Study in Germany: A detailed guide for your application to German universities

Step 1: Choose a German University and Study Program

1.1 Research Universities and Programs

Simply type "German universities" into a search engine like Google and look for the best results yourself. Or you can avoid being overwhelmed by a mass of information by using the EDUBAO university database. Not only can you see all the information about universities and programs, but you can also check reviews from experienced students from your country.

Additionally, reaching out to friends or alumni who have already studied at the German university or program you're interested in can also give you a better overview of the program and the academic environment before making your final decision.

1.2 Choose the Program Based on the Language of Instruction

Choosing a program based on the language of instruction is very important because it determines whether you'll understand the courses or not. Most German universities offer the majority of their courses in German. So having a certain level of German language proficiency is necessary. However, there are also many internationally-oriented courses taught in English. For more information about the German language, you'll find everything in this article.

1.3 Choose a Study Program Based on Your Ability to Meet the Requirements

Once you've determined the language you'll study in, you need to check the other admission criteria for that program to see if you're eligible to take the course or not. Academic requirements are mainly related to your previous level of education, proven by a school-leaving certificate, and your language proficiency level. We've summarized the general requirements for each level of German universities below:

1) School-Leaving Certificates and Academic Requirements

• Basic Level (Studienkolleg): Abitur certificate or high school diploma and/or university admission (in your home country) and certificate of one or two semesters of higher education or a higher education degree in your home country;

• Bachelor's: Complete the Studienkolleg by passing the assessment exam (Feststellungsprüfung) – high-performing students may be exempt from this exam;

• Master's: Certificate of eligibility for higher education or school-leaving certificate, a suitable Bachelor's degree, recognized by the German Office for Academic Affairs (Akademisches Auslandsamt) or completion of a preparatory course if your Bachelor's degree is not recognized in Germany. In some cases: Interview and additional tests, e.g., GMAT, GRE, etc.

2) Language Skills

• Basic Level (Studienkolleg): In most cases, German language level B1; IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent certificate;

• Undergraduate Studies: In most cases, DSH-2 level (equivalent to C1) in German. In most cases, IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent certificate;

• Master's Studies: The required level depends on the university and course you've chosen; generally, if you study in German, C1 level in German and B2 in English. If you study in English, IELTS score of at least 6.5.

However, the table above only provides basic information. The full requirements applicable may vary depending on your country of origin and your school-leaving certificate. You'll find specific admission conditions and possibilities on each university's official website.

Most importantly, beyond your academic abilities, the study program you choose should match your interests, budget, and expectations for your future career. So take your time to make the right decision!

Step 2: Admission Requirements for Your Application to German Universities

To study at a German university, you need to hold a school-leaving certificate equivalent to the German "Abitur" diploma. This can be proven by your school-leaving certificate, proof of admission or enrollment in a university program in your home country.

2.1: How to Determine if My School-Leaving Certificate is Equivalent to German Higher Education Entry Requirements?

The answer varies depending on your country of origin or where your school-leaving certificate was issued, as well as the program you've chosen. But here are the steps to follow to check:

1) Your Country of Origin or Residence Where Your School-Leaving Certificate Was Issued

Students from the EU, Liechtenstein, Iceland, or Norway and students who graduated from a German school can enroll directly in a German higher education institution.

Note

Chinese students can also enroll at a German university after completing their "Gaokao," provided the high school diploma was obtained after 2019. More information for Chinese applicants is available on Anabin and uni-assist.

2) You Need to Understand if Your Chosen Course Has Admission Restrictions

Admission restrictions are called "Zulassungsbeschränkung" in German. They arise because, for certain courses, the number of applicants always exceeds the number of places that German universities can offer. Therefore, the number of students admitted to these courses is regulated by a system called "Numerus Clausus" (NC).

Germany limits the number of admissions nationally for popular disciplines such as medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and dentistry, known as "national NC." Additionally, some universities and higher education institutions also limit the number of admissions for their study programs, called "local NC."

Your country of origin or where your school-leaving certificate was issued, as well as the type of admission restriction (national or local NC), determines the portal where you need to submit your application. In the following table, international students can find out which portal to send their university admission application to if their program has admission restrictions:

Students from EU countries, Liechtenstein, Iceland, or Norway and students with a German school-leaving certificate:

• National NC Subjects: Application submitted to the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung
• Local NC Subjects: Case 1: Application submitted to uni-assist if your university collaborates with uni-assist; Case 2: Application submitted directly to your university

Other students not in groups (1) and (2):

• National NC Subjects: Case 1: Application submitted to uni-assist if your university collaborates with uni-assist; Case 2: Application submitted directly to your university

Note: Enrollment in a study program without admission restrictions ("zulassungsfrei" in German) can normally take place without a prior application within the prescribed period and is only possible before the set deadlines. Master's programs may require a prior application process to verify admission conditions. You should check with the relevant faculty in case the chosen university is responsible for evaluating your documents or uni-assist (if the university collaborates with them).

What Could Be the Result of the Entry Requirements Evaluation?

There are 3 possibilities for students enrolling in a bachelor's program:

1. Your evaluation results are positive and you are qualified for direct application to the university

2. You are not qualified for direct university enrollment but you are still qualified for a preparatory college (Studienkolleg), which will last 2 semesters. After passing the Studienkolleg final exams, you could become eligible for university admission.

3. You are neither qualified for university studies nor for the Studienkolleg.

There are two possibilities for students applying for a master's:

1. Your evaluation results are positive and you are qualified for the master's program

2. You are not qualified for the master's program

Step 3: Preparing Documents for Your Application to a German University

3.1 Language Certificates: What Do I Need to Prove My Language Skills?

Language requirements and preferred language certificates vary by universities and study programs. For German-language courses, Studienkollegs generally require at least German language level B1, while most universities require level C1. Below is a list of German language certifications that are normally recognized by German universities:

• DSH-2 (German Language Examination for University Admission for Foreign Applicants)
• TestDaF 4 (Test German as a Foreign Language)
• C2 Certificate from the Goethe-Institut
• ZOP (Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung = Central Advanced Language Test) issued by the Goethe-Institut
• KDS (Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom = Small German Language Diploma)
• GSD (Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom = Large German Language Diploma)
• DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz = German Language Diploma of the Conference of German Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs)
• Telc Deutsch C1
• Assessment examination (Feststellungsprüfung) from a German preparatory college (Studienkolleg)

For English-language courses, most universities will require at least an IELTS score of 6.5 or an equivalent level of other certificates if accepted by the university (TOEFL, Cambridge Language Certificates, proof of using English as the language of instruction in previous education)

You should prepare for these language tests well in advance in order to receive test results 6 to 9 months before the application deadline.

Note

Language certificate requirements may vary from university to university. You should check which language certificates are recognized. Generally, TestDaF and DSH are always recognized at every university.

3.2 Special Documents: TestAS Certificate and APS

Some study programs only accept candidates who hold a TestAS certificate. Similarly, students from China, Vietnam, and Mongolia must take the APS exam to be admitted to a German university. You'll need to determine in advance whether you need these documents or not.

TestAS (Test für Ausländische Studierende = Test for Academic Studies) is a standardized central academic aptitude test, supported by DAAD, that measures the intellectual abilities of students for their university studies.

It consists of 2 parts:

• Basic Test - examining general knowledge
• Subject-specific Test - measuring abilities in a particular field of study.

The APS exam, conducted by Akademische Prüfstelle (Academic Evaluation Center) in German Embassies, is specifically required for students from China, Mongolia, and Vietnam. The Akademische Prüfstelle will validate academic documents and interview candidates, if necessary, to confirm their qualifications for studies. After this exam, the Akademische Prüfstelle will issue the APS certificate that you can use for your university application and visa application.

3.3 General Documents for Applying to German Universities

Different universities and programs as well as different institutions (uni-assist or Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung) will request different documents from applicants. You'll find information about the documents and application procedure that apply to you on the websites of the universities, study programs, and institutions you're applying to.

Required documents include, but are not limited to:

• A certified copy of your higher education entrance certificate (Hochschulreife)

• An overview of your subjects and grades (certified and including an official translation)

• A certified or notarized copy of your previous higher education certificates, if necessary

• A recent passport-sized photo

• A notarized copy of your passport

• Notarized copies of your language certificates

If your documents are not in German, officially certified/notarized and translated versions must be provided. Documents in French or English may also be accepted, if applicable.

Note

What budget should I plan for my studies in Germany?

You can divide your budget into 2 parts:

1. Administrative fees: e.g., for translation fees, language test registration fees, document certification and translation fees, German student visa application fees, etc.

2. Financial proof for your student visa application: The most significant amount for studying in Germany is opening a blocked account of 11,208 euros/year (934 euros/month) to provide financial proof for studying in Germany. This new legislation applies to all visa applications submitted from January 1, 2023. This amount must exclude other banking fees.

But there are also other possibilities, such as a scholarship, parents, a bank guarantee, friends in Germany, etc.

Step 4: Submit Your Application to the German University

Now that you've chosen a program you're qualified for and you've prepared all the necessary documents and budget, start working on the application as early as possible so you don't miss the deadline.

The application period varies by universities and degrees, but it generally centers around these enrollment periods:

• Winter semester enrollment: from mid-April to mid-July. Admission letters are sent in August or September. Applications for non-restricted admissions (depending on the university) are possible from mid-August to mid-October.
• Summer semester enrollment: from early December to mid-January. Admission letters are sent in February or March.

However, be careful because many universities only recruit once a year. It is strongly recommended to check the application deadlines on your university's website and submit your application well in advance, approximately 2 to 3 weeks before the deadline. It's important to send your application to the right recipient: Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung, uni-assist, or your university.

Step 5: How to Apply for a German Student Visa?

Students from certain countries don't need a visa to study in Germany. You can check whether you need a student visa for Germany here: auswaertiges-amt.de.

If you're from Vietnam, China, or Mongolia, you must take the APS exam as a prerequisite for obtaining a German student visa.

There are 2 types of visas, depending on your admission status:

• Visa for prospective students (Visum zur Studienbewerbung) is for students who haven't been admitted by universities yet and are waiting for their final application results. With this visa, you can enter Germany for 3 months and then extend your stay up to 6 months to fulfill all the conditions required for your institution's admission (e.g., an entrance exam). Once you obtain admission, you can convert it to a student residence permit.
• Student Visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken) is for students who have already been admitted to an institution in Germany. This visa is valid for 3 months. During these 3 months, you must apply for your residence permit at the foreign residents' registration office (Ausländerbehörde) in your city.

We've gathered a list of common documents you might need below. However, we recommend checking the specific document requirements with the German embassy in your home country.

• A valid passport
• Health insurance coverage: If you already have health insurance, make sure it's also valid in Germany. Otherwise, you need to obtain German health insurance coverage.
• Proof of financial resources
• Certificates of previous academic work and results
• Language proficiency certificate
• For a prospective student visa: a university entrance certificate recognized in Germany
• For a student visa: an acceptance letter issued by your German university
• Medical certificate

The final documents you need to submit for your student visa application are listed on the German embassy's website. We recommend checking the document list first and submitting your visa application as soon as possible, as processing your application may take several months.

Step 6: Entering Germany: What Should I Do Right After Arriving in Germany?

If you enter Germany with a prospective student visa, you need to obtain admission as soon as possible, for example by completing your entrance exam or language course.

But if you enter with a student visa, don't relax just yet. You need to complete the following tasks, one by one:

1. Activate your health insurance

Note

Students who opened their health insurance account through EDUBAO can directly activate their account in the EDUBAO app.

2. Register at the university

3. Register your address at the Residents' Registration Office

4. Apply for a residence permit

The student visa you obtained from the embassy is only valid for 3 months. To extend your student visa, international students must first make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) and submit the application with the required documents, including a health insurance certificate, enrollment certificate, address registration certificate, etc. That's why we suggest you follow these steps in order.

Finally, and most importantly: We know that applying to study abroad can be a long journey that requires a lot of patience, attention, and determination. Just know that as you go through this process, you're preparing for a great future and an incredible adventure in Germany that you'll soon be able to enjoy! We wish you the best for your studies and hope you succeed in your application.