Our top tips on how to apply for university in Germany

Germany is a popular study destination and leading among the non-English-speaking countries to attract international students. Exciting cities such as Berlin, low or no tuition fees and of course Germany's top universities with a high international ranking are among the pull factors for foreign students. Whether you want to get a first university degree in the country or plan on postgraduate studies, we explain the steps of applying to study in Germany.
Steps to studying in Germany
1. Choose your university or course
What you want to study will of course determine where within Germany you’ll study it–and the earlier you know it, the better so you can meet application deadlines. The German academic year at universities is split into the summer and winter semester, but keep in mind that some courses or programs will only accept applications for the winter semester. Your language skills will also play a factor in selecting your field of studies: your options for studying exclusively in English at undergraduate level in Germany will be limited. If you’re a diligent language learner, though, you can begin with courses taught in English and then catch up as the schedule changes to German. Allow yourself enough time to identify all possible opportunities and familiarise yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each as well as the individual requirements. You can of course send out as many applications as possible, but there are a few tips to help you compile a selection and make a decision:- Consult the database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). They list study programs and allow you to filter for ones in English.
- Check a list of university rankings to find the top German places of study for the field or degree that interests you.
- Get an overview of which universities offer the degree you want to get or the studies you’ve chosen.
- How to learn a language before studying abroad
2. Admission requirements
There is no complete list of general admission requirements as they will differ depending on the university and program. But in order to study at a German university, you’ll need a higher education entrance qualification, or “Hochschulzugangsberechtigung” in German. This can be in the form of a high-school diploma or other graduation certificate as well as a successful university entrance exam result. In some cases, especially if you’re applying from outside the European Union, you might have to take an additional entrance exam, which can be waived for highly qualified students. Common language requirements are either German or English. Proof of German language proficiency can be supplied by taking a German language examination for university entrance such as the DSH, short for “Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang”, and the TestDaF, or “Deutsch als Fremdsprache”. As a non-native speaker, you can prove your knowledge and proficiency of English with an IELTS or TOEFL test result. The required score will be among the admission requirements for foreign students.3. German university application process
The specific admission requirements posted on a university’s website will also tell you how and where to apply. In many cases, this will be through the international office. If you’re applying through a program such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), they’ll help you with the process. In Germany, the application deadline for the winter semester is the preceding July 15 and January 15 for the summer semester, though these can vary depending on the program and institution. Send your application as early as possible to allow for enough time in case you need to correct something or supply additional documentation. Typically, your application needs to be complete before the deadline.The required documentation commonly includes:
- The filled out application form
- A certified copy of your university entrance qualification
- A university of study transcript or proof of credits earned for a postgraduate degree
- A copy of your passport
- A passport photo
- Proof of required language proficiency
- Proof of payment for the application fee, if any