The Studienkolleg (STK) organizational unit is a central scientific institution at KIT with three specific areas of responsibility: the Preparatory College, the Language Center, and the MINT-Kolleg Baden-Württemberg, all under a single joint management.
About us
STK-Studienkolleg
On behalf of the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg, the Preparatory College (Studienkolleg) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is responsible for preparing international applicants for the assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung - FSP) or for the required language certificate (TestDaF - Test of German as a Foreign Language), as well as improving the subject-specific German language skills of students.
Applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification who, according to university admission regulations, cannot be admitted directly to a German university, demonstrate through the assessment test at the Preparatory College that they meet the linguistic, subject-specific, and methodological requirements for starting studies in their intended field and are thus suitable for admission to a degree program in that field at a German university.
The TestDaF exam determines whether applicants are able to communicate successfully at a high linguistic level and whether their language skills are sufficient to begin studies in Germany.
The Preparatory College is state-recognized, active in the Association of German State Preparatory Colleges, and licensed as a TestDaF center.
STK - Language Center
The Language Center is affiliated with the Preparatory College. It offers foreign language instruction in 15 languages at various levels for students and employees at KIT.
Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Sign Language, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, and Turkish.
The Language Center is a member of the AKS (Association of Language Centers at Universities) and an active member of EUCOR (The European Confederation of Upper Rhine Universities). The Language Center is accredited to offer UNIcert® language certifications at four proficiency levels for English.
STK-MINT-Kolleg Baden-Württemberg Department
The MINT-Kolleg Baden-Württemberg is a joint institution of KIT and the University of Stuttgart. At both locations, it serves as a central contact point supporting first-year students in all undergraduate STEM (MINT) subjects. The main goal is to promote and improve academic success during the initial phase of studies through targeted measures.
The MINT-Kolleg offers a wide range of courses—from on-campus and digital preparatory measures to semester-long and exam-preparation courses with individual support. Preliminary and propaedeutic courses facilitate the transition into STEM studies, while digital formats such as online bridging courses and tests support academic self-assessment. The courses accompanying the degree programs are coordinated with KIT's STEM curricula in terms of content and organization, allowing students up to the third semester to deepen their knowledge. Furthermore, flexible structures offer relief through an extended introductory phase of study.
