Application procedure
In order to gain a study place at the German university of your choice, you must apply, to the relevant foreign student office, regardless of whether you wish to begin your studies there or just continue studies started elsewhere. The necessary forms will be provided by these offices, by the diplomatic or consular missions or by the DAAD’s offices abroad. You will receive an Antrag auf Zulassung zum Studium/zur immatrikulation (Application form for admission to studies/to register) and an information sheet called Zulassungsinformationen (Information on admissions).

If you want to commence your studies in the winter semester, you must generally have submitted a full set of documents to the university to which you are applying by 15th July. The deadline for the summer semester is 15th January.

German universities have no entrance examination. The basic requirement for admission is proof of an adequate educational background, which German applicants provide by passing the Abitur (a secondary school leaving certificate.

However, since the German side places great importance on foreigners studying at German universities, a specific percentage of study places in the numerus clausus subjects has been reserved for study applicants from abroad. In medicine-related subjects the quota is 6% and in other degree courses subject to admissions limitations, 8% of the available study places are reserved for foreign applicants.

Foreigners from European Community countries are however, treated like German applicants. In particular, this means that you have to take part in an entry test they can apply for a study place in a medical degree course. The test is held only once a year in November.