Student case study · Germany
Roshan, from Butwal to Hamburg
Studienkolleg, then BSc Computer Science, Studienkolleg from September 2024; bachelor's from October 2025
No direct entry after +2. A year of German in Kathmandu and a Studienkolleg place got him into a tuition-free bachelor's.
- After +2
- Studienkolleg
- German B1
- Starting point
- +2 science, GPA 3.31
- English
- German B1 (Goethe), IELTS 6.5
- Study gap
- 1 year after +2, learning German
- Paid for by
- Family savings and a sponsor's declaration from an uncle
- First call to visa
- 373 days
Where Roshan started
Roshan finished +2 science in Butwal and wanted computer science in Germany, because public universities charge no tuition. He'd been told by friends that an English-taught bachelor's would let him skip German and skip the foundation year.
His family could afford Germany's living costs. They couldn't afford a private university's tuition.
What we found
We checked his +2 against the German rules: a Nepali +2 on its own doesn't give direct entry to a German bachelor's. He had two routes: a year of a related bachelor's in Nepal, or a Studienkolleg foundation year in Germany, which needs German at B1 to B2 and an entrance test.
English-taught bachelor's at public universities are few and very competitive. We told him so, and that the realistic route was a year of German first. It meant a gap year, which we documented with his Goethe course records.
Step by step, with dates
12 Jul 2023
First counselling. Both routes explained in writing, with costs and timelines.
Aug 2023 to Jun 2024
German classes in Kathmandu; B1 certificate in June 2024.
15 Jan 2024
Applications to 3 public Studienkollegs.
10 Apr 2024
Invitation to the Hamburg entrance test.
Apr 2024
Blocked account opened and funded.
11 Jun 2024
Studienkolleg place confirmed after the test.
21 Jun 2024
Visa appointment at the German Embassy, Kathmandu.
19 Jul 2024
Visa issued for the Studienkolleg, 373 days after the first call (most of it learning German).
2 Sep 2024
Flies to Hamburg.
Jul 2025
Passes the Studienkolleg final exam; admitted to BSc Computer Science for October 2025.
The result
Roshan started his bachelor's in October 2025, with no tuition, only the semester contribution. He works 2 days a week at a supermarket and has his German at B2.
In Roshan's words
I wanted the shortcut. They showed me there wasn't one, and how much the long way would cost. The long way is working.
If your profile looks like this
- 1
After +2, plan for Studienkolleg or a year of study in Nepal. Germany rarely lets you skip both. See Germany entry rules.
- 2
Start German at least a year early. B1 is the usual minimum for the Studienkolleg entrance test.
- 3
A gap spent learning German is a good gap. Keep the course records for your visa file.
Everything about studying in Germany: cost, process and fees
