:prime – the foundation program for Bremen and Bremerhaven

Language acquisition – subject preparation – key qualifications

Preparation for university and mentoring for international prospective students

:prime yourself for university

Our :prime foundation course combines language training, subject preparation and mentoring in a single program. As a joint project of the University of Bremen and the Universities of Applied Science in Bremen and Bremerhaven, our graduates can choose between three universities. :prime mainly focuses on the natural sciences as well as computer science and engineering. We give you the opportunity to prepare for a degree course in the ING Cluster (Engineering), MIN Cluster (Mathematics, Computer Sciences, Natural Sciences), WiWi Cluster (Economics), or GKG Cluster (Arts & Humanities, Cultural Sciences and Social Sciences) . These clusters are important for the TestAS and the student's choice of the degree subject.

Our :prime foundation course combines language training, subject preparation and mentoring. We offer courses with two different entry levels: 1.) completed B1 and 2.) completed C1. Depending on the language level, different deadlines must be met.

Requirements

To apply to :prime you need the following documents:

Secondary school qualification requiring the student to attend a "Studienkolleg" preparatory college
very good German certificate B1 or higher*
TestAS with a total result of at least 190 points (paper-based test) or 150 points (digital test). The TestAS has to be passed in one of these clusters/modules: ING, MIN, WiWi or GKG
For more information on TestAS click here.

*We accept the following language certificates:

TestDaF
DSH
DSD
Goethe
telc
ÖSD

Your language lever matters

:prime B1

:prime B1 is a two-semester program and starts in September for all future degree programs. In addition, :prime also starts in March for selected degree programs at the University of Bremen.

:prime B1 includes:

German courses up to language level C1 (September to March or March to September)
Tutorial program (September to March or March to September)
Subject-specific preparation at the universities in the desired field of study (March to July or September to January)
Seminars and workshops on study skills, intercultural training, presentation techniques, and much more (throughout the entire program)

Application period

For :prime B1 starting in September: May 31

For :prime B1 starting in March: November 30 (only selected subjects at the University of Bremen)

:prime C1

You can apply for :prime C1 if you have already gained the C1 language certificate or will have done so by March.
The following certificates are recognised:

TestDaF 16
DSH-2/-3
DSD2
Goethe Certificate C1/C2
TELC Hochschule

The one-semester course starts in March and comprises the following:

Subject-specific preparation in the universities in the desired field of study (March to June)
Seminars and workshops on study techniques, intercultural training, presentation techniques (March to July)

You must apply to uni-assist e.V by January 15:

Procedure: prime B1

The prime B1 language courses start at level B1+.2. If you start below this level, you will have to pay for the previous language courses yourself (pre:prime). A placement test is carried out by our language school. If you start at a lower level, the schedule (language from March to September or September to March, preparatory semester from September to January or March to July) may change and the :prime foundation program will be extended for you.

In this case, no courses will be offered as part of :prime between reaching C1 and the start of the preparatory semester.

Apply for :prime B1 until May 31 or November 30 (selected study programs only).

Apply for :prime C1 until January 10 or July 10 (selected study programs only)

Technical preparation always begins in March or September (for selected degree programs at the University of Bremen only). In addition to introductory courses at the Academy, you will attend lectures, seminars, and exercises in your future field of study at your future university. All courses, seminars, and lectures are compulsory and provide the content for your final university entrance examination.

You will take the entrance exam in July or January. After passing, you can enroll at one of the Universities in Bremen for the following semester.

The content in detail

Language training from B2 to C1+.

continue (only for :prime B1)

The language courses from German B1+.2 start in September in Bremen. You take your German C1 language exam in March/August and then start preparing for university. Our placement test – mandatory for every student before starting the :prime classes – should not show a lower result than B1+.2. If so, you either need to catch up at home before coming to Bremen, or can join us for pre:prime in advance to course start. The German language courses below B1+.2 produce additional costs and are not included in the program fee.

The language training covers language courses up to German C1 – currently run by the cooperating language school CASA – and includes a supporting tutorial and mentoring program. You will practice and improve your spoken and written language skills in class, thoroughly prepare for your test and will be given advice for a successful learning strategy.
Subject-specific preparation

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The subject-based preparation focuses on your future degree subject. Which subject you choose when you register is therefore very important. You will attend subject-based classes at the Academy and visit exam-relevant courses at your future university.

Your lecturers help you coordinate the selected courses you attend at our universities. During the foundation course you will already have the opportunity to meet future fellow students and university professors and gain insights into university life in Germany. This ensures that you will be optimally prepared for your degree course at a university in Bremen. You will then consolidate your new knowledge in the :prime course units.

Your lecturers will support you during this time.
General preparation

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In-depth general preparation is an important component of :prime:
In workshops you will learn about study techniques, time management, literature research and many other techniques that you will use during your studies.

In :prime a lot of different nations, religions, and cultures come together – all with the same goal: An academic career in Germany. To ensure a peaceful atmosphere the international trainings support you in finding a common understanding of how to learn and perform as a group as well as an individual.