How to Apply to Universities in Germany

Step 1: Check That Your Qualification Is Recognised

Before anything else, check whether your school-leaving certificate counts as a higher education entrance qualification in Germany. The DAAD explains that this is the qualification that entitles you to study at a German higher education institution. If your qualification is not fully recognised, you will usually need to attend a Studienkolleg — a preparatory course that ends with an assessment test — before you can start a degree. This check shapes your whole timeline, so do it before you choose programmes.

Step 2: Choose Your Programmes

Germany offers thousands of programmes, many taught entirely in English, especially at master’s level. Use the DAAD database to search by subject, degree level and language of instruction. Read each programme page carefully: it lists the degree, the teaching language, the start date (usually the winter semester beginning in October), the application deadline and the academic requirements. Deadlines differ by university and by programme, and non-EU applicants often have earlier deadlines than EU applicants — for example, some master’s programmes ask non-EU applicants to apply by 15 November of the previous year, while EU applicants have until 15 May.

Step 3: Get Your APS Certificate If It Applies to You

Applicants with qualifications from India, China or Vietnam need an APS certificate — a verification of their academic documents by the Academic Verification Office (Akademische Prüfstelle) in their home country. The certificate is needed before the visa application, it is valid indefinitely, and it can be obtained before you receive an admission letter, so start it early. DAAD programme pages state this requirement clearly for the countries concerned.

Step 4: Apply Through uni-assist or Directly

Many German universities use uni-assist, a service that checks international applications. As the DAAD explains, uni-assist supports international students by checking their documents, telling them in good time if something is missing, and forwarding complete applications to the universities, which then decide on admission. Some programmes ask for a preliminary review document (VPD) from uni-assist instead of a full application through the service. Other universities accept direct applications. Follow the exact route the programme page names, and submit certified translations of any document that is not in German or English.

Step 5: Prove Your Funding With a Blocked Account

Most international students prove they can fund their studies with a blocked account — a special bank account from which only a set sum can be withdrawn each month, accepted by the foreigners’ registration office as proof of funding. As of 2026, DAAD programme pages state that students need at least 992 EUR per month at their disposal. Open the account only through a provider the German mission accepts, and keep the confirmation safe: you will need it for the visa. Many public universities charge no tuition for bachelor’s and most master’s programmes, but students normally pay a semester contribution, so check each university’s own fees page rather than assuming every programme is free.

Step 6: Get Health Insurance and Apply for Your Visa

Apply for your student visa at the German diplomatic mission in your home country, bringing your admission letter, your blocked-account proof, your APS certificate if one applies to you, and proof of health insurance. After arrival in Germany, enrol at the university, register your address with the local authorities, and apply to convert your visa into a residence permit at the foreigners’ registration office. Do not book non-refundable travel until the visa is issued, and remember that visa approval rests with the German authorities.