The steps, explained
| Step | What it is | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Shortlist | Search the DAAD database; check admission requirements (credits in specific subjects, minimum grade). Convert your CGPA with the grade converter. | 4–8 weeks |
| IELTS / TOEFL | Most English-taught master's programmes ask for IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6) or equivalent. | 4–8 weeks prep + results |
| APS certificate | Mandatory verification of Indian degrees, run by the German Embassy's APS office. Needed before uni-assist and the visa. | Allow 1–3 months |
| uni-assist / direct application | Many universities check foreign documents via uni-assist (VPD); others take applications directly. | uni-assist processing 4–9 weeks |
| Admission letter | Usually 4–10 weeks after the deadline. | — |
| Blocked account + insurance | €11,904 for 2026 (€992/month). Open online; transfers from India take a few days. | 1–2 weeks |
| Student visa | Book the VFS appointment early; peak months are June–August. | Appointment wait + 4–8 weeks |
Mistakes that cost Indian students a semester
- Starting APS too late. Without it, uni-assist and the visa can't proceed.
- Applying near the deadline. uni-assist needs weeks to process, longer in June–July and December–January.
- Ignoring subject-specific credit requirements. Many rejections are about missing ECTS in specific modules, not your CGPA.
- Choosing a private university because the admission came quickly. Compare costs first: public vs private.
Last updated: 12 October 2026. Estimates only. Not official advice. Always verify with official sources: each university's programme page, uni-assist, the APS India office and the German missions in India.