Quick answer
Important
1. The three application channels
The first task in any German application is working out where it goes. This is not obvious, it differs per programme, and getting it wrong is the most common avoidable failure.
What uni-assist actually does
uni-assist checks that your documents are complete and genuine, converts your grades into the German scale, and forwards the result to the universities you named. It does not decide admission: that remains with the university.
It charges per application, with the first costing more than subsequent ones in the same round. It can also issue a preliminary review documentation, a VPD, which some universities require you to obtain before applying to them directly.
| Channel | Used for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| uni-assist | Many universities, for international applicants | Fee per application; checks and forwards documents; needs weeks |
| Direct to the university | Universities not using uni-assist | Own portal, own deadlines, usually no separate fee |
| Hochschulstart | Nationally restricted subjects such as medicine | Central allocation; separate rules and timetable |
Some universities use uni-assist for document checking but decide admission themselves. Read the programme page rather than assuming.
Useful resource
What uni-assist checks, what it costs, and how long processing takes. Note it is a service organisation, not a government authority.
uni-assist e.V. · not a government authority
2. Deadlines, and the one that really binds
The German academic year has two intakes: a winter semester starting around October, which is the main one, and a summer semester starting around April, with a smaller selection of programmes.
Published application deadlines are broadly 15 July for winter and 15 January for summer, but individual programmes vary widely, Master’s deadlines are frequently earlier, and some competitive programmes close in the autumn for the following winter.
The deadline that actually constrains you is usually none of these. It is the visa appointment, which at some missions is booked months in advance. Work backwards from the semester start.
Example
A realistic timeline for a winter semester start
Counting backwards from an October start, for a non-EU applicant:
Illustrative. Mission waiting times vary enormously, and are the step most likely to derail a plan.
Important
3. Documents, certification and translation
German administration takes document form seriously. A plain photocopy or a self-made translation is generally not accepted, and this is where applications stall.
A certified copy (amtlich beglaubigte Kopie) is a copy stamped by an authority confirming it matches the original. In Germany, municipal offices, notaries and some churches can do this. Abroad, German missions and certain local authorities can. Translations must generally be done by a sworn or officially recognised translator.
- School-leaving certificate and transcript, certified
- University degree certificate and transcript with module list, if applying for a Master’s
- Certified translations into German or English, unless already in one of those
- Language certificate: TestDaF, DSH, telc C1 Hochschule, IELTS or TOEFL as required
- Passport copy
- CV, in tabular German style
- Motivation letter, where the programme asks for one
- APS certificate, where it applies to your country
- Proof of any relevant internships or work experience
The German words you will see
- Amtlich beglaubigte Kopie
- An officially certified copy: a photocopy stamped by an authority confirming it matches the original.
- VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation)
- A preliminary review document from uni-assist stating how your qualification is assessed. Some universities require it before a direct application.
- Zulassungsbescheid
- The letter of admission. This is the document your visa application is built on.
- Immatrikulation
- Enrolment: the formal registration as a student, after you accept an offer and pay the semester contribution.
- Ablehnungsbescheid
- A rejection notice. It states the reason, which is worth reading before reapplying.
Good to know
4. From admission to enrolment
An admission letter is an offer, not a place. You have to accept it and enrol within a stated deadline, which is often short, and enrolment requires proof of health insurance and payment of the semester contribution.
If you are refused, read the rejection notice properly. It usually states whether you were rejected on qualification grounds, on grade, or simply because places ran out, and those imply completely different responses next time.
Accept the offer within the deadline
Missing it releases your place. Deadlines here are frequently just two or three weeks.
Arrange health insurance
Compulsory, and you cannot enrol without proof. Statutory student cover is at a reduced rate up to an age limit.
Pay the semester contribution
Enrolment is not complete until it is paid and cleared.
Apply for the visa immediately
Take the admission letter, proof of funds and insurance. Book the appointment the day the offer arrives.
Register your address after arriving
Anmeldung within the local deadline. Almost everything else, including the residence permit, depends on it.
5. Frequently asked questions
No. Many universities use it for international applicants, others take direct applications, and nationally restricted subjects such as medicine go through Hochschulstart. Each programme page states which channel applies, and using the wrong one usually means the application is not considered.
A fee per application, with the first in a round costing more than subsequent ones. It checks and forwards your documents and converts your grades, but the university still decides admission.
Broadly 15 July for a winter semester and 15 January for a summer semester, but programmes vary, Master’s deadlines are often earlier, and uni-assist needs several weeks to process. Treat the published date as the last possible day.
A photocopy stamped by an authority confirming it matches the original. In Germany municipal offices and notaries can do this; abroad, German missions and certain local authorities can. Plain photocopies are generally not accepted.
Usually, unless they are already in German or English, and the translation generally has to be by a sworn or officially recognised translator. Self-made translations are not accepted.
A preliminary review documentation from uni-assist stating how your qualification is assessed. Some universities require you to obtain one before applying to them directly.
Read the rejection notice: it normally says whether the reason was your qualification, your grade, or simply that places ran out. Those call for entirely different responses, from a Studienkolleg to simply applying more widely next intake.
Official information
Rules and amounts change. Always verify current requirements using official sources.
uni-assist, opens in a new tab
uni-assist e.V. · not a government authority
Processes international applications for many German universities, including document checks and forwarding.
Check university admission, opens in a new tab
uni-assist e.V. · not a government authority
Tool for checking how your school-leaving or university qualification is treated for German admission.
Hochschulkompass — degree programme search, opens in a new tab
German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) · not a government authority
The authoritative directory of German universities and their current Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral programmes.
Admission requirements overview, opens in a new tab
DAAD · not a government authority
How a foreign school-leaving certificate is assessed, and what direct admission versus Studienkolleg depends on.
Visa for studying, opens in a new tab
Make it in Germany
Official requirements for a student visa and student residence permit.
Related guides
Amounts and legal requirements can change. We verify this information against official sources and show when each figure was last checked, but always confirm important requirements with the responsible authority before you apply.
Einfach Germany is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with the German government.