Germany has 28 low-cost or tuition-free universities on the StudiePoint database — and applying to them is not as simple as clicking 'Apply'. The German admissions system has several mandatory steps that trip up international students, including a centralised application portal, a document verification certificate for students from certain African countries, and a blocked bank account before your visa will be issued.
This guide covers every step, in sequence, specifically for African students. Start reading it before you write your motivation letter — because some of these steps take months.
Most German universities do not accept direct applications from international students. Instead, they use a centralised portal called Uni-Assist (uni-assist.de) which processes all international applications before forwarding them to the university. Check the university's official admissions page for the sentence 'Applications via Uni-Assist' or 'For international applicants: uni-assist.de'. If it does, your application starts at uni-assist.de — not the university's own website. Some universities (notably TU Munich and LMU Munich) accept applications directly through their own portals. Create your Uni-Assist account early. The portal charges a processing fee of €75 for the first application and €30 for each additional university in the same cycle.
If you are a Nigerian, Kenyan, Ghanaian, Ethiopian, Cameroonian, or Tanzanian student, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and German embassy may require an APS Certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) — a verification of your academic credentials by the German Academic Evaluation Centre. The APS process involves submitting your original transcripts, degree certificates, and a personal interview at the German Embassy or a designated APS centre. Processing takes 4–8 weeks. The fee is approximately €200. Check the current APS requirements for your specific country on the DAAD website (daad.de/en) before applying — the list of countries changes. Do not begin your Uni-Assist application until you have your APS certificate if your country requires it.
Germany offers two types of postgraduate programs: German-taught and English-taught. Your language requirement depends on which you apply to. **German-taught programs:** You need a certified German language qualification. The most widely accepted are: - DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) — Level DSH-2 or higher - TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) — minimum score of 4 in each skill area - Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or C2 Preparation for DSH/TestDaF takes 6–12 months from a B1 level starting point. Centres offering these tests exist in Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja), Ghana (Accra), Kenya (Nairobi), and other major African cities. **English-taught programs:** An IELTS score of 6.0–6.5 overall is the standard requirement. Some programs accept TOEFL iBT 80+. Check each university's specific requirement — it varies by program.
Not necessarily. Germany has hundreds of English-taught postgraduate programs, especially in engineering, computer science, business, and international studies. If you apply to an English-taught program, you need IELTS or TOEFL — not German. However, learning basic German before arrival makes daily life significantly easier.
Uni-Assist is a centralised application portal that processes international student applications for about 170 German universities. If your target university uses it, you must apply through uni-assist.de first — you cannot go directly to the university. Check the admissions page of your target university to confirm. Fees are €75 for the first application and €30 for each additional university.
Book your visa appointment as soon as you receive your admission letter. Embassy appointment slots in Lagos, Abuja, and Accra fill 6–10 weeks in advance. Visa processing after the appointment takes another 6–12 weeks. Total: budget 3–4 months from admission to visa in hand.
Yes. International students in Germany can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year without needing a separate work permit. This is enough for a part-time job alongside your studies. Minimum wage in Germany in 2026 is €12.41/hour. Working more than this requires permission from the immigration office.
The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate verifies the authenticity of your academic credentials. It is required for applicants from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Tanzania, among others. The process involves submitting original documents and attending an interview at the German Embassy or designated centre. It costs approximately €200 and takes 4–8 weeks. Always verify the current country list on the DAAD website before starting.
Last updated: July 2026. Find scholarships on StudiePoint AI →