List of Universities for Study in Germany

TIMELINE

Time Before the course Begins
15 months Gather information about study opportunities
Requirements for Studying in Germany
Academic requirement
Language Tests and requirements
9 Months Decide a degree programme
Contact the university international officer
5 Months Prepare and Submit the Application Form
Application for Accommodation
Notification of acceptance Gather documents for visa
Health Insurance policy which is recognised in Germany
1 Month Plan your trip: Tickets and Accomodation
Begin Winter Semester
September – February
Application: End May to 15th July
Notification of Admission: August /September
Rejection Letters: September/October
Begin Summer Semester
March – August
Application: Beginning December -15th January
Notification of Admission: February/March
Rejection Letter: March/April

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

The University Education in Germany is not centrally cordinated. Each 16 states has its own higher education laws and guidelines. Therefore enquire about the particular criteria and regulations at the university you wish to apply to.

SELF ASSESSMENT TESTS

I. Study Interest Test (SIT) can be taken online to help you decide the course of interest.

II. For technical subjects you might take the Self Assessment International

CHECK THE ADMISSION CRITERIA

  • Students require a hochschulzugangs-berechtigung or Higher Education Entrance Qualification
  • After students graduate from Secondary School, they receifachhochve a general university qualification (Abitur) or qualification for a university of applied science (Fachhochschulreife)
  • Check if your qualification and school leaving certificate is recognised onwww.anabin.dewww.daad.de/admission
  • The database will inform whether the qualification is recognised or not and also which level of education can a student apply for.
  • If your school leaving certificate is not sufficient then take a qualification assessment examination – festsellungsprofung. This is taken at the end of the Foundation Programme.

GERMAN LANGUAGE PROOF

Language proficiency required for university admission

  • German Language Test for the Admission of Foreign Study Applicants (DSH). This test can be taken only in Germany.
  • German as a Foreign Language Test (Test Daf). A students can take this test in their home country. Visit www.testdaf.de for information about testing centre.

For unrestricted entry into university students should have:

  • TDN4 for the TestDaF
  • DSH -2 for the DSH

Student does not require the test if you have:

  • Abitur from a German Language School
  • Goethe Zertifikat C2
  • German Language Diploma (Level II)

FINANCE

Students will have to pay for the following expenses:

  • Semester Contribution
  • Basic Living Expenses
  • Health Insurance Coverage
  • Tuition Fees (if Applicable)

HEALTH INSURANCE

  • Proof of health insurance
  • Confirmation of coverage to obtain a residence permit

PROOF OF FINANCES

  • Parents documents certifying their income and financial assets
  • Security payment is deposited into a blacked account
  • Submit a bank guarantee
  • Scholarship documents

APPLICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY

  • Application Form can be made
  • Fees and charges for Application
  • Fees for notarising copies and translation
  • Examination fee for DSH or TestDaF
  • Processing Fee (if Applicable)

DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION

  • Notarised copy of secondary School Leaving Certificate
  • Notarised Copies of all previous universities
  • Passport Photo
  • Photocopy of your passport
  • Certificate of Language Proficiency

The copies of documents will be accepted only if they have been notarised and are accompanied with a notarised translation in German.

ADMISSION ACCEPTANCE

  • The university will send a Notification of Admission
  • The student requires to sign and return the Acceptance Reply card
  • It will provide the following information:
    • Place of study
    • Enrolment period
    • Tests that are required to be passes
    • Certificates required
    • German Language test dates (if Applicable)
    • Invitation to orientation

GERMAN UNIVERSITY APPLICATION
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION

APPLICATION FORM

  • Uni-AssistFrom the summer semester of 2014 onwards, an online application via uni-assist’s online portal shall be compulsory. Please register in our online portal, create your application form and then send this to uni-assist electronically. Once this is done, please print it out, sign it and send the signed form in paper form to uni-assist along with your remaining documents.
    Visit website http://www.uni-assist.de for more information.Please be aware of the university’s special application procedure: If you meet all formal requirements for application, uni-assist will issue you with a preliminary inspection documentation of your university entrance qualification, the so-called “Vorpruefungsdokumentation” (VPD). You are then required to make your application with that documentation directly to the university until the end of the application deadline. For further information about the special application procedure, please contact the university directly. Please arrange enough time for your application.
  • Direct Application form/Special Forms
    Some universities, however, have their own special application forms for study applicants to use when applying to these universities. Application forms such as these are generally made available for download by the universities on their websites.

CERTIFICATES

  • Document your educational background from your secondary school leaving certificate up until your present educational level. Please submit all certificates in full: you must always submit both your certificate and the corresponding subject and grade summary in full, any appendices to your certificate (e.g. a Diplom attachment) or individual pages must not be missing! If your subject and grade summary does not include the applied grading system, please include information on the grading system used by your school or university as well.
  • All certificates must be submitted as officially authenticated copies in the original language and in sworn translation form – this is not possible in electronic form, only in paper form.
  • A copy will only count as authenticated if it bears the original seal of authentication.

LANGUAGE CERTIFICATE

  • GERMAN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
    • When applying for a study course, you must always prove that you have a sufficient command of the language that your chosen course will be taught in, so that you will be able to follow the course and actively take part in it
    • Certificates such as the following are accepted by most universities
      • DSH,
      • TestDaF,
      • certificates from the Goethe Institute
      • Deutsche Sprachdiplom from the Kultusministerkonferenz (‘DSD der KMK’)
    • Your language certificates must be submitted by the deadline as officially authenticated hard copies.
    • The Test-DaF is the only German language certificate that uni-assist can verify online. If you have received the test results before the university deadline, but are unable to provide your certificate in time, you may send us your confirmation of registration for the test (‘Anmeldebestätigung’) instead.
  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
    • Please submit your certificates on time and in officially authenticated form
    • IELTS: for the IELTS, you must reach a certain prescribed score value. uni-assist can verify IETLS results online, therefore you may submit either an unauthenticated certificate or inform of your IELTS Test Report Number
    • TOEFL : The universities require a given score. Please send the report to the university
    • The completion of an English-language study course may also be sufficient proof of language skills. In such a case, please ensure that your degree certificate states that English was the language of teaching on your course.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
    Usually the application forms always include a section with questions about your school and study periods and it is generally sufficient if you provide the requested information about your background here
  • Letter of motivation
    A letter of motivation is where you mention why you are applying for a certain course of study and why you believe yourself to be particularly suited
  • Letter of recommendation
    If you are applying for a Master’s degree, the universities will usually want to how your professors and lecturers judge your academic performance. Please make sure the letter of recommendation is issued by the right person –from the academic field, or from employer.
  • Passport copy
  • Passport photo
  • Certification of name change
    If you have changed your name, e.g. by marriage, please provide certification of your name change.
  • Confirmation of enrolment/ de-registration
    If you have previously studied in Germany, you will usually have to submit a confirmation of enrolment (if you are still enrolled) or de-registration (if you are no longer enrolled).
  • Work placements/ work experience
    With a work placement report or job reference you can prove that you already have some practical experience in your subject area as well.
  • Proof that suitability and/ or entrance exam has been passed
    Especially for art subjects, the applicant often has to prove their suitability in advance. This is normally done via an exam, to be taken in advance at the university. Once you have obtained certification that you have passed the exam, you can make your application. Note!: these exams often take place months before the end of the application period – therefore please find out as early as possible when you need to register for the exam, so that you do not miss any of the deadlines.
  • Course-specific questionnaires
    Some universities draw up course-specific questionnaires in order to obtain a clearer picture of your prior knowledge and previous achievements in a certain field. Please fill in these questionnaires carefully and submit them along with your other application documents – even if the requested information is already contained in your transcript or can be deduced from it.
  • GMAT/ GRE test certificates
    These are special tests mainly designed for, and of increasing importance to, economically-oriented subjects.
  • Portfolios
    Portfolios and project folders will only be forwarded on to the universities if they explicitly ask for them.
  • Medical certificate
    For some study courses you must also prove that you are physically able to take the course and/or are in good health. This is particularly the case for sport/medicine-related subjects
  • TestAS certificate
    The TestAS is a standardised study aptitude test for foreign applicants which can be taken for several disciplines. For some courses of study the test is obligatory, in some cases you can use it to improve your chances in the university’s selection process.

GERMAN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

To enroll in an undergraduate degree program (bachelor or state examination) at the University of Freiburg, you will need to document your German language skills by submitting one of the following certificates, either with your application or when you matriculate:

  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang – DSH (German Language Test for International Applicants at German Institutions of Higher Education) with a proficiency level of DSH 2 or 3. This test is held twice a year at the Language Teaching Centre of the University of Freiburg, usually at the end of September and the end of March, and includes a written and an oral part.
  • Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache – TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language) with a proficiency level of 4 or 5 (TDN 4 or 5) on all four parts. You can take this test at any of numerous test centers throughout the world several times a year.
  • Goethe Certificate C2 : Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (Large German Language Diploma)
  • Deutsches Sprachdiplom (German Language Diploma) of the Conference of the State Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs – level II (DSD II)
  • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
  • German Abitur or German as a native language

If you do not yet have one of these qualifications, you must have at least taken a language course at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages by the time you apply (by 15 Jan./15 July). Please document this by submitting one of the following certificates with your
application:

  • a passing grade in a C1-level language course
  • participation in a C1-level language course
  • evidence of proficiency level DSH 1
  • TestDaF at proficiency level 3 (TDN 3)
  • Goethe Certificate C1

Please note: Submitting a certificate from the TestDaF or the DSH test or another equivalent language certificate (see above) with your application will increase your chances of being admitted to studies!
If you do not receive a certificate from your language course confirming your reference level on the Common European Framework or if you do not have any language certificates that clearly validate your proficiency level, you will have to take a placement test. If you are already in Freiburg, you can take it at the”Sprachenkolleg” or the Goethe-Institut. If you are still abroad, you can take it at a Goethe-Institute or one of the TestDaF Centers.
Please note: We only accept language certificates issued in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages!

CERTIFICATES

  • Document your educational background from your secondary school leaving certificate up until your present educational level. Please submit all certificates in full: you must always submit both your certificate and the corresponding subject and grade summary in full, any appendices to your certificate (e.g. a Diplom attachment) or individual pages must not be missing! If your subject and grade summary does not include the applied grading system, please include information on the grading system used by your school or university as well.
  • All certificates must be submitted as officially authenticated copies in the original language and in sworn translation form – this is not possible in electronic form, only in paper form.
  • A copy will only count as authenticated if it bears the original seal of authentication.

LANGUAGE CERTIFICATE

  • GERMAN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
    • When applying for a study course, you must always prove that you have a sufficient command of the language that your chosen course will be taught in, so that you will be able to follow the course and actively take part in it
    • Certificates such as the following are accepted by most universities
      • DSH,
      • TestDaF,
      • certificates from the Goethe Institute
      • Deutsche Sprachdiplom from the Kultusministerkonferenz (‘DSD der KMK’)
    • Your language certificates must be submitted by the deadline as officially authenticated hard copies.
    • The Test-DaF is the only German language certificate that uni-assist can verify online. If you have received the test results before the university deadline, but are unable to provide your certificate in time, you may send us your confirmation of registration for the test (‘Anmeldebestätigung’) instead.
  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
    • Please submit your certificates on time and in officially authenticated form
    • IELTS: for the IELTS, you must reach a certain prescribed score value. uni-assist can verify IETLS results online, therefore you may submit either an unauthenticated certificate or inform of your IELTS Test Report Number
    • TOEFL : The universities require a given score. Please send the report to the university
    • The completion of an English-language study course may also be sufficient proof of language skills. In such a case, please ensure that your degree certificate states that English was the language of teaching on your course.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
    Usually the application forms always include a section with questions about your school and study periods and it is generally sufficient if you provide the requested information about your background here
  • Letter of motivation
    A letter of motivation is where you mention why you are applying for a certain course of study and why you believe yourself to be particularly suited
  • Letter of recommendation
    If you are applying for a Master’s degree, the universities will usually want to how your professors and lecturers judge your academic performance. Please make sure the letter of recommendation is issued by the right person –from the academic field, or from employer.
  • Passport copy
  • Passport photo
  • Certification of name change
    If you have changed your name, e.g. by marriage, please provide certification of your name change.
  • Confirmation of enrolment/ de-registration
    If you have previously studied in Germany, you will usually have to submit a confirmation of enrolment (if you are still enrolled) or de-registration (if you are no longer enrolled).
  • Work placements/ work experience
    With a work placement report or job reference you can prove that you already have some practical experience in your subject area as well.
  • Proof that suitability and/ or entrance exam has been passed
    Especially for art subjects, the applicant often has to prove their suitability in advance. This is normally done via an exam, to be taken in advance at the university. Once you have obtained certification that you have passed the exam, you can make your application. Note!: these exams often take place months before the end of the application period – therefore please find out as early as possible when you need to register for the exam, so that you do not miss any of the deadlines.
  • Course-specific questionnaires
    Some universities draw up course-specific questionnaires in order to obtain a clearer picture of your prior knowledge and previous achievements in a certain field. Please fill in these questionnaires carefully and submit them along with your other application documents – even if the requested information is already contained in your transcript or can be deduced from it.
  • GMAT/ GRE test certificates
    These are special tests mainly designed for, and of increasing importance to, economically-oriented subjects.
  • Portfolios
    Portfolios and project folders will only be forwarded on to the universities if they explicitly ask for them.
  • Medical certificate
    For some study courses you must also prove that you are physically able to take the course and/or are in good health. This is particularly the case for sport/medicine-related subjects
  • TestAS certificate
    The TestAS is a standardised study aptitude test for foreign applicants which can be taken for several disciplines. For some courses of study the test is obligatory, in some cases you can use it to improve your chances in the university’s selection process.

QS RANKING GERMANY 2015-16

  • Technische Universität München
    Ranked 60th in the world this year, TU München is a research university which offers a wide range of courses in engineering, natural sciences, life and medical sciences and economics.
  • Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
    Ranked 66th in the world and located in the city of Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university and, although no longer ranked first in Germany, it remains a highly respected institution.
  • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
    Ranked 75th in the world, this research university has consistently been considered one of the most prestigious in Europe. It joins TU München to make the city of Munich a world-leading higher education hub.
  • Kit, Karlsruher Institut Für Technologie
    Ranked 93rd in the world, KIT has climbed an impressive 34 places in the ranking this year. It’s based in the city of Karlsruhe in south-west Germany.
  • Freie Universität Berlin
    Ranked 119th the world, FU Berlin is internationally known for its research in the humanities and social sciences, along with natural and life sciences. It’s currently the highest-ranked university in the popular German capital.
  • Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin
    Ranked joint 126th in the world, alongside the US’s University Of Maryland, College Park and the Netherlands’ Erasmus University Rotterdam, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin is another of the capital’s leading institutions.
  • Universität Freiburg
    Ranked joint 133rd in the world alongside the University of Pittsburgh in the US, Universität Freiburg is a well-respected research university with a long tradition of teaching the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.
  • Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
    Ranked 145th in the world, RWTH Aachen University is a technology-focused research university in Aachen, Germany’s westernmost city. RWTH Aachen is a founding member of the IDEA League, a strategic union of four prominent universities of technology in Europe.
  • Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
    Ranked 168th in the world, the University of Göttingen is a public research university in the city of Göttingen in Lower Saxony. Founded in 1734 by the British King George II, it has played a central role in the development of the city and surrounding region.
  • Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
    Ranked joint 173rd in the world alongside New Zealand’s University of Otago, Universität Tübingen is a prestigious research university which has strongly influenced the university town of Tübingen, where around a third of the population is comprised of students.
    The remaining top 20…
  • Technische Universität Berlin – ranked 178th in the world.
  • Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn– ranked 210th in the world.
  • Universität Hamburg – ranked joint 219th in the world.
  • Technische Universität Dresden – ranked 227th in the world.
  • Universität Frankfurt Am Main – ranked joint 243rd in the world.
  • Technische Universität Darmstadt – ranked 246th in the world.
  • Universität Stuttgart – ranked 251st in the world.
  • Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster– ranked joint 256th in the world.
  • Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg – ranked 292nd in the world.
  • Universität Konstanz – ranked joint 319th in the world.
    And the rest…
  • Universität Köln – ranked joint 331st in the world.
  • Universität Ulm – ranked joint 338th in the world.
  • Universität Bremen – ranked joint 351st in the world.
  • Leibniz Universität Hannover – ranked 366th in the world.
  • Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz – ranked 375th in the world.
  • Universität Jena – ranked joint 381st in the world.
  • Universität Leipzig – ranked joint 384th in the world.
  • Universität Mannheim – ranked joint 394th in the world.
  • Christian-Albrechts-Universität Zu Kiel – ranked 401-410 in the world.
  • Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg – ranked 401-410 in the world.
  • Ruhr-Universität Bochum – ranked 421-430 in the world.
  • Universität Bayreuth – ranked 451-460 in the world.
  • Universität Regensburg – ranked 461-470 in the world.
  • Philipps-Universität Marburg – ranked 491-500 in the world.
  • Technische Universität Dortmund – ranked 491-500 in the world.
  • Universität Bielefeld – ranked 501-550 in the world.
  • Technische Universität Braunschweig – ranked 501-550 in the world.
  • Universität Des Saarlandes – ranked 501-550 in the world.
  • Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg – ranked 551-600 in the world.
  • Universität Duisburg-Essen – ranked 551-600 in the world.
  • Universität Düsseldorf – ranked 551-600 in the world.
  • Universität Rostock – ranked 551-600 in the world.
  • Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen – ranked 601-650 in the world.

Germany Student Visa

You should get a student visa if you are planning to study in Germany. If you have been accepted at German University then it is advisable you apply for a student visa in person for at least 3 months in advance before going to Germany.
All your documents and application will be sent to the Immigration Office (Ausländeramt) where you will study. After the application gets approved by the Immigration Office the consulate will issue you a residence permit in the form of visa. You are required to register upon your first arrival in Germany.

Required Documents:

Provide photocopies of the following documents:

  • Completed application form
  • Valid Passport
    Passport Requirement:

    • Its validity has to extend the duration of the visa you are applying for by at least 3 months
    • It must have been issued within the previous 10 years. If it has been issued before that, your passport can not be accepted. That even applies in cases where the validity has been extended by the authorities of your home country.
  • 2 photographs
    Photo Requirement

    • High quality photos are essential for use in biometric documents
    • When taking the photo for a visa make sure that your face takes 70 to 80 percent of the whole photo. This corresponds to a height of 32 – 36mm. If your face measures less than 27mm or more than 40mm on the photo than it will be rejected.
    • Don’t pose to close, too far or not in a cantered position when taking a photo.
    • The photo must show only one person, no other persons or objects are acceptable.
    • Avoid shadows on the background of your photo as well.
  • Letter of Admission
  • Notification of Admission University
  • Transcript of academic record
  • Proof of financial Resources
  • Certificate of German Language Proficiency or proof of participating in German Language Course in Germany
  • Declaration of authenticity of documents submitted
  • Health Insurance Proof
  • Fee 60 Euros

Where and how to apply?

You should apply at your home country’s German Embassy. Except for rare instances you have to submit the application along with the required documents in person. It is recommended you apply for a visa very well in advance before your departure because the application of student visas can take up to 25 days to be processed.

Paying your visa

Applicants have to pay the visa fees by a bank transfer. Student visa as of 2008 is 60 Euro. Cheques or credit cards are not accepted. The money order must be in the name of the Consulate in your home country and not older than two months.
Please be aware that you will not get reimburse the visa fee if your application for a student visa gets rejected.

VISA PROCESS FOR GERMANY

APPLICANT VISA

  • This is applied for if Notification Of Admission is not yet received
  • This is a three month visa which allows you to meet the admission requirement. If a student receives the notification of admission then student may apply for a student visa

STUDENT VISA

  • This can be applied only if you received Notification of Admission to university
  • The student visa is issued for duration of three months.
  • Student must apply for Residence Permit
  • Documents Required for Visa Application
    • Certificate Confirming Health Insurance Coverage
    • Proof of Financial Resources
    • Certificate of past Academic Qualifications and Achievements
    • Certificate of German Language Proficiency/ proof of participating in German Language Course in Germany
    • Student Visa: Notification of Admission from German University
    • Applicant Visa: A higher Education Entrance qualification recognised in Germany
    • Health Certificate (if Applicable)

RESIDENCE PERMIT

  • Student must apply for the Residence Permit at the Aliens Registration Office.
  • A Processing fee upto 110 Euros will be charged
  • You must show up in person at the Aliens Registration Office in Person to apply for the Residence Permit
  • Documents required for Residence Permit
    • Confirmation of Registration From the Residents Registration Office
    • Confirmation of Health insurance Coverage
    • Confirmation of Enrolment from German University
    • Proof of Financial Resources
    • Passport
    • Current Visa (if you have)
    • Certificate of Health (If applicable)
    • Tenancy Agreement
    • Biometric Passport Photos

An Electronic Residence Permit is assigned to the student. It is a chip card containing personal data, passport photo and finger prints.
The Electronic Residence Permit may be picked in person from the Aliens’ Registration Office.

RESIDENTS REGISTARTION

Once a student gets an accommodation you have to inform the Residents Registration office
Documents required to register

  • Passport
  • Visa or official ID Card
  • Tenancy Agreement or statement from the landlord stating your arrangement
  • Confirmation of Enrolment

ENROLMENT AT UNIVERSITY

  • Student needs to enrol before they can study
  • The notification of Admission will carry information concerning the enrolment period
  • Have to show up in person at university Registrars office to enrol
  • Once enrolled, you will receive a written confirmation
  • The confirmation serves as the student identification until Student ID is received
  • Documents required at Registration
    • Notification of Admission
    • Confirmation of Health Insurance Coverage
    • Ask the university for specific documents

PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES

  • Parents submit documents certifying their income and financial assets
  • Resident in Germany provides the Aliens Registration Office a guarantee to cover your expenses
  • A security payment is deposited in blocked account
  • Submit bank guarantee
  • Scholarship Proof

Certificate of health

A certificate of health maybe asked to be presented. This is a specific country requirement. Kindly check with the German Mission in your country for its requirement for a student visa.

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