How to Apply to Germany Universities
A step-by-step walkthrough of the university application process for Germany. Learn how to navigate application systems, meet deadlines, and track your applications.
Germany University Application Systems
There are three ways to apply, depending on where your school certificate is from and what you study.
Key Features
- Checks international certificates for many universities.
- Fully online: no papers by post.
- Uploaded papers are kept for 3 years.
Perfect For
- Applicants with certificates from outside Germany, at universities that use it.
Application Fees
EUR 75 for the first course, EUR 30 for each extra course in a semester
Comparing Application Systems
| Feature | Centralized System | Individual Portals | Regional System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Universities that work with uni-assist | Universities that handle applications themselves | - |
| Main Focus | Checking international certificates | Direct application to one university | Some subjects with a fixed number of seats |
| Essay Requirements | Motivation letter if the course asks | - | - |
| Special Features | EUR 75 first course, EUR 30 each extra | University's own portal | Free to apply |
- Check on your course page which way to apply.
- If you use uni-assist, apply at least 8 weeks before the deadline.
Step-by-Step Application Process
How students from India and Pakistan apply to German universities.
Germany has more than 20,000 degree courses. Requirements and deadlines differ by university and course.
Key Considerations
- Course language: German or English.
- Deadline for the winter or summer semester (half a study year).
- Whether the university uses uni-assist.
Pro Tip
Check each course's language and deadline.
You need your school-finishing certificate, and it must be accepted in Germany. For a master's, you need a first degree.
Key Considerations
- Look up your certificate on anabin, a German list of foreign schools and degrees.
- India: most students need the APS certificate.
Pro Tip
India: plan the APS certificate (a check of Indian papers by the Academic Evaluation Centre) early.
Certificates, mark sheets, translations, CV, motivation letter and a language certificate.
Key Considerations
- Certificates must be official, signed and stamped.
- If your mark sheets do not explain how marks are given, add your university's official grading rules.
Pro Tip
Upload each paper once.
Apply through uni-assist, directly to the university, or through Hochschulstart (the national application site for some courses), depending on the course.
Key Considerations
- uni-assist: make a My assist account (on the uni-assist website), fill in one form per course, upload your papers and pay.
- Direct: use the university's own portal.
Pro Tip
uni-assist: at least 8 weeks before the deadline.
uni-assist charges EUR 75 for the first course and EUR 30 for each extra course in a semester.
Key Considerations
- Universities may charge their own fee.
Pro Tip
Bank transfers from abroad can take two weeks.
Accept your place, then enrol (sign up as a student) by the university's deadline.
Key Considerations
- Pay the semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), a fee every student pays each semester.
- Ask your health insurer to send a notice of your insurance to the university.
Pro Tip
Then apply for your visa.
Important Note
Application Fees & Fee Waivers
What applying costs.
uni-assist, first course in a semester
Covers the check of your certificates.
uni-assist, each extra course in the same semester
For each extra application.
Hochschulstart (the national application site for some courses)
Applying through Hochschulstart costs nothing.
Cancel after 14 days (uni-assist)
Fee if you cancel after the 14-day cancellation period.
Multiple Applications Add Up
International bank transfer
A bank transfer to uni-assist can take up to two weeks to arrive.
- Upload each paper once in uni-assist. It is used for all your applications.
Tracking Your Applications
How to follow your application.
Application Tracking Methods
- See all your uploaded papers.
- Upload missing papers before the deadline.
Pro Tip
Email Management Tips
- Check your email and spam folder often.
Common Email Issues
uni-assist checks applications in the order they arrive, usually within 4 to 6 weeks.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problems students often meet when applying to German universities, and what to do. Amounts are in euro (EUR).
Missing papers
uni-assist sends a list of what is missing.
Solution:
Upload the missing papers before the deadline.
Translations not accepted
Papers not in German or English need a translation.
Solution:
Use a sworn translator (a translator approved by a court), or your school or university if it may translate.
No confirmation of uploads
uni-assist does not confirm each upload by email.
Solution:
Check your uploads in My assist under your documents.
Official help
- uni-assist help pages and contact form
- Your university's international office
- The Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) website, for Indian students
How to Ask for Help Effectively
- Check your email often, including the spam folder.
- Upload full certificates, with every page and mark sheet.
After Submission
What happens after you send your application.
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