APS certificate for Germany – guide for international students | Germany for Students

If you want to study in Germany and come from certain countries, you may need an APS certificate. This document confirms that your academic documents have been checked and are valid for studying in Germany.

For many international students, the APS certificate is a mandatory step before applying to German universities and before applying for a student visa.

In this guide we explain:

what the APS certificate is
who needs it
how the APS process works
which documents are required
how long processing takes

What is the APS certificate?

APS stands for Akademische Prüfstelle.

The APS is an institution of the German embassy in certain countries and checks the academic documents of international students.

The APS certificate confirms:

the authenticity of your academic documents
your higher education entrance qualification
your study qualification for Germany

Only after this check can you apply to many German universities.

Who needs an APS certificate?

The APS process currently applies mainly to students from:

China
India
Vietnam
Mongolia

Students from these countries often have to present the APS certificate in order to:

apply to universities
apply for a student visa

If you are unsure whether you need an APS certificate, check first:

➡️ Documents for studying in Germany

Why is the APS certificate necessary?

Germany checks academic documents very carefully.

The APS system was introduced to:

avoid forged documents
reduce the burden on universities
process visa applications more quickly

With an APS certificate, universities and authorities immediately know:

your documents are genuine
your qualification is recognised

When do you need the APS certificate?

You usually need the APS certificate before applying to universities.

Typical sequence:

apply for the APS certificate
apply to universities
receive admission
apply for a student visa

Which documents are required for the APS certificate?

The exact requirements can vary slightly by country.

Typical documents are:

Academic documents

school leaving certificate
university certificates (if available)
transcript / grade overview

Personal documents

passport
CV
application form

Further documents

language certificates
passport photos
proof of payment of the APS fee

All documents usually have to be submitted:

certified
translated
complete

How does the APS process work?

The procedure usually follows these steps.

Step 1: online registration

You register on the website of the responsible APS office.

There you create your applicant profile and upload documents.

Step 2: submit documents

You send your documents to the APS by post or online.

The APS checks:

authenticity
academic qualification
eligibility to study

Step 3: interview or test (if required)

In some cases you additionally have to:

attend an interview
complete an academic test

This is used to confirm your academic knowledge.

Step 4: receive the APS certificate

After a successful check you receive your APS certificate.

You can then use this document for:

university applications
visa applications

How long does APS processing take?

Processing times can vary a lot.

Typical periods:

3 to 6 weeks
in some cases up to 2 months

During the main application period it can take longer.

That is why you should start the APS process as early as possible.

How much does the APS certificate cost?

Fees differ by country.

Typical price:

150 – 300 euros

The fee covers:

checking documents
administrative processing
issuing the certificate

The fee is usually non-refundable.

What happens after the APS certificate?

After you have received your APS certificate, you can begin the next step:

Common problems with the APS application

Many students have difficulties with the APS process.

The most common problems are:

Incomplete documents

Missing or incorrect documents delay processing considerably.

Incorrect translations

Documents often have to be officially translated.

Applying too late

If you apply for APS too late, you can miss application deadlines.

Tips for a successful APS application

Start early

Ideally 6–12 months before your studies begin.

Prepare documents

Keep all academic documents ready:

certificates
grade lists
translations

Observe application deadlines

Universities have fixed deadlines:

15 July (winter semester)
15 January (summer semester)

Conclusion

The APS certificate is an important step on the path to studying in Germany for many international students.

The process confirms:

your academic qualification
the authenticity of your documents
your eligibility to study

If you start early and prepare all documents, you can complete the APS process without problems.

After that you can apply to German universities and begin your studies in Germany.

Plan your studies in Germany

The path to studying in Germany includes many steps:

APS certificate
university application
student visa
blocked account
health insurance
enrolment

Germany for Students helps you plan all steps in an organised way and keep an overview.

Start planning your studies now.

APS certificate for Germany – guide for international students