Can I get a German prospective student visa for Studienkolleg or a university place before I have admission?
Short answer
DAAD describes a prospective student visa, valid for up to nine months, for people still waiting for their acceptance letter or who have to complete an entrance examination. The Nigeria University studies page and the Accra Visa for Students page do not describe this visa, so ask the mission before you rely on it.
On this page
What is the prospective student visa?
DAAD (the German Academic Exchange Service) says you can apply for a prospective student visa if you are still waiting for your letter of acceptance or have to complete an entrance examination.
It is valid for up to nine months. In that time you can apply for a place at a higher education institution, or attend a language course or a Studienkolleg (a preparatory college that readies you for university entry).
DAAD's list of usually required documents includes, 'If applying for a prospective student visa: a recognised higher education entrance qualification'.
Sources for this part1
Do the Nigeria and Accra pages describe it?
The Nigeria University studies page and the Accra Visa for Students page do not describe a prospective student visa. We checked them on 29 October 2026.
We can't tell you whether any of the missions issues it, or whether WASSCE or NECO results would be accepted as its entrance qualification. Neither page says.
Ask the mission directly before you plan around this visa.
What do the mission pages ask for instead?
The Nigeria student sorting list asks for a current admission letter from a German university. It must state the course, the starting date and the language of instruction.
It adds a separate line: 'If applicable: Admission to preparatory college (Studienkolleg)'. That admission must state the same three details. The Accra embassy lists an admission letter with the same details. Its page does not mention Studienkolleg.
DAAD says Studienkolleg courses are taught in German, so you need to prove German too. It also says to expect levels B1 to B2 and an entrance examination. DAAD Ghana adds that, on admission, a preparatory course offered by the university usually requires B2 German.
What does the law say?
Section 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) covers study. This is our translation of the German text.
Section 16b(1): you get a residence permit for full-time study if the institution has admitted you. Studying includes preparatory measures. One of them is a Studienkolleg, if you can prove you were accepted there.
Section 16b(5) lists cases where a permit may be granted, with 'may' meaning it is not automatic. One case is full-time study admission that depends on attending a Studienkolleg, where you cannot show acceptance at the Studienkolleg.
Another case is acceptance to a preparatory language course without a degree place.
The law text does not tell us how Lagos, Abuja or Accra handle these cases.
Sources for this part5
Can I come on a tourist visa and change later?
No. DAAD says a tourist visa cannot be converted to a student visa later on.
DAAD also says a visa can sometimes take months to be issued, so it advises applying early.
Sources for this part1
How much money for a preparatory course?
The German Missions in Nigeria give EUR 992 net a month for university studies, including preparatory language courses. The Accra embassy asks for EUR 11,904 for the first year, which is EUR 992 a month.
The Nigeria page names preparatory language courses. It does not name Studienkolleg in its funds rate, so we can't say which rate applies to a Studienkolleg place.
Reading the answer is the easy part. Say it out loud.
The officer will ask about this. Answer in your own words, then read what your answer missed. Your first practice interview is free.
Practise saying it out loudPeople also ask
How long is the prospective student visa valid?
DAAD says up to nine months. In that time you can apply for a university place, or attend a language course or a Studienkolleg. 1
How much does Studienkolleg cost?
DAAD says public Studienkollegs are generally free of charge apart from the semester fee, while private ones frequently charge fees. DAAD says Studienkolleg usually takes two semesters. 3
Can I go straight to a German university with a WASSCE?
DAAD Ghana says a WASSCE does not allow direct entry into a German university. Entry is only possible after one year of tertiary education in Ghana or a one-year Studienkolleg in Germany. 4
What happens after the Studienkolleg?
Usually after two semesters you sit the Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test). DAAD says passing it gives you a higher education entrance qualification for programmes matching your course. 2
Sources
- 1VisasOfficialDAAD · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 2Requirements overviewOfficialDAAD · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 3Studienkollegs (preparatory courses) in GermanyOfficialDAAD · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 4Admission RequirementsOfficialDAAD Regional Office Accra (DAAD Ghana) · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 5§ 16b AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 6University studiesOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 7Financial meansOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 8Visa for StudentsOfficialGerman Embassy Accra · checked 29 Oct 2026
Official is the embassy or a German government page. Applicant reports are what applicants say happened at their appointment. Secondary is everything else we checked.
General information, not legal advice. VisaRoom isn't connected to any embassy or government, and only the embassy decides on your visa. Something out of date? Tell us.