directly to the German bachelor's, without a Studienkolleg.
- It must be related. A year of BSc CSIT supports a German computer science application; a year of BBS doesn't.
- Pass every subject. Universities want to see the full year completed, with transcripts.
- You still need the language. German-taught degrees need German at about C1. English-taught ones need IELTS 6.5 or equal.
This route suits students who'd rather study in Nepal for a year at home costs, or who are already enrolled. It doesn't suit students who want to leave soon, because TU and other universities' calendars can delay that first year.
Which route fits you
| Studienkolleg in Germany | One year in Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | German, B1 to B2 for the test | German C1 or IELTS, for the degree |
| Where you spend the year | Germany, on a blocked account | Nepal, at home costs |
| Cost of that year | About Rs 22 to 25 lakh of living costs | Nepali college fees |
| Risk | Entrance test and limited places | Delays in Nepali exam calendars |
| Best for | Students ready to learn German now | Students already in a related bachelor's |
If you can't commit to German at all, Germany after +2 is probably the wrong choice. Look at Finland or the Netherlands, where many bachelor's are taught in English and a strong +2 can be enough.
Timeline and money for the Studienkolleg route
- Months 1 to 10: German classes in Kathmandu up to B1 or B2, and your IELTS if you'll need it later.
- 6 to 9 months before the start: apply to several Studienkollegs. Each sets its own deadline, often in mid-January or mid-July, and some test in spring for an autumn start.
- When invited: open and fund the blocked account after your NOC, and book the visa appointment at the German Embassy in Kathmandu.
- In Germany: the entrance test, then one year of the Studienkolleg, then the final exam.
- About 2 years after you started German: your bachelor's begins.
Count the Studienkolleg year in your family's budget. Our cost of studying in Germany guide has the full year in rupees, city by city.
