International foundation programme Business Science and Economics

Preparatory phase

The preparatory phase of the 'VSI Business Science and Economics' comprises:

• an introductory German language course
• a German for academic purposes course
• preparatory modules and teaching activities (academic study skills)
• a language module 'English'
• an orientation semester that includes student-tutor feedback sessions and modules/courses from the study plan for the chosen degree programme.

Students do not need to take the German language course if they can prove that they already have the required level of proficiency in German.

Access phase

After the initial preparatory stage, students progress to the access phase of the VSI programme, which lasts no more than four semesters. During the access phase, students are required to meet the requirements set out in the study regulations and study plan of their chosen undergraduate degree programme and to complete the VSI-specific modules 'Organizing your Studies for Success' and the student-tutor feedback sessions.

To successfully complete the access phase of the VSI foundation programme, students must earn 40 ECTS credits in accordance with the study regulations for their selected degree programme. They have a maximum of four semesters in which to achieve this target. Students who meet this target will be deemed to have met the subject-specific entrance qualification for undergraduate study at Saarland University and may continue studying in the selected Bachelor's programme.