Study preparation programmes and application

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 2025 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 (A-levels) in your home country in 2024 or 2025
• 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 01 October 2025
• Interested in cultural studies or economics and maths

Please note the following information:

• With a B2 language certificate at the start of the programme (July 2025), you must attend a German course in July and August 2025 and also a preparation course for the DSH exam in September 2025. 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 by 05 January 2025. Selected applicants will then be invited to the TestAS, which will take place on Tuesday, 18 February 2025 (TestAS055). If you successfully complete this test, we will conduct an online interview with you at the end of April 2025.

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 from the year 2024 or 2025
• 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 1 November 2024
• 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 by 5 January 2025 at the latest.

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 Cultural Sciences) or "Economics" (if applying for Economics). In addition, we will conduct a short interview with you in April, 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 2025.

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).