Study preparation programmes and application
Viadrina Fast Track
The Viadrina Fast Track is designed for international high school graduates with an indirect university entrance qualification for Germany who are interested in studying at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder). From July to September each year, the participants complete a 3-month preparatory course (propaedeuticum), after which they can start their studies at the European University Viadrina directly in October.
For the Viadrina Fast Track, you can choose between the fields of Social and Cultural Studies and Business Administration and Economics. After successfully completing the Viadrina Fast Track, you can study in the following degree programmes (taught in German) in the previously chosen field:
- Social and Cultural Studies: Bachelor's degree programme Kultur und Gesellschaft or Bachelor's degree programme Recht und Politik | Politik und Recht
- Business Administration and Economics: Bachelor's degree programme Internationale Betriebswirtschaftslehre (IBWL) or Bachelor's degree programme Recht und Wirtschaft | Wirtschaft und Recht
The participation in the programme and the subsequent studies are free of charge.
In the first year of study, the best applicants will receive a scholarship totalling 3,000 euros (subject to availability of funding).
Please find further information about the Viadrina Fast Track also in our flyers.
After a successful application for the Viadrina Fast Track, you will attend a preparatory course from July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2027. The curriculum includes:
- Social and Cultural Studies: specialised preparatory courses in the disciplines of cultural history, literary studies, linguistics and comparative social sciences
- Business Administration and Economics: specialised preparatory courses in the disciplines of business administration, economics and mathematics
- If required: German course and a preparation course for the German Language Test for University Admission (DSH)
- Other subject-related, methodological and intercultural courses
- Activities to help you arrive and settle in Germany
After successfully attending all subject-related preparatory courses, participants will attend the so-called university entrance examination (Hochschulzugangsprüfung, abbr. HZP). If the HZP in the chosen field - and, if required the German Language Test for University Admission (DSH) - is passed, admission to the selected Bachelor's degree programme at the European University Viadrina will be granted from October 2027 on. The standard period of study for the Bachelor's degree programme is six semesters.
The costs for participation in the Viadrina Fast Track are covered by the European University Viadrina. This includes the following costs:
- Language and subject-related courses
- Teaching and teaching materials
- Tutorials and workshops
- Cultural and social programme
- Costs for supervision and support
All other costs not mentioned above need to covered by yourself. This includes costs for additional private health insurance for the period of the period of the preparatory programme in the summer of 2027 and costs for accommodation and meals. These costs amount to around 650-800 euros per month.
In the first year of study, the best applicants will receive a scholarship totalling 3,000 euros (subject to availability of funding).
If you want to apply for the Viadrina Fast Track, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- School-leaving certificate in your home country
- High school graduate with an indirect university entrance qualification for Germany
- German language skills at least on B2 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) (e.g. DSD II school-leaving certificate)
- At least 17 years old on October 1, 2027
- Interested in culture and historiy or economics and maths
Please note the following information:
- With a B2 language certificate at the start of the programme (July 2027), you must attend a German course in July and August 2027 and also a preparation course for the DSH exam in September 2027. You must pass the subsequent DSH exam with DSH-2 in order to be able to start studying at the European University Viadrina.
- A C1 language certificate (e.g. DSD II with C1 in all four sections or TestDaF with at least TDN 4 in all four sections) exempts you from all further language examinations, provided that this certificate is recognised as equivalent to DSH-2 within the framework of the DSH examination regulations of the European University Viadrina. Attendance of the German and DSH course during the preparatory course is then not required.
Application Process
The application procedure for the Viadrina Fast Track comprises three stages: At the beginning, you submit your written application documents. The application deadline is expected to be in January 2027. The exact deadline will be announced on this homepage in autumn 2026. Selected applicants will then be invited to the TestAS, which will take place most probably in March 2027. If you successfully complete this test, we will conduct an online interview with you approx. at the end of April 2027.
How can I apply?
You apply via our online portal.
The first step is to register on the portal. You will then receive the activation link by e-mail, which is valid for 24 hours. When you click on the activation link, you can set your password and then start your online application. The e-mail with the activation link may arrive with a slight delay. Please be patient and also check your SPAM folder.
You will find all further details about your application in the portal. Please complete the online application form there and upload the following application documents:
- School-leaving certificate; If you have not yet received your final certificate, please upload the certificate from your last school year.
- Current proof of German language proficiency with a minimum level of B2 level (e.g. TestDaF certificate, OnSET certificate, Goethe certificate, confirmation from the teacher or school), not older than 6 months on November 1, 2026
- Letter of motivation
- CV
- Copy of your passport (first page with personal details)
- Current passport photo
After you have completed the online form, uploaded the necessary documents and submitted the form online, you will receive a PDF file of your application. You must print out this file, sign it, scan it and send it to college@europa-uni.de in PDF format.
Please note: Your application is not complete without this step!
After a pre-selection on the basis of the written documents, you will be invited to the TestAS (costs: approx. 170 euros). You will take the module "Humanities, Cultural and Social Sciences" (if applying for Social and Cultural Sciences) or "Economics" (if applying for Business Administration and Economics).
Please note that places at the TestAS test centre near you may already be fully booked, or that there may be no test centre close to your location. In this case, you may need to travel a longer distance in order to take the TestAS. Participation in the further selection process is only possible if you have registered for the TestAS with the required module and have completed the test.
In addition, we will conduct a short interview with you approx. in April 2027, e.g. via Zoom.
After the interview, we will confirm your participation in the Viadrina Fast Track and you will soon receive an invitation from the European University Viadrina to study in Germany. With this invitation, you will apply for your visa at the German Embassy and travel to Frankfurt (Oder) at the beginning of July 2027.
Please note the following information: When applying for a visa at the German Embassy, you must submit proof of financial means. This proves that you have sufficient funds to study in Germany for one year. As a rule, you will be required to set up a blocked account with an amount of approx. 12,000 euros in order to obtain a visa. You can obtain further details from the German embassy responsible for you.
The European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) has a very good support system for its students. Viadrina Fast Track participants benefit from personal counselling and support before and during their participation in the study preparation programme. This allows them to quickly settle in at the university and in the city of Frankfurt (Oder).
In addition to support in finding a room in a student dorm, participants receive counselling and support both during the study preparation and in the introductory phase of their studies. The preparatory programme is supplemented by a cultural programme (e.g. excursions and trips to the region, getting to know cultural traditions).
In the first year of study, the best applicants receive a scholarship totalling 3,000 euros (subject to availability of funding).
Study Bridge
The Study Bridge is a preparatory programme run by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and German partner universities in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. The programme prepares high school students or graduates with outstanding academic achievements who are interested in getting a Bachelor's degree in economics at the Viadrina in terms of language, subject-specific language and learning culture. The training initially takes place in the home country and culminates in the Viadrina Fast Track at Viadrina. Access is open to school graduates from non-EU countries with German language skills and very good performance at school.
YouTube video from the Goethe-Institut on the Study Bridge: My path to studying in Germany.
Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track)
The Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track) is aimed at international high-school graduates with a so-called indirect university entrance qualification for Germany, who wish to start their studies directly after graduating from high-school in their home country. The study preparatory programme is open to prospective students from abroad who are usually not allowed to study directly after school in Germany and who have to attend a so-called "Studienkolleg" or study at least for 1 or 2 years at a university in their home country. From July to September each year, the participants complete a 3-month study preparatory programme. After successfully completing the programme, participants will be enrolled in the English-taught Bachelor program International Business Administration in October.
The participation in the programme and the subsequent studies are free of charge.
In the first year of study, the best applicants will receive a scholarship totalling 3,000 euros (subject to availability of funding).
Please find further information about the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track) also in our flyers.
After a successful application for the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track), you will attend the following preparatory courses from July 1 to September 30 of each year:
- Subject-related preparatory courses in the disciplines of mathematics, economics and business administration
- German language taster course at beginner level (if required)
- Further subject-related, methodical and intercultural preparatory courses
- Workshops to acquire key competencies for successful studies
After successfully attending all subject-related preparatory courses, participants will attend the so-called university entrance examination (Hochschulzugangsprüfung, abbr. HZP). After passing the HZP, admission to the English-taught Bachelor's degree programme International Business Administration at the European University Viadrina will be granted from October on. The standard period of study for the Bachelor program is 6 semesters.
The costs for participation in the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track) are covered by the European University Viadrina. This includes the following costs:
- Subject-related courses
- German language taster course at beginner level (if required)
- Tutorials, workshops and trainings
- Teaching and teaching materials
- Cultural and social programme
- Costs for supervision and support
All other costs not mentioned above need to covered by yourself. This includes costs for additional private health insurance for the period of the period of the preparatory programme and costs for accommodation and meals. These costs amount to around 650-800 euros per month.
In the first year of study, the best applicants will receive a scholarship totalling 3,000 euros (subject to availability of funding).
The Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track) is aimed at international high-school graduates and prospective students, who fulfill the following requirements:
- High-school diploma and university entrance qualification in the home country (Abitur)
- Indirect university entrance qualification in Germany
- Proof of sufficient English language skills at least on level B2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) (see overview of accepted language certificates below)
- At least 17 years old on October 1, 2027
- Interest in economics, mathematics, and business administration subjects
The following English language certificates are accepted for the application in the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track):
- Cambridge English C1 Advanced oder C2 Proficiency: at least 176 points
- IELTS (academic): at least 6.5 points
- TOEFL (only iBT, not ITP, not MyBestTM score, not Essentials): at least 4.5 points (TOEFL ID code: 4782)
- Certificate UNIcert II
Please note that the submitted proof of English language proficiency must not be older than two years. For applications to the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track), only the tests and certificates listed above are accepted.
The application procedure for the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track) comprises three stages: At the beginning, you submit your written application documents. The application deadline is expected to be in January 2027. The exact deadline will be announced on this homepage in autumn 2026. Selected applicants will then be invited to the TestAS, which will take place most probably in March 2027. If you successfully complete this test, we will conduct an online interview with you approx. at the end of April 2027.
How can I apply?
You apply via our online portal.
The first step is to register on the portal. You will then receive the activation link by email, which is valid for 24 hours. When you click on the activation link, you can set your password and then start your online application. The email with the activation link may arrive with a slight delay. Please be patient and also check your SPAM folder.
You will find all further details about your application in the portal. Please complete the online application form there and upload the following application documents:
- Complete online application form
- High-school diploma and university entrance qualification in the home country: original certificate + officially sworn translation either in German or English; If you have not yet received your final certificate, please upload the certificate from the last school year.
- English language certificate of at least level B2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) (max. 2 years old) (overview of accepted English language certificates see below)
- Letter of motivation
- CV
- Passport copy (first page / front page)
- Current passport photo
The following English language certificates are accepted for the application in the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track):
- Cambridge English C1 Advanced oder C2 Proficiency: at least 176 points
- IELTS (academic): at least 6.5 points
- TOEFL (only iBT, not ITP, not MyBestTM score, not Essentials): at least 4.5 points (TOEFL ID code: 4782)
- Certificate UNIcert II
Please note that the submitted proof of English language proficiency must not be older than two years. For applications to the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track), except the mentioned tests and certificates, we cannot accept any other language certificates.
After you have completed the online form, uploaded the necessary documents and submitted the form online, you will receive a PDF file of your application. You must print out this file, sign it, scan it and send it to college@europa-uni.de in PDF format.
Please note: Your application is not complete without this step!
After a pre-selection on the basis of the written documents, you will be invited to the TestAS (costs: approx. 170 euros). You will take the module "Economics".
Please note that places at the TestAS test centre near you may already be fully booked, or that there may be no test centre close to your location. In this case, you may need to travel a longer distance in order to take the TestAS. Participation in the further selection process is only possible if you have registered for the TestAS with the module "Economics" and have completed the test.
In addition, we will conduct an online interview with you in April 2027.
After the interview, we will confirm your participation in the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track) and you will soon receive an invitation from the European University Viadrina to study in Germany. With this invitation, you will apply for your visa at the German Embassy in your home country and travel to Frankfurt (Oder) at the beginning of July 2027.
Please note the following information: When applying for a visa at the German Embassy, you must submit proof of financial means. This proves that you have sufficient funds to study in Germany for one year. As a rule, you will be required to set up a blocked account ("Sperrkonto") with an amount of approx. 12,000 euros in order to obtain a visa. You can obtain further details from the German embassy responsible for you.
The European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) has a very good support system for its students. Participants of the Viadrina Fast Track (ENG-Track) benefit from personal counselling and support before and during their participation in the foundation programme. This allows them to quickly settle in at the university and in the city of Frankfurt (Oder).
In addition to support in finding a room in a student dorm, participants receive counselling and support both during the study preparation and in the introductory phase of their studies. The preparatory programme is supplemented by a cultural programme (e.g. excursions and trips to the region, getting to know cultural traditions).
In the first year of study, the best applicants will receive a scholarship totalling 3,000 euros (subject to availability of funding).
Viadrina Law Track
The Viadrina Law Track is designed for Polish high school graduates and prospective students who are interested in studying the Bachelor's degree programme German-Polish Legal Studies at the European University Viadrina. Participants in the programme complete an exclusive language programme in July/August of each year, which includes an intensive language course as well as workshops on civil law, criminal law and public law and an attractive accompanying programme. For more information, please visit the Faculty of Law website.
The Viadrina Law Track will also take place from July to August 2026. After the language preparation, the project participants will complete a DSH preparation course in September 2026 and then take the DSH exam at the end of September or beginning of October 2026. All successful participants will begin their specialized studies in October 2026.
Application
Applications can be submitted annually from April till June via our online portal. Please submit your complete application until June 1, 2026 (23:59, CET) the latest via our online application portal. The link to the online application portal can be found here on this page from April 1, 2026 on.
Please direct any questions about the application process to college@europa-uni.de. Questions about the study programme German-Polish Law can be directed to gplaw@europa-uni.de
School project Uzbekistan
The Viadrina cooperates with the Academic Lyceum of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (ALUWED) in Tashkent/Uzbekistan and prepares students in the last two years of high school for the transition to the Viadrina Fast Track and subsequent studies in German at the Viadrina as part of a joint programme. Interested Uzbek students of the participating school can contact Sergei Melcher.
Contact the Viadrina College team
Rebekka Manke
Project Coordinator & Chairwoman of the Examination Board
- Logenstraße 4 | 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)
- Room: AM 216
- +49 335 5534 2462
- college@europa-uni.de
Sergei Melcher
Project Coordinator
- Logenstraße 4 | 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)
- Room: AM 216
- +49 335 5534-2865
- college@europa-uni.de
Annelen Horsås
Project employee
- Logenstraße 4 | 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)
- Room: AM 215
- +49 335 5534-4499
- college@europa-uni.de
Maria Krug-Firstbrook
Project employee (replacement for Dr. Antonina Balfanz)
- Logenstraße 4 | 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)
- Room: AM 213
- +49 335 5534 4215
- college@europa-uni.de
Postal address:
European University Viadrina
Große Scharrnstraße 59
15230 Frankfurt (Oder)
Germany