Germany is one of the popular countries for pursuing higher education abroad due to affordable tuition fees, top-ranking universities, wide range of courses, and a growing job market. The major intakes in Germany consist of summer (April to September) and winter (October to March) for international students.
Admission Intakes In Germany for International Students 2024 Moreover, after shortlisting the preferred universities in Germany, the candidate can know about Germany intake for submitting the admission application on the website itself. However, to be precise there are only two intakes in Germany.
One is the winter intake in Germany and the other is the summer intake. You must be aware of the courses that are being offered at which German institutions and for which intake in order to study in Germany. Read the article to learn about intakes in Germany.
Intakes in Germany
What are the intakes in Germany? There are two admission intakes in Germany - summer (April) and winter (September/October). One of the primary admission intakes in Germany for masters is the winter intake in Germany which starts in September/October and ends in February/March.
During this time, students get a lot of options in terms of courses and universities that offer this intake. Most universities' application deadline for the winter or September intake falls in mid-July.
In case you have missed applying for the winter intake, you can always cover up in the summer intake in Germany but with fewer options. The summer or April intake ends in July/August. For most universities, the application closes for the summer intake in mid-January.
Winter Intake in Germany
Winter Germany intakes start in September/October and lasts till February/March. Below is the breakdown of this German intake at various periods that is useful for students applying to German universities.
Winter intake in German universities
- Depending on the deadlines of Germany intakes, prospective students can start preparing various documents 1 year before the intake start date.
- Take English Language proficiency tests at least two months before the intakes in Germany deadlines for the Winter semester.
- Apply for Germany Student Visa at least 3 months before as German student visa processing time can be from 25 days to 3 months.
Summer Intake in Germany
Summer intake starts in April and lasts till July/August. Deadlines for this German intake usually happen in mid-January giving a chance to students who miss winter intakes. However, very few universities and courses in Germany consider summer intakes.
Summer Intake in German Universities
University in Germany | Summer Deadlines for Masters
|
Technical University of Munich | May 19 |
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | January 15 |
Universität Heidelberg | October 1-November 15 |
Freie Universität Berlin | January 15 (Only UG programmes) |
RWTH Aachen University | January 15 |
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- Prospective students must start preparing for Summer intake admissions in August/September itself.
- Take ELP tests along with applying for a German student visa 3 months before the course start date.
Steps to Apply for Germany Intake
International candidates can apply for the Germany intakes by following the procedure mentioned below.
Start your research
Start your research immediately as the first thing you need to accomplish. Look for universities and programme in Germany that fit your educational background and professional objectives. Make a short list of the colleges that look like a good fit for you, and learn about things like their application fees and deadlines.
Know your application deadline
Discover the application deadlines for the summer and winter intakes in Germany for Masters by visiting the institutions' websites.
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Take your tests
Start taking language proficiency tests like the IELTS, TOEFL, TestDaF, or TELC in addition to academic eligibility exams like the GRE, GMAT, and others. Keep some extra time on hand in case you decide to repeat a test in order to get better results.
To prepare for the intakes in Germany for Masters, this phase should be carried out between April and June for the winter intake in Germany 2024 and between August and September for the summer intake.
Submit your applications
The next step is to begin submitting applications to the programmes and universities of your choice. At least a month before the university of your choice's application deadline, you should begin the application process. You will be required to submit extra papers, such as your SOP, essays, résumé, and LORs, in addition to your transcripts, academic credentials, and test results.
Make sure these materials are prepared and accurately reflect your personality. Complete your application after thoroughly researching any additional criteria on the university website. To prepare for the intakes in Germany, this procedure will happen between May and June for the winter intake and between October and December for the summer intake.
Acceptance letters
The acceptance letters and interviews from the colleges that picked you are the next steps in the application process. The universities in Germany will contact you with the findings and await your response. Confirm as soon as you can without holding off. The university may in some circumstances additionally need a face-to-face interview.
On occasion, you could also be required to pay confirmation fees, some of which have due dates. Don't wait to react if you want to be considered for this German intake. For the winter intake in Germany, this stage must be finished between July and August, and for the summer intake, between December and January.
German student visa application/fund arrangements
Start the application procedure for your German visa with this phase. In fact, get started on your visa application as soon as you receive your acceptance letter from your preferred German university. Obtaining a visa takes time. Therefore, allow at least three months before your travel date to complete this visa process.
Additionally, this refers to your fund arrangement. Scholarships, student loans, and other financial aid should be arranged now. These particulars are necessary for the visa application process. For the winter admission, the visa and funding arrangements should be made between August and September, and for the summer intake in Germany, it should be between January and February.
Pre-departure checklist/accommodation in Germany
It's finally time for you to expand your wings and take off. Start setting up your travel plans in this stage, including your lodging and other items on your pre-departure checklist. Have all required documentation, such as international credit/debit cards, in one location. In the big picture, finding housing in Germany is also a critical step.
Therefore, get started right now so that you may settle in as soon as you get to Germany and save the trouble of searching for lodging when you do. To prepare for the intakes in Germany i.e., for the winter intake, this stage should be completed in September, and for the summer intake, between March and April.
Intakes in Germany for Masters
Most universities in Germany only offer Winter admissions for Masters programs. There are very few universities that offer Germany intake 2024 for summer admissions to master programs. However, the admission intakes in Germany 2024 for masters varies from course to course. Students must check the availability of each preferred course separately.
Students who miss winter intakes may consider applying to January deadlines for Summer intake. Acceptance rate differs for different intakes. Important consideration must be given for obtaining German student visa before the course start date. Otherwise, they may miss a semester. Usually, it is advised to apply for a visa at least 3 months before a course date to accommodate any delays.
Which intake is best for international students in Germany?
Winter intake is generally considered better for international students who wish to study in Germany. However, which intake is best for international students is dependent on multiple factors including the availability of the universities, courses, academic plans, and personal priorities of the students.
The winter intake in Germany offers a wider range of programmes and universities. The rate of competition for international students is generally lower in comparison to the summer intake in Germany. Also, admission in winter allows a smoother transition and adjustments for international students compared to the summer intake. However, there are some institutions and courses that have specific deadlines for various courses.