'Admission to a German University: A Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting

The process of applying to a German university begins not with submitting an application, but with verifying your eligibility, selecting realistic programs, and checking the deadline calendar. Each university and program may have its own rules, so a solid strategy is built around three key elements: Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), the requirements of the specific program, and the correct application channel.

1. Check if you have Hochschulzugangsberechtigung

Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, or HZB, is the eligibility to apply to a German university. For international applicants, it depends on their high school diploma, any previous university studies, the country where the documents were issued, and the level of the program they’ve chosen.

What to check first:

Does your high school diploma grant you direct admission to a bachelor’s program in Germany?
Do you need to attend a Studienkolleg before applying?
whether your previous university or degree is recognized;
whether your educational background qualifies you for a bachelor’s, master’s, or other program;
Whether a separate evaluation of documents is required through Uni-Assist, Anabin, ZAB, or the university itself.

For an initial check, it’s helpful to use the DAAD database of admission requirements and information from Uni-Assist. If you’ve already studied at a university outside of Germany, be sure to check the status of the institution and your qualifications in Anabin.

2. Find suitable programs

To search for programs, use Hochschulkompass—a database maintained by the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) where German universities themselves post and update program information. You can use the filters to view the level of study, language, type of institution, federal state, format of study, and any admission restrictions.

During your search, don’t limit yourself to the name of the major. Compare:

language of instruction and required certificates;
degree type: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Staatsexamen, and other options;
admission mode: no restrictions, local competition, national competition, or separate selection;
required modules and the program’s specialization;
internships, work experience, entrance exams, or a portfolio;
Completion of a Studienkolleg or preparatory course;
Application deadlines for the winter and summer semesters.

3. Make a shortlist of universities

After your initial search, select programs in three categories:

Category	What it means	Why it’s needed
Main Options	Programs that best match your profile and requirements	These will require the most preparation
Realistic backup options	Requirements are met, competition appears moderate	Reduce the risk of not getting a spot
Risky Options	High competition, a complex selection process, or a questionable application profile	You can apply, but don’t base your entire plan solely on these options

If the program has no competitive admissions process, a few well-chosen applications are often sufficient. If there is a Numerus Clausus, quotas, a portfolio, tests, or high competition, you should expand your list. The exact number of applications depends on your budget, deadlines, and how confident you are that your documents meet the requirements.

4. Review the requirements for each program

The main mistake applicants make is reading only the university’s general information page and skipping the page for the specific program. Requirements can vary even within the same faculty.

Check the details for each program:

language of instruction and minimum certificate level;
GPA, major-related courses, and ECTS credits for master’s programs;
Do you need an APS if it applies to your country?
whether a personal statement, resume, portfolio, test, or interview is required;
what types of translations and certifications are accepted;
whether applications are accepted online, through Uni-Assist, via the university’s portal, or by mail;
Is there a separate preliminary document review?
Do you need to send paper copies after submitting your online application?

Application deadlines and formats vary from university to university. Therefore, you cannot apply a deadline from one program to another without verifying it first.

5. Create an application timeline

Even when applying to three or four universities, it’s easy to get confused. Create a spreadsheet and use it as a work plan.

Useful columns:

the name of the university and program;
a link to the program’s official page;
semester: Wintersemester or Sommersemester;
deadline for international students;
Application channel: Uni-Assist, Hochschulstart, the university’s portal, or mail;
list of required documents;
language requirements;
translations and certifications;
processing fees;
the date the application is submitted;
application status;
the next step after receiving a response.

In the table, make a separate note of the deadlines for preliminary review. Sometimes documents need to be processed before the main application deadline, rather than simply being uploaded on the last day.

6. Prepare your documents

A typical application package may include:

passport;
high school diploma and transcript;
diploma and transcript, if you have already attended a university;
language certificate;
CV;
a personal statement;
letters of recommendation, if required;
a portfolio for creative fields;
proof of payment of the processing fee, if applicable;
translations and certified copies in the format accepted by the specific university.

Don’t assume the requirements are the same everywhere. One university may accept digital copies, another may require notarized documents, and a third may require you to upload them via Uni-Assist, which has its own set of rules.

7. Check Uni-Assist and application fees

Many German universities use Uni-Assist to preliminarily evaluate the documents of international applicants. However, this does not mean that all applications go through Uni-Assist: some universities review the documents on their own.

If the program uses Uni-Assist:

Find the university in the list of Uni-Assist universities;
Check which documents to upload and whether paper copies are required;
Check the current processing fee on the Uni-Assist website;
Pay the fee using the method accepted by the platform;
Submit your documents early so that the review is completed before the deadline.

Fee amounts and refund policies are subject to change, so it’s best not to rely on outdated articles or other people’s checklists.

8. Understand the quotas and competition

In some fields of study, spots are limited. These restrictions may be local, national, or specific to a particular program. For international students from non-EU countries, there is sometimes a separate quota or a separate ranking system.

What’s important to understand in advance:

Are there any admission restrictions?
who are applying in the same admission group as you;
whether your GPA, major-related courses, test scores, motivation, or experience are taken into account;
Are there any minimum requirements that, if not met, will result in your application not being considered?
Do you need to apply through an additional system, such as Hochschulstart, for certain programs?

If there is a quota, do not try to assess your chances based solely on the general cutoff score for German applicants. The rules may differ for international applicants.

9. Submit your application and keep your confirmations

Before submitting, check:

All files are readable and meet the format requirements;
Your name, date of birth, and passport information must match on all forms;
translations and certifications are done in the required format;
the application fee has been paid, if applicable;
the application is submitted before the deadline, taking into account the time zone and technical risks;
You have saved your submission and payment confirmations.

If a university still requires paper documents, send them well in advance and track your shipment. Paper applications are less common, but they haven’t disappeared entirely.

10. After Applying: Visa, Housing, and Moving

Once you’ve submitted your applications, the next stage of preparation begins. Gather information in advance about student visas, financing, health insurance, housing, and appointment dates at the German consulate. If you receive your Zulassung late, you may have little time left to apply for a visa and move to Germany.

Minimum plan after submitting your application:

track application statuses on the portals;
Respond to inquiries from the university or Uni-Assist;
Prepare financial documentation for your visa;
review the requirements for student health insurance;
Look for housing before the semester begins;
Check the dates for enrollment and orientation weeks.

Common Mistakes

Start by choosing a city, rather than checking your HZB eligibility;
Apply to only one university with a competitive program;
Do not check Anabin if you have a degree from a foreign university;
confuse the application deadline with the preliminary review deadline;
submitting transcripts in a format that the specific university does not accept;
Use Uni-Assist’s fees and rules from previous years as a guide;
Wait to apply for a visa and housing until you receive a final decision.

FAQ

Is it possible to apply without knowing German?

Yes, if the program is taught in English and the university accepts the relevant English proficiency certificate. For German-language programs, you almost always need to demonstrate German language proficiency at the level specified by the university.

Does Uni-Assist determine whether I’ll be admitted to a university?

Uni-Assist typically reviews the documents and either forwards the results to the university or issues a preliminary assessment. The final decision on admission is made by the university.

Are the deadlines the same for all universities?

No. Deadlines depend on the semester, program, citizenship, application channel, and the university’s internal rules. Always check the deadline on the official page of your chosen program.

Do you need to apply through Hochschulkompass?

No. Hochschulkompass is used to search for and compare programs. Applications are submitted through the channel specified by the specific university: the university’s portal, Uni-Assist, Hochschulstart, or another method.