2025 Guide To Study In Germany After SPM or IGCSE For Malaysian Students

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Updated on: Jan 2025

TL;DR:
To study your Bachelor’s degree in Germany, you’ll need the right pre-university qualification, the right subjects, good results, and proficiency in the language of the course. Some courses may require an internship or a portfolio.

Studying abroad is a dream for many Malaysian students. Every year, thousands head to the UK, Australia, or the US to continue their studies. While education is a big reason, many students also hope to find jobs in those countries because of better pay. However, it’s getting harder to find work after graduation in some of these places.

But that’s not the case in Germany.

Germany is home to some of the world’s top universities and leading industries. The best part? Germany welcomes skilled and talented people. If you decide to study in Germany, not only will you get a solid education, but you’ll also have a good chance to stay and work after you graduate. Imagine saving €200 a month— that’s around RM1000! How many fresh graduates in Malaysia can say they’re making enough to cover their living expenses?

What’s the Career Outlook in Germany?

Let’s take the automotive industry, for example. Many Malaysians are familiar with top German car brands like Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Audi. Other well-known companies like Siemens, Bosch, Osram, Infineon and DHL also have a presence in Malaysia. These companies are always on the lookout for talented individuals, whether they’re in Germany or Malaysia.

As Germany is a leader in many other industries, you can be confident that when you study in Germany, you are well-equipped to start your career. And with over 400 universities offering more than 21,000 courses, you’ll definitely find something that suits your interests. Plus, when you graduate, you could kickstart your career right there in Germany.

Since the process to study in Germany isn’t as straightforward and information isn’t as easily available as for other study destinations, here’s a guide to help you prepare.

University Entrance Qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, or HZB)

To study a Bachelor’s degree in Germany, you need a recognized university entrance qualification. In German, that’s called the Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB).

According to Anabin, a database of foreign qualification evaluation, here are the pre-university qualifications in Malaysia that allow you to apply directly for a Bachelor’s degree at a German university:

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)
A Level
Australian Year 12 (e.g., AUSMAT, WACE, SACE, HSC)
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Students with the following qualifications usually will not have direct entry to a German Bachelor’s degree programme:

Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
Diploma
Foundation
Matriculation
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)

However, we are able to accept them to our university preparation programme where they have options to study in Germany or in Austria.

Step 1: Choose a Suitable Pre-University Programme

If you’ve just finished your SPM, IGCSE, or O Levels, your next step is to choose a pre-university programme recognised by German universities. We’ve put together an article on the Pre-University Courses that will help you open the door to German universities.

Step 2: Decide What You Want to Study

This should probably be your first step, but we’ve placed it second since it fits better here. If you haven’t figured out what you want to study, now’s the time to explore your options.

German universities require students to take subjects that are related to their chosen Bachelor’s degree. If you’re unsure about what to study or which subjects to take, feel free to reach out to us. We’ll guide you on which subjects are needed for your pre-university programme, as well as the grades you’ll need to get in.

Step 3: Learn German

Since most Bachelor’s programmes in Germany are in German, it’s crucial to learn the language. Even if you plan to study in English, speaking German will help you with day-to-day life outside of university—like talking to people at the supermarket, or even while working part-time. Some employers in Germany will only hire people who speak German, so it’s definitely worth mastering the language.

Language Proficiency Requirement

Most Bachelor’s degree programmes in Germany are taught in German, but some are in English. If your course is in German, you’ll need to prove your German language skills. If it’s in English, you’ll need to prove your English skills.

Here’s a quick overview of language tests you might need to take:

German Tests:
- DSH
- TestDaF
- Goethe Zertifikat
- Telc
- DSD German language diploma

English Tests:
- IELTS
- TOEFL

In most cases, students will need to reach a C1 level in German, which is advanced. Here’s a quick guide to the language levels:

A1 and A2: Beginner
B1 and B2: Intermediate
C1 and C2: Advanced

Step 4: Check for Additional Course Requirements

In addition to having the right pre-university qualification and language skills, some universities or programmes have extra requirements. For example:

Mechanical Engineering students might need to complete a 6-8 week internship.
Students in Architecture or Fashion may need to submit a portfolio or take an aptitude test.
Those applying for Music degrees will have to audition.

Make sure to check the university’s website for the latest requirements for your specific course.

Step 5: Sign Up with German Educare

Ready to take the leap and study in Germany? Join one of our preparation programmes!

If you want to learn German alongside your A Levels, our A Level German Pathway programme might be right for you. This programme is perfect if you want to start university as soon as possible or want more time to decide if studying in German is for you.

If you’d prefer to focus on your pre-university studies first, then take time to focus on learning German later, the University Preparation Programme is a great option. This will allow you to start your university studies a semester later, giving you more time to get up to speed with the language.

Which path will you choose?