World-class universities, affordable tuition fees, strong research opportunities and excellent career prospects, have progressively made Germany as the most preferred Study destinations amongst international students. Every year, students from across the globe visit Germany for exceptional opportunities, high quality education, that too, at an affordable cost. But, one must keep in mind, it is crucial to meet the admission requirements before zeroing in on studying in Germany, for, it requires a lot of planning. Students have to plan with scrutiny that they meet all the steps for admission requirements – academic qualifications, language proficiency, program-specific criteria and supporting documents; minute details which will accept or reject an application.

International Students can treat this article as a comprehensive guide which reflects upon steps to be taken for a successful admission criteria of getting admitted to German universities. Remember, through proper planning and dedication, studying in Germany can become a rewarding academic and professional journey, opening doors to a bright future. 

Every year, thousands of international students are attracted to Germany, and the main reason is the country’s education system, that focusses on practical learning, innovation and research. Programs are taught in both languages – German as well as English, and the students have a wide range to choose from; be it business, medicine, engineering, social science, or arts.

The reason is quiet clear, as, Germany is globally renowned for premium universities and research institutions. More so, many public universities in Germany charge nominal to no tuition fees, which makes higher education accessible to students from all economic backgrounds. This is in direct contrast to other countries of the world where tuition fees is very high. Moreover, German degrees are globally recognized, and successful students are preferred in the job market – both in Germany as well as across the globe.

Although international students are required to meet some common requirements for admission, there may be a difference depending upon level of study, programs and universities. Some elements to consider are:

Educational qualification is the foremost requirement for admission, as is understandable.

For students seeking admission to undergraduate programs, a qualification equivalent to the German higher entrance qualification is required, which is called the Abitur.

Admission criteria for Indian students depends on their educational background: students who have completed 12th may require additional qualifications before entering a bachelor’s program in Germany, which includes:

Completion of specific entrance examinations

One year of university study in India

A recognized foundation course

Eligibility criteria of foreign qualifications is assessed as per German educational standards.

Applicants are required to hold a recognized bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and, the previous degree should be related to the master’s program which is being applied for, such as:

A student holding a bachelor’s in Computer Science may qualify for a Master’s in Computer Science.

A student applying for engineering-related master’s programs should hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Some universities are specific in minimum academic performance requirements.

In German universities, applicants are evaluated based on their academic records, where students are required to submit documents like:

Mark sheets

School transcripts

Academic records from previous institutions

Degree certificates

It is to be noted here that, highly competitive programs do have minimum grade requirements. Nevertheless, a strong academic record of a student increases chances of admission, especially those with limited seats. Universities in Germany often convert international grades into the German grading system to assess their eligibility criteria.

Language proficiency is one of the major admission criteria in German universities.

There are many undergraduate and postgraduate programs which are taught in the German language, and students applying for these should possess adequate skills of the German Language.

TestDaF

Goethe-Zertifikat

DSH (German Language Examination for University Admission)

Telc Deutsch

German universities specifically mention the minimum level requirement, which is often equivalent to B2 or C1 as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

There are numerous courses in Germany that are entirely in English, especially at the master’s level. Students are required to provide proof of English proficiency tests like:

IELTS

TOEFL iBT

PTE Academic

Cambridge English qualifications

Scores for English proficiency tests differ with universities as per programs, but usually, IELTS score is between 6.0 and 7.0 for admission. Also, depending on university policies, sometimes, there is a language test exemption for students who have completed their previous academics entirely in English. 

Some programs may have additional requirements specifically, such as:

Universities need to review subject-specific grades during admissions, as Engineering students require a strong academic performance in subjects like:

Mathematics

Chemistry

Physics

Requirements maybe different between institutions for these programs, because MBA and management-related courses require:

Work experience

Letters of recommendation

Statement of Purpose

GMAT or GRE scores (in some cases)

Since Medicine is one of the most competitive fields in Germany, universities focus a lot on medical programs which are mostly taught in German language. Therefore, German skills are essential for it.

German institutes focus on the quality of portfolio for admission purposes. Therefore, students applying for Arts and Design programs are required to submit:

Project samples

Portfolio of work

Audition recordings

Interviews

For admission purposes, many universities require a Motivation Letter or Statement of Purpose, which explains:

Academic background

Why does the student want to choose a particular course?

Reasons for selecting Germany as the study destination

Career Goals

A well-written SOP by the student explains his motivation and suitability for the course, helping the committees in the admission process.

Recommendation letters reflecting the applicant’s professional qualities, academic abilities and research potential, can strengthen the admission process. They are usually required for masters and doctoral programs, which are written by:

Employers

Professors

Academic supervisors

Postgraduate programs require a CV, which should be professional and clear, and includes:

Academic achievements

Educational qualifications

Research projects

Work experience

Skills and certifications

Internships

Specialized programs are conducted by universities for entrance examinations or interviews with a view to evaluate:

Analytical abilities

Subject knowledge

Communication skills

Motivation

Nevertheless, most programs allow students to be admitted based on their qualifications and supporting documents.

One of the most important documents for Indian students is the APS (Academic Evaluation Centre), which verifies:

Educational documents

Academic qualifications

Authenticity of records

Indian students, before applying for a German student visa, require an APS certificate, prior to university admission. This certificate (verification process) ensures the academic credential credibility of a student.

Usually, German universities ask students to submit:

Completed application form

Academic transcripts

Language proficiency certificates

Degree certificates

Statement of Purpose

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Letters of Recommendations (if required)

Passport copy

APS certificate (for Indian students)

Passport-sized photographs

Documents, which are not issued in English or German languages, often require certified translations.

Applications are scrutinized carefully whether they are directly applied for, or through Uni-Assist.

However, it is advised that students start preparing documents several months much before application deadlines.

It is required of students to demonstrate financial capability, even though German universities usually charge minimal tuition fees.

As per visa regulations, students are required to prove that they can support themselves during their stay in Germany.

A Blocked account containing a specified amount, is proof enough to ascertain financial conditions.

Although, financial proof is no guarantee for direct admission, yet, is is important for obtaining a student visa.

Maintaining a high academic record

Scoring high in language scores

Attaining relevant internships or work-experience

Writing a strong and convincing Statement of Purpose

Applying well in advance, much before deadlines

Submitting strong recommendation letters.

German universities prefer applicants demonstrating academic commitment and strong career goals.