In recent times, Germany has earned itself a reputation of becoming the most preferred study destinations for pursuing master’s degree. Amongst various factors, the country offers high-quality education, globally recognized universities, affordable tuition fees and strong career opportunities. However, it is crucial for students to understand the admission requirements set by German universities, before starting your journey for a master’s degree in Germany; the criteria differs for various universities and programs. Nevertheless, several common criteria exists, for every international student to follow, and this article is written to simplify the understanding of admission criteria for master’s program in the simplest form.

Germany has maintained high standards in the education system, where graduates benefit form excellent academics and practical learning. The country is globally renowned for some of the world’s best universities and research institutes which have strong connections with the industry. Graduates gain from internship opportunities and practical teachings from industry experts, which lands them in excellent jobs leading to a thriving future. This makes admission to master’s programs all the more competitive, and so, students must meet all requirements and be extra careful while submitting applications in German universities.

A recognized bachelor’s degree or an equivalent undergraduate qualification is a must, for pursuing a master’s program in Germany. A student is required to have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or higher education institution. The bachelor’s degree should be related to the program sought by the student for master’s study. For example:

German universities assess the previous academics (Bachelor’s degree) of students to ascertain whether the degree matches with the master’s course chosen by the student. Sometimes, if a student’s academic background does not completely align with the program, he is required to complete additional coursework before pursuing Masters.

Although there is no universal minimum percentage criteria, a student needs to demonstrate a good academic score during bachelor’s studies, to seek admission in a masters program in German universities. Programs usually expect:

Students holding an excellent academic record usually have an edge of receiving admission. However, while some universities clearly specify a minimum GPA, others evaluate applications holistically.

For admission to a German university, language proficiency is a crucial admission criteria. A student can understand lectures, complete assignments and participate in academic discussions only if he understands the language. In German universities, many masters programs are offered in English, for which, the applicant is required to submit English language proficiency tests; although exact score depends on individual program and university also.

Cambridge English Qualifications

For programs being taught in German language, students are required to demonstrate German proficiency through tests like:

TestDaF

Goethe – Zertifikat

DSH

Telc Deutsch

As per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), most universities require proficiency at B2 or C1 level.

A few master’s programs require an additional admission criteria, besides academic and language proficiency, such as:

Programs like MBA and Executive Master’s programs require proof of professional work experience of the applicant, which includes:

·         Industry-specific experience

·         One to three years of relevant work experience

·       Leadership or managerial responsibilities

Masters programs which are technical and specialized in nature, may require prior coursework in specific subjects, such as:

·         Engineering programs – requiring foundational engineering subjects.

·         Data Science programs – requiring mathematics and programming knowledge.

·         Economics programs – requiring statistics and quantitative analysis.

Applicants seeking admission in a master’s program at German universities are required to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP), which is even known as a Motivation Letter. An SOP explains:

·         Why does the student intend to pursue the chosen program?

·         Reasons for choosing Germany as the study destination.

·         Reasons for choosing the particular university

·         Relevant skills and experiences of the applicant.

·         Career goals of the applicant.

It is a known fact that a well-written SOP stating clearly, the motivation, commitment, and suitability for the program, can always strengthen the applicant’s prospects of admission.

Many universities require Letter of Recommendations (LORs) from employers, professors, or lecturers for master’s programs. Usually, universities request:

Academic references from university faculty.

Professional references for work-oriented programs.

One to three recommendation letters.

Strong recommendations of the applicant always provide evidence of academic abilities, professional qualities, and research potential.

Universities generally require an applicant’s updated CV or resume, which should include:

·         Educational Background.

·         Work Experience.

·         Personal information.

·         Language skills.

·         Technical skills.

·         Internships.

·         Certifications.

·         Research projects.

·         Extra-curricular activities.

German universities give importance to a clear and concise European-style CV, highlighting relevant qualifications and achievements of the applicant.

Although many German universities do not require standardized tests of applicants, there are some programs that ask for GRE or GMAT scores.

·         Data Science programs.

·         Engineering programs.

·         Computer Science programs.

·         Research-intensive master’s degrees.

·         Finance and business-related degrees.

·         MBA programs.

·         Management programs.

Applicants are advised to check the university thoroughly, whether these tests are mandatory for their programs or no.

Financial proof is part of the student visa process, however, some institutions may require the applicant to submit financial documentation for admission also. This is to ascertain, that the student can sustain himself financially while studying in Germany.

The best financial proof of the student is the blocked account method which contains the required amount as specified by the German authorities for living expenses. This account ensures that the student can cover expenses like accommodation, food, transportation, health insurance etc., while studying in Germany.

Applicants are required to submit valid identification documents, like:

·         Passport copy

·         National identity documents (if required).

·         Passport-sized photographs (if required).

The passport of the student should remain valid throughout the application and visa process.

Applicants are required to provide official academic records (certified copies) from previous studies, like:

·         Bachelor’s degree certificate.

·         Semester-wise mark sheets.

·         Academic transcripts.

·         Provisional certificate (in case, final degree has not been issued).

All documents need to be translated in German or English, if they are originally issued in another language.

The APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) certificate is required for Indian students, intending to study in Germany. This certificate verifies the authenticity of academic and educational documents, and Indian students are required to obtain APS verification before they apply for a German student visa. This process takes several weeks to complete, therefore, India students are advised to apply much before time.

Uni-Assist is a centralized German application portal, that evaluates international qualifications and checks, whether the applicants meet university requirements or not. Applicants are required to:

·         Create an account.

·         Submit applications electronically.

·         Pay processing fees.

It is to be noted that, not all universities use Uni-Assist, therefore, applicants are required to verify the application procedure for each institution carefully.

Seeking admission for master’s program in Germany is very competitive, therefore, students are advised to apply much before deadlines, to avoid heartbreaks. Intake periods are:

Winter Semester

·         Applications open between May and July.

·         Classes begin in October

Summer Semester

·         Applications open between November and January.

·         Classes generally begin in April.

It is to be noted that, a few highly competitive programs may have earlier deadlines for international students.