Route: study in Berlin

§ 16b permit, blocked account, WASSCE, Studienkolleg, uni-assist.

Permit (§ 16b AufenthG)

• Full-time study at a state or state-recognised university. You apply for a study visa at the German mission before travelling: Visa and embassy.
• Work: up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year (§ 16b (3)).
• Money: a blocked account of €992 a month (€11,904 a year) is the usual proof. The €992 is the 2026 figure and follows BAföG rates; a BAföG-reform draft (BT-Drs. 21/8405) could raise it from 1 Apr 2027 (not yet promulgated). €1,091 applies only to language courses without study preparation (§ 16f (1)); study-preparation courses use €992.
• Health insurance is mandatory: Health.
• Source: § 16b, DAAD.

Admission with Ghanaian school certificates

According to uni-assist (Ghana):

• WASSC (West African Senior School Certificate, issued by WAEC; often called WASSCE): uni-assist asks for a copy of the certificate and the scratch-card data (serial number and PIN) for online verification. If all conditions are met, the WASSC qualifies you for a Studienkolleg.
• Studienkolleg: a preparatory course ending with the Feststellungsprüfung. Courses and exam are, as a rule, only in German, even if you plan an English-taught programme later.
• Direct entry after university study in Ghana: degree certificate, official transcript with stamp and signature of the registrar, and the university's grading system. The uni-assist page for Ghana describes only the Studienkolleg route for school certificates; the years of study that give direct access were not stated. Ask uni-assist or the university.
• GCE Advanced and Ordinary Level: official Advanced Level and Ordinary Level certificates, with the grading scale. Whether they lead to Studienkolleg or direct access: see the uni-assist page.
• Subject requirements for the WASSC, the anabin rating and the Studienkolleg entry rules are set per case; check anabin and the Studienkolleg (Studienkolleg HU/FU Berlin).

Languages and fees

• German-taught programmes need a German proof (DSH or TestDaF, level per programme). English-taught programmes: whether Ghanaian applicants need an English certificate depends on the university.
• Public universities in Berlin charge no tuition for international students, only a semester fee. Private universities charge tuition; check recognition.
• Applications go through uni-assist or directly to the university. Deadlines: per university, not listed.