Documents for German University Applications
The papers students from India and Pakistan need to apply to German universities, through uni-assist (a service that checks papers for many German universities) or directly, and for the visa after. Amounts are in euro (EUR).
The papers you need fall into four groups.
Study papers
Certificates and mark sheets from school and university.
Tests
Language certificates, the APS certificate (India) and any test your course needs.
Personal papers
CV, motivation letter and letters of recommendation.
Money papers
For the visa: a blocked account (Sperrkonto, a German bank account that holds your money; you can take out only a set amount each month), a sponsor letter or a scholarship.
Your study papers show you can start the course.
- Start with the certificate from the last school you finished. It lets you go to university in your own country.
- For a bachelor's, this means your class 12 (and class 10) mark sheets.
- India: a three-year diploma after class 10 is usually not enough. Germany normally wants 12 years of school.
- For a master's: your degree certificate and the list of all subjects and grades.
- Add your university's official grading rules (how marks are given), if they are not on your mark sheets. A link to anabin (a German list of foreign schools and degrees) or Wikipedia is not enough.
- Papers must be official: signed and stamped by your school or university, or have a code that others can use to check them online.
Important
Papers that show who you are and why you want this course.
- List everything from your first school onwards.
- Leave no empty time in your CV. For any time with no study or work, write "no special activities / no studies".
- Name the university and course in bold at the top, so uni-assist knows which course the letter is for.
- Some universities ask for a letter from your former teachers or professors.
- Some courses ask for internship or work proof, a portfolio (a folder of your own work), or tests such as GMAT or GRE.
Recommendations
- Ask teachers or professors who taught you.
- Check whether your course asks for letters at all.
For the visa you must show money for your first year.
- You put EUR 11,904 in the account. It covers your first year.
- No more than EUR 992 a month can be taken out.
- A letter from a sponsor in Germany who promises to pay your costs. The sponsor signs it at their local Foreigners' Office (the city office for people from other countries).
- A German or EU (European Union) scholarship.
- Pakistan: for the visa, a scholarship from a Pakistani university is not accepted. One from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is accepted.
- EUR 75 for your first course in one semester.
- EUR 30 for each extra course in the same semester.
Average Cost Overview for Germany
uni-assist application
At least 8 weeks before the deadline
uni-assist result
Usually 4 to 6 weeks
How to get translations right and what gets checked.
No Apostille Needed for the Visa (India)
- Upload each certificate in the language it was written in, plus a translation into German or English.
- No translation is needed if your certificate is also issued in German or English.
- Translations must come from a sworn translator, or from your school or university if it is allowed to translate.
- India: APS checks Indian school and university papers. Send your papers by post or courier.
- Papers in English, or in two languages, usually need no notary stamp. A translation from an Indian regional language needs a stamp from a notary (an official who confirms papers are real).
Document Verification Timeline
Collect your papers
Before you apply
Get all certificates, mark sheets and translations ready.
Apply through uni-assist
At least 8 weeks before the deadline
This leaves you time to add missing papers.
uni-assist result
4 to 6 weeks after you apply
uni-assist checks applications in the order they arrive, so apply early.
•Sending a translation by someone who is not a sworn translator.
•Leaving out pages or the mark sheets.
•Uploading papers late. uni-assist cannot send an application to the university if papers are missing.
Use this list to collect your papers before you apply.
Study Papers
Tests and Certificates
Personal Papers
Identity
Tips
Each university decides which papers it wants. Check your course page, then upload each paper once in uni-assist.
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