Studying in Germany
and Austria
Language preparation, university applications and visa support. We help you plan your studies in Germany or Austria.
Consultation
Education in Germany and Austria: routes and requirements
University: explore options from age 17
International applicants to universities in Germany or Austria need a recognised university entrance qualification and the language skills required by their programme. A2 is not a general standard for direct university admission. Depending on the institution, options may include preparatory language courses, a Studienkolleg, an Austrian university preparation programme or conditional admission. Entry levels, entrance tests and deadlines vary. German-taught degrees often require evidence such as DSH-2, TestDaF level 4 in all sections or another accepted certificate. We check the specific requirements and can arrange language preparation from beginner level.
Studying in Germany and Austria: opportunities for your future
Our services include:
Selection of suitable universities and language courses, review of educational qualifications, translations and required apostilles, CVs and motivation letters, anabin checks and uni-assist or APS procedures where applicable. We also support applications, opening bank accounts, housing searches, scholarship applications and job searches.
A university degree can open career prospects and routes to subsequent residence permits. Later naturalisation requires meeting the separate statutory conditions.
School: explore options from age 15
School education in Austria or Germany as a possible foundation for later university study and a career; residence and citizenship require separate assessment.
Business immigration to Germany: options for the whole family
School attendance in Germany or Austria can give international pupils a route to a local qualification such as the Abitur or Matura. Admission age, language skills, school type and residence requirements must be assessed individually; there is no universal entitlement to admission at 15 or 16 with B1. The qualification may provide university access. Permanent residence and citizenship later require their own separate conditions. For minors, care, accommodation and any legally required representation must also be arranged. We help organise an appropriate solution.
We help with the following:
Find suitable carers within our network and clarify any legally required representation with the responsible authorities, involving the youth welfare office where appropriate.
School education in Austria or Germany as a possible foundation for later university study and a career; residence and citizenship require separate assessment
School: explore options from age 15
School attendance in Germany or Austria can give international pupils a route to a local qualification such as the Abitur or Matura. Admission age, language skills, school type and residence requirements must be assessed individually; there is no universal entitlement to admission at 15 or 16 with B1. The qualification may provide university access. Permanent residence and citizenship later require their own separate conditions.
For minors, suitable care, accommodation and any legally required representation must be arranged. Compulsory schooling alone does not replace admission or residence requirements. We help organise appropriate care arrangements.
We help with the following:
Find suitable carers within our network and clarify any legally required representation with the responsible authorities, involving the youth welfare office where appropriate.
Combining education and work –
a start to your career in Europe
Dual study and dual vocational training combine theory with workplace practice. Depending on the programme, you study at a university or attend vocational school while training at a company. The specific models and residence requirements differ between Germany and Austria.
Depending on the contract, you may receive training or dual-study pay. A qualification can support entry into employment and a subsequent residence permit. Pay of €1,200 or more per month, a future job or naturalisation are not guaranteed for every programme.
A dual study programme combines a university degree with workplace experience. Dual vocational training combines vocational school with paid training at a company.
Our services include:
Select a suitable programme and company, prepare documents, CV and motivation letters, submit applications and provide support through the visa process and the start of training.
An opportunity to combine European qualifications with workplace experience and, depending on the programme, earn income during training.
Key requirements for
university admission
German as required by the programme, for example B2 (Goethe, ÖSD, DSD II, TestDaF).
For English-taught programmes, an accepted option may be: IELTS ≥ 6.0 / TOEFL ≥ 80.
School-leaving certificate, for example after eleven years of schooling; recognition must be assessed individually or additional university or vocational qualifications where required for admission.
Please note: additional university study may be required after vocational or college education. One completed year is not sufficient in every case; recognition rules and the target university’s requirements are decisive.
For university study in Germany, the standard blocked-account evidence in 2026 is at least €11,904 for one year, released at €992 per month. An accepted scholarship or declaration of commitment may also qualify, depending on the procedure. Standalone language courses and Austria have different requirements. We help with suitable funding evidence and opening the account. The funds
remain yours and become available within the monthly release limit. They are not a government fee; they demonstrate that you can cover your living costs.
We support visa applications for university study or a language course. Whether you need a visa before entry and which residence permit applies depend particularly on nationality and the education objective. Preparation and support for the appropriate procedure are included in the agreed package; the responsible authority decides whether to issue the visa.
German as required by the programme, for example B2 (Goethe, ÖSD, DSD II, TestDaF).
For English-taught programmes, an accepted option may be: IELTS ≥ 6.0 / TOEFL ≥ 80.
School-leaving certificate, for example after eleven years of schooling; recognition must be assessed individually or additional university or vocational qualifications where required for admission.
Please note: additional university study may be required after vocational or college education. One completed year is not always enough; the target university assesses eligibility.
For university study in Germany, the standard blocked-account evidence in 2026 is at least €11,904 for one year, released at €992 per month. An accepted scholarship or declaration of commitment may also qualify, depending on the procedure. Standalone language courses and Austria have different requirements. We help with suitable funding evidence and opening the account. The funds remain yours and become available within the monthly release limit. They are not a government fee; they demonstrate that you can cover your living costs.
We support visa applications for university study or a language course. Whether you need a visa before entry and which residence permit applies depend particularly on nationality and the education objective. Preparation and support for the appropriate procedure are included in the agreed package; the responsible authority decides whether to issue the visa.
How we work with you
How studying in Germany works
At a glance:
Assess whether to start with language study or apply to university directly
Identify language courses or university routes matching your current language level
Language preparation at our school from beginner level to A2 if needed
Explore English-taught programmes or other countries on request
Apply for a student or language course visa
You start your studies
The steps in detail:
Assess your situation and plan the route
-
Free five-step questionnaire: we assess
– age, completed school years and qualifications
– German and English certificates: Goethe, ÖSD, TestDaF, IELTS and others -
Choose the education route:
– university, preparatory college or boarding school
– need for language preparation online or in Germany/Austria - Receive a personalised PDF roadmap with deadlines and a document checklist
Prepare your application
- Sign the Start agreement: preparation and applications
- Translation and required certification of educational documents
- Apostilles where required: school, university and other certificates
- Prepare an academic CV, motivation letter and references
- Prepare a portfolio for creative degree programmes
- Select five suitable universities or schools and submit applications through uni-assist or the relevant portals
- Arrange agreed application fees and track progress
- From the sixth institution: €100 each
Await responses, often 4–8 weeks → admission & programme selection
- Receive the admission letter in Germany or admission confirmation in Austria
- Compare pros and cons and discuss them in a Zoom call
- Final selection of university, preparatory college or school
- Prepare enrolment and arrange the semester contribution
Visa & final enrolment
- Sign the Go Study agreement: admission and visa application
- Arrange required apostilles and certified copies
- Open a blocked account or prepare suitable funding evidence
- Arrange cover meeting the requirements for entry and study
- Compile the national visa D application and support submission
- Arrange the consular appointment and prepare for the interview
- After approval: collect the visa and final original documents
Arrival & settling-in support
- Pro Campus: support with settling in
- Find and book a dormitory room or apartment; arrange the lease and deposit
- In-person or remote support with address registration
- Arrange suitable student health insurance, such as TK or AOK if eligible
- Arrange a bank account, SIM card and public transport ticket
- First-month online support with a chat available around the clock
Start of studies & first-semester support
- Arrange the student card, semester ticket access and learning platform
- Support applications for suitable DAAD and foundation scholarships
- Tailor your CV for student assistant and part-time jobs and send applications
- Support with the immigration authority or MA 35 for the first residence permit
- Explain monthly access to blocked-account funds and possible tax refunds
Assess your situation and plan the route
-
Free five-step questionnaire: we assess
– age, completed school years and qualifications
– German and English certificates: Goethe, ÖSD, TestDaF, IELTS and others -
Choose the education route:
– university, preparatory college or boarding school
– need for language preparation online or in Germany/Austria - Receive a personalised PDF roadmap with deadlines and a document checklist
Prepare your application
- Sign the Start agreement: preparation and applications
- Translation and required certification of educational documents
- Apostilles where required: school, university and other certificates
- Prepare an academic CV, motivation letter and references
- Prepare a portfolio for creative degree programmes
- Select five suitable universities or schools and submit applications through uni-assist or the relevant portals
- Arrange agreed application fees and track progress
- From the sixth institution: €100 each
Await responses, often 4–8 weeks → admission & programme selection
- Receive the admission letter in Germany or admission confirmation in Austria
- Compare pros and cons and discuss them in a Zoom call
- Final selection of university, preparatory college or school
- Prepare enrolment and arrange the semester contribution
Visa & final enrolment
- Sign the Go Study agreement: admission and visa application
- Arrange required apostilles and certified copies
- Open a blocked account or prepare suitable funding evidence
- Arrange cover meeting the requirements for entry and study
- Compile the national visa D application and support submission
- Arrange the consular appointment and prepare for the interview
- After approval: collect the visa and final original documents
Arrival & settling-in support
- Pro Campus: support with settling in
- Find and book a dormitory room or apartment; arrange the lease and deposit
- In-person or remote support with address registration
- Arrange suitable student health insurance, such as TK or AOK if eligible
- Arrange a bank account, SIM card and public transport ticket
- First-month online support with a chat available around the clock
Start of studies & first-semester support
- Arrange the student card, semester ticket access and learning platform
- Support applications for suitable DAAD and foundation scholarships
- Tailor your CV for student assistant and part-time jobs and send applications
- Support with the immigration authority or MA 35 for the first residence permit
- Explain monthly access to blocked-account funds and possible tax refunds
Packages for each stage
- Personalised admissions roadmap
- Select up to five suitable universities or language schools in Germany or Austria
- Translation of all documents required for university applications
- Write and edit your CV and motivation letter
- Compile complete applications for uni-assist, university portals or university language courses
- Upload applications, track progress and provide email support
- Checklist for the waiting period
- All agreed fees included
In addition:
Each additional educational institution: €100
- Review and comparison of admission letters and confirmations
- Accept the study place and pay the semester contribution
- Required apostilles for documents translated under the Start package
- Arrange a blocked account or suitable financial support
- Suitable health insurance for entry and a national visa
- Complete documents for a national student visa
- Consular appointment and student visa support
- Support until the visa decision
- All agreed fees included
- Find and book accommodation: dormitory or apartment
- Address registration
- Apply for suitable student health insurance, such as TK or AOK if eligible
- Identify suitable scholarships and prepare applications: DAAD and scholarship foundations
- Budget planning and guidance on possible tax deductions
- Tailored CV and applications for student assistant or part-time jobs within permitted working limits
- Support with the immigration authority or MA 35 for the residence permit
- Online support for the first month after arrival; chat available around the clock
- All agreed fees included
- Personalised admissions roadmap
- Select up to five suitable universities or language schools in Germany or Austria
- Translation of all documents required for university applications
- Write and edit your CV and motivation letter
- Compile complete applications for uni-assist, university portals or university language courses
- Upload applications, track progress and provide email support
- Checklist for the waiting period
- All agreed fees included
In addition:
Each additional educational institution: €100
- Review and comparison of admission letters and confirmations
- Accept the study place and pay the semester contribution
- Required apostilles for documents translated under the Start package
- Arrange a blocked account or suitable financial support
- Suitable health insurance for entry and a national visa
- Complete documents for a national student visa
- Consular appointment and student visa support
- Support until the visa decision
- All agreed fees included
- Find and book accommodation: dormitory or apartment
- Address registration
- Apply for suitable student health insurance, such as TK or AOK if eligible
- Identify suitable scholarships and prepare applications: DAAD and scholarship foundations
- Budget planning and guidance on possible tax deductions
- Tailored CV and applications for student assistant or part-time jobs within permitted working limits
- Support with the immigration authority or MA 35 for the residence permit
- Online support for the first month after arrival; chat available around the clock
- All agreed fees included
1. Deutschlandstipendium: €300 per month if selected
2. Foundation scholarships, such as the Konrad Adenauer or Friedrich Ebert Foundation: amounts and eligibility depend on the programme
3. DAAD: for example, €992 per month for certain master’s scholarships, potentially with a travel allowance
4. Erasmus+: funding depends on the programme, destination and grant conditions
- In Germany, students with an appropriate residence permit may work within the statutory limits, generally up to 140 full or 280 half days per year or under the applicable 20-hour rule. In Austria, third-country students generally need an employment permit applied for by the employer; work of up to 20 hours per week is possible under simplified conditions.
- Part-time jobs in logistics, delivery or retail can contribute towards living costs. Hourly pay, available working hours, tax and social insurance determine actual income. A part-time job does not guarantee that all living costs will be covered and does not automatically replace the required funding evidence.
- Universities offer student assistant jobs with pay varying by role, qualifications and institution. Tutoring may also be an option; self-employment requires checking additional residence and tax conditions.
- We help you look for permitted employment, tailor your CV and prepare the necessary documents. Working hours and duties must comply with your residence status.
Suitable funding and permitted part-time work can reduce your financial burden. Full coverage of costs is not guaranteed.
Additional services
Comprehensive support, from scholarship applications to finding suitable accommodation.
Partner universities
Partner universities with preparatory language courses
Why FIRMDER?
Support from the first idea to your first days on campus
Comprehensive support with programme selection, translations, applications, visas, housing, insurance and finding part-time work.
Our own licensed language school and partners in Germany and Austria
Learn German online or in person at our school.
Two offices: Germany and the CIS
We support matters at the local immigration authority while you stay in contact with our Russian-speaking team.
Personal coordinator and immigration law support in Germany
One contact across messaging platforms and legal support in Germany for questions at every stage.
Since 2007: 400+ cases, including TUM, LMU and TU Wien
98% admission rate; 13 initially rejected applications succeeded after resubmission.
Scholarships and grants: explore funding options
We assess suitable programmes offered by scholarship foundations and DAAD and support eligible applications. Funding amounts, eligibility and selection vary; a scholarship or full recovery of your costs cannot be guaranteed.
Flexible payment options
Russian and EU bank cards, SWIFT or cryptocurrency, subject to availability and applicable rules.
Alternative routes with a plan B and C
Alternative routes are built into our package planning.
If a university application is unsuccessful, we review suitable alternatives:
- Studienkolleg
- Dual study and vocational training in Germany
- Study in Austria: explore suitable admission routes
- Workplace training
- Language courses in Germany
With motivation and basic German, we can explore a suitable starting point.
We work with you to assess realistic next options.
Instalments and financing without extra charges under the agreed terms
Cooperation with ten major banks: suitable payment plans from RUB 5,000 per month, subject to availability and credit assessment.
Written agreement and liability cover
We work under a written agreement. Our service offer specifies professional liability insurance cover of RUB 10,000,000.
Telegram community with 11,000+ students, parents and clients
Our reviews are public. You can ask clients about their experiences in the community chat.
