Online admission in German university or Language Institute

           Are you planning to study further in Germany? Or you are looking forward to arrive in Germany to learn German because of some other reasons? 

           Since you are here on admission section, one thing is clear, that you are already clear about "pros" and "cons" of studying in a foreign country or in Germany. So, I am only going to present here straight-to-the-point information about general requirements and procedure for most of German universities or Language Institutes: (In case if you like to read straight-to-the-point "Pros and cons" of studying in Germany", then write me in a comment section, and I will soon write a post regarding the same and drop you the link). 

PS:For doctoral candidates and for postgraduate specialization in Medicine(Click here), the process differs.

First of all, let me make some very important points about German education system clear to you:

• You don't actually need any agent to apply for an admission and a visa. Don't think that the agents have internal contacts with selectors and they provide you an additional benefit in getting accepted for the course. 
• In Germany, there are both government universities and private institutes offering a wide range of courses.
• Whereas almost all the private institutes offer the courses which financed only by the students (In case if you have a scholarship, then it works according to your type of scholarship), none of the government universities charge a tuition fee. This means you will have to pay only for eating, living, pocket money and a semester contribution.
• Semester contribution is about 280 to 320 euros per semester. You can avoid paying it, in this case, you won't be able use a lot of facilities provided to the students. For example: Free of charge travelling in bus and trains in your region, international students identity card, access to uni library books, etc,.
• For getting accepted in German unis and institutes, your higher education entrance qualification must be recognized as equivalent to the German qualification.
• There is a Winter Semester (October - February) and a Summer Semester (April - July).
• In most unis and institutes, the applications for the admission will be accepted on a rolling basis in May-June -July for the following Winter Semester (October - February) & for the following Summer Semester (April - July) will be accepted between November-December-January. So, you have to keep this application window-period in mind if you want to apply timely. For language courses offered by private institutes, there are in general no deadline or specific application periods. You can apply anytime.
• Many courses are offered in both German and the English language.
• You must possess sufficient German language skills for most degree courses offered in German language (can be learned in Germany). 
• You can apply for a course in German language even if you don't have a sufficient knowledge of German language (Many universities accept candidates even with 0 level of previous knowledge of German, while some mandate at least level A1 or A2). In this case you will have to first learn German language, pass a German language exam call Test-DaF and then start studying further. (You can learn German language in the same university where you want to study further, in this case, you will have to apply for the same during your application process.
• Learning a German language in the university costs a tuition fee (On an average 500 euros per level). If your language of instruction is English and you still want to learn German for your personal reasons, you will be taught it for free of cost in the university).
• Very important: While most people say that the students are allowed to work part time on student visa, it is not completely true. If you are arriving to Germany and you are going to learn the German language first, before you start your main course, you are not allowed to work in most of the cities. This rule applies many cities like Bochum, Essen. In these cities, you will get a work permit only after 1 year of your stay in Germany. (In case it takes 1 year to prepare German language).
•  Many universities work with "Uni-assist". In this case you will have to apply through "Uni-assist" website. Rest of the universities work independently and you can apply directly through their website. 
• You can apply simultaneously to many different universities for the same or different courses of you interest. This can increase your chances of being accepted in at least one university.

Having determined to study further in Germany and decided a specific course of your interest, let us now go through the step-by-step process of application:

You will need:

1. Internet
2. Education documents (English or German language. In some cases, scan copies as well)
3. Letter of motivation
4. Notarized copies of your documents
5. Lot of time and patience
6. Bit of a luck ;)

        Step 1. Keep ready the scan copies of all your important education documents translated in English or German language.

        Step 2. Search for the "list of top universities in Germany" on Google search.

        Step 3. Send the copies of your notarized documents via Post.

        Step 4. Wait for your letter of acceptance. 

So, let us now go in more details: (PS: The process of applying for just a language course is more or less the same. In this case, you will need to search for "Language institutes in Germany" in Google Search and apply likewise. Please note that the previous knowledge of German language of at least A1 will increase the chances of your Visa Application being approved)

        

         Step 1. Keep ready the scan copies of all your important education documents translated in English or German language. 

         --> Documents in English language are accepted widely even if your language of instruction is German. Letter of motivation is mandatory. It can be submitted in English language. (Scan copies may not be necessary while applying for some universities. You will always need to send additionally the notarized copies of your education certificates via post/courier)

          

         Step 2. Search for the "list of top universities in Germany" (or a list of unis in your favourite state of Germany) on Google search. 

            --> One such list can be seen here on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Germany#Universities_alphabetically

           --> Go through the websites of individual unis. Read carefully the courses offered, application deadline, the individual course for language requirements and other necessary inforamtion. You can write an email to the International Office directly, in case if you are having any query of any kind. 

           -->  Once everything clear to you, go to the application section and apply for the course giving step-by-step all the information being asked. You will always need to sign up in their website before you can apply. Always note down your logging in details and always give the correct details while filling up the application forms. 

           --> At the end page of the form, you can upload your education documents in .pdf formats, if such a page is available. 

            --> If your language of teaching is German and you don't have sufficient knowledge of German language, you can simultaneously apply for a German language course in the same university. 

            --> In case your university works with Uni-assist, you will need to apply through Uni-assist online portal (www.uni-assist.de).

            Step 3. Send the copies of your notarized documents via Post.

            --> Once you have sent your online application, you can collect the address of the uni form the "Contact us" section of their website and send the notarized copies of your education documents via post/courier. Don't forget to attach a cover letter and a letter of motivation with your documents while sending them via post/courier.

            Step 4. Wait for your letter of acceptance and arrange visa documents. 

             --> Evaluation of applicants begins after the closure of deadline. It may take 1-2 months before the decision is met. University will write you about your acceptance or rejection via email. If you get accepted, pay for you course, if it is a paid one, once you receive an invoice from the uni via email. Feel free to contact the international office of universities anytime if you think your documents may not have arrived to uni or if you simply want to confirm the same. Always remember, that there exists noting like dumb question. More openly you ask, more accurate reply you get. 

             --> Until then, you can start working on the documents required for your visa process and even book an appointment with the embassy if your course is going to begin soon. Because, visa process itself may take about 2-3 months in some case. For more info on visa process, click here

             --> It is also wise to start looking for an accommodation in Germany. Either in a student dormitory in a university, private hostels, pain guest or anything else. Student hostels get fully booked up minimum 3 months before the semester beginning in most of the universities. The same applies for many other sorts of accommodation. For more info on finding an accommodation in Germany, click here

So, that is it. In case if it didn't work this semester, don't lose your hope. It happens to a lot of other brilliant candidates. Simply try again in the next semester :)