How to Apply for German Universities in 2025?

Studying in Germany is dream for many people because you get world-class education and pay very less fees. This article will tell you how you apply to German universities, which application portal use, what about fees, and what happens after you apply. Also we talk about benefits of applying to universities in Germany.

The most number of International students studying in Germany are from India. Around 43,000 Indian students are currently studying in German universities and it is expected that this number will increase next year. Because of its highly subsidised education system and student-friendly cities, Germany is a popular study destination in the world. German universities offer bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD courses related to different fields. Students from across the world apply to German universities to get a chance to enrol here.

To apply to a German university, international students need to apply either on the university’s website or through a central website called Uni-Assist. It is also mandatory to meet the university’s requirements, that might include having a high school diploma or a similar qualification.

There are over 350+ universities in Germany. Out of which approximately 170 German universities accepts admission through Uni-Assist, and rest accepts direct applications. Check the article to know how to apply to German universities, using both Uni-Assist and direct applications alongwith their requirements and timelines for 2025.

Read more About: Lesser Known Good Colleges in Germany

University Applications in Germany: Overview

Here is the quick information that you should know before applying in German universities for admission.

Check: Cost of Studying in Germany

How Can International Students Apply to German Universities?

If you are international student, you can apply to German university in two ways:

• Direct on the university website
• Or using Uni-Assist, it is platform many German unis use to check international student applications

Before you apply to German universities, you should check you meet uni entry requirements. Most unis ask for university entrance certificate, in Germany called Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB). This proves you can study at university level in Germany.

How to Apply to a German University for International Students?

1. Check Admission Requirements: You need contact German university international office first. Make sure you meet minimum things like IELTS or TOEFL score and any subject requirements.
2. Apply Through Uni-Assist (If Needed): Many German universities use Uni-Assist for international students. Make an account on Uni-Assist, fill form, upload all papers. They check your application then send it to university.
3. Direct Application (If Uni-Assist Not Used): If uni don’t use Uni-Assist, apply direct on university website or send documents by post.
4. Documents need to be prepared: 

• Academic Transcripts
• Passport Copy
• Motivation Letter
• Other Documents

    5. Submit Your Application: Send your application before deadline to avoid problem. Pay any fees needed to uni or Uni-Assist.

    6. Wait for Admission Results: After deadline, wait for uni to check. You get official acceptance or rejection letter in few weeks or months.

How to Apply to German Universities via Uni-Assist?

Before applying for admission to any German University and your choice of course or courses first check, all about studying in Germany. The following steps can be followed while applying through uni-assist e.V. for international students:

1. Check if the German University you are applying to accepts applications through uni-assist or not. If yes then,
2. Register on My Assist and create a login ID and password for the uni assist portal. Consequently an applicant number would be sent to your registered email id.
3. Log in on the portal again and upon access you will find an application tab, open it and use filters to select the desired university, course* and semester of admission.
4. Next step is adding your educational history and uploading relevant scanned documents if the university accepts ‘online pre-check’. In case your university requires an ‘official certification’ of your documents then:

• Send your academic and language documents with an overview of grades and marking and officially translated copies via post to:
  uni-assist e.V.
  11507 Berlin
  GERMANY
• These documents must reach un-assist after submitting the online application but before the application deadline is over in a single envelope only.
• It takes 4 to 6 weeks to receive an official certification from uni-assist before admission. 
• Before final submission verify all details and submit as no modifications would be possible after that. 
• After selecting ‘Proceed to Checkout’ pay the handling or application fee. First time fee charged is EUR 75, while EUR 30 is charged additionally for new course application.

*course: The choice of course can be found under course catalogue. 

Read: Student Guide to Germany

Uni-Assist Application Deadlines for 2025

German universities accepting applications through uni-assist admit international students through two intake seasons: Summer and Winter. For the benefit of our readers, we have listed below the application deadlines for universities in Germany:

Uni-Assist Required Documents (for Indian Students)

If you are an Indian student applying to German universities via Uni-Assist e.V., you will have to submit the following documents:

After Applying via Uni-Assist: What Happens?

After applying for courses at German Universities via Uni-Assist, applicants can track their applications and check their status. In My Assist account status of the application in the overview of each application can be viewed. The following status may reflect on the applications:

• In evaluation: Application is under evaluation
• Withdrawn: If the application has been withdrawn then this status would show up.
• Faulty: In case of missing documents evaluation cannot be completed, a email may be sent to the applicant for update.
• Okay: If application meets all criteria, standard applications would be forwarded to the university, in case of VPD applications, as soon as the documents are certified applicants will be informed in My Inbox so that they can share with their university.
• Case-by-case Decision: Though the application does not fulfil the requirements yet the university wishes to evaluate it further. In case of acceptance, the university would communicate.

Read: Why Study in Germany?

German Universities Accepting Uni-Assist Applications

Since more than 180 German Universities are in partnership with uni-assist for assessing their international applications, the following is a list of top few universities:

Check: Popular Universities in Germany

Pros of Applying to German Universities via Uni-Assist e.V.

The reason why a lot of international students submit applications to study in Germany via uni-assist is because of the hassle free experience and lower application costs for international students.

Some more plus points for applying to German Universities via uni-assist are as follows:

• Help for evaluating official certificates that are to be shared with the university upon admission.
• Securing all official data like important documents, choice of courses, choice of universities all in one account.
• Assisting students by keeping them updated about their application status.
• Uni-assist also helps in certifying documents for those universities that require a pre-review documentation before admission.
• Uni-assist does not qualify for being tagged as good or bad if some courses of specific partner universities are not applied through this portal.
• There is no additional fee for getting documents verified other than the handling fee of EUR 75 and EUR 30.

Also read:

• 7 Steps to Study for Free in Germany
• 5 Reasons why Germany is a great study abroad destination

German University Admission Applications Without Uni-Assist

There are around 240+ German Universities that accept applications for its English medium courses without uni-assist for international students. These universities accept applications directly through their websites for admissions. Following is a List of German Universities that Teach in English and don’t accept uni-assist applications are:

Note: Not all the above given German institutions have all courses admission applications directly, some of them may be found through uni-assist.

Check: Exams Required for Admission to UG/PG Courses in Germany