The basic requirements to study in Germany for Indian students depend on your study level. Bachelor applicants need a recognised higher education entrance qualification, while Master’s applicants usually need a recognised Bachelor’s degree in a related field. On top of that, you need language proof, application documents, APS where applicable, funding proof, health insurance and a student visa/residence permit route.
This article is especially for Indian students who are checking eligibility for Bachelor’s or Master’s study in Germany. Because the rules can change, use this guide as orientation and always verify your exact case with the official DAAD admission database, APS India and your target university.
Requirements to study in Germany for Indian students in 2026
For current applications, start with these five checks before you shortlist universities:
- Academic eligibility: check whether your school certificate or degree is recognised as a higher education entrance qualification in Germany.
- APS certificate: Indian applicants normally need APS evaluation for German university admission and student visa processes.
- Language proof: German-taught courses usually require German proof such as TestDaF or DSH; English-taught courses usually require IELTS, TOEFL or an accepted equivalent.
- Application route: apply directly to the university, via uni-assist, or through another route named by the university.
- Visa readiness: prepare funding proof, health insurance, accommodation plan and complete academic documents before your visa timeline becomes tight.
Important 2026 APS update for Indian Bachelor applicants: APS India announced that updated anabin criteria apply from 15 March 2026 for admissions beginning Winter Semester 2026/27. The established undergraduate pathways remain, but a minimum overall score of 70% of the maximum achievable marks in the Indian Class XII certificate is now specified for the Studienkolleg route and the direct subject-restricted route after one successful Bachelor-level academic year. APS also clarifies that university admission decisions remain with the universities.
Official references to keep open while planning: APS India news, DAAD requirements overview, DAAD application process, and DAAD India Bachelor studies.
1. Completion of Secondary School less than grade 12
Your possibility of admission:
Admission for academic study in Germany is unfortunately not possible without additional proof of education!
2. Class XII below the current undergraduate eligibility threshold
There are multiple criteria for Bachelors Program in Germany with various admission guidelines. Before you try to understand the eligibility criteria for a bachelor in Germany, allow me to give a brief on the admission process.
There are many universities in Germany, some are Public and others are Private. The mode of education is either English or German. Similarly, the admission process also differs from university to university. For example, some ask for scores like TestAS and some do now. Now you will surely ask me What is TestAS ?and why is it important for a Bachelors admission in Germany.
Why should I take TestAS?
TestAS is the most important aptitude test for foreign applicants wishing to study in Germany. TestAS analyses skills are necessary for successful studies, e.g. logical thought processes, recognising
structures or solving problems. German universities use the TestAS certificate in order to select and admit suitable students for their courses. Thus, TestAS increases your chances of obtaining a university place in Germany.
2.1 Not Cleared JEE Entrance
If your Class XII score does not meet the current APS/anabin threshold for your admission pathway, admission to German undergraduate study is usually not possible without completing additional recognised academic steps. For Winter Semester 2026/27 onwards, APS India specifies 70% overall in Class XII for the affected Bachelor/Studienkolleg pathways.
Your possibility of admission:
Admission for academic study in Germany is unfortunately not possible without additional proof of education!
2.2 Cleared JEE Entrance
Older guidance often referred to JEE-based routes for subject-restricted admission. For current Indian Bachelor applications, check APS India and the DAAD admission database first, because APS India now applies the updated anabin criteria and universities still make the final admission decision.
Your possibility of admission:
With your educational background, you qualify for direct subject-restricted admission to a German higher education institution for academic studies in the subject areas of technology and natural sciences.
3. Class XII meeting the current eligibility threshold
3.1 No Period of Study
Many Indian students planning Bachelor’s study in Germany are in Class XI, Class XII, or have just passed Class XII. Direct Bachelor admission after Indian Class XII is not automatic. Depending on your certificate, subject and route, you may need Studienkolleg/Feststellungsprüfung or one successful academic year in a recognised Bachelor’s programme before direct subject-restricted admission becomes possible.
Another option is a Vocational Degree or Ausbildung or Apprenticeship which required at least B1 or B2 level of proficiency. The complete guide on how to apply to Ausbildung in Germany from India can be seen here.
Your possibility of admission:
With your educational background, you qualify for subject-restricted admission to a preparatory course/the Feststellungsprüfung (university qualification exam) for the Schwerpunktkurse (focus courses) corresponding to the subject area that you specialised in during your higher secondary school education.
If your school-leaving certificate is not recognized in Germany, you will be required to attend a one-year preparatory course known as Studienkolleg.
3.2 Atleast 1 year education at Higher Educational Institute
If you don’t want to go for studienkolleg, you can enrol in a Bachelors course in India, and then apply for the first year of Bachelors programme in Germany. In this way, you can skip the preparatory course, however, you will not get a lateral entry in the second year. You will be applying and studying in the first year again.
Your possibility of admission:
With your educational background, you qualify for direct subject-restricted admission for academic studies in the subject area of your previous academic studies or a related subject.
4. Successfully completed at least a 3-year Bachelor’s programme
Your possibility of admission:
With your educational background, you qualify for direct subject-restricted admission for academic studies in the subject area of your previous academic studies or a related subject.
5. Successfully completed a 4-year or 4.5-year Bachelor’s programme
Your possibility of admission:
With your educational background, you qualify for direct general admission for academic studies in any subject area.
Is your educational degree valid?
This applies to all who completed Diploma, Bachelors or Masters in their respective home country. To be admitted to a German university, your qualifications must be recognized by the university you have chosen. What this means is that you need to have a recognized ‘higher education entrance qualification’, also known as Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) or Abitur. You can check here to know if your educational degree is valid in Germany? You can check if your educational institutional is listed and mentioned on Anabin.
University not listed on Anabin?
What if my university is not listed on Anabin? The Statement of Comparability is an assessment of whether your qualifications in higher education in overseas countries can be compared to your German qualification by the German Central Office of Foreign Education (ZAB).
The primary purpose is to identify an equivalent German qualification and to detail how in a German professional or academic setting your international qualification can be utilised.
Language Requirements
Language requirements are also part of university admission criteria. If your degree programme is taught in German, you usually need proof such as DSH, TestDaF, Goethe, telc or another certificate accepted by that university. A1 is a starting point, but most German-taught university programmes require a much higher level. You can enrol in the Faster German A1 course if you are just beginning.
If your course is taught in English and you are not exempt, you may need IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted English test. Always check the programme page because some universities accept a previous English-medium degree while others still ask for a test score. Where to prepare IELTS course?
Hence, these are the basic requirements for Indian students planning to come to Germany for Bachelors Programme or Masters Programme. I also shared some more information regarding the validity of educational qualifications and language requirements.
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