Step by Step Guide on How to Apply to Study in Germany

Read this step-by-step guide to Gain the necessary knowledge on How to Apply to Study in Germany and fulfill your dream of pursuing higher education in Germany.

 

How to Apply to Study in Germany: Step by Step Guide

Numerous programs, many masters courses taught in English, affordable cost of studying, award-winning curriculums, greater emphasis on students’ hands-on experience and surely excellent future prospects are what best describe master’s degree courses in Germany. That said, taking the decision to apply for a Master’s degree in Germany is easy. But for many international students who have no prior knowledge about the German education system, carrying out an application is a bit intimidating. Our goal is to simplify your application process for German Universities by providing clear step by step guidance on how to apply to study in Germany.

At many German universities it’s possible to apply for admission twice a year – to commence studies either in the winter or summer semester. The summer semester runs from March to August at Fachhochschulen and April to September at universities; the winter semester is from September to February and October to March respectively.

In general, applications for winter enrolments need to be made by 15 July, and applications for summer enrolments by 15 January. However, students should try to submit applications as early as March 15 for winter semester and November 15 for the summer semester. This is because good amount of time is required for the visa application and competitive universities have earlier deadlines. Application deadlines vary between institutions, and the same institution may set different deadlines for each program – be sure to carefully check the specific dates for your chosen course.

Now, you can go through the following steps to gain the necessary knowledge on How to Apply to Study in Germanyand fulfill your dream of pursuing higher education in Germany.

Step 1- Find a Suitable University and Program at a University in Germany

Identify your future academic and career goals if you haven’t figure that out already. Then, start the process of selecting those universities and programs which will help you to achieve these goals. At this point, you will have countless options and, regardless of your studying preferences, you will certainly find many attractive courses. You can shorten your list of desirable courses and universities by taking into consideration the following factors:

  • Course structure,
  • Study Modules,
  • Reputation of Faculty
  • University Ranking
  • Location of the university,
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Tuition fees,
  • Practical sessions, etc.

To help you, we have created a list of hot courses in Germany as well as the top universities in Germany. You can use these lists as the starting point of your search. But remember, as simple as it may sound, it is quite difficult and challenging to shortlist the right courses in Germany. We have seen that No. 1 reason for why numerous students fail to get admission at German Universities is that they either choose wrong universities or apply for wrong courses. So, make sure that you devote enough time on this and do a thorough research.

Recommended Timeline

For admission in Summer Semester – Start this step latest by June-July of the previous year

For admission in Winter Semester – Start this step in the September of the previous year.

Looking for help in shortlisting universities/ courses in Germany?

If you need help in shortlisting the courses and universities in Germany, then you can contact us. Our team of experts has consultants who have graduated from top universities in Germany. We will suggest you courses that align perfectly with your academic and professional goals where your chances of getting admission are high.

Step 2- Check the Requirements

Now that you have set your target it’s time to know what you need in order to get there. You must always check the eligibility requirements of all the course you have shortlisted for application. Normally, German universities offer access to this information on their official websites.

Be careful because there are different entry requirements applied within the same university and you must be one hundred percent sure that you’re reading the correct section. To give you a general view of the common eligibility requirements to study Bachelors and Masters courses in Germany, we have created a comprehensive checklist which you can read on this page. We strongly recommend you to read this article before you dive into analyzing eligibility requirements for your shortlisted courses.

Step 3- Sit for Language Test (IELTS, TOEFL, TestDaF)

Courses taught in English require international applicants to submit proof of proficiency in English language. Two main tests are IELTS and TOEFL, although IELTS is the more popular one. While the score requirements vary between universities and courses, a minimum overall score of 6.5 in IELTS and 95 in TOEFL iBT is recommended. Please note that some universities may ask for higher English language scores, so always check the eligibility requirements of the shortlisted universities before giving the IELTS exam.

Courses taught in German require international applicants to submit proof of proficiency in the German language. Two main tests are available for this purpose: DSH and the TestDaF. The DSH is offered only within Germany, at various universities, while the TestDaF can be taken at centres in more than 90 countries worldwide. However, this requirement is only for courses taught in German. Most universities in Germany offer English-taught courses where knowledge of German language is not required. They will process your application with an IELTS or TOEFL score.

If you need help in preparing for IELTS test, the check out our dedicated IELTS preparation portal.

Recommended Timeline

For admission in Summer Semester – complete this step in July-September of the previous year

For admission in Winter Semester – complete this step in September-November of the previous year.

Step 4-  GRE or GMAT or TestAS

Taking the GRE or the GMAT test an optional eligibility requirements for studying in Germany for Indian students. You will be required to give the GRE or the GMAT depending on the university you are applying to. GMAT scores are sometimes asked by the Top Business Schools, while GRE scores are occasionally requested for Engineering or Natural Science courses. Make sure you check the standardised exam requirement by visiting your desired university’s official website. Bottom line is that you can easily get admission to study in Germany without appearing in GRE or GMAT exams.

Conducted in German & English, TestAS is a central standardised scholastic aptitude test which measures intellectual abilities particularly important for university studies. TestAS is not compulsory for admission in MS in Germany, but some universities may ask for it. You may also decide to take TestAS to strengthen your academic profile, especially if your CGPA in undergraduate course is low. TestAS is mainly required for Bachelor courses in Germany which can also be waived under certain circumstances. We have covered everything about TestAS in detail in a separate article which you can read here.

Recommended Timeline

For admission in Summer Semester – complete this step in July-September of the previous year

For admission in Winter Semester – complete this step in September-November of the previous year.

Step 5- Collect Your Documents of Previous Qualifications

Before you submit any applications, you will need to have the original and scanned copies of certificates and marksheets of all previous qualifications. For example, if you are applying for MS in Germany, then you need the semester-wise marksheets, consolidated transcript and degree/provisional certificate of your bachelors’ studies. Make sure that you collect all these documents in a timely manner.

Step 6- Apply for APS Certificate

As of 1 November 2022, Indian students who want to pursue higher studies in Germany have to include a certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) in their application for admission at universities in Germany as well as for the German student visa. APS checks the authenticity and validity of your educational documents as per the requirements of German authorities and thus ensures a hassle-free admission and visa application process. We suggest you to start this process as soon as you decide to apply for studying in Germany as waiting times can be quite high to get an APS certificate. To know more about the APS certificate and the documents required for obtain it, read our detailed article here.

Recommended Timeline

For admission in Summer Semester – complete this step in July-September of the previous year

For admission in Winter Semester – complete this step in September-November of the previous year.

Step 7- Start Working on your application

Once you have decided on the college or University in Germany, start working on your application. The Universities might need you to provide an SOP or an Application Essay, or LORs.

Step 7a- Write Statement of Purpose

SOP is gist of who you are (mainly academically) and how you reached that point, why you want to study the particular course from the chosen university and this will help in achieving your future goals. To understand how to write an excellent SOP, read our guide on “How to Write Statement of Purpose”.

Step 7b- Prepare CV or Resume

Make sure that you submit a CV which is 1-2 pages long and contains all the required information in a proper chronological order. Remember, first impression is the last impression. A well-made CV can have a long-lasting positive impact on the minds of admission committee. So, do not take this lightly.

Step 7c- Get Two Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

An academic reference letter is typically one to two pages in length. It highlights a student’s academic history, character, and academic or career goals. The letter expands upon a student’s report card or transcript, providing insight into how the applicant behaved as a student and is likely to perform in the next degree course he or she intends to pursue. To get LORs, you should contact your teachers at school or university, discuss your desire to pursue higher education in Germany and request their support in form of LORs.

Recommended Timeline

For admission in Summer Semester – complete this step in September-December of the previous year

For admission in Winter Semester – complete this step in December-March of the previous year.

Looking for help for MS in Germany?

These Steps to Study in Germany may seem a lot to you, but with our knowledge, guidance and mentorship, you can simplify the process. We will guide you in a step-by-step manner to help you fulfil each of these MS in Germany eligibility requirements, so that you can apply to study in Germany in a smooth and hassle-free manner. We will also ensure that your SOP is well-written and is of high quality by getting it reviewed from a subject-matter expert working at a German University. To know more about our services, see our MS in Germany Page or contact us.

Step 8- Submit Applications to Shortlisted Universities

Now that you have fulfilled all the eligibility requirements to study in Germany and gathered all documents , you should submit your application to uni-assist. If the university of your choice does not work together with uni-assist, then send your application directly to the university’s International Office or the Student Administration Office. For more information about application procedures, visit the website of the university of your choice or contact the university’s International Office.

Recommended Timeline

For admission in Summer Semester – complete this step in September-December of the previous year

For admission in Winter Semester – complete this step in December-March of the previous year.

Step 9- Apply for Germany Study Visa

Immediately after you get the offer letter from a university, you should start the process of applying for Germany Study Visa as waiting times can sometimes be very high. Before you can apply for visa, you will also need to open a Blocked Account and buy Travel Health Insurance. Read our separate article on how to apply for Germany Study visa and study visa document checklist.

Recommended Timeline

For admission in Summer Semester – complete this step in January of the same year

For admission in Winter Semester – complete this step in March-July of the same year.

Step 10- Book Accommodation and Fly

Congrats, you have successfully completed the entire process to study in Germany. Now you can book your accommodation and flight tickets to Germany. Please note that finding an accommodation in Germany is a slow process and takes some time. Read our dedicated article on how to find accommodation in Germany containing the resources which can help to fasten your Search for a house in Germany.

Recommended Timeline

For admission in Summer Semester – complete this step in March-April of the same year

For admission in Winter Semester – complete this step in August-September of the same year.

Conclusion

We have explained you in detail everything about how to apply to study in Germany. If you need any help in in this process of studying MS in Germany, then please contact us and boost your chances of getting selected at a German University.

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Our flawless track record and very high success rate have fulfilled the dreams of many students who aspire to gain a Master degree from prestigious universities of Germany and beyond. With our team of experts who exactly know how to submit a strong application and personal connections with professors at many universities, you can boost your chances of securing admission at German Universities. Our specialisation in placing students at top universities differentiates us from the rest. In fact, we are the only company which provides complete assistance for getting admission in fully-funded PhD programs abroad. For more information, visit our MS in Germany Page.

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Get access to the first hand knowledge which our experts have gained from their long experience of studying & living in Germany.

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From thousands of courses that are offered in Germany, we shortlist those degree programs that are related to your interest and where your chances of admission are high.

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Our experts edit and polish your CV so that you make an excellent first impression in the eyes of the admission committee which makes your application stand out.

SOP Review by German Expert

We edit your SOP and get it reviewed by a subject matter expert in Germany, which boosts your chances of admission.

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With us on your side, you don’t have to worry about filling lengthy and complicated application forms, which are sometimes only available in German language.

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We help you open blocked account, buy health insurance, fill your visa application form, and arrange visa appointment in a smooth and hassle-free manner.

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