Germany: Admissions Systems
Germany: Admissions Systems In Depth
How German admissions work — the APS, Hochschulstart and the numerus clausus, FH vs Universität, admission rounds, and Studienkolleg routes.
Last updated
Tests this hub covers
TestDaF
TestDaF-Institut, run by g.a.s.t. (Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung e. V.) · Many dates a year in two formats. The 2027 worldwide schedule lists 8 digital dates and 6 paper-based dates; in China you register through the NEEA.
TestAS
g.a.s.t. (Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung e. V.) · Several dates a year in two formats. The 2027 worldwide schedule lists paper-based sittings on 25 February, 24 April and 23 October, and digital sittings on 18 March, 15 June and 25 November.
What this hub covers
- The APS Certificate for Germany: Who Needs It and How to Get ItWhat the APS is and why Germany requires it · Documents you typically need to prepare · The interview step
- Numerus Clausus (NC) and Hochschulstart: How Restricted-Admission Courses WorkWhat 'numerus clausus' actually means · Grade quota, waiting and selection quotas · What Hochschulstart is and which courses it handles
- Fachhochschule vs Universität in Germany: Which to Apply ToTwo kinds of higher-education institution · Focus and teaching style · Admission and application route
- Winter vs Summer Intake in Germany: Deadlines and Application TimelineGermany's two admission rounds · Typical application deadlines · Which intake should you target?
- Getting Into Studienkolleg: Entry Test, Course Streams and the FeststellungsprüfungWhy a Studienkolleg exists · The entrance test (Aufnahmeprüfung) · Course streams (T, M, W, G, S)
Guides for Europe
5 of 5 guides in this hub are for Europe.
The APS Certificate for Germany: Who Needs It and How to Get It
What the APS academic-credential check is, who needs it, the documents and interview involved, and how clearance feeds your German university and visa application.
Read guideGetting Into Studienkolleg: Entry Test, Course Streams and the Feststellungsprüfung
How the Studienkolleg foundation route admits students — the entrance test, the subject streams (T/M/W/G/S) and the Feststellungsprüfung that opens German university entry.
Read guideFachhochschule vs Universität in Germany: Which to Apply To
Compare German Universities of Applied Sciences (FH/HAW) with traditional Universitäten on focus, admission, application route and PhD options for international applicants.
Read guideWinter vs Summer Intake in Germany: Deadlines and Application Timeline
Map Germany's two intakes — Wintersemester and Sommersemester — their typical deadlines, which programmes open in each, and how to back-plan APS, language tests and applications.
Read guideStudying in Europe
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