The Detailed Application process for MS Admission in Germany
It’s important to keep in mind that admission process for MS in Germany takes at least 2 months to meet the German masters requirements. Hence, it is recommended to submit your application at least 6 weeks before your desired university intake. For instance, if you wish to join the Summer intake, you will have to apply in January. If you want to join the Winter intake, apply in July.
The application process for getting into MS application can be divided into 2 parts –
A) Pre Acceptance Process
B) Post Acceptance Process
A) Pre Acceptance process for MS in Germany Eligibility
1. MS University in Germany and MS course Selection
Firstly, it’s important to conduct a thorough research about different German universities, courses, and the kind of master’s you wish to pursue. Based on these factors, select and finalise on the universities that you feel is most suitable for you.
2. Check the eligibility & entry requirements
Now that you have set your target it’s time to know what you need in order to get there to meet the Germany Masters requirements. Said otherwise, you must check the requirements for the course of your choice. Normally, German universities offer access to this information from their official websites.
Be careful because there are different entry requirements applied within the same university and you must be one hundred percent sure you’re reading the genuine section. Recalling that every minor error at this stage may lead to a failed application, it’s recommended you reach the university by mail for every single issue you have regarding this stage of application.
3. Take an English Language proficiency test
In order to apply for universities for Masters in Germany, it is important to produce a certificate that acts as a proof of your English language proficiency. For this, you can take either the IELTS or TOEFL test. Ensure to book your test at least three months before you apply so you have your scores with you in time.
4. Take the GRE Test for MS in Germany
MS in Germany university requires international students to take the GRE exam. However, not every university requires you to take an exam for MS in Germany. So, be sure to check the official website prior to applying to check the Germany Masters requirements for GRE exam.
5. Collect all the required academic documents
This includes your previous marks sheets while applying for MS in Germany. In certain cases, some public and private universities in Germany might also ask for your transcripts as well. In case you don’t have access to certain documents, you can write an email to the university mentioning the same.
6. Put together your CV, SOP, Letter of Motivation, & LORs
Include your resume or a CV in your application. This will allow you to showcase your work experience, giving you a higher chance of getting selected. Along with this, it is crucial to add your SOPs, & LORs, because this is the only way the university will closely examine you.
7. Submit your application
After you have collected all the required documents and you have checked multiple times if there’s everything included it’s time to submit your application for the MS degree course in Germany. You can apply for a MS degree in Germany via the Internet by using the means of an online application platform.
Most German universities use a mutual platform known as UniAssist.de. There you can create a personal account, choose your favourite MS course and upload scanned application documents. Notice that some universities run their own online application platform and only receive application being submitted to it. You can gain access to this information at the university’s website.
8. Wait for the admission letter
Now it is time for you to take a deep breath and let the university completes its part of the job. Meanwhile, you can use this time to tackle other upcoming issues which are explained in the sections below.
Universities in Germany collect a large number of applications and going through each of them takes time as they check if the applications meet Germany Masters Requirements. Normally, the processing of your application takes several weeks. In some occasions their response may take more time than it probably should because there may be issues related to your documents or because of their heavily loaded agenda and your application doesn’t include everything. Unfortunately, students cannot keep track of their application processing as the universities don’t give that information.
9. Pay the admission fee
To complete your application process for the German university , you will have to pay a small admission fee. The admission fee for German Universities costs around 250 EUR, again depending upon the university and the type of course you’re chosen.
After this, wait for the university to process your application and confirm your admission.
B) Post Acceptance process for Masters in Germany requirements
1. Apply for an Education loan (if needed)
In case you require an education loan, you can apply for a student loan.
2. Apply for a blocked account
A blocked German account means that you are blocking funds for the tenure of your studies. This is a crucial step to studying in Germany in order to get your student visa. This shows that you have enough money to survive in case of any emergency. The funds required to be blocked depends on the number of years you will be studying in Germany.
Click here to learn more about the German Blocked Account
3. Get health insurance
Everyone living in Germany is obligated to be health insured, including here foreign students, regardless of their citizenship. EU students may not be required to get health insurance in Germany if they’re entitled to the European health insurance system, but it’s not a fundamental principle, hence they need to ask whatsoever.
If you’re an EU student, you must contact responsible authorities to see if your EHIC card covers you in Germany and you’re allowed to apply for a MS degree in Germany. On the other hand, if you’re a non-EU student, you must get health insurance regardless. Most international students in Germany prefer to get health insured with DR-WALTER.
EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER is suitable for the following groups of people:
- Foreign exchange students, language students and students participating in university preparatory courses (Studienkolleg)
- University students
- Participants in exchange programmes (e.g. ERASMUS, DAAD, SOKRATES)
- Trainees
- Accompanying family members
Still have questions about health insurance? Learn more about health insurance in Germany from experts.
Get DR-WALTER insurance online within a few minutes
We suggest you prepare for this stage long before your university confirms your place in the master course. Collect information about the procedures of getting a health insurance and arrange all documents so you save the much-needed time in the process of the application for a MS degree course in Germany.
4. Get your finances in order
Based on the German government’s estimations, a foreign student studying in Germany needs to have in his bank account at least €934 per month or €11,208 as proof of financial resources per year to cover himself while in Germany. If you don’t possess this amount of money you won’t be permitted to get a student visa and study for a MS degree in Germany.
Taking into account that this amount of money is high for a normal student it’s important you start dealing with the issue long before the application call is officially opened at your favourite German university. Overall, 4 months would account to a fair amount of time to save or collect money and look what other alternative options like scholarships and student loans you got.
5. Get your student visa
The final step to a successful application for a MS degree in Germany. As a non-EU and non-EEA international student, you have to check the visa requirement and get a visa in order to be allowed to study in Germany.
Important Tip: To Maximize Your Chances of Getting Your German Student Visa You Should Use a Blocked Account as Proof of Financial Resources.
A blocked account is a special type of bank account, to prove you have enough funds to live in Germany for one year.
As of 2022, as a foreigner in Germany you need a minimum of €934 euros per month for living expenses. So, you are required to have a total of €11,208 in your bank account before you apply for a German internship visa.
After you have completed all the steps above, you must reach the German embassy in your home country to collect information and initiate procedures for getting a student visa. Note that required financial means are among the requirements for student visa application so make sure you have solved that issue before the time for seeking a student visa it comes.
Timing is also important at this stage because the time required for processing your student visa application may exceed the enrolment deadline and the commencing of your master course.
Documents required for MS in Germany
International students planning to study MS in Germany are required to submit various documents along with the applications to meet the German Masters Requirements. Before applying to any master’s courses one must have complete knowledge of the documentation requirements for admission.
The required documents essential for the application process are:
- Passport: Having a valid passport is crucial.
- Academic Documents/Transcripts: All your academic documents such as marks sheets, essential certificates etc. need to be submitted to colleges while applying. Check with your university’s official website for getting a better understanding on the documents they require.
- IELTS Score or TOEFL Score: Submission of any of the either mentioned English language proficiency test scores is another requirement for colleges in Germany. In the case of students applying for MS in universities that require German proficiency scores, TestDaF exam needs to be written.
- An updated CV: Attach a CV that covers your professional experience and the assignments you’ve been a part of. The CV must also emphasis your strengths and the skills you possess.
- A Compelling SOP: SOP stands for Statements of Purpose. An SOP is what will explain your story to the admissions board. It is where you can speak about yourself and your goals. Most of the German universities assess students based on the documents they submit. Thus, writing an SOP that clearly defines your talents, abilities and experience will add more weightage to your application.
- Get your LORs: Letters of Recommendation are a great way to introduce yourself to universities through a professional. Request your managers, mentors or professors to write LORs to support your application.
- Letter of Motivation: The Letter of Motivation is where you can explain and elaborate on why you wish to study the course you are applying for. It includes answers to questions such as why the particular university interests you, what makes it stand out for you from the others and how studying in Germany helps you achieve your goals.
- Other Certificates: German Universities appreciate your participation in co-curricular activities as much as your academic achievements. So, adding certificates will definitely serve as an advantage.
- Letters that show work experience (If any): If you’ve worked anywhere prior, add those experience letters along with your application as well.
- Photos in passport size: It is also required to attach a few passport sized photos to your application. Make sure that you check the photo size of your application (format and size requirements for photos vary for applications and visas so make sure to attach the exact photo size as requested by the university.)
