Route: study in Berlin

§ 16b permit, blocked account, WASSC/NECO, 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 Nigerian school certificates

According to uni-assist (Nigeria):

• WASSC (WAEC) or NECO certificate: 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 Nigeria: degree certificate, official transcript with stamp and signature of the registrar, and the university's grading system. The number of years of study that gives direct access was not stated on the page; ask uni-assist.
• GCE: 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 Nigerian 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.