Short answer: Many German universities receive applications from international applicants through uni-assist, which checks foreign certificates for equivalence and reviews the individual admission requirements of the target university. Processing fees are based on actual costs according to uni-assist, and its profile page does not state a fixed sum. Current amounts and deadlines are published by uni-assist and by your university. Last updated: November 2026.
If you want to study at a German university from abroad, you often do not apply to the university directly. Instead, your application goes through a review service. Many universities route applications from international applicants through uni-assist, while others use their own application portal. The application page of your chosen degree programme tells you which route applies to you.
The most important points at a glance
- uni-assist reviews foreign school and university certificates for their equivalence with the German education system and also checks the individual access requirements of the target university.
- According to uni-assist, processing fees are based on actual costs. The website does not name a fixed sum per application.
- According to uni-assist, payment requests are issued only through its online portal.
- uni-assist warns against commercial agencies that claim to be connected with it.
- Each university sets its own deadlines and admission rules for its programmes.
- This guide is written for international applicants. Applications from German school leavers follow a different process, described in Bewerbung Wintersemester 2027/28: Fristen, Unterlagen und Ablauf.
How does the application through uni-assist work?
On its profile page, uni-assist describes itself as a working and service centre for international study applications. Its core task is the assessment of foreign school and university certificates. It also checks whether applicants meet the individual access requirements of the university. Applicants who apply to several universities can submit their documents centrally. The steps below show the typical sequence. The portal of uni-assist shows the exact order.
- Choose your degree programme and check on the university website whether the application is handled through uni-assist.
- Create an account in the online portal and upload the required certificates. Keep certified translations ready if they are requested. For details, see Zeugnisse übersetzen lassen: Beglaubigt für die Hochschulbewerbung (in German).
- Pay any payment request only through the uni-assist portal. Payments to third parties are not part of the official procedure.
- Wait for the review result and answer queries about missing documents promptly. The university then decides on admission.
What does the application cost?
The costs consist of several items. According to its profile page, uni-assist is financed through processing fees and membership contributions. The amount of the fee follows the actual costs of processing, as the website states. This guide therefore does not give a figure. The table shows where you can find the relevant information.
| What you want to know | Where you find the information |
|---|---|
| Amount of the processing fee | The fee and price information on uni-assist.de for your application route |
| Possible fees charged by the university | The application page of the university for your degree programme |
| Payment method | Only the online portal of uni-assist, using the payment request of the service provider |
| Validity of the information | The date stated on the provider’s page, which should be checked again before you pay |
For budgeting, treat the payment request as the binding amount. Assumption: you apply through uni-assist to two universities. Plan the fees for both universities separately, because the information published by the universities often differs.
Which deadlines apply to applications from abroad?
The university sets the deadlines. They vary by degree programme, admission procedure and semester. A review takes time before the university can decide. Plan a buffer that covers translations, apostilles and possible requests for additional documents.
Check on the university website whether international applicants have their own deadlines. The information for German applicants does not replace it.
Which documents do you need for the application?
The required proof depends on your country of origin and on the degree programme. An overview of common proofs is given in Hochschulzugang aus dem Ausland: Welche Nachweise gelten (in German). As a rule, the file includes:
- the school leaving certificate or the university certificate that proves access
- a language certificate, depending on the language of instruction, see Sprachnachweis fürs Studium: TestDaF, DSH und Alternativen
- certified translations, if the university requires them
- evidence of recognition of the qualification, if the university asks for it
How do you prepare your documents?
Most delays come from documents rather than from the review itself. A certificate that is only available in the original language, or a translation that is not certified, leads to queries. Starting early gives you time to request originals, have translations made and, where necessary, obtain apostilles.
Create a list of all documents that your programme requires. Note beside each item whether you need the original, a copy or a certified translation. This list is the basis for every application, because requirements differ between universities.
For documents from abroad, it is also worth checking the form of certification. The university page states which form it accepts. The guide Apostille für das Studium: Wann du sie wirklich brauchst (in German) explains when an apostille is required at all.
| Document | Typical question during the review |
|---|---|
| School leaving certificate in original | Is the copy certified and complete? |
| Certified translation | Was it produced by a recognised translator? |
| Language certificate | Does the test and level match the programme? |
| Proof of access qualification | Does it meet the requirements of the university? |
Only the requirements of the university and of the service provider are binding.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have to apply through uni-assist?
No. uni-assist handles applications for a large number of universities, but not for all of them. The decisive information is on the website of your university, which states whether you submit through uni-assist or directly through the university portal.
What does equivalence mean in the review?
Equivalence means that your foreign qualification is comparable to the corresponding German qualification. uni-assist checks this for admission to study. The final decision on access rests with the university.
How do I recognise unreliable intermediaries?
uni-assist expressly warns against commercial agencies that claim to be connected with the service. Pay only through the online portal of the official provider and check the web address before you enter personal data.
Where can I find current amounts?
Price information is published on uni-assist.de and on the application page of your university. Both sources change over time. Always compare the date on the page with the date of your application.
What happens if documents are missing?
The review office usually asks for missing proof. Reply promptly and with complete documents so that the procedure does not take longer. Note any deadlines in the letter, because a late submission can mean that the application is no longer considered.
What to do next
- Note the application deadlines for each programme you are considering, taken directly from the university website.
- Check whether your university uses uni-assist and create your account in the portal.
- Have certificates translated and certified early, before the application is due.
- Budget the fees using the current figures from the provider and plan for each university separately.
- Clarify open questions about the recognition of a foreign school leaving certificate in Ausländisches Abitur anerkennen lassen: Ablauf für das Studium.
Related articles
- Studieren in Deutschland als internationaler Studierender: Der Überblick
- Studienkolleg: Aufnahme, Kosten und Ablauf für Bildungsausländer
- Ausländisches Abitur anerkennen lassen: Ablauf für das Studium
- Visumgebühren für Studierende: Was das Studienvisum kostet
- Hochschulzugang aus dem Ausland: Welche Nachweise gelten (in German)
Sources: uni-assist: profile and tasks, copyright 2026, no update date given
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
