Top German Universities without APS Certificate
Planning to study in Germany? You maybe heard about the APS certificate. It is an important paper for Indian students who want to apply to German universities. But the good thing is, there are also some universities in Germany without APS certificate requirement.
Many Indian students are facing big problem with the APS certificate. The waiting time is too long, sometimes 4 to 5 months! Because of this delay, many students are missing their intake. But do you know? There are some universities in Germany where you can get admission without this APS headache.
These are mostly private universities or international business schools. For example, the most popular ones are BSBI (Berlin School of Business and Innovation), Arden University, EU Business School, and Lancaster University Leipzig. The secret is that these universties offer degrees from UK or other countries while being in Germany, so they don't strictly need the German government APS validation.
If you apply here, you can save a lot of time. You get your admission letter very fast, and you can apply for German student visa directly. Don't worry, these degrees are valid. After finishing your course, you are still eligible for the post study work visa (18 months) to find a job in Germany. So if you want to skip the hard process, these Top German Universities without APS are the best option for you. Just apply and start your dream life in Europe!
- What is APS Certificate?
- Who Doesn’t Need APS?
- List of German Universities without APS Requirement
- Top 5 Universities in Germany without APS Requirement
- Important Visa & Work Rules for Germany Universities without APS Requirement
What is APS Certificate?
The APS certificate Germany is a verification document introduced by the German Embassy and DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) to simplify the admission process for Indian students. It confirms the authenticity of academic documents and ensures that applicants meet the APS requirement for Germany before applying to universities.
Who Doesn’t Need APS?
In certain cases, students may not require an APS certificate:
- Applicants to some private universities in Germany (check university rules).
- Students enrolling in a foreign university’s German campus.
- Candidates applying for a PhD with recognized scholarships.
- Students holding a degree from countries like the UK or USA.
- Short-term courses (usually less than 90 days)
Note: APS requirements may vary, so always verify with the university and official guidelines.
List of German Universities without APS Requirement
Some universities in Germany may not require an APS certificate, especially private institutions or specific programs. However, APS rules can vary by course and intake. Always check official university guidelines before applying, as APS requirements for Indian students are subject to change and verification policies.
| University Name | Why No APS? | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|
| BSBI (Berlin School of Business & Innovation) | Offers UK Degrees (University for the Creative Arts) or Italian Degrees (UNINETTUNO). | MBA, Global MBA, Management, Animation. |
| Arden University | It is a UK University with a campus in Germany. The degree is British. | MBA, Data Analytics, Project Management. |
| Lancaster University Leipzig | It is a branch of a UK University. You get a British degree. | Computer Science, Business Management, Software Engineering. |
| EU Business School | It is a private international school. Degrees are from Spain or Switzerland. | MBA, Digital Business, Marketing, Finance. |
| New European College | Offers degrees from Wittenborg University (Netherlands). | International Management, MBA. |
| Schiller International University | Offers American (US) Degrees. | International Relations, Business. |
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Top 5 Universities in Germany without APS Requirement
Some private and international universities in Germany may offer admission without an APS certificate, depending on the course and applicant profile. However, APS requirements can change, so always verify with the university. Here are five universities often considered by students exploring options without APS requirement. The list of best universities in Germany without APS has been mentioned below with details.
Arden University Berlin
Another great option in Berlin is Arden University. This is actually a British University that opened a campus in Germany. Because the degree is from the UK, the German rules for APS do not apply here. It is very good for students who want to study Data Analytics, IT Security, or Project Management. Their class timings are very flexible, which helps if you are working. You get a high-quality British education but you live in Germany and enjoy the German student life.
BSBI (Berlin School of Business and Innovation)
This is very famous among Indian students who want to go to Germany fast. BSBI is located in the capital city, Berlin. The best thing here is that they don't ask for APS certificate because they give degrees from UK universities (like University for the Creative Arts) or Italian universities. They have many courses like Global MBA, Digital Marketing, and Tourism. The fees are also not too high, maybe around €9,000 to €12,000 per year. Since it is in Berlin, you can find many part-time jobs easily while studying
Lancaster University Leipzig
If you want a degree from a top-ranking college, check out Lancaster University Leipzig. It is a branch of a prestigious UK University. The campus is in Leipzig, which is a very nice city and much cheaper than Berlin or Munich for rent and food. You can study Computer Science, Business Management, or Software Engineering here. The fees might be a little high, but the degree value is very good globally. Since it is a UK degree, no APS is needed for admission.
EU Business School (Munich)
For business students, EU Business School in Munich is a top choice. Munich is a rich city with companies like BMW, so it is good for jobs. This college offers degrees from Spain or Switzerland. It is a private international school, so the environment is very modern. They are famous for MBA, International Business, and Marketing. You don't need APS here either. It is a bit expensive, but the networking opportunities are great.
New European College & Schiller International University
There are few more options like New European College in Munich which gives a Dutch degree (from Netherlands) and Schiller International University in Heidelberg which gives an American (US) degree. Both of these allow you to skip the APS waiting time. Schiller is great if you like International Relations or Diplomacy. New European College is good for MBA and they help a lot with finding jobs after study.
Important Visa & Work Rules for Germany Universities without APS Requirement
Many students ask whether degrees from universities without APS are valid. In most cases, if you study in Germany at a recognized institution, your degree can be valid. However, eligibility for the post-study work visa Germany (18-month job seeker visa) depends on degree recognition and immigration rules.
After completing your course, you may apply for a Germany post-study work visa to stay and search for a job. Once employed, you can convert it into a work permit or EU Blue Card, subject to eligibility.
For your Germany student visa, it is important to provide clear documentation. If APS is not required, carry an official letter from the university explaining the reason. Always check the latest visa guidelines, as rules may change based on government policies.
Candidates wanting to know more about APS Germany requirements can visit our website or contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the APS certificate is generally mandatory for Indian students applying for a student visa to Germany. Without it, students cannot proceed with their visa applications.
Costs of MBA in Germany can differ on type of institution. It should be noted that public universities mostly have less fee which can range from EUR 200 - EUR 500 per semester. Whereas for private universities, tuition fees for MBA courses is between EUR 15 K - EUR 43 K (about INR 16 L - INR 46 L) for full course.
KIT has an acceptance rate of 26% which means that it only accepts 26 applications for every 100 receives. When compared with RWTH Aachen with acceptance rate of only 10% admissions at KIT can be considered relatively easier. Both these institutes rank in & around the top 10 colleges & universities in Germany & are only known to accept highly qualified candidates. Interested applicants must maintain a solid student profile with a near perfect academic record & a CV that demonstrates their non academic capabilities.
Many banks offer free accounts for students. Examples include Hypovereinsbank, Comdirect, Noris, Postbank, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and digital banks like N26 and DKB. These accounts usually have no monthly fees for students.

