How to Apply to a German University as an International Student

TL;DR

• You apply to a specific course at a specific university in Germany. There is no centralised application system that covers all universities.
• Many universities require international applicants to apply through uni-assist, a central evaluation service. Others accept direct applications through their own portals.
• The standard application deadline is July 15 for the winter semester and January 15 for the summer semester, but many courses have earlier deadlines.
• You will need certified copies of your qualifications, a language certificate, a letter of motivation, and a CV. Start gathering documents early.
• After submitting, expect to wait several weeks to several months for a decision. German universities typically respond much later than universities in other countries.

What You Need Before You Apply

Before you start your application, make sure you have completed two essential steps:

1. Check that your qualifications are recognised. Your school-leaving certificate must be equivalent to the German Abitur. If you have not done this yet, see How to Check If Your Qualifications Are Recognised.
2. Get your language certificate. Most courses require proof of language proficiency before they will process your application. See Language Requirements for Studying in Germany for an overview of what you need.

If your qualifications are not fully recognised, you may need to complete a Studienkolleg year before you can apply to a degree course.

Prepare Your Documents

While exact requirements vary by university and course, most applications require the following:

• Certified copies of your school-leaving certificate and transcripts. These must be officially certified, which usually means stamped by a notary, your school, or a government authority. Some universities also require certified translations into German or English.
• Language certificate. Your German proficiency certificate (typically DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4, or equivalent) for German-taught courses, or an IELTS or TOEFL score for English-taught courses.
• Letter of motivation. A one-to-two-page letter explaining why you chose this course and university, and what you hope to achieve. This is especially important for Master's applications and competitive courses. See Letter of Motivation for German Universities for a detailed guide.
• CV (Lebenslauf). A structured, German-style CV listing your education, work experience, languages, and skills. See CV for German University Applications.
• Passport copy. A clear copy of your passport's data page.
• Passport-sized photos. Biometric photos as required by the university or uni-assist.
• APS certificate. Required for students from certain countries, including China, India, and Vietnam. See APS Certificate for details.

Some courses may also require:

• A portfolio (common for architecture, design, and art courses)
• Proof of relevant work experience or internships
• A research proposal (for some Master's and PhD courses)
• TestAS results (an aptitude test for international applicants)

How to Submit Your Application

Germany does not have a single centralised application system for all universities. How you apply depends on the university and the course.

Applying Through uni-assist

Many German universities use uni-assist (the University Application Service for International Students) to process applications from international students. Around 160 universities participate.

Here is how the process works:

1. Create an account on the uni-assist portal (My assist).
2. Fill in your personal and educational details.
3. Select the university and course you want to apply to.
4. Upload your documents. Give each file a clear name in German or English. Upload each document only once.
5. Pay the handling fee. The fee is €75 for your first application and €30 for each additional application in the same semester.
6. uni-assist evaluates your application. They check whether your qualifications meet the basic requirements and calculate your German-equivalent grade average. This typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
7. Your application is forwarded to the university. The university then makes the final admission decision.

You can track your application status in your My assist account throughout the process.

For a full walkthrough, see How to Apply via uni-assist.

Applying Directly to the University

Some universities, especially for Master's courses, accept applications directly through their own online portals. This is more common at:

• Universities that do not use uni-assist
• Private universities
• Universities with their own international admissions offices

When applying directly, you typically upload your documents through the university's portal, and the university handles the entire evaluation and admission process itself. There is usually no separate handling fee beyond the university's own application fee, if any.

Always check the specific university's website to find out whether they use uni-assist or accept direct applications for your chosen course.

Applying Through Hochschulstart

For centrally restricted courses like medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and veterinary science, applications go through Hochschulstart, a national allocation system. You can list up to 12 course preferences, and places are allocated across multiple rounds based on your grades and other criteria.

Hochschulstart has its own deadlines and procedures. See the guide for full details.

Key Deadlines

German universities operate on a two-semester system. The standard application deadlines for international students are:

Semester	Starts	Standard deadline
Winter semester	October	July 15
Summer semester	April	January 15

These are the most common deadlines, but they are not universal. Many universities and courses set earlier deadlines, sometimes by several months. This is especially true for:

• Courses with a Numerus Clausus (restricted admission)
• Master's courses
• Courses that start with a preparatory semester or orientation programme
• Courses at private universities

How Many Universities Should You Apply To?

Applying to 3 to 6 universities is a practical range for most students. This gives you enough options to manage the uncertainty of the admissions process without becoming overwhelming or too expensive.

A balanced approach:

• Include courses you are excited about, even if admission is competitive.
• Add courses where your grades are a strong match. Look at previous admission thresholds (Numerus Clausus) where available.
• Consider at least one unrestricted course (zulassungsfrei), which accepts all eligible applicants.
• Mix different cities. Smaller or eastern German cities like Leipzig or Dresden often have lower competition than Munich or Berlin.

Keep in mind that each additional uni-assist application costs €30. If you are applying directly to universities, there may be no extra cost, but managing multiple applications still takes time and effort.

What Happens After You Apply

Once your application is submitted, the waiting begins. German universities are known for responding later than universities in many other countries, so set your expectations accordingly.

Typical Response Times

• Direct applications may get a response within a few weeks.
• Applications through uni-assist typically take 8 to 12 weeks in total (including uni-assist's processing time plus the university's review).
• Restricted-admission courses take longer because universities rank all applicants before making offers.

For the winter semester, most admission letters arrive in August or September. For the summer semester, expect responses in February or March.

If You Are Accepted

You will receive a Zulassungsbescheid, your official admission letter. This is one of the most important documents in your entire journey to Germany. You will need it to:

• Enrol at the university (usually within two to three weeks of the letter)
• Open a blocked account for your visa application — see Blocked Account for Student Visa
• Apply for your student visa — see German Student Visa
• Find accommodation — see Finding Accommodation in Germany

Read the enrolment deadline on your admission letter carefully. Missing it means losing your place.

If You Are Not Accepted Right Away

Do not assume the worst. Germany has a formal waiting list system called the Nachrückverfahren, where declined spots are offered to the next applicants in the ranking. Some universities also run a lottery (Losverfahren) for any remaining places.

For a detailed breakdown of what to expect after submitting, including waiting lists, when to contact the university, and how to use the waiting time productively, see After You Apply: Response Times, Waiting Lists, and What to Do Next.

FAQ

Do I need to apply through uni-assist?

Not necessarily. Around 160 universities use uni-assist for international applications, but many others accept direct applications through their own portals. Check your chosen university's website to confirm which route applies to your course.

How much does it cost to apply?

If you apply through uni-assist, the fee is €75 for your first application and €30 for each additional one in the same semester. Direct applications to universities may have no fee or a small administrative fee. There is no charge for applying through Hochschulstart.

Can I apply to multiple universities at the same time?

Yes, and it is recommended. Applying to 3 to 6 universities gives you a good balance of options. You can hold multiple offers, but you can only enrol at one university.

What if I miss the deadline?

Deadlines are strict. If you miss the standard deadline, you will need to wait for the next semester's application period. Some universities offer later deadlines for courses with remaining places, but this is not guaranteed. For the summer semester, the next opportunity is usually the following winter semester.

Do I need to send original documents?

Most applications only require certified copies, not originals. However, some universities may ask to see originals during enrolment. Keep your original documents safe and bring them with you when you travel to Germany.

How do I know if my application was received?

If you applied through uni-assist, you can track the status of your application in your My assist account. If you applied directly to a university, check their application portal for status updates. Some universities send a confirmation email; others only update the portal.

What is a VPD and do I need one?

A VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) is a preliminary review document issued by uni-assist that confirms your qualifications have been evaluated. Some universities that accept direct applications still require a VPD from uni-assist as part of your application. Check your university's requirements to see if this applies to you.