What documents do I need to apply to a German university from India?
You need six core documents: your APS certificate, academic transcripts and degree, an English test score like IELTS or TOEFL, your passport, a CV or Lebenslauf, and a Letter of Motivation. APS is mandatory for every Indian applicant and takes three to five weeks.
Your application stands or falls on a small set of documents, and the APS certificate is the one that trips up most Indian students because it is now mandatory and takes weeks to issue. Get your transcripts, English test, and motivation letter polished alongside it so nothing holds up your submission.
Core Application Documents
| Document | Detail |
|---|---|
| APS certificate | Mandatory for India, fee Rs. 18,000, 3-5 weeks |
| Transcripts and degree | All semester marksheets and provisional or final degree |
| English test | IELTS 6.5 (TUM 7.0) or TOEFL 88-90 (TUM 100+) |
| Passport | Valid throughout your study period |
| CV (Lebenslauf) | German-style, reverse chronological |
| Letter of Motivation | Program-specific, links your background to the course |
Where These Get Submitted
| Route | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Uni-Assist | Verifies and forwards, EUR 75 first, EUR 30 each extra |
| Direct university portal | Some universities take applications directly |
My Advice
Start the APS process first, because it gates everything else and delays peak between January and April. While you wait, draft a distinct Letter of Motivation for each of your 6-10 programs rather than reusing one, since German admissions committees read closely for genuine fit with the specific course.
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