Germany Admission Requirements for International Students
Applying to study in Germany is exciting, but it can feel confusing at first because requirements vary by university, course level, and language of teaching.
This page explains the Germany admission requirements for international students in a simple way. You will learn what you need for:
- Bachelor’s (undergraduate) admission in Germany
- Master’s (postgraduate) admission in Germany
- German and English language requirements
- APS certificate and qualification recognition
- Interviews, portfolios, and extra documents
- Intakes and application timelines
We keep it simple, practical, and clear.
Quick Checklist Before You Apply
Most students will need:
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Passport
- Proof of language (English or German)
- CV
- Statement of purpose or motivation letter
- Letters of recommendation (mainly for master’s)
- Portfolio or interview (only for some courses)
If you are applying from India, China, or Vietnam, you may also need an APS certificate.
Now let’s break it down by level of study.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements in Germany (Bachelor’s)
To apply for a bachelor’s degree in Germany, you usually need:
1) A recognised school qualification
You must have a qualification that is accepted as equivalent to the German Abitur (the standard university entry qualification).
Common examples that may be recognised include:
- A-Levels
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Strong national high school qualifications (varies by country)
If your qualification is not directly recognised, you may need a Studienkolleg (foundation year) and then pass the Feststellungsprüfung exam.
2) Academic documents
Most universities ask for:
- School certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Certified copies
- Translations (if your documents are not in English or German)
3) Language requirement for bachelor’s
This depends on the language of your course:
If the course is taught in German:
Most universities expect a high level of German, often around C1.
Common German language tests include:
If the course is taught in English:
Universities set their own English score requirements.
Common English tests include:
Many universities look for strong English ability, especially for competitive courses.
4) Course specific requirements (only for some subjects)
Some programmes may ask for:
- Interview
- Portfolio (design, architecture, creative courses)
- Entrance test (rare, but possible)
Master’s Admission Requirements in Germany (Postgraduate)
To apply for a master’s programme in Germany, you typically need:
1) A recognised bachelor’s degree
Your bachelor’s should be in a related subject area.
Some programmes require specific modules or prerequisite subjects, especially for:
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Data science
- Finance and economics
2) Academic transcripts
You will need official transcripts showing your marks.
Many universities expect strong grades. Competitive programmes may require higher results.
3) English or German language requirement
German taught master’s programmes: often require German test scores (commonly around C1, but it varies).
English taught master’s programmes: usually require IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge.
Always check the programme page for the exact requirement.
4) Supporting documents
Most master’s programmes ask for:
- CV
- Statement of purpose or motivation letter
- Letters of recommendation (often 1 to 2)
Some programmes may also ask for:
- GMAT or GRE (more common for MBA, economics, analytics, and some technical courses)
- Work experience (commonly required for MBA programmes)
APS Certificate for Germany (Important for Some Countries)
If you are applying from India, China, or Vietnam Germany may require an APS certificate.
APS verifies your academic documents. It can take time, so start early.
In many cases, APS is important for the student visa process, and some institutions may also ask for it during admission.
Read our full guide on the APS Certificate for Germany
Interviews and Portfolios (When You Might Need Them)
Not every student will need an interview. When they do happen, it is usually for:
- Business programmes
- Competitive private university programmes
- Design, film, architecture and creative courses
- Some technical programmes
Interviews are usually online and focus on:
- Why you chose the course
- Your academic background
- Your career goals
- Your motivation to study in Germany
If you are applying to creative courses, you may also need a portfolio.
Intakes and Application Timelines in Germany
Germany usually has two main intakes:
Winter Semester (main intake)
- Start: October
- Typical deadlines: May to July
Summer Semester (secondary intake)
- Start: April
- Typical deadlines: November to January
Some competitive programmes may close earlier. It is always safer to start early.
What to Do Next
If you are serious about studying in Germany, this is the simplest order to follow:
- Choose your course and intake
- Confirm your eligibility and language requirements
- Prepare documents and translations
- Start APS early if it applies to you
- Submit your application
- After admission, prepare your student visa
Once you have your admission letter, the next step is the visa process.
If you want help checking eligibility and planning your application timeline, you can speak to our team.
Book a Free Consultation for Germany
We can help you understand:
- Whether you meet academic requirements
- Which language test you need
- What documents you should prepare
- Your best intake timeline