Admission Procedure to Study in Germany

Aarushi Jain
Updated on Feb 07, 2023 4:56 PM IST

Intakes to Study in Germany

Studying in a country abroad has become a dream for many students, especially in India due to the better higher education and job opportunities available. Germany, like many other EU states, offers various opportunities to international students to study, grow and settle in the country.

If you are interested in studying in Germany, then it is important to learn about the admission process commonly followed in the country. Universities and higher education institutions adhere to strict guidelines and procedures and require applicants to do the same. On this page, you will learn all about the admission process of German universities.

In Germany, the first step to applying and taking admission in a university or institute is to select the admission intake. Most of the German universities offer admission in at least two intakes every year, most commonly, the Summer and Winter Intakes. The primary Intake for Germany is Winter as all the Universities in Germany offer majority of the courses in this session. It begins in September/October and the application deadlines for most of the universities will fall in mid-July.

For those who miss out on the Winter Intake, the Summer intake in April is another option. While this particular Intake has fewer courses on offer, it makes no difference, academically. Students can, therefore, choose any of these two intakes. The Summer intake deadlines fall in mid-January.

When is the Right Time to Apply?

This is where deciding the admission intake becomes important. In other words, depending on the admission intake session that you are targeting, the time needed for you to start applying may vary. A good thumb rule is to start researching and applying for the relevant visas and other documents almost a year before the application deadline. This will allow you to keep a buffer period to compile the necessary documents you will need to apply to a higher education institution in Germany.

Intake

Semester Starts

Application Window Opens

Application Window Closes

Winter Intake

September/October

March

mid-July

Summer Intake

March/April

September/October

mid-January

Note: Getting a headstart on the application process can help you secure a seat quicker as the competition between international students is on the rise. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare ahead of time and apply as soon as possible. It should also be noted that depending on the universities, the application dates and the availability of the application forms may differ. This will also be affected by Federal Government regulations of the country.

Related Reads:

Guide to Student Accommodation Abroad

Life in Germany as an International Student

Cost of Living in Germany for International Students

Popular Living Options Abroad for Indian Students

Need Details About Admission Process in German Universities?

When is the Right Time to Apply?

This is where deciding the admission intake becomes important. In other words, depending on the admission intake session that you are targeting, the time needed for you to start applying may vary.

A good thumb rule is to start researching and applying for the relevant visas and other documents almost a year before the application deadline. For instance, for the Fall Intake 2021, start your preparation in May or June. Or for Winter Intake 2022, start your preparation in February or March of the previous year. This will allow you to keep a buffer period to compile the necessary documents you will need to apply to a higher education institution in Germany.

Intake

Application Starts

Application Ends

Admission Offer

Fall Intake (June to September) 2021

July-August 2020

April - May 2021

April - May 2021

Winter Intake (January to February) 2022

February - March 2021 

December - January 2022

December - January 2022

Note: Getting a headstart on the application process can help you secure a seat quicker as the competition between international students is on the rise. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare ahead of time and apply as soon as possible.

It should also be noted that depending on the universities, the application dates and the availability of the application forms may differ. This will also be affected by Federal Government regulations of the country.

Standardised Tests Accepted in Germany

Like in many other popular study-abroad destinations, to successfully apply and take admission in a University in Germany, it is important to have attempted standardised tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT, etc. Since the medium of instruction in Germany is in English, students will be required to provide valid scores of IELTS, TOEFL or any other globally accepted English Proficiency Test scores. However, additional tests such as GRE and GMAT may be required to apply for a few courses in Germany. Therefore, read through the admission requirements defined by the institute for the course and international students. Some of the Standardised Tests accepted in Germany include:

English Proficiency Tests:

Other Standardised Tests:

Note: Before applying for any tests, it is always better to check the admission requirements defined by the university of your choice. The university will specify the Tests scores required and you, as an applicant, are required to apply to the relevant tests.

Admission Process for Undergraduate Courses in Germany

Pre-Application Process

One of the more important aspects of choosing to study abroad is the pre-application processes. The Pre-Application process includes a lot of research and gathering valuable information regarding international education and admissions. Research and preparation will allow you to select the institute and programme of your choice based on factual information. Here are some of the steps you should take to begin your application process to study in Germany.

1) Research Institutes and Courses:

A key element to starting your preparation to study abroad is to research the different universities and the various courses on offer. In Germany, you will have the option of choosing between Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and Colleges of Art, Film and Music. Universities usually offer technical or theoretical courses, while, Universities of Applied Sciences, focus on offering practice-oriented programmes. Colleges of Art, Film and Music allows you to pursue different programmes that are creatively-inclined.

2) Shortlist Universities and Courses:

After you go through the list of universities and the course they offer, it is important to shortlist a few, to which you can apply. When shortlisting universities and colleges, it is always advisable to choose more than 2 universities and 2 programmes, in order to widen your chances of being accepted as a student. However, if you have already decided which course to study, then shortlist accordingly.

3) Read The Admission Requirements:

On this page, you will have found that we recommend going through the admission requirements of each university. This is because the admission requirements will define the documents that you need to provide to be considered as a prospective student. Each university will define its requirements individually, therefore, it is important to go through each, individually as well.

You may also be required to adhere to a few country-specific requirements, which may also be defined by the university you choose to apply to. Therefore, reading the international student requirements of the university or contacting the International Students Office at the university will help you clarify a lot of your doubts.

Application Process in Germany

Most Universities in Germany have a working official website that provides the necessary information and steps to take to apply to a certain course in the university. Therefore, in most cases, you will be asked to directly apply to the university and provide your credentials. However, students may also have the opportunity to apply through Uni-assist, provided the university is a member.

Here are the steps that you will be required to complete the application process in Germany.

1) Registration:

All students from countries outside the EU are required to directly apply to the university of their choice. Each university will, therefore, require aspiring applicants to first register themselves on the university website. Here you will be required to provide your basic details along with official communication portals such as emails and phone numbers to continue with your application process.

2) Log-In and Apply:

Once registered, you will be required to log on to the website with the saved credentials and continue with the application process. Once you have logged on, the application forms are usually provided on the first page. Here, you will be required to enter all the information in detail, correctly and completely. Any mistakes here may result in direct disqualification or rejection of the application forms.

3) Submit Documents Required:

To apply and take admission to a higher education institution, all interested applicants will be required to submit certain documents to apply for admission in Germany. The documents are key to helping Universities select prospective students for their courses. Here are some of the documents that you need to provide to apply for admission to a university.

  • An Overview of the subjects with grades secured that have been officially translated to German equivalent.
  • Certified Copies of your academic qualifications.
  • Recently clicked Passport Photograph of the candidate
  • Valid English Proficiency Test scores.
  • A copy of your Passport with your Name and Photograph
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose

Other documents that are needed for the admission process may include documents proving your financial stability for the duration of the course, visa documents, and receipt for payment of university fees. The University will define other documents that may be needed for admissions.

Post-Application Process

All candidates who take part in the application process will be contacted for post-application processes as well. The post-application process will include all the steps taken by the University or institute to analyse your skills and qualification as per the requirements of the course you applied for. Some of the steps that you will be required to complete include:

1) Shortlisting of Application Forms:

The university will shortlist the most eligible candidates as per the information provided by the candidate. The past academic records, tests scores obtained in tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, GRE or GMAT. The admission committee will also go through other documents such as Statement of Purposes, Letters of Recommendation and Visa documents as well.

2) Offer of Admission:

If you are deemed as a prospective student by the admission committee, the university will send out an admission offer letter via the contact details that you, as an applicant provided during the application process.

It should also be noted that prior to receiving the final admission offer letter, you may be required to take part in a few Personal or Video Interviews conducted by the university. Based on your performance in these interviews, you will be offered the final admission offer letter.

The Admission Offer letter will contain all the necessary information regarding the further steps in the admission process that you may need to complete, along with several deadlines regarding the acceptance of the offer letter, payment of the non-refundable fee, and other such prerequisites.

3) Giving Your Response to the Admission Offer:

As mentioned above, you will be required to respond to the admission offer letter conferred by the university. Usually, if you accept the admission offer, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit as your confirmation of the offer. Further, according to the directive given by the university, you will be required to pay the tuition fee for the semester as well.

4) Student Loans:

An important aspect of studying abroad is the financial stability to pursue and complete the course. In Germany, public universities are practically free for students, both national and international students. However, Private Universities will charge a certain amount of tuition fees, which can be expensive.

Nonetheless, whether you study in a public or private university, living and accommodation expenses in Germany are relatively high. Therefore, if you plan to study abroad, you will need  strong financial backing.

Applying for Student Loans can help you continue your studies in the field of your choice, while also relieving you of worrying about your ability to pay for the next semester tuition fee.

5) Student Visa Application:

Once you have confirmed your admission to the university, you must apply for a Student Visa in Germany. You, as an Indian applicant, will be required to apply for a Student Visa. Some of the types of student visas in Germany include German Student Visa, German Student Applicant Visa and German Language Course Visa.

If you are interested in applying for a Student Visa in Germany, then you can apply online through the official website of the German Embassy in India. Submit the documents as outlined for students and clear the Student Visa Application Interview conducted by the Embassy to receive your German Student Visa.

6) Book Your Tickets:

After clearing the interviews, it may take a few days or weeks for you to receive your Student Visas. Once you receive your German Student Visa, book an international flight to Germany and begin your journey as an International Student in Germany.

Admission Process for Postgraduate Courses in Germany

Pre-Application Process

The first big step that is part of the admission process for postgraduate courses in Germany includes researching and shortlisting universities. You will also have to make sure that you have a clear idea of what the shortlisted universities’ eligibility criteria for the chosen course are.

1) Do a Thorough Research and Shortlist Universities & Courses:

Studying in a foreign country entails a number of right decisions you need to make when choosing a university. For that, ideally, you should be aware of your academic and career goals. Since Germany has a number of universities and postgraduate programs for you to choose from, you may start by looking for ranking, location, tuition fees, ROI, career guidance provided by the universities, program content of the course(s) and so on.

2) Check Eligibility Criteria:

Every postgraduate course will demand the applicant to meet a certain set of eligibility criteria. It is, thus, better to check the same out before you start applying, ensure that you meet the same and move forward. Given below are the general requirements to apply for a master’s course in Germany:

  • You must hold an appropriate undergraduate degree from a recognized foreign university.
  • If mentioned, you must meet the said academic requirements.
  • You must also obtain a minimum of the prescribed score in English proficiency tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
  • Further, you must obtain a minimum of the prescribed score in the accepted admission tests such as the GMAT or GRE.
  • Some universities/courses may also require you to have work experience in a related field for a certain period. 

Application Process in Germany

Once you are done with the pre-application process, you will have to move on to the next step, i.e. applying to the shortlisted universities.

1) Register:

You, as an international student, will have to apply for a postgraduate degree in Germany by visiting the official website of the university. Many German universities also let students apply through the mutual platform of UniAssist.de. It allows you to create a personal account, select the course you wish to apply for and upload the required documents. Before applying, make sure if you are required to apply directly through the university website or do so on UniAssist.de.

2) Log in and Apply:

After you have registered yourself on the required portal, log in using the credentials and apply to the shortlisted university. Usually, universities guide applicants through the application process by mentioning all the steps clearly on the portal. However, if it doesn’t, it generally asks you to add your personal details, academic history, select the course, submit the required documents and pay the application fee.

3) Submit Required Documents:

Although the documents asked by universities may vary from one university to another, they usually ask for the following:

Post-Application Process

The last and equally important part of the admission process is the post-application process. Here, the university that you have applied to will send their decision after a careful assessment.

1) Wait for Your Admission Letter:

After evaluating your application form, checking your academic record, test scores, documents, the university will contact you at the registered email address and let you know if you have been accepted or rejected for admission. Usually, a German university takes 2-4 weeks to process an application. However, you must check your email regularly and keep track of the same.

2) Reply to the University:

Every German university will give you at least 24 hours to send your admission decision. Whether you decline or accept the offer, you should send your response and let the university if you will be joining the university. You may also be required to pay the tuition fee for the semester in order to claim your spot at the university.

3) Get Health Insurance:

If you want to study in Germany, you will have to get health insurance. All international students from outside the European Union enrolling in full-time postgraduate degrees may apply for public health insurance. Health insurance for international students in Germany usually costs around  €103.94 – €111.75 per month.

4) Arrange Your Finances:

This is quite a critical step where you will have to ensure that you have enough money to study a master’s degree in Germany. If you fail to do, you would not be granted a German Student Visa. An international student in Germany must have at least €861 per month or €10,332 per year to prove their financial stability to study in the country.

5) Get Your German Student Visa:

After you have got your finances in order, apply for a student visa online through the official website of VFS Global. Following this, you will need to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre, pay visa application fees and visit the Visa Application Centre to submit biometrics.

6) Plan Your Departure:

Now that you are done with all the steps, it is time to book your airline tickets to Germany. Plan the same carefully and learn all about current travel restrictions (if any), your accommodation, the city, cost of living and more. 

Write Your SOP Under The Guidance Of A Professional!

How to Choose the Right University/Course to Study in Germany?

Before beginning the admission procedure to study in Germany, aspirants must do some preliminary research to determine the best course and university to study in Germany. Applicants can seek assistance from The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which provides access to about 2,000 programmes available at German institutions, including around 1,389 English-language programmes. Since there are so few undergraduate courses given in English at German universities, it is difficult to find them. Aspirants can, however, choose courses taught in both English and German, with the first two to four semesters taught in English, giving them considerable time to acquire German. This will assist students in learning the course material taught in this language.

Health Insurance to Study in Germany

To begin, you must have full health insurance before the visa may be issued. The German government suggests purchasing coverage that covers the whole duration of study as well as repatriation in the event of illness. As a result, all overseas students in Germany are required to be covered by one of the country's health insurance plans. We have addressed this in greater detail in our recommendations for obtaining health insurance, so please go to those pages for additional information. Always go with a low-cost provider, especially one that offers outstanding English language support. A decent alternative is Techniker Krankenkasse (TK).

Blocked Account to Study in Germany

Second, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself. Students must also demonstrate that they have the financial means to pay for their education in Germany. The German government advises overseas students to budget roughly 860 euros per month for living expenses. A bank statement, scholarship award letter, or similar document can be used to demonstrate this. The best way to accomplish this is to create a Blocked Account. This account is partially locked and will make periodic payments. Applicants to universities must deposit at least EUR 861 each month (EUR 10,332 per year).

Finding Accommodation to Study in Germany

Now that we have outlined a detailed roadmap of the admission procedure to study in Germany for international students and aspirants, here is another thing that applicants must take care of while doing the necessary admission procedure to study in Germany. Students must choose a place to stay, now that they have been formally admitted as a student in Germany and have their student visas. 

Accommodation in Germany for international students is not prohibitively expensive, but as a foreign student, you should seek to find the most financially feasible place to live. Keep in mind that finding accommodation in Germany is becoming increasingly difficult due to a scarcity of student halls and shared apartments. As a result, many kids are under extreme stress. We advise international students to give this issue the attention it deserves because it can take a long time and money to find a solution if it is not detected early.

FAQs on Admission Procedure to Study in Germany in 2024

What is the eligibility criteria for graduate studies in Germany?

While it will be difficult to detail each and every requirement needed to pursue graduate studies in Germany, aspirants should at least possess a valid and recognised bachelors degree, along with securing a minimum of 60-70% in the previous academic programme as well as a good score in IELTS/TOEFL and GRE/GMAT (if applicable).

When should I start applying for admissions in Germany?

Depending on the admissions intake you need to apply to, i.e. Winter or Summer, the admission deadlines each year are around Mid-July for the Winter Admission sessions in Germany, and Mid-January for Summer Intake.

What documents do I need to submit for Masters admissions in Germany?

Among the documents needed for Masters admissions in Germany, students need to submit all their academic transcripts including their recognised Bachelor's degree, valid passport, photographs, language proficiency certificate, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation, along with a CV/Resume (if applicable) and any proof of work experience gained previously.

How can I apply for graduate studies in Germany?

Interested candidates can apply to their desired courses and universities online after compiling the necessary documents and paying off the application fees. Or Register with us now and make your graduate studies application in Germany easier. Our dedicated study abroad experts will help you shortlist and choose the best course and university and guide you from start to finish in your journey of commencing your graduate studies in Germany.

What documents do I need to submit for Bachelors admissions in Germany?

When applying to your dream university, you need to keep the following documents at hand ready for submission, which includes, all academic transcripts (Class 10 and 12 reports), photographs, language proficiency certificate, valid passport, letters of recommendation and statement of purpose, along with other documents specified by individual universities.

How can I apply for undergraduate studies in Germany?

Those international students looking to pursue undergraduate courses in Germany must first shortlist the desired courses and universities offering those courses, and then compile and submit the required documents with the application form. Or Register with us and find the perfect course and university for you with the help of our study abroad experts who will help from start to finish in starting your studies in Germany.

What standardised entrance tests do I need to take to study in Germany?

While some universities and courses may not require an entrance test score, some highly popular courses and universities may require you to attempt and secure a valid score in GRE or GMAT, which are popular standardised tests for graduate admissions.

What English language proficiency tests are accepted in Germany?

Commonly, across Germany, universities require international students to provide either IELTS or TOEFL scores as proof of English language proficiency. However, there are language proficiency tests such as PTE Academic and Duolingo that are also accepted at certain universities in Germany. It is advisable to check the admission of individual universities to be certain of the language proficiency test scores accepted.

Do I need to provide an English or German Language proficiency report?

Yes, depending on the institution or university you apply to and the programme you choose to study, you will be required to provide either an English or German language proficiency report. For English-taught programmes, international students whose first language is any other than English are required to submit an English Language proficiency report.

When can I apply for admissions in Germany?

International students who wish to study in Germany can choose from either the Winter Intake, where the semester usually begins in September/October each year and is the primary intake, or the Summer Intake, where the semester starts around March/April each year.

Popular Universities in Germany

View All

Admissions Open 2024

View All

Our Study Abroad Offerings

Guide to study in Germany

Planning to study in Germany?

  • Not sure, Help me decide

More Countries

Explore Colleges

Planning to study in Germany?

Interested in Studying Overseas?

Connect with us and kickstart your learning journey for a rewarding experience!

By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekhoAbroad Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.