Top German Universities without APS Certificate
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Top German Universities without APS Certificate

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Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Dec 9, 2025 10:57 IST
Thinking of studying in Germany? The APS certificate is a new requirement for Indian students. This guide explains what it is, why it exists, and what your options are if your university doesn't require it. Plus, we explore some universities in Germany that don't require the 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.

APS certificate

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!

Table of contents
  • 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 Universities in Germany without APS Requirement

What is APS Certificate?

APS certificate was introduced by the German Embassy and the DAAD to easy the admission process for Indian students. It verifies educational qualifications and ensures that only qualified candidates gain access to German higher education institutions. Despite its importance, some universities have opted not to require this certificate.

Who Doesn’t Need APS?

You can skip APS certification if:

  • You apply to a private university in Germany
  • You go to a foreign university’s German campus
  • You are going for a PhD with a public scholarship
  • You already have a foreign degree (like UK or US)
  • You are doing a short course less than 90 days

List of German Universities without APS Requirement

University Name Location Why No APS? Popular Courses
BSBI (Berlin School of Business & Innovation) Berlin Offers UK Degrees (University for the Creative Arts) or Italian Degrees (UNINETTUNO). MBA, Global MBA, Management, Animation.
Arden University Berlin It is a UK University with a campus in Germany. The degree is British. MBA, Data Analytics, Project Management.
Lancaster University Leipzig Leipzig It is a branch of a UK University. You get a British degree. Computer Science, Business Management, Software Engineering.
EU Business School Munich It is a private international school. Degrees are from Spain or Switzerland. MBA, Digital Business, Marketing, Finance.
New European College Munich Offers degrees from Wittenborg University (Netherlands). International Management, MBA.
Schiller International University Heidelberg Offers American (US) Degrees. International Relations, Business.

Top 5 Universities in Germany 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.

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Important Visa & Work Rules for Universities in Germany without APS Requirement

Many students worry, "Is this degree valid?" Yes, absolutely. Even though these are not German state degrees, you are studying physically in Germany. So, after you finish your course, you are fully eligible for the 18-month Post Study Work Visa (Job Seeker Visa). You can stay in Germany, find a full-time job, and convert your visa to a Work Permit. Just remember, when you go for your visa interview, carry a letter from the university explaining why APS is not required (because it is a foreign degree), so the visa officer understands your case clearly.

Candidates wanting to know more about APS Germany requirements can visit our website or contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors

Q:   Is APS certificate mandatory for visa?
A:

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.

Q:   Is Schiller International University Germany a good university?
A:

Schiller International University Germany is among the top choices of international students for pursuing higher education in Germany. Schiller International University Germany offers around 7 programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for international students. Some popular programs at SIU Germany opted by international students are such as International Marketing, Computer Science, MBA, MSc in Data Science, etc. SIU Germany offers various scholarships for its international students. Schiller International University Germany placement rate attracts international students the most. The Schiller International University Germany placement rate stands at 95%, and the graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation.

Q:   Is Schiller International University Germany hard to get into?
A:

No, Schiller International University Germany acceptance rate is 100%, which makes it easier to secure admission. Generally, it is not hard to get into Schiller International University Germany. International students must meet all the admission requirements at SIU Germany and submit proof of English proficiency, if there first language is not English.







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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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Chandra
MBA, MS & UG in Europe
Chandra has been mentoring students for the past seven years and has expertise in overseas counseling for those applying to Sweden, Germany, France, and Ireland. He is a people person and enjoys interacting with peo Read Full Bio
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