Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to pursue higher education in Europe and we will share how to apply! With its high-quality and diverse academic programmes, low or no tuition fees, and rich cultural and social life, Germany offers many opportunities and benefits for students from all over the world. However, applying to a German university can be a complex and challenging process, especially for those who are not familiar with the German education system and its requirements. In this blog, we will provide you with a comprehensive and detailed guide on how to apply to a German university.
General requirements for studying in Germany
Before you start applying to a German university, you need to make sure that you meet the general requirements and qualifications for studying in Germany.
These include:
– Language proficiency: Depending on the language of instruction of your chosen programme, you need to prove your proficiency in either German or English, or both. For German-taught programmes, you usually need to pass a recognized German language test, such as the TestDaF or the DSH. For English-taught programmes, you usually need to pass a recognized English language test, such as the TOEFL or the IELTS. The minimum scores and levels vary depending on the programme and the university, so make sure to check them before you apply.
– Academic transcripts: You need to provide your academic transcripts from your previous education, such as your high school diploma, your bachelor’s degree, or your master’s degree. These transcripts need to be translated into German or English and certified by an authorized institution. You also need to check if your qualifications are recognized and equivalent to the German ones, which can be done through the “anabin database“. If your qualifications are not recognized or equivalent, you may need to take an additional exam, such as the Feststellungsprüfung or the Studienkolleg, to qualify for admission.
– Motivation letters: You need to write a motivation letter for each programme that you apply to, explaining why you are interested in the programme, what are your academic and professional goals, and why you are a suitable candidate for the programme. Your motivation letter should be clear, concise, and convincing, and should reflect your personality and achievements. You should also tailor your motivation letter to the specific programme and university, and avoid using generic or copied statements. We recently sat down with an admission committee at TUHH (Technical University of Hamburg) where they gave us an insight on what students should focus on when applying. Check it out here.
The different types of admission restrictions
One of the most important factors affecting the application process is the admission restriction that applies to your chosen programme. There are three main types of admission restrictions in Germany:
– Numerus clausus (NC): This means that there is a limited number of study places available for a programme, and the admission is based on the applicants’ grades or scores. The NC can be either local or nationwide, depending on the programme and the university. The NC is usually expressed as a percentage or a decimal number, indicating the minimum grade or score required for admission.
– Local or nationwide restrictions: This means that there is a fixed quota of study places allocated for a programme, and the admission is based on the applicants’ preferences and ranking. The quota is usually divided into different categories, such as EU citizens, non-EU citizens, applicants with special qualifications, etc. The quota can also change every year depending on the demand and supply of study places, so you should always check the current quota before you apply.
– Selection criteria: This means that there is no fixed limit or quota of study places for a programme, and the admission is based on the applicant’s overall suitability and performance. The selection criteria can vary depending on the programme and the university, but they usually include the applicants’ grades or scores, motivation letters, interviews, tests, portfolios, etc. The selection criteria are usually more flexible and holistic than the NC or the quota, but they can also be more competitive and demanding, so you should always prepare well before you apply.
Where can you apply?
Depending on the type of admission restriction and the programme that you apply to, you may need to submit your application to different institutions and platforms that handle the applications.
These include:
– The University Admissions Foundation: This is a central institution that coordinates the applications for programmes with nationwide restrictions, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. You need to register and apply through the “hochschulstart.de” portal. You can also apply to other programmes with local restrictions or selection criteria through the same portal, but you need to check the requirements and deadlines for each programme and university separately.
– Uni-Assist: This is a service organization that evaluates the applications for programmes with local restrictions or selection criteria, especially for international applicants. You need to register and apply through the “Uni-Assist” portal, upload your documents and pay the fees for each programme and university that you apply to.
– The higher education institution itself: This is the most direct and common way of applying to programmes with selection criteria, especially for domestic applicants. You need to register and apply through the online portal or the website of the higher education institution that you apply to and follow their instructions and procedures.
The application deadlines and procedures
The application deadlines and procedures for various fields of study and degree programmes can vary depending on the type of admission restriction, the institution or platform that handles the applications, and the academic calendar of the higher education institution. However, there are some general guidelines and dates that you should be aware of:
– Winter semester: The winter semester usually starts in October and ends in March, and it is the main intake for most programmes and universities in Germany. The application deadlines for the winter semester are usually between May and July, depending on the programme and the university.
– Summer semester: The summer semester usually starts in April and ends in September, and it is the secondary intake for some programmes and universities in Germany. The application deadlines for the summer semester are usually between November and January, depending on the programme and the university.
– Application procedures: The application procedures for various fields of study and degree programmes can vary depending on the institution or platform that handles the applications, but they usually involve the following steps:
- Register and create an account on the online portal or the website of the institution or platform that handles the applications, such as hochschulstart.de, uni-assist.de, or the higher education institution itself.
- Fill in the online application form with your personal and academic information, and choose the programmes and universities that you want to apply to.
- Upload the required documents, such as your language proficiency certificates, your academic transcripts, your motivation letters, etc. Make sure that the documents are translated and certified if needed, and that they meet the format and size requirements of the institution or platform that handles the applications.
- Pay the application fees, if applicable, through the platform that handles the applications. The application fees can vary depending on the programme and the university, but they usually range from 10 to 75 euros per programme and university.
- Submit the online application form and the documents before the deadline, and wait for the confirmation email or letter from the institution or platform that handles the applications. You may also need to send some documents by post or courier, such as your original certificates or certified copies, depending on the programme and the university.
- Check the status of your application regularly through the platform that handles the applications, or through other methods such as email or phone. You may also need to complete some additional steps, such as taking an entrance exam, attending an interview, or submitting a portfolio, depending on the programme and the university.
- Receive the admission decision from the platform that handles the applications or directly from the higher education institution that you applied to. The admission decision can be either positive, negative, or conditional, depending on your qualifications and performance. The admission decision can take from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the programme and the university.
Some website offering deadline information for Universites in Germany are Daad and Studyoda.
Tips for writing a successful application:
Writing a successful application and increasing the chances of getting admitted to a German university can be a daunting and competitive task, especially for international applicants. However, there are some tips and advice that you can follow to improve your application and stand out from the crowd. These include:
– Research the programme and the university: Before you apply to a programme and a university, you should do some thorough research on their academic profile, curriculum, faculty, facilities, reputation, ranking, etc. You should also check their specific requirements and expectations for admission, such as language proficiency, academic transcripts, motivation letters, etc.
– Highlight your relevant skills and experiences: When you apply to a programme and a university, you should highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the programme and the university, and that show your potential and motivation for studying in Germany. You should emphasize your academic achievements, such as your grades, awards, publications, projects, etc., as well as your extracurricular activities, such as your internships, volunteer work, hobbies, etc.
– Proofread your application: Before you submit your application, you should proofread your application carefully and thoroughly, and make sure that there are no errors or mistakes in your language, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. You should also check that your application is clear, coherent, and consistent and that it follows the format and style guidelines of the programme and the university.
What to do after receiving your offer
After you receive an offer of admission from a programme and a university, you should be proud of yourself and celebrate your achievement. However, you should also be aware of the next steps that you need to take to secure your study place and prepare for your arrival and stay in Germany. These include:
– Accepting the study place: After you receive an offer of admission, you need to accept the study place within a specified period, usually between two and four weeks, depending on the programme and the university. You may also need to pay a deposit or a tuition fee, if applicable, to secure your study place.
– Completing the enrollment: After you accept the study place, you need to complete the enrollment process, which is the official registration as a student at the higher education institution that you applied to. You need to submit some documents and fees, such as your admission letter, your passport, your visa, your health insurance, your proof of payment, etc., to the student office or the international office of the higher education institution.
– Applying for a visa and health insurance: If you are a non-EU citizen, you need to apply for a visa and health insurance to enter and stay in Germany for the duration of your studies. You need to apply for a student visa at the German embassy or information consulate in your home country and provide some documents and fees, such as your admission letter, your passport, proof of Blocked Account, your health insurance, etc.
For more information on the best combo package for all you need for a visa appointment, click here.
– Finding accommodation: Finding accommodation in Germany can be a difficult and expensive task, especially in big cities and popular destinations. You should start looking for accommodation as soon as possible, and explore the different options available, such as student dormitories, private apartments, shared flats, etc. You should also check the rules and regulations of the accommodation, and respect the rights and responsibilities of the tenants and the landlords.
We hope that this blog post has provided you with a useful and detailed guide on how to apply to a German university and that it has answered some of your questions and doubts.
We wish you good luck and success with your application and your studies in Germany. Thank you for reading. 😊
