Intakes in Germany 2024: Top Universities, Deadline & Requirments

Germany is one of the most prestigious study-abroad options amongst young scholars who wish to make an identity for themselves in the field of research and STEM. Similar to any other study abroad destination, you should be up-to-date on the various entrance intakes in Germany before opting to start applying. Fun fact: the winter intake in Germany is the major intake in the country, unlike its counterparts like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Therefore, if you want to study in Germany, the first thing you should consider is that you need to know which German institutions are offering specific courses, and for what intakes. This article discusses when to apply for the course of your choosing in this highly sought-after study destination, as well as the intakes for Master’s and Undergraduate degrees in Germany.

What are the two Intakes in Germany? 

Germany offers two golden opportunities to aspiring students in the form of Winter intake and Summer intake. Unlike its counterparts like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Germany’s primary intake is the winter intake, while the secondary intake is the summer intake. The winter intake in Germany begins in the month of October, while the summer intake in Germany begins in the month of April.

Comparison Between Germany’s Summer Intake and Germany’s Winter Intake 

German intakes primarily occur twice a year: the summer and winter seasons. Winter intake is the major application time for German universities. Most programs have available applications during this intake session, having deadlines between June and August.

In order to simplify it for you, let’s compare the key differences between Summer intake and Winter intake: 

Particulars	Summer Intake in Germany	Winter Intake in Germany
Beginning from	April	September-October
End Month	July-August	February-March
Duration of Deadline	Mid-January	Mid-July
Nature of Intake	Secondary Intake	Primary Intake
Volume of programs offered	Very few programs are available in the summer intake.	All programs are available during this intake.
Applications	Few Applications with less competition	Most applications with high competition
Session Commencement	April-May	September-October
Scholarship Availability	Fewer Scholarships	Most Scholarships are provided

Now that you are somewhat familiar with the two intakes that Germany offers, let’s look at both Summer as well as Winter intakes in great detail so that you are able to make an informed decision for yourself

Summer intakes in Germany (April)

1. Germany usually begins its summer intake in the month of April. 
2. Intakes start in April and typically last till the months of July and August. 
3. Although many students opt for the summer intake, it is important to keep in mind that this intake often offers fewer universities and courses than the winter intake.
4. Most universities conclude submissions for summer admission in the middle of January.
5. Prospective Candidates should begin gathering the necessary paperwork in August/September of the preceding year. 
6. Take English Language proficiency tests at least 3 months before the Germany intake deadlines for the Winter semester. Most universities accept a score of 6.5 bands minimum in IELTS. 

Winter intakes in Germany (September/October)

1. In Germany, master’s programme admissions are primarily conducted around this time.
2. The admission process usually begins in June and ends in August. However, some universities also accept applications as late as October. 
3. An enormous selection of courses is offered by numerous universities during the winter intake.
4. Most institutions typically have an application deadline in mid-July for the winter enrollment.
5. The processing time for a German student visa might range from 25 days to 3 months, so apply at least three months in advance.
6. Prospective Candidates should begin gathering necessary paperwork at least two months before the start date of the course, depending on the deadlines for intakes.
7. Take English Language proficiency tests at least a month before the German intake deadlines for the Winter semester.

UNIVERSITY IN GERMANY	WINTER DEADLINE FOR MASTER’S PROGRAM
Technical University in Munich	November 17, 2023
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	August 20
Universität Heidelberg	Master’s programs with Admissions restrictions – May 1 to June 15
Freie Universität Berlin	May 31
RWTH Aachen University	Admission Restriction – July 15

To fulfil these deadlines, especially for the winter intake which offers more options, prospective international students should carefully organize their application and admission procedure within time. Students may still be able to apply for the summer intake even if they miss the winter intake deadline, however, their options will be highly limited. 

Researching specific university programmes, entrance requirements, and deadlines is also essential considering these may vary throughout universities. Gathering the required paperwork, meeting the language competence criteria, and crafting a compelling application are all critical steps in seeking a master’s degree in Germany.

A Step Wise Guide On How To Apply For Intakes In Germany

1. Begin with your research

Start working on your study as soon as possible. Start looking for German colleges and academic programmes that match your degree requirements and professional goals. Create a short selection of universities that seem to fit your objectives and research specifics like application fees and due dates.

2. Check application and fee deadlines

Verify the costs and due dates for each programme and university on your list. Although application fees are subject to change, they normally range from 50 to 75 euros. As you indicated, the deadlines are usually in mid-July for the winter intake and mid-January for the summer intake.

3. Start with taking the tests as per your requirements 

Begin by registering for your language proficiency exams (such as the IELTS, TOEFL, and TestDaF) and your academic eligibility exams (like the GRE, GMAT, and others). Give yourself a little more time if you believe you might need to retake an exam in order to achieve higher scores. In order to be ready for the German Master’s programme intakes, this phase should be finished by April or June for the winter intake and by August or September for the summer intake.

Conclusion

In Germany, the majority of schools start taking applications for undergraduate and graduate programmes during the winter intake. This is because, unlike other study-abroad destinations, the education system in Germany prioritises winter intake. There are numerous advantages to applying on time, like better chances of admission, scholarship opportunities, and looking for German courses so that your stay in Germany is smooth. Before moving on, double-check all application deadlines, ensure that your paperwork is in order, and take an English proficiency test like the IELTS. Should you find yourself stuck in your journey, contact Admissify! We have the best team of experienced counsellors who particularly excel in sending young, enthusiastic students to Germany. Given the fact that there can be a language barrier and many websites to go through, feel free to seek valuable information on intakes in Germany. 

FAQs for Intakes in Germany

The number of students from abroad are admitted to Germany’s intakes?

Germany has two intakes: winter (September/October) and summer (April). For overseas students studying in Germany, the winter intake is regarded as the main intake. Depending on the course, the winter intake ends in February or March. The majority of courses are offered in the winter, with a small number offered in the summer.

What is Germany’s ideal intake?

While applications to German universities are welcome for both the summer and winter admissions, winter intakes are preferable since they offer a wider selection of universities and programmes.

When is the best time to apply to Germany’s winter intake?

While international students must begin the application procedure at least two months before the commencement of the course, German universities maintain deadlines in July or August for accepting applications. As soon as the application period opens, apply to universities, prepare for appropriate examinations such as the TOEFL and IELTS, and complete SOPs and LORs. The procedure must include an account for the time needed to obtain a German student visa.

Is it mandatory to appear for IELTS to study in Germany? 

While many universities require proof of language proficiency in English, you can also opt for German-taught programs that do not require IELTS. Additionally, if you wish to appear for another English proficiency test, you can check if your desired university accepts tests like TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo.