Application Process for German Universities

Germany is regarded as the most sought after non-English speaking educational destination among Indian students to pursue higher studies. Over the years, the country has become a hotbed for graduate education, giving tough competition to the likes of USA, UK and Australia. A lot of students eyeing for Germany as their preferred educational destination opt for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses.

Owing to the stiff competition that students experience in securing an admission into German universities, we have listed the following steps that shed light on how you can go about the application process:

1. Selecting the course and university

Deciding on your preferred course (and the university, according to the program chosen), is the first step to apply to an overseas university. If you wish to apply for MS in Industrial Engineering, consider universities like RWTH Aachen University, Technical University of Berlin and Braunschweig University of Technology.

Unfortunately, there are only a few programs that are taught in English; the rest will have German as the primary language. The first few semesters will be taught in English before the coursework shifts to German-medium. Therefore, it is important that one has basic proficiency in the language.

2. Considering the admission criteria

After drawing up a list of universities, check the admission criteria for each. This will help shortlist the universities that are a perfect fit for your profile.

To be able to study in a German university, you are required a degree equivalent to a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), which means a higher education entrance qualification. Getting an admission is largely dependent on your profile and qualifications.

Additionally, you will also need to fulfil the requisite language requirements. As a lot of courses are primarily taught in German, students will need to furnish the university with a proof of proficiency – which can be fulfilled by taking the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) test, or the TestDaF (Test of German as a foreign language).

Note: While both tests are recognised in Germany, you should check which test is accepted by the university you intend to apply to.

3. Request for application forms

The application forms can be downloaded from the respective websites of the universities. They can also be requested by sending a query letter to the university.

4. Filling up the application forms

Following is a list of documents that need to be submitted along with the application form to the university.
• Transcripts from school/college
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Resume (in case of MBA and other technical courses)
• Scorecard of:
o GRE
o IELTS/TOEFL
o German language proficiency
• Financial documents

Not all universities require you to take a GRE qualification. Saarland University and University of Kaiserslautern do not have GRE as definitive criteria, but they recommend that students take it. However, for some universities like RWTH Aachen University and Technical University of Munich, you will need to present your GRE scorecard. For MS in Industrial Engineering, a minimum score of 310 is deemed acceptable.

With regards to proficiency in English, securing a 7 band in IELTS and a score of 85 to 90 in TOEFL will fulfil the requirements.

To prove their proficiency in German, students can take the TestDaF or DSH tests. Check the admission criteria to ascertain whether the preferred university accepts the test.

5. Application process

You can directly upload the required documents on the university’s website. Some German universities also receive applications through the website www.uni-assist.de, a portal operated by the German Academic Exchange Service, dedicated solely for international students. However, not all universities accept applications through this website.

For universities accepting applications through Uni-assist, the processing fee is Euro 75, with Euro 15 for every additional application. For other universities, the application fee is between Euro 50 and Euro 100.

6. Receiving admission offer from universities

On assessing your application, if the university selects your candidature, it will make you an offer. Once you accept the offer, the university will send a final offer of acceptance.

7. Scholarships

Once the offer has been received, you can also apply for scholarships at German universities. Following are some scholarship opportunities for Indian students:

• DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science & Engineering)

Offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), students pursuing degree programmes in engineering can avail for this scholarship. As part of the opportunity, which will allow those selected a two- to three-month scholarship at German institutions of higher education and research, students will receive a monthly stipend of Euro 650, a travel subsidy of Euro 750 and health insurance coverage.

• IIT Master Sandwich Scholarship

The scholarship, available to students studying in Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) across India, entails an opportunity to pursue their master’s thesis project work under the tutelage of a German professor from a TU9 technical university. As part of the scholarship, the students will receive a monthly allowance of Euro 750 and health insurance.

8. Applying for a study permit

Indian students will need to apply for a Visa Type D/Residence Permit to be able to pursue studies in Germany. Valid for only three months (or 90 days), students are required to obtain their residence permit in order to extend their stay. In addition, they need to show relevant financial records to prove they have the requisite funds. Additionally, you will also be required to have your health insurance settled.

For more details, meet our counsellors today, who will guide you through the entire process and help resolve any queries.