PreCIS
Preparatory Course and Support Programme for International Students

A successful start to your Bachelor's degree

With the PreCIS programme, the TU Darmstadt supports international bachelor's degree students to successfully start their studies. For first-year students in the winter semester 2026/27, PreCIS will take place from September 18th 2026 to March 31st 2027.

Study preparation: During the two-week PreCIS preparatory course, which takes place in September before the start of the regular academic year, you will prepare for your studies at TU Darmstadt. In the winter semester 2026/27, the preparatory course will be offered in two formats: three courses are expected to take place in person in Darmstadt, while two further courses will be held as virtual classroom sessions via Zoom. A total of 130 places will be available on the preparatory course in the winter semester 2026/27.

Study support: From October to March you will participate in the PreCIS Buddy Programme. You will meet regularly with students from higher semesters to discuss questions about your studies. As a PreCIS participant, you also have the opportunity to benefit from PreCIS Workshops.

18th September – 02nd October 2026

The two-week Preparatory Course gets you ready for your studies at TU Darmstadt.

  • Intensive course in the technical language of Mathematics and German as a scientific language
  • Training in study skills
  • Orientation at the university and on campus
  • Excursions

The preliminary course takes place on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm.

Course contents in detail

Intensive course in the technical language of mathematics and German as a scientific language:

You can read the mathematical term in German in the picture above? Congratulations! If not – don't worry. Many international students face this linguistic challenge in the early stages of their studies.

With our language trainers, you will acquire a basic mathematical vocabulary and practice expressing your own questions and thoughts adequately. You will also deal with German as scientific language and explore how speaking and writing at the university differs from everyday language.

Training in study skills

Student trainers impart knowledge about different types of courses and help you develop techniques for good learning. They will also cover important topics of self management and time management.

Advance your intercultural skills – successfully starting your studies

In this workshop you will exchange on how you and students from different cultural backgrounds experience studying. We discuss the differences in our study systems, as well as communication in a university environment and on how and why misunderstandings can happen. Additionally, we give you practical advice that can help you to find your way in the day to day of your studies including how to act when cultural differences occur.

Introduction to the PreCIS Buddy Programme

This event gives you an overview of mentoring and prepares you specifically for the PreCIS buddy programme. You can look forward to helpful tips and the opportunity to clarify open questions in advance.

Orientation at the university and in Darmstadt

  • Campus tour “Stadtmitte” (City Centre)
  • Campus tour “Lichtwiese”
  • Darmstadt City Rally

Excursions

The PreCIS Preparatory Course includes 5 excursions this year.

1st October 2026 – 31st March 2027

Experienced students from higher years accompany the PreCIS participants through their first semester at the TU Darmstadt. At regular meetings you can discuss and ask questions about your studies and your stay in Darmstadt.

  • Workshop on learning planning in November 2026
  • Workshop on exam preparation in January 2027

Learn – Discover – Make friends

What former participants say about PreCIS

Mai (Vietnam), Medizintechnik:

“My Buddy helped me a lot. I always had a sense of security in my first semester because I always had a person I could contact nearly 24/7 and they always answered my questions no matter how spontaneous they were.”

Marie (Congo), Chemistry:

“With the PreCIS programme, we learned everything about the university system, such as how to register for modules and apply for the Athene card. Also, the terminology course improved our understanding during the maths lecture.”

Bruna (Brazil), Architecture:

“I had a good introduction to all the platforms you use at uni, like Moodle, TUCaN, Miro. And not only that, but how the university works, how things are graded and also what the first steps are.”

Chuchu (China), Mechanical Engineering:

“Because I have participated in the language classes, I can recognise and understand technical vocabulary, especially in mathematics, more quickly.”

Toshal (Mauritius), Electrical Engineering:

“Compared to other international students, the course gave me the advantage of knowing more about how things will go at the university.”

Hassan (Syria), Computer Science:

“Any questions you want to ask, you can just ask. They will all be answered. My buddy advised me on how to prepare for exams – also which lectures are the most important.”

Reports