Study in Germany and Austria: After SPM and IGCSE
You’ve completed SPM or IGCSE. If you want to study in Germany or Austria, your next step is to get a recognised pre-university qualification and meet the language requirements for your chosen course.
The good news? You have more than one pathway to choose from.
An overview of your journey to Germany or Austria
Why do you need a pre-university qualification?
To study at a German or Austrian university, you need a qualification that is recognised as a university entrance qualification.
SPM and IGCSE are secondary school qualifications and, on their own, do not provide direct entry to university. Students therefore need to complete a recognised pre-university qualification before applying.
Below are pre-university qualifications which are recognised in Germany and Austria.
STPM
Duration:
2 years
Tuition fee:
$
Assessment:
Exam-based
A Level
Duration:
1.5 to 2 years
Tuition fee:
$$$
Assessment:
Exam-based
WACE / SACE / Ausmat
Duration:
1 year
Tuition fee:
$$
Assessment:
Continuous assessment + exam
IB Diploma
Duration:
2 years
Tuition fee:
$$$$$
Assessment:
Internal coursework + external final exams
Austria Preparation Programme
Duration:
1 year
Tuition fee:
$$
Assessment:
Continuous assessment + exam
The Austria Preparation Programme is a fast-track pre-university programme to selected partner universities in Germany and Austria.
Additional requirements
Choice of subjects
The subjects you take should be related to what you plan to study at university. For example, if you want to study Engineering, you may need to take Mathematics and Physics.
Not sure which subjects to choose? Our study advisors can recommend a suitable subject combination based on what you want to study.
Minimum grades required
A Level: Minimum 3Cs
STPM: Min. 3Cs from a combination of 3 subjects from SPM and 2 subjects from STPM
WACE, SACE, Ausmat: ATAR 75.46 for humanities, ATAR 92.95 for medicine and law related subjects and ATAR 78.96 for all others
IB Diploma: Minimum Grade 4 in three HL and three SL subjects
Austria Foundation: Min. Cs in all subjects
Why study in Germany or Austria?
Now that you understand the academic requirements and what you may need to do after completing SPM or IGCSE, let’s take a closer look at the two study destinations: Germany and Austria.
Germany is one of the most popular study destinations in Europe, with over 400,000 international students, while Austria is home to over 100,000 international students.
Both countries offer high-quality universities, affordable education, and opportunities to build an international career. Their entry requirements are also broadly similar, although the visa requirement, available courses, and study experience can differ.
Germany and Austria offer:
World-Class Education
Germany and Austria are home to top universities like RWTH Aachen, TU Braunschweig, and the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria.
Affordable Tuition Fees
Public universities in Germany offer no tuition fees for undergraduate programmes. Austria offers low tuition fees for non-EU international students (~€1,400/yr), making education affordable compared to other countries.
Cultural and Language Immersion
Experience rich European culture, history, and traditions while studying. You will have the opportunity to learn German, a valuable language in the global job market.
Excellent Job Opportunities and Career Prospects
Strong economies with leading industries like automotive, engineering, IT, and finance. German and Austrian university graduates are highly sought after by employers globally.
Student-Friendly Environment
Affordable cost of living compared to countries like the UK or US.
Global Networking
Study alongside an international student community from all over the world and build lifelong professional and personal connections.
Germany
Visa requirement
To meet the financial requirement for a German student visa, you will need to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while studying in Germany. You do this by opening a blocked account with €11,904.
Available courses
Choose from over 20,000 courses from 400 universities.
Study experience
Studying in Germany is about more than earning a degree. It’s about becoming independent, experiencing a new culture, meeting people from around the world and discovering who you can become when you step outside your comfort zone.
Austria
Visa requirement
To meet the financial requirement for an Austrian student residence permit, you must show that you have accessible funds of about €8,670 to cover your living expenses.
Available courses
More to engineering, IT and business. You can request for the list of courses offered.
Study experience
In Austria, particularly at Universities of Applied Sciences, you can expect a more personal study experience.
With smaller classes and closer interaction with lecturers, you are not just another face in a large lecture hall. The structured and practical approach can help you stay on track, graduate on time and prepare for your future career.
At institutions such as FH Upper Austria, 99% of graduates are reported to work in their chosen field.
What else do you need?
Getting into university is more than just having the right pre-university qualification. You’ll need to meet the language requirement, prepare the necessary documents, apply to university and secure your student visa, all while getting ready to live in a new country.
Our university preparation programmes bring everything together, so you can focus on preparing for your future while we guide you through each step of the journey.
Learn German while doing your A Level
✅ Best for: Students who want to start university earlier. You can start uni one semester earlier compared to completing your pre-u first.
Complete pre-u first, and then learn German after
✅ Best for: Students who choose to do one of the Australian Matriculation qualifications or STPM.
Austria Preparation Programme
✅ Best for: Students who wants to start university as soon as possible. This is our shortest university preparation programme.
Frequently Asked Questions from SPM and IGCSE Students
Should I learn German in parallel to A Level or only start after completing my A Level?
A popular option among our students is the A Level German Pathway at MCKL. You can join the A Level German Pathway in Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Some advantages of this option is that students can start their studies in Germany one semester earlier compared to students who only start German after their A Level.
What's the fastest option to start my Bachelor's degree?
Consider the Austria Preparation Programme. It takes only 1.5 years to complete and it’s also recognised by the Deggendorf Institute of Technology in Germany.
Can I study in English?
Unlike other European countries, you can still enjoy tuition-free education in Germany and Austria if you choose to study in English.
We do strongly recommend that you be fluent in German to maximise your opportunities. More university options, more part-time job options, and much better chance to get a full-time job after you graduate.