If a German university has its own application portal, do I still need to go through Uni-Assist for document verification?
Yes, having its own portal does not mean a German university skips uni-assist. Many schools, including the Technical University of Munich and University of Cologne, still require a VPD certificate first. Others, such as RWTH Aachen and KIT, evaluate documents entirely in house, so check your program page.
Just because a German university runs its own application portal does not mean you can skip uni-assist. Depending on the school and program, you may still need a VPD certificate before you can even open your file, so you need to check the exact process for your course rather than assuming.
Three Common Application Paths
| Path | How It Works | Example Schools |
|---|---|---|
| VPD plus portal | Uni-assist verifies, then you upload the VPD | TU Munich, LMU Munich, Cologne |
| Fully direct | University evaluates your documents itself | RWTH Aachen, KIT, Stuttgart |
| Dual submission | Formal documents to uni-assist, extras on the portal | Select competitive programs |
How To Confirm Your Own Path
- Open the exact degree program page on the university's official website, not the general admissions page.
- Look for an "Application Procedure" or "How To Apply" section aimed at international, non-EU applicants.
- Search that page for the words VPD required, apply via uni-assist, or direct application through the online portal.
My Advice
Before you pay any handling fee, confirm on the program page whether your course needs a VPD. If you are unsure after reading it, email the international office with your exact degree name and ask them to confirm the path in writing, so you never pay for a step you do not need.
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