Guides
How to Apply to German Universities in 2026: uni-assist, VPD and the APS Certificate
Depending on the university, you apply directly through its portal or through uni-assist, a service that pre-checks international certificates. uni-assist charges €75 for the first application per semester and €30 for each additional one. Students from India, China and Vietnam additionally need an APS certificate, which verifies their academic documents and is required for the visa — start it first, because it can take two months.
Key facts
- uni-assist fee
- €75 first, €30 each additional (per semester)
- uni-assist processing
- about 4–6 weeks
- APS required for
- India, China, Vietnam
- APS India fee
- ₹18,000 (standard procedure)
Do you apply directly or through uni-assist?
There is no single central application for international students. Each programme states how to apply:
- Directly through the university’s own online portal.
- Through uni-assist, which evaluates your foreign certificates on behalf of the university and forwards complete applications.
- VPD first, then direct: some universities want a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist, which you then upload to the university portal yourself.
Each programme page in our directory shows the application method, so you can see which route applies before you start.
What does uni-assist cost and how long does it take?
| Applications in one semester | Total uni-assist fees |
|---|---|
| 1 | €75 |
| 3 | €135 |
| 5 | €195 |
Fees are the same for full applications and VPDs and are not refunded if you are rejected. Processing usually takes four to six weeks, longer just before deadlines — submit at least six to eight weeks before the university’s closing date.
What is the APS certificate and who needs it?
The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) at the German embassies in India, China and Vietnam checks that your school and university documents are genuine and comparable. Universities may withhold a final admission decision until you have it, and the embassy requires it for the student visa.
| Country | Fee (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| India | ₹18,000 | document verification; allow several weeks |
| China | 2,500 RMB | includes an academic interview |
| Vietnam | about €150–€250 equivalent | six to eight weeks |
Apply for APS before you apply to universities — it is usually the slowest document in the whole process.
Which documents does a typical application need?
- School-leaving certificate and, for Master’s, your Bachelor’s degree and transcript
- Certified translations where the originals are not in English or German
- Language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught, TestDaF/DSH/Goethe for German-taught programmes)
- CV and motivation letter, if the programme asks for them
- APS certificate (India, China, Vietnam)
Not sure whether your grades are competitive? Convert them with the German grade converter, then run the programme finder to see where you meet the requirements.
What happens after admission?
With an admission letter you can open your blocked account, arrange health insurance and apply for the student visa.
Before you arrive
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We check these figures against official sources, but rules and amounts change. Confirm the current requirements with your embassy or university before you act.