How to Apply Through Uni-Assist? Complete Step-by-Step Guide for International Students (2025 Updated)

How to apply through Uni-Assist

If you are planning to study in Germany as an international student, one of the most important steps in the admission process is applying through Uni-Assist. More than 180+ German universities use Uni-Assist to evaluate international applications, check eligibility, calculate grades, and verify documents.

This detailed 2500-word guide explains the complete Uni-Assist application process, required documents, VPD, APS, processing fees, timelines, and expert tips to ensure your admission chances increase.

Let’s start with understanding what Uni-Assist actually is.

What Is Uni-Assist?

Uni-Assist (University Application Service for International Students) is a centralised organisation that evaluates international student applications on behalf of German universities.
Its main job is to:

Check whether your foreign academic certificates meet German university standards
Calculate your German-equivalent GPA
Verify authenticity of your documents
Issue VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) if required
Forward eligible applications to the universities you choose

Think of Uni-Assist as a filtering and verification portal. It does NOT give admission. Admission is decided by universities.

⭐ Why Do German Universities Use Uni-Assist?

International students come from thousands of education systems. Universities use Uni-Assist because:

It ensures all applications follow the same evaluation method
It reduces workload on universities
It checks for fake or incomplete documents
It helps universities shortlist only eligible students

If your target university is a part of Uni-Assist, you must apply through Uni-Assist; otherwise, your application will not be accepted.

Universities That Require Uni-Assist

Not all universities use Uni-Assist.
Generally:

Technical universities (TU)
Universities of Applied Sciences (FH)
Popular public universities

…require Uni-Assist.

Each university website clearly mentions: “Application via Uni-Assist.”

Uni-Assist Application Process (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

Here is the full process explained in detail:

Step 1: Check Whether Your University Requires Uni-Assist

Visit the university website → Admission → International Students → Application Process.

If it says:

“Apply via Uni-Assist”
“Applications are processed through Uni-Assist”
“Submit through Uni-Assist portal”

→ You must apply through Uni-Assist.

If not, you apply directly to the university.

Step 2: Check Admission Requirements

Every university has its own:

Eligibility
Language requirements
Documents
GPA requirement
Deadlines
Whether VPD is needed

Common requirements include:

For Bachelor:

12th grade equivalent
APS certificate (India, Vietnam, China)
Language certificate (A2–C1 depending on program)

For Master:

Bachelor degree (min. 3–4 years)
Transcript
Medium of Instruction or IELTS/TOEFL
CV, SOP
APS (if applicable)

Step 3: Create Your Uni-Assist Account

Visit the Uni-Assist portal and register using:

Email
Password
Personal details
Educational details

Once your account is active, you can choose your target universities and programs.

Step 4: Fill Out the Online Application

Inside your account, fill these sections carefully:

Personal information
Educational qualifications
School-leaving certificate
Bachelor/Master details
Language certificates
Work experience
Statement of purpose (upload PDF)

Make sure spelling and dates match your documents.

Step 5: Upload All Required Documents (PDF Format)

Uni-Assist accepts PDF files only.
Common documents include:

For Bachelor Applicants

Passport
10th & 12th mark sheets
School leaving certificate
APS certificate
English or German language certificate
CV
Passport photo
Motivation letter (if required)

For Master Applicants

Passport
Bachelor degree certificate
Transcript
APS certificate (if required)
Medium of Instruction or IELTS/TOEFL
CV
SOP
Experience certificates (if required)

Important Notes:

Some universities require notarised copies
Some accept only digital uploads
APS is mandatory for Indian students (except very few cases)

Karnataka Arm Sports Association — Portrait of three serious students studying in library. Young Caucasian man working with papers and two women reading textbook. Education concept

Step 6: Pay the Uni-Assist Fee

Uni-Assist is NOT free.

Fees:

€75 → First university application
€30 → Each additional university

Payment methods:

Credit/debit card
Bank transfer
PayPal

Uni-Assist starts processing ONLY after your payment is confirmed.

Step 7: Send Hard Copies (Only If Required)

Many universities now accept online-only applications.
But some require sending hard copies of:

APS
Academic transcripts
Degree certificates
Uni-Assist summary printout

Always check your chosen university’s requirement.

Step 8: Uni-Assist Processing Time

Uni-Assist takes:

4–6 weeks (normal season)
6–8 weeks (peak admission months)

They will:

Verify your documents
Check your eligibility
Calculate your GPA
Forward your application to the university

Your application will show statuses like:

“Received”
“In Review”
“Processing”
“Evaluation Complete”

Step 9: Receive VPD (If Required)

Some universities require a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation).
This is an official document from Uni-Assist summarizing:

Whether you are eligible
Your German GPA
Your educational background

You must upload this VPD to the university portal.

Step 10: University Makes the Final Decision

Uni-Assist only evaluates.
The final admission decision is made by the university based on:

Your academic performance
Language skills
SOP
Program competition
Seat availability

If accepted, you will receive an Offer Letter / Admission Letter directly from the university.

Step 11: Apply for German Student Visa

Once you get the admission letter:

Open a Blocked Account
Buy Health Insurance
Book Visa Appointment
Submit APS, proof of funds, admission letter, passport, etc.

Timeline for Applying Through Uni-Assist

Intake	Best Time to Apply	Deadline
Summer (April)	October–January	15 January (mostly)
Winter (October)	March–June	15 July (mostly)

Early application gives higher chances because:

Processing takes time
Some programs close early
VISA delays can happen

Documents Format Accepted by Uni-Assist

PDF only
Max 10 MB per document
Clear, readable scans
All pages included
English or German translations

Uni-Assist rejects blurry or incomplete files.

Common Reasons Uni-Assist Rejects Applications

Missing APS (India, China, Vietnam)
Incomplete documents
Wrong format
Late application
Low GPA
Not following university-specific rules
Missing translations
Fake or manipulated documents

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Admission

✔ Apply early

Uni-Assist takes time; early submission means fast processing.

✔ Upload perfect documents

Clear, complete and organised files get processed faster.

✔ Use correct language certificates

Check whether your university accepts MOI or needs IELTS/TOEFL.

✔ Prepare strong SOP

German universities highly value motivation letters.

✔ Apply to multiple universities

Uni-Assist makes it easy to apply to 5–10 universities simultaneously.

✔ Double-check deadlines

Every course has a different deadline.

Advantages of Uni-Assist

Apply to multiple universities from one portal
Standardised document evaluation
Transparent application process
Secure document verification
Saves time for universities and students

Disadvantages of Uni-Assist

Processing fee is high
Long waiting time
Not all universities use it
Some documents must be notarised
You must upload and check everything correctly

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Uni-Assist mandatory for all universities?

No. Only for universities that are members of Uni-Assist.

2. How long does Uni-Assist take to process?

Usually 4–6 weeks.

3. Can I apply to multiple universities?

Yes. First application costs €75; additional applications cost €30 each.

4. What is a VPD?

A document issued by Uni-Assist that verifies your eligibility and German GPA.

5. Do Indian students need APS?

Yes, APS certificate is mandatory for almost all German universities.

6. Should I send hard copies to Uni-Assist?

Only if your university requires it.

7. Can Uni-Assist guarantee admission?

No. Only universities make the final decision.

8. Can I edit my application after submitting?

No. You can only upload missing documents, but cannot change main form details.

Conclusion

Applying through Uni-Assist is one of the most important steps for international students aiming to study in Germany. The process can feel complicated, but if you follow all steps carefully—choosing universities, preparing documents, uploading correct files, paying fees, and applying early—you can significantly increase your chances of securing admission.

Germany offers world-class education with low or zero tuition fees, and Uni-Assist is the gateway for thousands of international students to enter German universities every year.How to Apply Through Uni-Assist? Complete Step-by-Step Guide for International Students (2025 Updated)