How to apply to a German university through uni-assist?

To learn more about uni-assist, read this article.

Application Procedure to German Universities via uni-assist

Depending on the university chosen, there are 3 types of application procedures via uni-assist:

• Standard Procedure
• Special Procedure: "Vorprüfungsdokumentation" (VPD) - Preliminary Review Documentation
• Special Procedure: HOCHSCHULSTART.DE (DoSV)

1.1. The Standard Procedure is Used for Most uni-assist Member Universities

1. You submit your online application with all required documents to uni-assist.
2. You send certified and translated copies of all documents by mail and track their arrival at uni-assist
3. uni-assist evaluates your application for the universities.
4. If the evaluation is positive, uni-assist will forward your application to the universities electronically.
5. The university decides on your admission and informs you of its decision.

1.2. Special Procedure: "Vorprüfungsdokumentation" (VPD)

Some universities only accept applications with a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) certificate provided by uni-assist. uni-assist issues the VPD certificate that you can then use to apply to the university of your choice.

What is a VPD Certificate?

The VPD is a document issued by uni-assist after evaluating your documents. The VPD contains the following information so that the university can process your application:

• Which academic certificates were presented
• How uni-assist evaluates those academic certificates
• How uni-assist evaluates the grade in the German grading system

The procedure is as follows:

1. You submit your enrollment application with all required documents to uni-assist via its online portal and pay the processing fee
2. You send certified and translated copies of all documents by mail and track their arrival at uni-assist
3. uni-assist evaluates your documents: processing usually takes 4 to 6 weeks after receipt of the application and processing fee.
4. If the evaluation is positive, uni-assist will send you a VPD by mail and email (in PDF format)
5. Send the VPD along with other required documents to your university before the deadline
6. The university decides on your admission and informs you of the decision.

You should request your VPD from uni-assist as early as possible, because a second application must be submitted to your university before the application deadline. You can request a VPD from uni-assist at any time and your VPD will be valid for one year from the date of issue.

1.3. Special Procedure: Hochschulstart.de (DoSV)

The Hochschulstart.de application procedure is also known as the "dialogue-oriented service procedure" (DoSV/Dialogorientiertes Serviceverfahren). It is used for bachelor's programs with a local Numerus Clausus (NC) and is not used for master's programs.

You can check directly on your university's website whether the study program you've chosen is part of the DoSV. Otherwise, you can check on the uni-assist online portal as soon as you create an application for this course.

Only for this procedure, you'll need an additional registration on hochschulstart.de. Below are the instructions to help you understand this procedure:

Step 1: Register on hochschulstart.de

• Create an account on the DoSV online portal at hochschulstart.de
• Wait for the confirmation email and click on the activation link.
• Log in and copy the identification numbers BID (applicant identification number) and BAN (applicant authentication number) under "My Data."

If you want to apply to multiple courses, you can specify your priorities using the hochschulstart account. If you need to attend a Studienkolleg or a German language preparatory course before you can start your studies, your selected university will inform you directly about your admission.

Step 2: Application via the uni-assist online portal:

• Register on the online portal.
• Create an online application for each selected course.
• Enter your BID and BAN in the online application.
• Upload your documents.
• Submit all applications electronically and pay the processing fee Without correct BID and BAN, uni-assist will not be able to forward your application to the universities.

Step 3: Send certified and translated copies of all documents by mail and track their arrival at uni-assist

Step 4: uni-assist evaluates your application on behalf of the universities.

Step 5: If the evaluation is positive, uni-assist will forward your application to the universities electronically.

Step 6: The university will send you the admission via hochschulstart.de. You can check the status of your application and accept the admission offer on the hochschulstart.de website.

What Documents Do I Need to Prepare to Send to uni-assist?

The required documents will vary depending on your university or country of origin. However, here are the basic documents you should prepare:

Academic Certificates

For a Bachelor's Application:

• School-leaving certificate: document attesting to your qualification to enter university in your home country (secondary school-leaving certificate, etc.). It must be accompanied by a summary of your subjects and grades or a transcript of records.
• Proof of passing a university entrance exam
• Previous university certificates: university degree + transcript with all subjects and grades
• Official explanation of your university's grading system, published by your university in PDF format or on its website

For a Master's:

• University certificate: university degree + summary of subjects and grades without any supplement to the degree or missing pages.
• Official explanation of your university's grading system, published by your university in PDF format or on its website.
• School-leaving certificate and proof of passing a university entrance exam for master's courses in your home country (only required by some universities)

These documents can be submitted only once to apply to multiple universities. You should start with the certificate from the last school where you graduated (which allows you to start university studies in your home country) and continue up to the current state of your university studies.

Language Certificate

For German:

• DSH
• TestDaF
• Certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut, if accepted by your university
• The DSD German language diploma ("Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz"), if accepted by your university

For English:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• Proof that English was the language of instruction in your previous studies (only accepted by some universities)
• Cambridge English Certificate: FCE, CAE, and CPE online
• Other certificates if accepted by your university

The required language proficiency level may differ by universities or courses. You should check the admission criteria with the university before submitting your application to uni-assist.

Certified Copies and Translations of Documents

All copies of documents must be notarized with an official stamp or a ribbon and embossed seal.

In addition to the copy of each certificate in its original language, you must attach a certified translation in German or English.

Other Documents Required by Universities

Some universities require additional documents that may be listed below:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation letter
• Photo
• A copy of your passport
• Enrollment certificate ("Immatrikulations-Bescheinigung") or de-registration certificate ("Exmatrikulationsbescheinigung"), if you've already studied at a German university.
• TestAS
• GMAT/GRE
• Proof of internship/work experience
• Portfolio
• Doctor's note proving you are physically fit for certain courses
• Proof of passing an aptitude test or entrance exam

We hope you now have an overview of "How to apply via uni-assist." After preparing all your documents, you can immediately submit your application. Check this article for more detailed step-by-step instructions.