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Is APS needed for applying to public universities in any country in UK/Australia?

25 Aug 2026 · Answered by Prakhar Pragy Dixit · 2 min read
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No, the APS certificate, a German academic verification document, is not required for public universities in the UK or Australia, since it applies strictly to applications for Germany. One exception exists: postgraduate psychology applicants in Australia need a separate, unrelated Australian Psychological Society assessment.

Prakhar Pragy Dixit
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No, you do not need the German APS certificate to apply to standard public universities in the UK or Australia, since that verification process is run by German Embassies specifically for students heading to Germany. There are a couple of narrow exceptions worth knowing so you do not confuse two very different systems that happen to share the same acronym.

Where APS Actually Applies to You

SituationDo You Need APS?
Standard UK or Australia public university applicationNo
Postgraduate psychology programs in AustraliaYes, but this is the unrelated Australian Psychological Society assessment
Your degree was completed in India, China or Vietnam and you later apply to GermanyYes, the German APS document verification applies
UK university branch campus located inside GermanyNot for school application, but yes for your German student visa

What UK and Australia Check Instead

  • Official transcripts sent directly from your school or university.
  • English proficiency scores such as IELTS or TOEFL.
  • Credential evaluation through ENIC for the UK, or the university's own admissions board for Australia.

My Advice

Do not spend time or money on an APS certificate unless you are specifically applying to a university inside Germany or to a postgraduate psychology program in Australia. Focus your energy instead on your transcripts, English test scores and any credential evaluation your target UK or Australian university actually asks for.

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