Germany has two main intakes, the winter semester and the summer semester, and the one you aim for decides which tests, documents and deadlines apply. For Indian master's applicants, 2026 also brought a new test, the dMAT, which affects some intakes and not others. This guide sets out the intakes, the typical deadlines and how to plan backwards, checked on 23 October 2026. Where a figure comes from a guide or from our own video, we say so.
- Most German public universities use a winter semester intake starting in the autumn and a summer semester intake starting in spring
- One guide gives 15 July and 15 January as common application deadlines, but each university sets its own, and some master's rounds close months earlier
- According to our video, the dMAT test applies to affected degrees from the summer 2027 intake, and winter 2026-27 applicants are exempt.
What Are the Winter and Summer Semester Intakes in Germany?
The winter semester starts in the autumn, usually October, and is the main intake with the most courses. The summer semester starts in spring, usually April, and offers fewer programmes. Not every course admits in both. Check each programme page on the university site and on DAAD for its start date and deadline.
Because the winter semester is the main intake, it also has the most applicants. A summer start suits students who missed the winter deadline or need more time for tests and documents, but check that your course is offered. Many master's courses are only offered in the winter.
What Are the Typical Application Deadlines?
One guide gives 15 July for the winter semester and 15 January for the summer semester at most public universities. Individual universities set their own windows, and international master's rounds often close earlier. For example, one university reported 15 July for winter 2024-25 but a master's round for international applicants closing on 31 March.
| Germany intakes 2026-27 | Typical start | Typical deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Winter semester | October | Often 15 July, but many master's rounds close earlier |
| Summer semester | April | Often 15 January, but some close in November or December |
| DAAD scholarships | Varies by programme | Set separately from university deadlines |
These deadlines are patterns, not rules, and they come from guides and university pages, not one official list. A literature programme at a Munich university, for instance, said its deadlines usually fall in May or June for winter and in November or December for summer. Always check the programme page and apply a few weeks early. DAAD scholarship deadlines are separate from the university ones.
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Choose the winter semester if you want the widest course choice and have time to finish your APS certificate and tests. Choose the summer semester only if your course starts then and you need extra preparation time. Plan from the date you can realistically complete the APS, the English test and the dMAT, if you need it.
For Indian applicants the order of steps matters more than the season. The APS verification takes time, and any extra test adds to it. Counting backwards from the deadline shows you whether the next intake is realistic. If it is not, aim for the following one rather than rushing incomplete documents.
How Does the dMAT Affect Your Intake?
In our video, our coach says the dMAT, introduced by APS India on 29 June 2026, applies to affected master's degrees from the summer 2027 intake, while winter 2026-27 applicants are exempt. It costs about 150 euros. There is no minimum score. Check the APS India FAQ to see whether your degree is affected.
The video says you need the dMAT if you are applying for a master's, your Indian degree is in engineering, commerce, economics or business, you are targeting summer 2027 or later, and you register for APS on or after 29 June 2026. Registering for the test early matters, because a missed registration deadline can push your intake back by months.
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APS India verifies the education credentials of Indian applicants for German universities, and it sits before your application. Our video puts the APS registration fee at around 18,000 rupees. Start it early, because you cannot submit a complete application without it. Check the APS India website for the current fee and processing time.
Our coach describes the sequence for an affected master's applicant as checking that your university is on the right category list, registering for APS, booking the dMAT, taking it, and sending the dMAT certificate in the same envelope as the APS documents. Follow the current APS India instructions, because steps can change.
What Documents Do You Need for a German Application?
Typical documents include your passport, transcripts and degree certificates, the APS certificate for Indian applicants, an English test result, a CV, a motivation letter and references where required. Requirements differ by programme, so use the checklist on each programme page and on the uni-assist site if the university uses it.
Some universities apply directly and others use uni-assist, so check which route yours uses. Certified copies and translations can take time, so order them early. Name your files exactly as the application portal asks, because small mistakes can delay processing.
Ask your referees for letters well before the deadline, and keep your motivation letter specific to each programme. Admissions teams in Germany read for your academic fit with the course, so mention modules, research groups or projects you are interested in.
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Start from the deadline and work back: APS and any dMAT, English test, documents, application, admission, blocked account, and the visa appointment. Leave a buffer at each step. A single missing document can push you to the next intake. Make a dated checklist, and update it as you complete each step.
Do not leave the blocked account and the visa to the end. You need an admission letter before you can apply for the visa, and visa appointments can be limited. Our blocked account guide explains the amount and how to open one.
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