Study in Germany: Step-by-Step Admission Guide for Indian Students

FREE EDUCATION IN GERMANY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

1. Bachelor’s Degree Admission (For Indian Students)

Academic Requirements

Class 12 Certificate: Must be equivalent to the German Abitur.

General Requirement:

CBSE/ISC: Minimum 4 subjects (including English & Mathematics/Science) with ≥50% in each.

State Boards: Some may require 5 subjects (check anabin database for equivalence).

If NOT directly eligible → Must attend Studienkolleg (1-year preparatory course) and pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP).

Language Requirements

German-taught programs:

TestDaF (4xTDN4) / DSH-2 / Goethe C2 / Telc C1 Hochschule.

English-taught programs:

IELTS (6.0–6.5) or TOEFL (80–90).

Additional Steps for Indian Students

✅ APS Certificate (Mandatory) – Issued by the German Embassy (Akademische Prüfstelle).

Required for all Indian applicants (Bachelor’s & Master’s).

Process: Submit documents → Verification → Interview (if needed).

Processing time: 4–6 weeks.

✅ Visa Requirements

Blocked Account: Proof of €11,208 (as of 2024).

Health Insurance: Valid for Germany.

2. Master’s Degree Admission (For Indian Students)

Academic Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (4 years) in a relevant field.

Minimum GPA: Equivalent to German 2.5 (varies by university).

Credit Requirements: Usually 180–210 ECTS (if short, may need extra courses).

Language Requirements

Same as Bachelor’s (German/English tests).

Additional Documents

APS Certificate (Mandatory).

GRE/GMAT (if required by the program, e.g., MBA or Technical Masters).

SOP & LORs (for competitive programs).

3. PhD Admission (For Indian Students)

Master’s Degree (required for direct PhD).

Research Proposal + Supervisor Acceptance (must find a professor).

Language Proof (if applicable).

Application Process for Indian Students

Check University & Program Requirements

Get APS Certificate (apply early).

Apply via uni-assist (if required) or directly to the university.

Wait for Admission Letter.

Blocked Account & Visa Application.

Deadlines

Winter Intake (Oct Start): July 15 (for non-EU).

Summer Intake (Apr Start): Jan 15 (varies).

Important Notes for Indian Students

No Tuition Fees at most public universities (only semester fee: €150–€400).

Exception: Baden-Württemberg charges €1,500/semester for non-EU students.

Part-Time Work: Allowed 120 full days or 240 half days/year.

HOW TO APPLY FOR APS

Germany Embassy has made APS Certificate a mandatory requirement to get the Germany Student Visa with effect from the 1st of Nov. 2022.

What is the APS certificate in Germany?

The APS is a joint institution of the German Embassy's cultural department and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The APS checks the authenticity of educational biographies and the corresponding educational certificates, and issues certificates if the result is positive. The fee for the APS is INR 18,000 (NON-REFUNDABLE) and APS will be applicable for both UG and PG Students.

Duolingo, PTE, and MOI are not acceptable to the embassy. The same is mentioned in the attached leaflets also.

Recognized language tests are required during the visa application process: Please provide proof of your language ability in the language of instruction required for your desired study course or preparatory course in Germany. Without a preparatory language course, as a rule, at least a B2-level in the language of instruction is required. Please note that for the visa process, only language certificates that are approved by the German government will be accepted (such as Goethe Institute / Max Mueller Bhavan / ÖST, DSD, IELTS, and TOEFL). Do NOT provide “exemption letters” or “medium of instruction letters

3. What is the TestAS Exam?

Non- European Union students who wish to pursue graduation in German-based universities can apply for the TestAS examination. It is a central standardized scholastic aptitude test that measures intellectual and cognitive abilities for higher studies. German Academic Exchange Service conducts this examination. The test can be taken in German, English, and in certain cases in Arabic languages. It comprises of three major parts which include the onscreen language test, the core test, and subject-specific test modules.

Benefits of TestAS

•          It is mandatory for every applicant to fulfill the eligibility criteria; most European universities require a student’s TestAS score as one of the criteria.

•          TestAS acts as a self-assessment tool, after appearing for the exam applicants are able to evaluate themselves about the course they want to pursue & if they would be able to complete the course on not.

•          TestAS certificate is just not restricted to European university admission, students can also use it for applying to various companies & universities.

TestAS Registration Process

Applicants interested in TestAS have to register themselves. Here’s how you can apply for TestAS:

1.        To register all applicants, have to visit the official website of TestAS (https://www.testas.de/)

2.        Enter your contact details like your email address & contact number.

3.        You will receive a confirmation email after a username & password are generated.

4.        With the help of generated username & password log in to book the test date & test center.

5.        An applicant has to also select the exam language, core subject & any one module.

6.        To complete the registration process, candidates have to pay the application fee. The application fee is announced during the registration duration.

Examination Pattern

The examination pattern is a prime asset that will help you to carve a niche in prestigious universities based in Germany through TestAs.

•          At the time of registration, applicants can go through four subject-specific modules & choose one among them: Humanities, Cultural Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, Engineering, Economics, and Social Science.

•          It is important to know that each TestAS examination consists of an online language test, a core test as well as a subject-specific module.

•          onscreen has 30 minutes of duration which examines general language proficiency in German or English of an applicant

•          The Core Test examines the general skills of a candidate that are required in all academic courses.

What subjects are in TestAS?

The test comprises a core test and a test in one of four subject areas:

•          humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, or.

•          mathematics, computer science, and natural sciences, or.

•          engineering or.

•          economics.

Main Structure and Components of TestAS

It is important to know that the TestAS examination is conducted in German as well as English. Given below are the major modules as well as subjects that are an essential part of the exam:

Main module Subjects        Duration

Core Test      Solving Quantitative Problems Inferring Relations Completing Patterns Continuing Numerical Series    110 minutes

Subject-Specific Test Modules

Economics Module Analyzing Economic Interrelationships

Analyzing Processes         150 minutes

Engineering Module          Formalizing Technical Interrelationships Visualizing Solids Analyzing Technical Interrelationships          150 minutes

Humanities, Cultural Studies, and Social Sciences Module  Understanding and Interpreting Texts Using Representation Systems Flexibly Recognizing Linguistic Structures          150 minutes

Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences Module     Analyzing Scientific Interrelationships Understanding Formal Depictions  145 minutes

TestAS Centers In India

There are 8 test centers across India for TestAS. Here is a list of all the centers:

1.         Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan Chennai

2.         British Council Examinations and English Services India – Bangalore

3.         British Council Examinations and English Services India – Chennai

4.         British Council Examinations and English Services India – Kolkata

5.         British Council Examinations and English Services India – New Delhi

6.         Max Mueller Bhavan / Goethe-Institut Bangalore

7.         British Council Examinations and English Services India – Mumbai

8.         Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi

TestAS Result

1.        Applicants can view & download their results by visiting the official website.

2.        Login with the help of your username & password.

3.        No notification is sent to test-takers, it is advised to check the result after 4 weeks of the test date.

FAQs

What is the validity of TestAS?

The certificate validity is unlimited.

What are the age criteria for TestAS?

There is no maximum age limit to appear for the TestAS but the applicant has to be at least in the secondary level and completing his/her last year.

What are the things allowed at the test center on the day of the exam?

There are two mandatory things every applicant must carry:

1. Valid ID proof, the ID proof should be the same ID proof that was used during the registration Process

2. Print out of admission email, applicants will receive an email from the test centers

Applicants can carry a black/blue ballpoint pen & make not carry a calculator, reference book, or resource at the test center.

What is the last date for registration for TestAS?

The last date for registration is five weeks before the exam date.

APS AND TESTAS WAIVER

1) New European college- Test AS and APS is waiver

2) Lancaster University- APS certificate is waiver

3) EU Business School- Test AS and APS is waiver

4) Macromedia - Bachelor’s students who enrol for the programs validated by Regents University do not require to go through Test AS or APS.

5) BSBI- APS and TestAs certificate waiver

6) GISMA- TestAS waiver

7) UE Business School - The student can take the internal test of UE instead of TestAS. APS mandatory

8) Arden - APS and TestAS waiver

9) SRH - TestAS is waiver

10) IU – TestAS waiver for pathway programs. APS mandatory