Shortly after I began to consider pursuing a PhD in Germany, I spoke with one of my professors in Buenos Aires, who had spent a semester at the University of Cologne. His first piece of advice was: “Start preparing well in advance, because it’s a long process before you actually get to Germany.” It turned out to be crucial advice: starting an academic journey in a new educational system involves navigating a series of steps that begin with assessing one’s own opportunities and, later, choosing a study program.
In this article, I’d like to go through the essential steps involved in entering the German university system—whether for undergraduate or postgraduate studies. I’ll speak in general terms here. In a separate article, I go into detail about the specific tasks involved in pursuing a PhD in Germany.
Step 1: Assess your academic profile
The first step in figuring out how to study in Germany is understanding your academic background and what it qualifies you for. Some helpful questions at this stage include
What academic degrees do I have?
How prestigious are the institutions I studied at?
What’s my level of German? And English?
What was my GPA in my undergraduate program (or in high school, if relevant)?
What does my current training allow me to pursue?
What skills and competencies (languages, tools, academic or professional experience) have I gained so far?
Step 2: Language of study and personal conditions
Once you’ve done that self-assessment, it’s easier to determine whether you’ll be looking for a program in German or English. German universities, in an effort to become more appealing to international students, have developed a wide range of English-taught programs in recent years. Personally, I even had the opportunity to write my doctoral dissertation in Spanish—my native language—which made the writing process much smoother.
Step 3: Find and choose the right program
Choosing the right undergraduate or graduate program is a key part of the journey. Germany offers an enormous variety of master’s programs, so it’s worth spending time researching. Tools like the DAAD database and Hochschulkompass can be extremely useful here.
When making a choice, consider both the academic relevance of the program and the professional opportunities available after graduation. It’s also important to think about factors beyond the curriculum itself—for example, the city where you’ll be studying. Germany has cities of all sizes, and living in Kempen is very different from living in Berlin. The cost of living also varies across cities. While it’s not always a decisive factor, it’s certainly one to keep in mind.
Step 4: Understand the academic calendar and prepare your application
Once you’ve chosen your program, you’ll need to be aware of the German academic calendar: application deadlines, semester start dates (winter or summer), etc. Again, preparing well in advance is essential. The application process may not be overly complex in itself, but it often involves preconditions that can delay things—such as legalizing and translating your university degrees, or obtaining a language certificate.
In the case of a PhD, you’ll need to find a professor who agrees to supervise your project. This usually involves submitting at least a draft version of your proposed research. Communication with university admission offices is not always smooth, and it’s common to wait days or even weeks for a response.
Step 5: Apply for a student visa
Once you’ve been admitted, you can apply for a German student visa at the appropriate embassy or consulate. This process can be somewhat bureaucratic and may depend on how helpful the consular staff are. In general, you’ll need to submit:
- A letter of admission from the university
- Proof of health insurance valid in Germany
- A blocked bank account with enough funds for one year of living expenses
Visa processing times can be long, so be sure to plan for delays—missing your flight or the start of the semester is not unheard of.
Conclusion: Time, patience, and determination
When you look at them one by one, the steps to study at a German university aren’t too many, but each is lengthy and relatively complex. Determination is a key trait in this process—it helps you stay committed to your academic goal even when progress isn’t immediately visible. So, in the end, time, patience, and strong willpower are some of the essential ingredients to successfully begin your academic journey in Germany