Freshman College

The Freshman College at the Academy of Ruhr-University Bochum prepares international applicants, who do not yet meet all the admission requirements for studying at a German university, for a BA course at Ruhr-University Bochum. The programme is divided into two semesters of 19 weeks each, i.e. a total of 38 weeks. Including two weeks of Christmas vacation and all public holidays, the Freshmen College runs for about 10 months.  The programme begins on Monday, 14 September 2026 and the first semester ends on 5 February 2027. There is a two-week Christmas break from 18 December 2026 to 4 January 2027. The second semester runs from 8 February 2027 to 18 June 2027. The final exams with TestAS and TestDaF will then take place from 8 to 18 June 2027 at the latest. Programme Structure The programme consists of 32 teaching units (TU) per week, whereby one TU corresponds to 45 minutes. With appropriate preparation and follow-up work, participation in the Freshman College is therefore a full-time undertaking! The core of the course is a German course of between 10 and 32 units per week. Studies show that the key to a successful study in Germany are language skills and in order to successfully complete the Freshman College, students will need the C1 qualification level in the European Framework of Reference for Languages at the end of the 10 months. But don’t worry, our experienced lecturers will guide them along the way! In the second semester, we enrich the language lessons with technical language exercises so that students come into contact with the vocabulary of their future study programme as part of Freshman College. Specific exercises such as preparing and giving presentations in German will help to practice academic work and presentations at an early stage. At the end of the second semester, students will be intensively prepared for the final German exam with the TestDaF. The exam takes place in a DaF test centre, which is also located at the Ruhr University Bochum, i.e. in a familiar environment. In addition to the German course, students can choose one of the science tracks and specialise in their desired degree course at an early stage. They can choose from a combination of chemistry and mathematics, physics and mathematics or computer science and mathematics – depending on their interests. Students will be taught an average of 4 to 10 units per week in this subject. We will also bring our students into contact with current students and lecturers from their chosen study programme at an early stage, so that they can develop an understanding of how the course really works and what they can do with it from the outset – and also network with older students. A Joint Start To make it easier for you to arrive in Bochum and settle in at the Freshmen College, all Freshmen are accommodated together at RUBs Language Institute (LSI) for the first two weeks. At the beginning, an intercultural workshop will take place, which will allow you to get to know your fellow students and develop a common foundation for cooperation and learning.