Entry requirements for studying in Germany
What you need to be admitted in Germany — which is a different question from what you need for the visa. Both have to be satisfied, and the admission requirements come first.
At a glance
| English, typically | IELTS 6.5 for most English-taught master's; German-taught programmes expect TestDaF 4 or DSH-2. An APS certificate is compulsory for Indian applicants |
|---|---|
| Main intakes | October (winter, the main intake) and April (summer, a smaller selection) |
What admission actually turns on
- Your academic record, converted to the local system — a percentage, a CGPA or a classification.
- English, at the level above, which is course-dependent rather than national.
- Relevant background, which matters more for conversion and specialist courses.
- Your statement, which carries more weight than applicants expect at master's level.
The English requirement is a threshold rather than a competition: meeting it comfortably is enough, and a score well above it rarely compensates for a weak academic record.
What takes longest to obtain
- Transcripts from a previous university, which can take weeks.
- References, which depend on someone else — ask six weeks ahead.
- A test score, which is fixed by test availability as much as by preparation.
- Document consistency — a name spelled differently across certificates needs an affidavit.
Intakes for Germany are October (winter, the main intake) and April (summer, a smaller selection). Work backwards from the earliest deadline, which is usually a scholarship rather than an admission one.
Entry requirements — FAQs
2 questions
IELTS 6.5 for most English-taught master's; German-taught programmes expect TestDaF 4 or DSH-2. An APS certificate is compulsory for Indian Confirm the requirement for your specific course.
Usually yes, on a conditional offer. The offer becomes unconditional when results are submitted, and several later steps depend on that.
Want a figure for your own course? A counsellor puts tuition, living costs, the visa requirement and the loan into one number — free.
Sources
Not re-checked recently — treat the figures as indicative and confirm before you rely on them.