What is the PreMaster program?

The PreMaster semester at the Karls is a full-time, one-semester preparation course in English which is offered every spring semester. In this period you will get the relevant knowledge and skills in business management, economics, scientific working and others in modules from our Bachelor programs which prepare and qualify you for a successful start in our Master's programs  beginning in October of every year.

The PreMaster semester contains two tracks: One for German students and one for international students. Whilst the basis is the same in both tracks, German students will have an extra insight into the Global Economy in order to train you about international contexts. Students coming from international contexts will instead look into the German Business Culture in order to familiarize yourself with the context of your new home and to open possibilities to find a job in Germany already during your studies.

Once you have successfully completed the PreMaster semester you will receive an official PreMaster certificate and a corresponding Transcript of Records to show for your achievements.

So, on the one hand, the PreMaster semester is a means to help you gain and fulfil the possibly necessary formal requirements to enter into the Karls' Master's programs. On the other hand, though, it gives you a lot more. 

The PreMaster starts every spring semester in March.

Head of Program

Prof. Dr. Stephan Sonnenburg

Master Programs

Insight into the study program

All at a glance

Application Deadline

EU: 25. Feb., non-EU: 10. Dec. or later, depending on the visa process of your home country

Study program start

March

Study Duration

1 semester

Tuition fee

790 € / month

Total ECTS

30

Taught in

English

Lectures

On Mondays - Fridays and partly (as an exception) also Saturdays (as well as block seminars)

Who is the PreMaster for?

The PreMaster semester is for people, Germans and Internationals, who wish to study in the Master in Management or Master in Social TransFormation – Politics, Philosophy & Economics at the Karls, and who, in fact, have been accepted for the Master's, and

  • have not gained the necessary 30 ECTS (credit points) in Management, Business, or Economics during their Bachelor's studies (in which case the PreMaster is a mandatory requirement), and/or
  • have studied a sufficient amount of relevant Management, Business, or Economics during their Bachelor's studies but would like to refresh their memory before they start into our Master's, and/or
  • have finished their Bachelor's studies in the first half of the year and would like to bridge the time until the beginning of the Master's in March in a sensible way, and/or
  • would like to acquaint themselves with the Karls-style of teaching and learning before the Master's in order to ensure a smooth transitioning into that program, and/or
  • would like to settle in in Karlsruhe, build a social network, possibly find a job to accompany them throughout their graduate studies, and make friends at the Karls early on.

Elena Schmidt, BBA (Germany), voluntary PreMaster

"This program provides a unique opportunity to refresh my knowledge and get familiar with the Karls early on. The positive experiences I've made in the PreMaster confirm my decision to do my Master's here 100%!"

Admission requirements

Admission to the PreMaster is only possible in combination with admission to our Master's degree programs Master in Management or Master in Social TransFormation – Politics, Philosophy & Economics. Please find all relevant information here.

In the online application you will find a tick box to let us know that you are interested in the PreMaster program, too.

If you are not sure whether the PreMaster is a mandatory requirement for your eligibility to the Master's program do not worry. If that is the case we will get in touch with you about it after we have reviewed your application.

PreMaster Application deadline:

  • Do you come from within the European Union?
    Then your application deadline is February 25 of each year.
  • Do you come from outside the European Union but you already have a standing VISA for Germany?
    Then your application deadline is December 10 (possibly later by individual arrangement) of each year.
  • Do you come from outside the European Union and you do not have a standing VISA for Germany, yet?
    Then your application deadline is December 10* (possibly later, depending on the visa process of your home country) of each year.


In order to guarantee a smooth and comfortable admission process, however, we recommend applying in good time as the number of available slots is limited.

Please note: For corresponding information regarding the Master's program please see here.


*Exceptions may apply for the following countries:
Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, San Marino, Switzerland, and the USA.

In concrete cases, please kindly get in touch with our Student Admissions Service.

Silvia Vásquez, Bachelor in Law (Colombia), PreMaster

"The PreMaster, to me, means the chance to explore a field and a diversity I would otherwise not have been able to explore. It makes me appreciate and enjoy the challenge of studying abroad even more. This has definitely been the right choice for me."

Program Fees

The fees for the PreMaster program amount to € 690 per month. Additionally, all students currently pay a contribution of € 67.70 per semester to the Student Union Karlsruhe.

For further information about funding and scholarships please visit our Financing page and browse the DAAD website.

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