Study in Germany: Admissions

Eligibility to Study in Germany

What you need to apply to a German university from India or Pakistan: the right school or degree certificate and the course language. Most Indian students also need the APS certificate (a check of Indian papers by the Academic Evaluation Centre).

Example eligibility check

Example: master's applicant

Example: first degree

Verified

Example: bachelor's degree checked

Example: English test

Verified

Example: IELTS Academic certificate (an English test)

Example: papers

In Progress

Example: some papers left to upload

Example: APS certificate

Required

Example: APS certificate is missing

Example status

Conditional

Example only. Your own result depends on your course.

Main Requirements

Every German university checks these points.

School certificate (for bachelor's)

You need a school certificate that lets you study at a German university (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). If yours is not enough, you first go to a preparatory college (Studienkolleg).

First degree (for master's)

A master's usually needs a first degree, such as a bachelor's.

APS certificate (India)

Most students who went to school or studied in India need it. It takes at least two weeks.

Language

Proof of the course language, German or English, before the application period ends.

Recognition

Look up your certificate on anabin, a German list of foreign schools and degrees. Then uni-assist (a service that checks papers for many German universities) or the university checks your grades.

The University Decides

The university makes the final choice. Meeting the rules does not promise you a seat in the course.

Requirements by Level

The rules depend on the degree you want.

Basic rules by degree

1Bachelor's

A school certificate that lets you study in Germany.
If not, you go to a preparatory college (Studienkolleg) and pass its final exam, called Feststellungsprüfung.
India: you normally need 12 years of school. A three-year diploma after class 10 is usually not enough.

2Master's

A first degree, such as a bachelor's.
No preparatory college needed.
Some courses add interviews or tests.

Tests You May Need

Standardized Testing Requirements

Undergraduate Tests

1TestAS

TestAS is an entry test for international bachelor's applicants. Some universities ask for it.

Recognition differs by university.

Graduate Tests

1German (German-taught courses)

Any one of these German tests: DSH-2, TestDaF (level 4 in each part), telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule or Goethe Certificate C2.

TUM example.

2GMAT or GRE

Only if your course asks.

Mainly for business and economics.

Note: Each course decides which tests it accepts. These examples are from Technical University of Munich (TUM).

English Test Scores

English Proficiency Requirements

For English-taught courses. The English tests are IELTS, TOEFL and PTE. Scores below are TUM's lowest scores.

Test	Undergraduate	Graduate	Notes
IELTS Academic	6.5	6.5	TUM example. Also accepted: IELTS Online Academic.
TOEFL iBT	88	88	TUM example. Not accepted: TOEFL ITP. India: for the visa, the TOEFL home edition is not accepted.
PTE Academic	65	65	TUM accepts it. India: for the visa, PTE is not accepted.
Cambridge CAE or CPE	Grades A, B or C	Grades A, B or C	TUM example.

Important Considerations

Score Validity

Check the test provider’s score validity rules and your university’s requirements.

Possible Exemptions

You may be exempt from English proficiency requirements in certain cases:

TUM: if at least half of your degree was taught in English, that can count as your English proof.
TUM: for a master's, your school marks in English are not accepted as proof.
India: for the visa, the German Missions (the German embassy and consulates) do not accept a letter from your university saying your course was taught in English.

Special Requirements

Different academic disciplines often have specific requirements beyond the general eligibility criteria. These specialized requirements ensure you have the necessary background and aptitude for success in your chosen field in Germany.

Medicine and Pharmacy

Subjects such as medicine and pharmacy have a fixed number of seats for the whole country.
You often apply through Hochschulstart, the national application site for some courses.

Art and Architecture

Portfolios or work samples are usually needed.

Business and Economics

Business and economics courses may ask for a GMAT or GRE score (entry tests some courses ask for).

Looking for Other Fields?

This is not an exhaustive list. Many other academic disciplines have specific requirements. Always check with your target universities in Germany for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements for your specific program of interest.

Extra Steps for International Applicants

International students face several additional requirements beyond those for domestic applicants. These ensure that you can successfully transition to studying in Germany and comply with immigration regulations.

Grade check

Many universities use uni-assist to check foreign certificates.

uni-assist gives you a paper called VPD that puts your grades on the German scale.

APS certificate

Checks Indian certificates.

India: needed by most applicants who studied in India.
You do not need it for a PhD, for a public scholarship from Germany or the EU (European Union), for a non-German degree, or for a degree from outside India.

Statement of Comparability

Sometimes a university asks for it before it admits you.