There are 2 Intakes in Germany for international students. These are as follows -

• Summer Intake in the German (April)

• winter intake in the Germany (September/October)

• Once you find the study program you’re interested in, the next step is understanding the admission requirements. Before anything else, you will have to meet the criteria set by the higher education institution to gain admission to that particular program.

• To be admitted to a German university, your qualifications must be recognized by the university you have chosen. What this means is that you need to have a university entrance qualification, also known as Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) or Abitur. If your school-leaving certificate is not recognized in Germany, you will be required to attend a one-year preparatory course known as Studienkolleg.

• Some universities also require an aptitude test called the TestAS. This test is designed for international students from non-EU countries who want to enroll in an undergraduate program in Germany.

• Language requirements are also among the university admission criteria. If your degree program is entirely in German, then you will be required to provide proof of German language proficiency, such as Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) or TestDaF. Alternatively, if your course is taught in English and you are not a native English speaker, you will be required to provide IELTS or TOEFL scores.

• Government and Organization-Funded Scholarships

  1. DAAD Scholarship Programs

  2. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships

  3. DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Program

  4. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship

  5. Erasmus Scholarship Programs

  6. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships

  7. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships

  8. StipendiumPlus

  9. Bayer Foundation Fellowships

• Scholarships Offered by German Universities

  1. Humboldt Research Fellowship

  2. TUM Linde / MDSI Master Scholarship

  3. Heidelberg University HAUS Scholarships

  4. University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships

  5. Berlin International University of Applied Sciences Christian Wulff Scholarship

• Federal German State-Specific Scholarships

  1. Baden-Württemberg Stiftung

  2. Bavaria – Max We­ber-Program

  3. Bavaria – Mari­an­ne-Plehn-Pro­gram

  4. The Lower Saxony Scholarship (Niedersachsenstipendium)

  5. Berlin – Elsa Neumann Scholarship

• MBA Scholarships for International Students in Germany

  1. ESMT MBA Scholarships

  2. HHL Leipzig Scholarships

  3. WHU Otto Beisheim Scholarships

  4. Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Scholarships

  5. Mannheim Business School Scholarships

If you want to apply for a place at a German higher education institution, there are some rules you will have to observe. How and where to apply depends on the subject you want to study. You should bear the following checklist in mind when applying for a degree program in Germany:

Does the subject have admission restrictions?

Even if you meet the general requirements and have chosen your desired subject, you will frequently not be able to enrol directly. For many degree programmes in Germany, there are more prospective students than study places, so applicants first have to take part in an admission procedure. There are two types of admission restrictions: those determined locally, which means they only apply at certain higher education institutions, and those that apply throughout Germany. If your intended degree programme has no admission restrictions, you can usually enrol directly.

 Do the admission restrictions apply locally or throughout Germany?

Germany-wide admission restrictions: Degree programmes such as medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and dentistry are so popular that admission restrictions apply at all German higher education institutions. They have what is known as a numerus clausus (NC). Study places are awarded by the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (Foundation for University Admissions) for applicants from Germany and other EU member states as well as applicants from Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway (available only in German).

Local admission restrictions: Some degree programmes only have admission restrictions at particular higher education institutions. These are frequently described as NC degree programmes. In addition to an overall average grade, higher education institutions can specify further criteria they will consider when selecting applicants, such as a letter of motivation, tests or selection interviews. These criteria differ between higher education institutions and between study programmes.

TIP: Contact the International Office of your higher education institution directly for information before applying. You can find the academic counselling offices on the Higher Education Compass website.

Where do I apply?

Foreign students have to apply to the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung, directly to the higher education institution, or to the University Application Service for International Students (uni-assist) – this depends on which country they come from, what higher education entrance qualification they hold, and what subject they want to study. 

Which documents will I need?

The International Offices of the higher education institutions can help answer this question. They will tell you about the application process and which documents have to be submitted. The application form is available from your chosen higher education institution, from uni-assist or the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (only in German).

As a general rule, you will need the following documents:

• An officially certified copy of your higher education entrance qualification

• An overview of your subjects and grades (with official translation)

• Certified copies of your previous higher education certificates, if applicable

• A passport photograph

• A photocopy of your passport (name and photograph)

• Certified copies of language certificates

Please note: Only officially certified copies and translations are accepted for the application process. Official certifications can be issued for example by the German embassy in your home country. Some higher education institutions also accept documents in English and French.

There is a fee for getting a document certified. Additionally, there is often a fee for the application itself. The processing fee depends on where you apply. If you apply via uni-assist, an assessment of your certificates and preliminary review of your documents costs 75 EUR for your first choice of study and 30 EUR for each application to further courses of study in the same semester.

The process by which the application form for a higher education institution (for example, the institution that appears in the chart) is submitted can take place in various ways, for example, with a form that can be filled out on the Internet and then printed out, or with an online form. Please enquire directly at the international office of the higher education institution to which you are applying.

When does the application have to be completed?

At most higher education institutions, the application phase for the winter semester starting in September/October begins in early May and ends on 15 July. For the summer semester starting in March/April, the application period runs from early December to 15 January. Letters of acceptance are sent out in August/September and in February/March. Rejections are often sent a little later. Private universities may have other deadlines.

To get a German student visa in India, you must apply as per the instructions below:

1. Apply for a study program in Germany.

2. Find a German diplomatic mission in India.

3. Make an appointment for your visa submission.

4. Gather the required documents.

5. Submit your application.

6. Wait for an answer.

7. Enter Germany.

Apply for a Study Program in Germany

To qualify for a German study visa, the most important step you need to complete is to get accepted to a German study program or language course. This is essential as you must present proof of your acceptance to the German institution as a part of your visa application. If you still haven’t been accepted or are waiting for a response regarding your application, you must apply for a student applicant visa and present proof that you submitted your application successfully.

Find a German Diplomatic Mission in India

Before you begin assembling your documents, you must first find the correct German diplomatic mission in India that is processing student visas. Several German diplomatic offices in India deal with student visa applications— make sure to locate one near your residence.

Make an Appointment for Your Visa Submission

As soon as you have located your nearest German embassy/consulate in charge of visa processing, make an appointment to submit your application. Please note that you cannot submit your application without a prior appointment. Also, depending on the embassy’s workload and the season/time of the year, it may take several weeks before you can get an appointment.

Gather the Required Documents

Until it’s time for your appointment date, you need to complete the required documents for your visa application. This will usually include documents such as your passport, educational qualifications, proof of financial support, and any important documents— you can find a full list of documents below. Please make sure you have all of the required documents on time for your appointment, as an incomplete application may result in visa rejection.

Submit Your Application

On the day of your visa appointment, you must visit the embassy or consulate and submit the required documents. On the same day, you may also be required to submit your biometric data (fingerprints) and attend a visa interview.

Pay the Visa Fee

You may be required to complete the visa fee payment on your visa appointment date at the embassy or consulate— this varies by the German diplomatic mission.

Wait for an Answer

Once you submit your application and complete the visa interview, it may take 15 to 30 days for the embassy to process your application and give you an answer. You can enter Germany and start your study program if the answer is positive. If your Germany student visa application is denied, you will receive a letter detailing the reason for your denial and what you can do next.

What Documents Do Indian Citizens Need for a German Student Visa?

Indians are required to submit 2 completed sets of documents. The documents needed for a German student visa application from India include the following:

• German national visa application form. Submit two completed and signed copies.

• Passport. The passport has to be valid for at least another three from the date of the visa appointment and have at least two blank visa pages.

• 2 copies of the passport’s bio page. Scan the passport pages containing your personal information and pictures in A4 format.

• Letter of acceptance in university, language school, or preparatory college. The language of instruction for the courses should be specified in the letter. Submit the original letter along with two copies.

• APS certificate. You need to obtain an academic evaluation certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre attached to the Science Section of the New Delhi Embassy. To retrieve the certificate you need to make an appointment with the APC here and then book your visa appointment. Please keep in mind that you cannot apply for your student visa without obtaining your academic evaluation certificate first.

• 3 visa pictures. If possible, you should take the pictures in a photography studio following the specifications of the German diplomatic mission in India.

• Your academic certificates/qualifications. Submit the original copy of any of these documents along with two copies

• Your resume. Please include one copy of your resume of your educational and professional experience and qualifications.

• Proof you can fund your studies. In most cases, you must submit a Confirmation for a Blocked Account demand draft, or (if applicable) a scholarship. If someone is sponsoring you, submit a Letter of Sponsorship.

• German health Insurance for students. You can get a travel insurance plan from most local companies in India and international travel insurance providers such as AXA, DR. Walter, or Europ Assistance.

• A certificate of Language Proficiency. If the letter of acceptance does not specify that you are proficient in the language of instruction, submit a certificate of language proficiency in level B2, at least. Submit the original certificate along with

  • For German language skills, only the following certificates are accepted:

    • Test of German as a Foreign Language (The Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache- TestDaF).

    • German Language University Entrance Examination for International Applicants (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang- DSH).

    • Goethe Institute German Language Diploma ( GDS).

    • German Language Diploma (level II) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs

  • For English language skills, you must submit one of the following certificates:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

    • The International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Note: The German Diplomatic Mission to which you apply can ask for additional documents if they see fit.

How Much Is the German Student Visa Fee in India?

The German student visa is EUR 75 or INR 75— the visa fee is reduced to EUR 37,50 for minors or INR 37.5. You must pay the visa fee in cash at the embassy/consulate. You can pay the German student visa fee in India country with cash or a credit card— depending on the embassy, other forms of payment are available, so make sure to check with the corresponding office.

How Long Does the German Embassy in India Take to Process a Student Visa?

In most cases, the German Missions in India will take about 15 to 30 days to process your student visa after the interview. However, if they ask for additional documents or are processing many visa applications, it could take an additional few weeks.

How Much Money Do Need to Study in Germany?

You must show the German Embassy you have at least EUR 11,208 or INR 11208 per year to apply for a student visa. In most cases, you must open a blocked bank account in a German bank and transfer the money there. The other most common method is if you win a scholarship. Either way, you have to settle your finances in India before applying for a visa.

After Arriving in Germany: Process for Students from India

After you travel from India to Germany, you have to register your address, activate your blocked account, register for health insurance, and get your residence permit.

Registering your address

As soon as you get your accommodation in Germany settled, you must register your address at the local registration office and get a Registration Certificate. You need this certificate to activate your blocked account and apply for a residence permit, so you should get to it as soon as possible.

Activating your blocked account

When you have registered your address, you have to open a German bank account so that the money from your blocked account can be transferred there. Along with the bank account, you will also receive a debit card or Girocard so that you can have access to your money. You will receive a monthly payout of EUR 934.

Getting health insurance

All Indian students who travel to Germany have to get health insurance. If you are under 30 years old, you must register for public health insurance (also known as “statutory”). Indian students over the age of 30 can only get private insurance, such as DR. Walter’s EDUCARE24 Comprehensive Plan. Either type has its benefits, and they both offer adequate coverage. If you are unsure about which type of health insurance you should get once you get to Germany.

Getting your student residence permit

Since your German student visa is only valid for three months after arrival, you have to get a residence permit. To apply for a residence permit, you need:

• The letter of acceptance to the university.

• Proof of your blocked account.

• The Certificate of Registration.

• Proof of health insurance.

You must submit the application for the residence permit at the local Foreigner’s Office (Ausländerbehörde).