There are two kinds of Studienkolleg. They are either affiliated with a university or a university of applied sciences. If you have successfully passed the final exams at a university Studienkolleg, you can study at a university or at a university of applied sciences. If you have passed the exams at a Studienkolleg connected to a university of applied sciences, you are usually not qualified to study at a university, but can only study at a university of applied sciences. Graduates of Studienkollegs can apply to study in all of Germany.
Besides the differentiation between Studienkollegs affiliated with universities or universities of applied sciences, there is also a difference between private and state-run Studienkollegs. State-run Studienkollegs are usually tuition-free and their degree is usually valid to study anywhere in Germany. Private Studienkollegs often charge tuition and it is important that you find out whether the private Studienkolleg you wish to study at even offers a certificate which is valid in all of Germany.
The university Studienkollegs offer the following specialised courses as preparation for studying at university:
M-course: for medical, biological and pharmaceutical degrees
T-course: for mathematical, science or technical degrees
W-course:for business, economics and social science degrees
G-course: for humanity degrees or German studies
S-course: for language degrees
The university of applied sciences Studienkollegs boffer the following specialised courses as preparation for studying:
TI-course: for technical and engineering degrees
WW-course: for economics and business degrees
GD-course:for design and art degrees
SW-course: for social science degrees