< Study in Germany guide

What is APS certification?

All about APS certificate: the new requirement for students applying to higher education in Germany.

January 4, 2024

Are you an Indian student looking to study in Germany? Look no further! CareerSky has all the information you need to begin your journey.

What is the APS?

  • The APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) is located at the German Embassy in New Delhi.
  • It assesses Indian academic documents and issues an APS certificate as proof of their authenticity.
  • The APS certificate is necessary to apply for a student visa and enrol in many German universities.

Is the APS certificate required for Indian students?

Yes, it is required for most Indian students. Exceptions: students funded by Germany or EU-based scholarships, Ph.D. students whose supervisor does not require the APS, and students with international certificates from schools or universities.

How do I apply for the APS certificate?

  1. Register online at www.aps-india.de and print and sign the completed application form.
  2. Transfer the APS procedure fee of 18,000 INR to the APS bank account (non-refundable).
  3. Submit the required documents, including the printed and signed application form, via courier or in person at the reception desk of the APS India.
  4. The APS will verify your documents, and if complete, will update your online profile with the verification outcome and send you five original APS certificates via courier.

Successful applicants may then apply for a student visa through VFS (for more information, visit the Visum für Deutschland website).

What documents are needed for the APS application?

  • Printed and signed application form with passport size photo (taken within the past 6 months)
  • Copy of APS fee transfer receipt
  • Copy of Aadhaar card with linked mobile number
  • Copies of passport (first and last pages)
  • Copy of Class XII marksheet and certificate
  • Copy of Class XII admit card (if available)
  • Copies of marksheets from all semesters
  • Copy of bachelor's degree (not older than 1 year). If the degree has not yet been issued, a provisional certificate issued by the college will be accepted.
  • Copy of master's degree and transcripts (if applicable)
  • Copies of language certificates in German and/or English (if applicable)
Apply for the APS certificate soon as possible! The process of obtaining the APS certificate, getting a visa appointment, and obtaining a visa can take up to 4 months. Starting November 2022, all visa appointments will require the APS certificate.

Will I need to be interviewed for the APS?

Some Indian students still pursuing their bachelor's degree at an Indian university may get a call as part of the APS verification process. It's not like a job interview, you are only asked information needed for verifying documents.

FAQs

Photo by Rohit Farmer on Unsplash

I haven't graduate yet, can I apply for the APS certificate?

Yes you can apply for APS evaluation with your mark sheets up to the pre-final year. Students have applied using transcripts till 7th semester and received the certificate with no problems.

What if I miss the APS verification call?

No worry. APS will call you again within the next couple of days for verification. To avoid missing the call due to spam blockers, save the APS number as a contact on the phone.

Do I need TOEFL/IELTS exam score card for applying APS?

No, it is optional. You can apply for APS without it and then later mail them your test scores when you get them.

I attended an exchange program at a foreign university - what should I know?

  • Grades and credits earned at the host university during the exchange program should be recognized by the Indian university
  • If credits are entered into the mark sheets for the corresponding semester, provide proof of the exchange program duration, host university name, recognition of academic achievements by the Indian university, and a conversion table for grades/credits. Also provide the course content of the exchange program as recognized by the Indian university and mark sheets with grades/credits earned.
  • If credits are not entered into the transcripts, provide proof of the exchange program duration, host university name, and recognition of academic achievements by the Indian university. Explain the reason

What if I attended a polytechnic or vocational training center?

If you attended a recognized polytechnic or vocational training center, submit your mark sheets and final degree/certificate/diploma along with the APS application form. Please note that these certificates/diplomas alone are not considered equivalent to a bachelor's study program at any recognized Indian university.

What if my documents are not in English?

If your documents are not in English, you must attach a notarized English translation of the document. Documents that are already in English do not need to be notarized.

What language tests are recognized during the visa application process?

You must provide proof of your language ability in the language of instruction required for your desired study course or preparatory course in Germany. Without a preparatory course, this means you must provide a language test certificate. The following tests are recognized:

German: TestDaF, DSH, Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD)

English: TOEFL, IELTS

Note that some universities may have additional language requirements.

I have more specific questions about my APS application - what should I do?

There may be specific details about your particular APS application that are not addressed by the generic information available on the internet. In these cases, you can join our student community on discord or reach out to CareerSky for further assistance. We are here to help you navigate the process of studying in Germany and will do our best to answer your questions.

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