For Indian students with Indian academic qualifications, APS is generally required for admission/visa processing for studies in Germany, unless the applicant falls under an official exemption. The requirement is not determined simply by whether a university is public or private.

APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) is the Academic Evaluation Centre that verifies the authenticity and formal plausibility of academic documents and qualifications issued by Indian educational institutions for applicants intending to study in Germany. 

What does APS verify?

APS verifies the authenticity and formal plausibility of submitted educational qualifications and documents. It may contact educational institutions or examination authorities to verify information. APS verification does not replace the university's admission decision. 

Important 2026 update 

APS India currently states that the dMAT is an additional APS requirement for selected Master's applicants whose previous degree is in affected fields including: Engineering, Commerce / Accounting / Finance / Economics and Business / Management. It applies to Summer Semester 2027 and later Master's intakes, subject to transitional exemptions. 

Applicants who registered online before 29 June 2026 or shipped their complete APS documents before 29 June 2026 can fall under the transitional exemption for that APS procedure. 

Applicant do not need APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate if you are doing a short course, pursuing a PhD where the university waives it, holding a scholarship from German/EU public funds, or if your academic degrees were entirely earned outside of countries like India, China, or Vietnam.

Examples:

Non-Target Country Education: Students whose relevant school or university degrees were completed outside of countries requiring APS verification (such as the US, UK, or EU nations).

Short-Term Visitors: Short-term/language courses can fall under different visa categories, but the exact visa and APS requirements must be checked for the programme. 

PhD and PostDoc Candidates: Doctoral applicants whose specific German university supervisor or graduate office does not require the certificate.

Public Scholarship Holders: Students receiving direct financial support or scholarships funded by German or European public funds (like DAAD).

International School Board Graduates: Students whose highest qualifying credential is an international degree like the International Baccalaureate (IB) rather than a local board from an APS country.

APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) applies specifically to students from India, China, and Vietnam. For students from India, APS has been mandatory for the German student visa.

Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI)- BSBI’s qualifications are awarded by international state-recognised universities and therefore fall outside the APS requirement. However, students should verify the exact degree-awarding institution/programme.

Arden University Berlin- It is a branch campus of Arden University in the UK, and its Berlin programmes result in UK degrees awarded by Arden University. Arden explicitly states that its Berlin students receive UK degrees

For Indian students, though they must not go through the APS certificate process, they definitely have to go through other visa processes and requirements.

Check whether your situation genuinely qualifies for exemption

Exemptions include cases such as: PhD or PostDoc studies in Germany, A scholarship funded by the EU or German public funds, A programme leading to a non-German degree, holding a foreign degree that is not Indian, such as a British or US degree and holding an international Indian school-leaving certificate or degree, such as the International Baccalaureate.

Financial proof is still required

For 2026, students generally need to demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses. The current minimum is €992 per month, or €11,904 for one year. A scholarship, blocked account or Declaration of Commitment may be used as proof of financial means 

You need the correct national visa

For studies lasting more than 90 days, Indian students generally apply for a German national (D) visa. The German Missions in India currently direct applicants through the Consular Services Portal and the applicable visa process.

Working while studying

Third-country students can generally work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year. During the lecture period, this is also commonly expressed as up to 20 hours per week.

According to the official portal, students may work without restrictions during semester breaks within the applicable framework. 

University student-assistant jobs have special rules

The standard 140-full/280-half-day restrictions do not apply in the same way to student auxiliary jobs, such as certain academic or research- assistant positions at higher-education institutions.

Don't rely on part-time work to obtain your initial visa

Students must demonstrate that they can finance their stay because a future part-time job is not a substitute for the required initial proof of funds.

Language proficiency

Even where a university has admitted you without a particular language certificate, the visa authorities can require recognised evidence of language proficiency in applicable cases.

Keep your residence permit valid

Your student residence permit is tied to your study purpose. If your programme takes longer than the initial validity period, you need to apply for an extension in time and continue meeting the applicable requirements.

Work opportunities after graduation

After successfully completing an MS in Germany, eligible non-EU graduates can generally obtain a residence permit for up to 18 months to look for qualified employment. During this period, they can take up any type of employment to support themselves.

Source

DAAD

Federal Employment Agency Germany

The Federal Government

Expatrio