Foundation Year Program

The Jacobs University Foundation Year Program is designed to provide qualified students with the opportunity to hone and strengthen skills necessary to succeed in English-speaking universities around the world.

Foundation Year Students will live and learn in Jacobs University's residential community, which houses 1200 students from over 90 countries. With 75% of students coming from outside of Germany, international students will be in good company.

The Foundation Year Program: the Facts

• Language preparation (for both the SAT and TOEFL or other English-language tests);
• Subject-specific training (fundamentals of Engineering or Economics);
• Academic and extra-curricular program lasts eight months;
• Program begins in Fall 2010;
• Residential life on an international campus with students from around the world. 

Foundation Year Program for International Students

• Will you have completed your high school certificate when entering the program?
• Do you hope to study in an English-speaking university in the future, but would benefit from more time honing your language and subject specific skills?
• Do you want help preparing for the SAT, TOEFL and other standardized examinations?
• Are you prepared to live in an international community with driven and accomplished students from over 90 countries?

The Program for German Gymnasium Graduates

• Are you planning on studying at an English-speaking university but would like some time to improve your language skills?
• Would you like to review and improve your understanding of mathematics or engineering fundamentals before entering a university-level program?
• Are you considering university, at home or abroad, but would like to try independent, on-campus living before committing to a three- or four-year academic program?
• Do you want the chance to transfer ECTS credits to your future university?

Note: Foundation Year students are of course welcome to apply for admission to Jacobs University after having completed the program. The Jacobs bachelor is completed in three years, so students taking advantage of the Foundation Year program and then choosing to enter Jacobs as undergraduates can complete their bachelor's in the same amount of time as a four-year US bachelor.

For more information, contact Dr. Antonia Gohr in the Office for Academic Affairs.