Your Benefits
TakeOff@RWU
Ready for TAKEoff@RWU? Are you…
... about to finishing school or just graduated and thinking about your next step?
… interested in studying a STEM bachelor’s program in Germany?
… eager to refresh/boost your knowledge to be better prepared for studying?
… searching for a program that does not require German skills at the start?
… curious about the cultural aspects of living and working in Germany?
… eady to commit to your studies and aim for academic success?
If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, TAKEoff@RWU could be the perfect next step!
This one-semester program prepares you for the international STEM bachelorr’s degrees at RWU. Refresh and boost your skills in maths, physics, and programming, learn German based on realistic everyday speaking situations, and earn up to 5 ECTS for your consecutive bachelor’s degree at RWU. Connect with local companies and gain insights into future career fields through hands-on industry experience. TAKEoff@RWU equips you with the language, academic, and cultural skills you need to be perfectly prepared for living, studying, and working in Germany.
Apply now, join TAKEoff@RWU and significantly improve your chances of academic success!
Key facts
Duration: one semester
Start: every winter semester (Mid-September to end of February)
Application period: 1. February – 15. April
Capacity: 30 places
Costs: 224€
Your benefits during TAKEoff@RWU
You start with a German course designed for students with little or no previous knowledge in our CLIC language center. You’ll learn the essentials based on realistic everyday speaking situations.
In an intercultural course, you will learn everything about Living and Studying in Germany.
Math, physics and programming courses refresh and boost your knowledge for a bachelor degree at RWU.
With prior arrangement, you can take part in specially selected courses in our English or bilingual bachelor’s degree programs worth up to 5 ECTS and sit an exam*1. If you fail the exam, this will not affect your future studies.
You will get to know local companies and future career fields through the Industry Experience Module. This module includes company visits, an application writing workshop, networking practice during the career days at RWU, and a project-based-internship*2 at one of our industry partners. Our industry partners are among others RAFI and ifm. This will give you a first in-depth insight into the topic of working in Germany.
You do not pay tuition fees*3.
Your benefits after TAKEoff@RWU
If you apply for and enroll in an English or bilingual bachelor’s degree program at RWU after TAKEoff@RWU...
...you can apply to have the 5 ECTS from the regular bachelor’s degree courses recognized*4 upon successful examination. This will reduce your workload during your studies.
... you will receive a bonus of 0.5 on your overall grade in our selection system if you are successfully taking part in TAKEoff@RWU*5.
*1 A minimum attendance of 80% is required in order to receive the 0,5 bonus, to be admitted to elective exams and to be eligible to apply for the project-based internship at one of our industry partners.
*2 The content of the format is subject to change.
*3 Only the usual administrative fees of 224€ and a small food fee during the onboarding week apply.
*4 Find out independently about the recognition of your ECTS.
*5 Please note the minimum grade for an application to RWU! If this is not sufficient despite the improvement of 0.5 grade points, you will not be able to study with us. You will find information on the average grade after registering in the application portal
Your Curriculum
The TAKEoff curriculum is designed to equip you with the academic, professional, and cultural skills you need to succeed studying at RWU and living in Germany. You’ll benefit from a combination of mandatory modules, taken by all TAKEoff students, and a wide range of electives that let you earn up to 5 ECTS for your chosen bachelor’s program at RWU.
Mandatory modules
German as foreign language
Master the basics of German for academic and everyday life. This module helps you build essential speaking, listening, and writing skills, making it easier to settle in, study, and connect in Germany.
Intercultural TAKEoff
Develop intercultural competence for living and studying in Germany. Understand cultural differences, improve your communication skills, and learn practical strategies for adapting to both academic and daily life.
Precalculus
Strengthen your math foundation for STEM studies, covering key topics such as sets, numbers, functions, geometry, equations, logarithms, exponentials, and trigonometry. Build problem-solving abilities and mathematical confidence.
Bridging Course Physics
Gain essential knowledge in physics for engineering, including mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, optics, electronics, and material science. Understand core concepts and their applications in technical fields.
Programming
Learn programming fundamentals with a focus on C, covering topics like program structure, variables, data types, functions, memory management, and file operations. Develop the skills needed to solve practical problems and work effectively in technical settings.
Industry Experience
Get to know the German professional world through company visits and RWU career days, where you’ll meet employers and discover local industries firsthand. Enhance your job application skills in a focused workshop. With at least 80% attendance in the mandatory modules of TAKEoff@RWU, you’ll be eligible to apply for a project-based internship at one of our partner organizations, an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience and stand out when applying for company scholarships/internships/thesis spots.
The module handbook with further details on the modules can be found further below in the download section.
Elective modules
Choose from a variety of electives offered by RWU’s international bachelor’s programs: Mechatronics (ME), Mechanical Engineering / International Project Engineering (IPE), Engineering and Information Technology (EI), and E-Mobility & Green Energy, Electrical (EM). Those interested in boosting other skills can also take Electives from the International Academy.
Electives let you specialize and explore your interests. You can sign up for any electives that fit your schedule and academic goals. Signing up for electives is voluntary meaning you can also focus on the mandatory modules only. However, if you already know which bachelor’s program you want to pursue, it’s smart to choose electives related to that field.
| Credits | Course Name | ME | IPE | EI | EM | IA |
| 5 ECTS | Analysis 2 | X | ||||
| / | Tutorium Analysis 2 | X | ||||
| 5 ECTS | Fundamentals of Physics | X | ||||
| / | Tutorium Fundamental of Physics | X | ||||
| 5 ECTS | Objektorientierte Programmierung | X | ||||
| 5 ECTS | Statik und Mechanik der Werkstoffe | X | X | |||
| 5 ECTS | Technisches Zeichnen und CAD | X | ||||
| 5 ECTS | Digitaltechnik | X | X | |||
| 5 ECTS | Innovation und Virtuelle Führung | X | ||||
| 5 ECTS | Erfolgreiche Präsentationen, Dialoge und Meetings | X | ||||
| 5 ECTS | Internationales Marketing | X |
Hinweis: . The elective offer for the winter semester 2026/27 is currently under review. The final list will be announced no later than during the Welcome Week in September. RWU will help you select the electives that best fit your goals.
80% attendance in the mandatory modules and the elective in question is conditional to be admitted to the exam. If you fail any elective exam during TAKEoff@RWU this does not affect your future studies. If you pass the exam you can apply to have these ECTS recognized*1. This will reduce your workload during your consecutive bachelor.
The selection is made after consultation with the head of the preparatory course. Exclusion from participation in these subject-specific courses is possible due to admission restrictions. Overlaps with compulsory modules cannot be ruled out. Participation in the selected elective modules is not guaranteed.
*1 Find out independently about the recognition of your ECTS.
Module manual TAKEoff@RWU
- module manual curriculum preperatory semester TAKEoff@RWU
Your Application
Attention please: The application portal will be under maintenance from 23. March - 27. March 2026. During this period, applications are not possible.
How to apply for TAKEoff@RWU
The following section contains information about how to to get the admission. If you still have questions after reading this website, feel free to contact us.
Application deadline
APPLICATION PERIOD FOR THE WINTER INTAKE 2026: 1 February, 2026 - 15 April, 2026
The deadlines are cut-off deadlines. Please note that your application can only be considered if your complete application documents have been received within the application deadline.
Application process
STEP 1 - ONLINE APPLICATION: RWU provides you with an online application tool that you can use to submit your initial application. Please visit our online application portal for more information: RWU Online Application
STEP 2 - POSTAL APPLICATION:
Please submit the following documents after your online application.
Original signed application form
A certified copy of your university entrance qualification (final or provisional) in English or German, including your school´s grading system. The original final school-leaving certificate has to be submitted during official enrollment at the latest.
English language certificate (TOEFL iBT min. 70 or IELTS min. 6.0) - not older than 2 years! Medium of Instruction Certificates and TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted!
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Copy of your passport (for verification of name, date and place of birth)
Applicants from India, China or Vietnam: Copy of APS certificate
If applicable: Studieneignungsprüfung/Certificate of Aptitude for Studying in Germany (more information below)
If applicable: German language certificate
If applicable: Studieneignungsprüfung/Certificate of Aptitude for Studying in Germany
Should your university entrance qualification/school-leaving certificate qualifies for direct access to a university in your home country, but is not compliant to ANABIN, you need – in addition to your Higher Education Entrance Qualification (12 years of schooling) - present one of the following certificates of aptitude for studying in Germany (Studieneignungsprüfung):TestAS digital (Core Module + Subject Module Engineering) - A total score of min. 100
TestAS paper-based (Core Module + Subject Module Engineering) - A total score of min. 180
ITB Technology (Extended Version 180 min) - A total score of min. 90
SAT (Full version including essay) - A total score of min. 1100
ACT - (Full version including writing) Composite Score min. 22
If this applies to you, another benefit of TAKEoff@RWU for your bachelor’s application is, that the oral test you need to present alongside the Studieneignungsprüfung is part of TAKEoff@RWU and free of charge to you.
All documents need to be sent to the following address
Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten
Zulassungsamt
Doggenriedstraße 70
88250 Weingarten
Deutschland
Important information for applying to a consecutive Bachelor at RWU
If you have actively participated in TAKEoff@RWU, you will receive a bonus of 0.5 grade points on your overall grade in our selection system. Be aware that participation in TAKEoff@RWU does not guarantee a place at RWU and you have not automatically applied for a degree program. If you would like to start a bachelor's degree at RWU, you have to submit a complete application by the deadline. Furthermore, TAKEoff@RWU is not valid as a preparatory college (Studienkolleg), meaning that after successfully completing TAKEoff@RWU, you do not acquire a university entrance qualification (HZB) for RWU or any other university. It increases your chances and you have all the benefits listed, but the ranking process and the minimum grade for an application to RWU still applies! If this is not sufficient despite the improvement of 0.5 grade points, you will unfortunately not be able to study with us. You will find information on the average grade after registering in the application portal. See also § 8 "Aktuelle Zulassungs- und Auswahlsatzung der RWU für Bachelorstudiengänge".
*1 Is your university entrance qualification recognized in Germany? Check in the Anabin database or in the Anabin-Guide.
Admission regulations for the preparatory semester
- Satzung für TAKEoff@RWU - Fassung vom 18. Januar 2024
Your Options after TAKEoff@RWU
Bachelor
Apply for one of our English-speaking Bachelor's Degree program by 15 November...
...and have the ECTS points you have already earned in TAKEoff@RWU recognised!
E-Mobility and Green Energy (EN)
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (EN)
Mechanical Engineering / International Project Engineering (international variant)
Mechatronics (EN)
Master
After your Bachelor's degree, you can easily continue your studies with us. You might be interested in these Master's programmes:
Mechatronics (EN)
Electrical Engineering and Embedded Systems (EN)
Doctorate
After successfully completing your Master's degree, you can also pursue a doctorate at RWU. Information are available here.
Company Scholarships
The following companies offer study-program-specific scholarships to international students studying full-time at RWU:
 | 
|
| IFM Company Scholarship Electrical Engineering & Information Technology | RAFI Firmenstipendium Electrical Engineering & Information Technology |
TAKEoff@RWU students have a slight advantage compared to regular students: As IFM and RAFI are both partners for the Industry-Experience module within the TAKEoff semester, TAKEoff students can get to know these companies already. To participate in this module, an 80% attendance is required in all other TAKEoff modules. Students who successfully complete the internship receive a certificate, which helps you stand out in future applications to study-related companies as well as for the company scholarship.
You can only apply for these scholarships once you are officially enrolled in the study program for which the scholarship is offered.
Online Infosessions
Are you interested in TAKEoff@RWU but still have questions that our website could not answer?
Join one of our online info sessions to learn everything you need to know about the program and ask your individual questions directly to us. Present will be the head of the program, a professor of RWU, a former TAKEoff@RWU student and a representative of the admissions office. To accommodate participants from all over the world, our sessions take place at different times:
Thursday, the 26th of February 2026: 16:00 – 17:00 CET
Wednesday, the 11th of March 2026: 08:30 – 09:30 CET
Wednesday, the 1st of April 2026: 12:00 – 13:00 CET
This scheduling allows you to join from your time zone, no matter where you are. Register now and secure your spot in one of our upcoming info sessions! You can find the registration link here. We look forward to meeting you!
FAQ
TAKEoff@RWU
Contact & People
General contact details
| Online advice |
Make an appointment: takeoff@rwu.de
|
| Postal address |
RWU Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences P.O. Box 30 22
88216 Weingarten Germany |
|---|
Ask us!
