LeapScholar

Can you show me both January and September intake options for universities in Germany/France for a Master's?

04 Sept 2026 · Answered by Gagandeep Singh · 2 min read
Quick Answer verified

Yes, both countries run two intakes. Germany's September Winter Semester offers the full course catalog with a July 15 deadline, while its January Summer Semester is limited and closes January 15. France's September intake is universal, while its January intake mainly covers business schools like SKEMA and ESSEC.

Gagandeep Singh
Gagandeep Singh Verified
Leap Scholar's Counsellor
View Profile →

Germany and France both technically offer two intake windows, but the January option is far more limited in each country, so plan your applications with that in mind. September remains your best bet for full course access and scholarship availability in both destinations. Here is the full breakdown.

Intake Comparison for Germany and France

FeatureSeptember IntakeJanuary Intake
Program AvailabilityUniversal, full catalog across public and private optionsLimited, mainly Business Schools, IT, and select engineering
CompetitionHigher, peak application volumeModerate to lower
ScholarshipsWidely availableScarce or limited
Best Suited ForStandard planning, maximum choiceLate planners or those needing extra language prep time

Application Windows to Remember

  • Germany September (Winter Semester): applications open around May or June and close July 15 for public universities.
  • Germany January (Summer Semester, classes start April): applications typically close January 15, offered mainly at technical and engineering focused universities.
  • France September (Fall): runs through Campus France, with public university deadlines around December to January.
  • France January (Spring): championed by business schools such as SKEMA, NEOMA, ESSEC, and ESCP, with applications running May to November of the prior year.

My Advice

Default to the September intake in both countries unless you have a specific reason to wait, since it gives you the widest program choice and the best scholarship access. If you missed September or still need to clear a language requirement like IELTS or DELF, use the January window at a French business school or a German technical university as your fallback plan.

France Jan or Sep 2027: Which Intake Can You Still Apply For?

Get a personalised timeline before deadlines close.

4.7/5 Google 🎓 25K+ admits
Plan My Intake

More Universities & admissions questions

More France questions

🎓 France Jan or Sep 2027: Which Intake Is Still Open? Plan My Intake