Germany Universities & admissions - Intakes & deadlines

In Germany, winter is the best choice for UG programs, since almost all begin then. For PG, winter is usually best but summer is possible, with fewer seats. For PhD, both intakes are possible and the choice depends on supervisor availability. Requirements vary by university, so check official pages.

If you are targeting the Winter intake in Germany, apply for APS several months before university deadlines. Document verification typically takes 3 to 6 weeks, with no fixed time, plus a few more days for certificate dispatch, and delays can occur during peak admission seasons.

The dMAT becomes mandatory from the Summer Semester 2027 intake onwards for eligible master's applicants. The dMAT introduction is intended for the Summer Semester 2027 intake and subsequent intakes, as the first dMAT certificates are available from 12 October 2026. It applies only to Engineering, Commerce, Economics and Management graduates.

No, the Winter Semester 2026/27 intake is not affected by the dMAT. The first dMAT certificates are scheduled for 12 October 2026, after most deadlines. Eligible Indian students applying for the Summer Semester 2027 intake and later may need the dMAT as part of their APS application.

Germany has two semesters, though dates vary by institution. The winter semester runs from 1 October to 31 March, with lectures from mid-October to mid-February. The summer semester runs from 1 April to 30 September, with lectures typically from mid-April to mid-July. Winter intake deadlines usually fall around mid-July.

Start by March 2027 at the latest, shortlisting 8 to 12 universities and exploring loans and scholarships. In April and May register for tests, by June request references and draft your SOP, and by July pay the deposit, apply for a loan and start your visa once admission proof arrives.

Many English-taught MSc Forensic Science programmes in Germany ask for an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL iBT score of 80 to 90. Winter intake applications usually close between May and July, while summer intake applications generally close between November and January for limited programmes.

Start around 12 to 15 months before your Germany Masters intake. Shortlist courses first, then take language tests, apply for APS and any uni-assist or VPD step, submit applications, and finally handle the visa, accommodation and travel in the last one to three months.