Make four admission decisions in order
Do not begin with a generic document upload. Identify the degree and intake, then verify the academic, language and submission route before paying for translations or application processing.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Decision | Question to answer | Primary evidence | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic access | Does the previous qualification permit direct or subject-restricted entry? | DAAD admission database and university decision | Check qualification ↗ |
| Programme fit | Are prior subjects, credits, grade or portfolio requirements met? | Current degree regulations and admissions page | Application overview ↗ |
| Language | Which German or English evidence and score is accepted? | Programme-specific certificate list | Language guidance ↗ |
| Application owner | Direct university, uni-assist or VPD followed by direct submission? | University's international application instructions | uni-assist steps ↗ |
Check whether you qualify for direct entry
The DAAD admission database gives orientation based on educational background and is prepared with uni-assist, but the higher education institution makes the final admission decision. Save the result as a research note, not as an admission certificate.
If a school-leaving qualification is not sufficient for direct undergraduate entry, a Studienkolleg and the relevant assessment examination may be required. Master's applicants must separately match the first degree, subject content, credits and grade rules published by the programme.
Direct application, uni-assist and VPD are different routes
Some institutions receive applications directly. Others ask uni-assist to evaluate and forward an application. A VPD route adds another step: uni-assist evaluates the documents, then the applicant submits the VPD and university application directly before the university deadline.
A VPD is issued for the chosen university and normally takes four to six weeks after a complete submission. Request it early; receiving the VPD does not submit the university application for you.
Prepare documents without losing context
Common categories include the degree or school certificate, complete transcript, the institution's grading system, language evidence and programme-specific material. Upload complete documents rather than selected pages.
Where a certificate is not issued in German or English, uni-assist generally asks for the original-language document plus a certified translation into German or English. Check country-specific notes and the university's instructions before ordering copies.
Check your progress
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Keep admission, funding and visa as separate decisions
An academic offer does not automatically provide a scholarship or satisfy the visa proof-of-funds requirement. Likewise, a funding application may need a separate university admission or course nomination.
After identifying an admissible programme, compare its actual costs, scholarship route and visa sequence. This prevents an offer from becoming unusable because a financial or immigration requirement was left too late.