🇩🇪 Germany • Study Guide for Indian Students
Study in Germany with TcollegeDayz
Germany offers high-quality education, strong career prospects, and a globally respected degree. This page covers: why Germany, intakes & deadlines, entry requirements, English tests, APS/TestAS, blocked account (€11,904), the new Germany Consular Portal visa process, documents checklist, and FAQs.
Affordable education options
20 hrs/week student work (rules vary)
18-month job search stay (commonly referenced)
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About Germany
Why Germany
Intakes
Entry Requirements
Visa / Consular Portal
Blocked Account
FAQs
Note: Always verify the latest Germany visa rules and checklists on official German mission/consular sources before filing.
About Germany
Country Overview
- Germany has 16 states; capital & largest city is Berlin.
- Population ~ 84.7 million; Europe’s largest economy and among the world’s top economies.
- Official language: German; currency: Euro (€).
- Major cities: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Heidelberg.
Career Ecosystem
- Home to global companies (automotive, engineering, tech).
- Strong internship and industry exposure in many programs.
- Great option for STEM and applied sciences pathways.
Why Study in Germany?
Quality & Value
- High-quality education with strong theory + practical learning.
- Affordable options depending on university/program.
- Globally recognized degrees.
Part-Time Work
- Common reference: students can work up to 20 hours/week (rules vary by status).
- Typical wages referenced around €12.83/hour (varies by city/role).
- German language skills often improve job access and pay.
Post-Study & PR Pathway
- Common reference: 18 months stay after study to search for a job (verify current policy).
- Long-term residence pathways depend on employment duration and compliance.
- Strong prospects in engineering, IT, business analytics & applied sciences.
Intakes & Generic Deadlines
Intakes
- Winter: September / October
- Summer: March / April
Exact intake availability varies by university and program.
Generic Application Windows
- Winter: ~15 Dec to 31 Mar
- Summer: ~15 Aug to 15 Jan
Deadlines can vary course-wise—confirm on the university website.
Entry Requirements
Bachelor’s
- Typically requires 12 years of education; some pathways expect 13 years.
- 13th year can be met via: 1st year of Bachelor’s in India (recognized) OR a foundation year in Germany.
- Academic: commonly 60%+ in 12th (university/program-specific).
- IELTS commonly 6.5 overall with no band less than 6 (program-specific).
- Some universities may require SAT (e.g., certain private institutions).
Master’s
- Academic: commonly 60%+ in Bachelor’s (program-specific).
- IELTS commonly 6.5 overall with no band less than 6 OR TOEFL 80+ (varies).
- GRE may be needed for higher-ranked programs; sometimes mandatory for specific tracks.
Documents for University Applications
Common Application Documents
- Passport copy
- Updated Resume/CV
- Academic documents (10th, 12th, Bachelor’s transcripts & degree if applicable)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Recommendation letters (if applicable)
- IELTS/TOEFL score (as required)
- GRE score (if required/not mandatory)
- German proficiency certificate (if any)
- Work experience letters (if any)
APS & TestAS (As Applicable)
APS (Academic Evaluation)
- APS verifies academic documents for Germany-bound students (commonly required for Bachelor’s and Master’s routes).
- Fee reference: INR 18,000 (verify latest).
- Processing time reference: 2–3 months (varies).
Start APS early to avoid intake delays.
TestAS (Primarily for Bachelor’s)
- Standardized aptitude test used by some German universities for undergraduate admissions.
- Fee reference: EUR 150 (verify latest).
- Requirement depends on program/university and applicant profile.
Germany Student Visa: New Consular Portal (Overview)
Germany has introduced a digital consular portal flow for student visas, allowing account creation, form submission, document uploads, and tracking (availability varies by jurisdiction and case type).
Consular Portal (Common Reference)
- Create account & apply: digital.diplo.de/studium
- Upload documents securely
- Schedule appointment (via VFS/mission flow as applicable)
- Track application status
Application Timeline (Typical Reference)
- Portal submission & verification: 1–2 weeks (varies)
- Appointment availability: within a few weeks (varies)
- Visa decision: often 4–8 weeks after appointment (varies)
Apply early to handle intake deadlines and any additional document requests.
Important: Some flows mention that documents are assessed online via portal upload; carry essentials as per appointment instructions.
Always follow the latest checklist provided by the official German mission/portal for your category.
Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) + Insurance
Blocked Amount (Current Reference)
- Monthly reference: €992
- Annual blocked requirement: €11,904 (992 × 12)
- Some flows add bank charges/buffer (varies by provider)
Open the blocked account early after fee payment to avoid visa timeline issues.
Health Insurance
- Health insurance is mandatory for Germany.
- Some blocked account partners bundle insurance options (provider-specific).
- For visa stage: travel health insurance is commonly required as per checklist.
Documents Required for Germany Student Visa (Common)
Typical Checklist Items
- Valid passport + copy of data page
- Visa application forms (as per portal/VIDEX flow)
- Biometric photos (as per specifications)
- Admission letter from institution (electronic version)
- Proof of 1st year tuition fee payment (if applicable/required)
- Proof of financial means (Blocked Account for living expenses)
- Remaining balance tuition fees proof (savings/FD/education loan/sponsor — as acceptable per checklist)
- Language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) + APS/TestAS if applicable
- Travel health insurance (as per checklist)
- Cover letter explaining purpose and duration
Germany Offer & Visa Flow (Simple)
Step-by-Step
- Receive an unconditional offer / admission.
- Pay 1st year fees (if required by institution/visa route).
- Start APS process early (as applicable).
- Open blocked account and deposit required amount (as applicable).
- Register on Consular Portal and upload documents.
- Book appointment (VFS/mission flow as applicable) and submit biometrics.
- Visa decision and travel planning.
FAQs
Q. Is IELTS required to study in Germany?
A. Many English-taught programs ask for IELTS/TOEFL (requirements vary by university and course). Always verify on the official program page.
Q. How many intakes are there in Germany?
A. Commonly, there are two intakes: Winter (Sep/Oct) and Summer (Mar/Apr). Availability depends on the program.
Q. What is APS and who needs it?
A. APS is an academic document verification step used for many Germany study routes. It is commonly referenced for Bachelor’s and Master’s applicants (case-based). Start early due to processing timelines.
Q. What is the blocked account amount for Germany?
A. A commonly referenced blocked requirement is €11,904 for one year (based on €992/month). Confirm the latest amount before payment.
Q. What is the Germany Consular Portal for student visas?
A. It’s a digital platform for visa application steps like account creation, form submission, document upload, and status tracking.
Link (reference): digital.diplo.de/studium.
Q. Can I take dependents (spouse/children) to Germany as a student?
A. Germany may allow family reunification in eligible cases, but requirements and work rights can vary by individual situation and residence status.
TcollegeDayz can guide you on the correct route and documentation based on your profile.
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