The third application phase for the VORsprung Programme is now open, and your deadline to apply is 30th June 2026. VORsprung is a free, fully digital study preparation programme that equips international students — including Kenyans and other African applicants — with the academic and language skills needed to study a STEM degree in Germany. This VORsprung Programme 2026 opportunity includes TestAS and TestDaF exam preparation, and graduates receive direct university admission to selected degree programmes at partner universities in Germany.
About This Programme
VORsprung is a DAAD-backed initiative designed to close the gap between wanting to study STEM in Germany and actually being ready to succeed there. It addresses the two biggest barriers most international students face: proving academic readiness through standardised entrance exams (TestAS) and demonstrating sufficient German language proficiency (TestDaF).
The programme is fully digital, which means you participate from wherever you are — Kenya, anywhere in Africa, or globally — without needing to travel to Germany before your studies begin. It is also entirely free, covering study preparation content, exam readiness, and a structured pathway to university admission at partner institutions.
What makes VORsprung genuinely different from a typical language course or test prep programme is the direct admission route. Graduates who complete the programme do not re-enter the standard competitive admissions process — they receive university admission for selected degree programmes at VORsprung partner universities. For international students navigating Germany’s complex higher education admissions system, this is a meaningful advantage.
The programme also specifically welcomes prospective students with a refugee background currently in Germany, reflecting DAAD’s commitment to access and inclusion in international higher education.
Key Programme Details
- Programme type: Free digital study preparation for STEM degrees in Germany
- Who it is for: International prospective students worldwide and prospective students with a refugee background in Germany
- What it covers: Academic STEM preparation, German language intensive course, TestAS preparation, TestDaF preparation, and university admission pathway
- Outcome: VORsprung graduates receive university admission for selected STEM degree programmes at partner universities in Germany
- Language of instruction: German (intensive German course is part of the programme)
- Format: Fully digital — participate from your home country
- Cost: Free
Programme Timeline
- Application period opens: 9th February 2026
- Application deadline: 30th June 2026 at 11:59 PM CET
- German Intensive Course starts: August 2026
- Regular programme starts: September 2026
Who Should Apply
- Kenyan and African students planning to pursue a STEM degree (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) in Germany
- International students who have completed secondary school or hold qualifications equivalent to German university entrance requirements
- Prospective students who need structured preparation for the TestAS academic aptitude test and the TestDaF German language exam
- Students who want a clear, supported pathway to university admission in Germany without navigating the full standard admissions process alone
- Prospective students with a refugee background currently residing in Germany who meet the programme criteria
What VORsprung Offers
- Full study preparation: Structured digital coursework covering the academic content and exam skills needed for STEM study in Germany
- German language training: An intensive German course starting August 2026 to prepare you for TestDaF and day-to-day academic life in Germany
- TestAS and TestDaF preparation: Dedicated exam readiness content for both entrance assessments required for German university admission
- Direct university admission: Graduates receive admission to selected STEM degree programmes at VORsprung partner universities — bypassing standard competitive admissions
- Zero cost: The entire programme — preparation, language training, and admission pathway — is free
About VORsprung and DAAD
VORsprung is a programme of the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) — the German Academic Exchange Service — one of the world’s largest and most respected international academic exchange organisations. DAAD supports international students, researchers, and universities through scholarships, grants, and access programmes, and has a well-established presence in Kenya through DAAD Kenya.
VORsprung was developed specifically to provide alternative, inclusive university admission routes for international STEM students, while also helping German partner universities attract well-prepared first-year students from global talent pools. The programme reflects DAAD’s broader mission of making German higher education accessible to qualified students regardless of their starting point or location.
How to Apply
Step 1: Read the full application requirements and instructions on the DAAD VORsprung application page: daad.de/en/the-daad/intersecting-dimensions-topics/digitalisation/vorsprung/application/
Step 2: Download and review the VORsprung programme flyer for full eligibility and programme details: VORsprung Programme Flyer (PDF)
Step 3: Gather all required documents before starting your application — incomplete applications cannot be considered and will not be reviewed
Step 4: Submit your complete application before 30th June 2026 at 11:59 PM CET
For any questions about the programme or your application, contact the VORsprung team directly: info.vorsprung@daad.de
Application Deadline
30th June 2026 at 11:59 PM CET — no extensions. Apply early.
Documents Required
All required documents must be uploaded for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications are automatically disqualified. Required documents typically include:
- Academic certificates and transcripts (secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent)
- German language proficiency proof (if applicable at your current level)
- Any other certificates or supporting documents specified on the application page
Check the official application page for the full and current document checklist before you begin.
