If you’re planning to study in Germany, understanding how to apply to study programmes as an international student is essential. The process may vary depending on where you live and which programmes you’re applying to. For example, your university may have a specific application process, or you may apply either through an application portal like uni-assist or the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (University Admissions Foundation).
Below, we’ll share a general step-by-step process which can help guide you to study abroad success.
Interested in studying in Germany, but not sure where to go? Check out our list of five popular German universities!
1. Check Academic and Language Requirements
First, check to see what the requirements are for your desired programmes. These vary by institution, so check individual programme pages.
Some study programmes in Germany have a “numerus clausus” or NC. This is an admission restriction, which means a limited number of seats are available. To be admitted, you must meet or exceed a specific grade point average (GPA). NCs change every semester, but you can estimate what the current one is by looking at the NC from recent semesters. Popular programmes like dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and general medicine are more likely to have restrictions.
Undergraduate Programmes: Admission Requirements
To apply for an undergraduate degree in Germany, most international students need certified copies of the following (translated to German as necessary):
- A recognized secondary school diploma equivalent to the German Abitur.
Common equivalents include an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, A-Levels, or a national high school diploma with strong academic performance.
If your diploma isn’t equivalent, you may need to complete a Studienkolleg, or foundation year, first. - Educational transcripts.
- An officially certified copy of your university and college entrance qualification.
- A passport photo.
- A copy of your passport (name and photo page).
- Proof of language proficiency in English or German.
Additional prerequisites may include entrance exams, portfolios, or interviews.
Graduate Programme: Admission Requirements
To apply for master’s and PhD programmes in Germany as an international student, your application must include certified copies of the following (translated to German, as needed):
- A recognized undergraduate degree in a related field which is equivalent to a German bachelor’s degree. Some programmes may also have specific prerequisite classes.
- Any other previous university certificates, if available.
- Transcripts with a GPA equal to or higher than 2.5 on the German grading scale. Competitive programmes may require higher GPAs.
- Proof of language proficiency in English or German.
- An officially certified copy of your university and college entrance qualification.
- A passport photo.
- A copy of your passport (name and photo page).
Programme-specific requirements may include:
- Letters of recommendation, typically written by professors or employers. Letters should speak to your academic strengths and research skills or work experience.
- Statement of purpose or research proposal about your academic interests and how this programme aligns. Especially important for PhD applicants.
- CV or resume outlining your academic achievements, work experience, internships, research, and extracurricular activities relevant to the field of study.
- GMAT/GRE scores. Score requirements vary by institution.
- A portfolio (for programmes like art, design, software, and architecture).
- Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants must have at least one year of work experience. To prove this, include an experience letter, salary slips, and letter of employment with your application.
2. Gather the Required Documents
Once you know which documents you’ll need for your application, start assembling them as soon as possible. For example, it can take weeks to request and acquire letters of recommendation.
Generally, application teams will only accept officially certified documents and German translations. Some universities accept documents in English or French, but in most cases, if your original documents are not in German, they must be professionally translated. So, allow time in your application timeline for this crucial step!
3. Establish Your Proof of Language Proficiency
In Germany, required English proficiency levels for programmes taught in English vary by institution. At the undergraduate or graduate level, you may prove your English abilities either through experience (at least 5 or 6 years of school taught in English, or university-level qualifications from an English speaking country) or an English language proficiency test result. Because different institutions accept different tests, make sure you take the right test!
Generally, institutions want students to have a C1 level of English. To show a C1 level of English, your test score must meet or exceed:
- Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced
- IELTS: 7.0
- Oxford Test of English: 141
- PTE Academic: 76
- TOEFL: internet-based test (iBT): 95
For programmes taught in German, language proficiency test results from TestDaF, DSH, and Goethe-Zertifikat are commonly accepted. Universities usually require at least a C1 level of German proficiency for bachelor’s degrees, which is equivalent to:
- DSH Certificate: level 2 or higher
- GDS Certificate: C2 level or above
- Language Certificate of the Education Ministers’ Conference: Level 2, with C2 in each section.
- TestDaF Certificate: a minimum of 4 points in 4 sections
At the master’s degree level, institutions are looking for students with proficiency from DSH I to DSH II.
At the doctoral level, German proficiency levels are determined by the academic institution. Check the programme’s website or ask the admissions team for details.
4. Submit Your Application Before the Deadline
Germany’s higher education system has two semesters. Winter semester classes usually start in October, and summer semester classes start in March or April. Some programmes may only start in the winter.
While specific application deadlines vary, if you’re applying to start in the winter semester, deadlines usually run from late May to mid-July. If you plan to start in summer, most deadlines are between early December and mid-January.
Generally, universities will only accept your application if it’s complete and received before the application deadline. Contact your target institutions’ international admissions team: they can help you understand what you need to submit, and by when. Or, if you’re working with a recruitment advisor, work with them to ensure your application is ready to go before the deadline.
While many institutions have strict deadlines, some private universities have rolling admissions. Rolling admissions stay open until the programme is full, so you can potentially apply throughout the year.
Some institutions also offer conditional admissions, where students are admitted after submitting final documents (like final transcripts or language test scores). These documents typically need to be submitted a few weeks before the semester begins.
5. Next Steps
Depending on which semester you’ve applied to, you’ll receive your letter of admission in August or September for the winter semester, or in February or March for the summer semester. You may also need to do an interview with the university as part of your evaluation process.
If you’re approved, you’ll receive a notification of admission. It will include information about how and when to enrol (or matriculate). Enrolment is usually done in-person at the university’s Office of Student Affairs, and the enrolment period can be brief, so be prepared! Also, remember to set up health insurance coverage before you enrol. You’ll need to show proof of German public health insurance during your enrolment.
Depending on your home country, you may also need to apply for a student visa. If you do, visa processing time varies by country and can fluctuate, so apply as early as you can.
Did you know there are multiple types of student visas in Germany? Learn which German student visa might be right for you on our blog.
It might feel like a lot to manage, but as long as you create (and stick to!) a timeline, collect all the information needed to understand application requirements, and give yourself lots of time to assemble your documents, you’ll be off to a great start. Best of luck with your study abroad journey!
Find a study programme in Germany that matches your goals on the ApplyBoard platform.
