Living & Learning
Daily Life at the Studienkolleg
- Classes: Classes are held in small groups. Attendance at all classes / courses is mandatory for all students (typically: Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).
- Assessments: There are regular quizzes and invigilated (written) examinations each semester. To advance to the second semester, you must earn at least a “sufficient” grade in all subjects.
- Repeating a Semester: You may repeat a semester once for academic reasons.
- Timetable: You can find your current timetable here.
Costs & Financing
The following fees and expenses should be factored into your budget:
- Tuition:
- FSP: €2,100.00 per semester for preparation for the placement exam in the TI or WW course
- DSH: €800.00 per semester for preparation for the German Language Exam for University Admission
including fees for the Student Services Organization, the Student Council, and the Germany Semester Ticket
- Exam fees:
- FSP: up to 300.00 €
- DSH: up to 200.00 €
- Course Materials & Books: Expenses for course materials and books are incurred each semester.
- Other supplies: Additionally, one-time costs may arise for calculators, reference books, or other supplies.
Cost of living (estimated monthly)
- Rent in the hall of residence: approx. 180-270 €
- Health insurance: from approx. 110 €
- Meals, leisure & everyday life: around €200
In total, you should expect to pay around €550-650 per month, depending on the type of accommodation and lifestyle.
Jobs & additional income
During the Studienkolleg, you can work during the semester break if you meet the relevant requirements. There are also occasional small jobs on campus, e.g. in the library, in laboratories or at events.
Students from the EU or EEA countries can work just as much as German students. Certain restrictions on working hours apply to students from non-EU countries.
Download info sheet: Working for international students
Leisure & Campus Life
Zittau is located in the Germany–Poland–Czech Republic border region and is the ideal place for your preparatory year. The city is safe, affordable, and offers a high quality of life: everything is within easy reach, there’s plenty of nature, and the atmosphere is friendly.
Whether you enjoy being active, love culture, or want to meet new people—you’ll find plenty of leisure activities on campus, in the city, and in the surrounding area.
- City & Nature: Explore Zittau’s historic old town, the Zittau Mountains via the narrow-gauge railway (YouTube video), and Lake Olbersdorf.
- College Sports: Choose from over 40 sports (fitness, volleyball, swimming, yoga, etc.), and participate in sports camps or tournaments.
- Sports Clubs in Zittau: Join one of the many sports clubs —from soccer and handball to rock climbing and winter sports—and become part of Zittau’s active community.
- Campus Life & Events: Meet other students at the DeZiBar, the Star Club, or at university festivals and events like the International Dinner.
- Explore the Region: Take trips to Poland, the Czech Republic, Prague, or Dresden. You can explore numerous excursion ideas using your Deutschlandsemesterticket.
Impressions from the region
