Anyone who has earned a bachelor's degree abroad and subsequently a Master's Degree in Germany Anyone wishing to study must meet several requirements. Key factors include not only the foreign college or university degree itself, but also the recognition or evaluation of the institution that awarded the degree, the academic alignment with the desired master’s program, language proficiency, and the specific admission criteria of the German university.
Quick Answer: To pursue a master’s degree in Germany, you generally need a first university degree in a related field that is equivalent to a German bachelor’s degree. The foreign university must be accredited in accordance with the regulations of the country of origin. In addition, minimum grade requirements, specific coursework, credits, language proficiency, internships, or other prerequisites may apply. For applications submitted through uni-assist, you will need, among other things, your degree certificate, a complete list of courses and grades, and, if necessary, a certified German or English translation.
Can I pursue a master's degree in Germany with a bachelor's degree from another country?
Basically, yes.
A foreign bachelor's degree may qualify you for admission to a German master's program if it meets the requirements of the desired program.
The following questions are particularly important in this regard:
- Is the foreign university accredited?
- Is this degree essentially equivalent to a German bachelor's degree?
- Does my current major align with the master's program I'm interested in?
- Does the degree program meet the minimum academic requirements?
- Is the final grade high enough?
- Are there enough relevant credits or academic achievements?
- Is proof of the required German or English language proficiency provided?
- Have all the required documents been submitted in full?
The final decision is made by the university or the admissions office it has designated.
What are the requirements for a master's degree in Germany?
The requirements vary from college to college and even among individual master's programs at the same college.
Typical requirements include:
- first college degree,
- academic alignment with the desired master's program,
- a certain minimum grade,
- a certain number of relevant credits,
- Knowledge in specific fields,
- Knowledge of German or English,
- professional experience, if applicable,
- an internship, if applicable,
- Cover letter or other application materials and
- Meeting the application deadline.
For this reason, there is no single general admission requirement that applies to all master's programs in Germany.
Does a foreign bachelor's degree have to be equivalent to a German bachelor's degree?
For a master's program application, the first college degree must generally provide a sufficient academic foundation for further study.
uni-assist notes that the degree must be equivalent to a German bachelor's degree.
Depending on the desired master's program, applicants may be required, for example, to have completed a degree that is equivalent to a German bachelor's degree in terms of duration or academic scope.
The specific requirements are determined by the university.
Does my bachelor's degree have to be in the same field as my master's degree?
Not necessarily in exactly the same subject, but often in one a related or relevant field of study.
For example, a master's program may require that students have already completed certain foundational courses during their bachelor's degree.
Depending on the subject, these may include:
- Mathematics,
- Statistics,
- Computer Science,
- Economics,
- Engineering,
- Natural Sciences,
- Methodology or
- other subject-specific modules.
That is why transcripts of records, course descriptions, and the Diploma Supplement can be particularly important when applying for a master's program.
Who decides whether my foreign bachelor's degree is sufficient for a master's program?
The final admission criteria are determined by the respective German university.
For applications submitted through uni-assist, uni-assist can verify the foreign academic credentials on behalf of the university.
However, the final decision on admission to the master's program rests with the university.
A general statement such as „My bachelor’s degree is recognized in Germany“ therefore does not automatically mean that it is sufficient for every master’s program.
What role does ANABIN play in a bachelor's degree program abroad?
The Database anabin The Central Office for Foreign Education can provide important initial guidance.
There, you can find information on, among other things:
- foreign universities,
- their status,
- foreign college degrees and
- their place in the German education system
find.
uni-assist also refers to anabin for the verification of foreign universities and first university degrees.
However, the information from anabin does not replace the program-specific admission decision made by the German university.
What does "H+" mean in "anabin"?
For foreign universities, Anabin uses status information.
A status H+ This generally indicates that the institution is recognized as a higher education institution in its country of origin and is listed accordingly in anabin.
For other status indications, a more detailed review may be necessary.
However, when applying for a master's program, it is not just the institution that matters. The specific degree you hold and the requirements of the master's program you are interested in must also be taken into account.
Do I need a ZAB transcript evaluation for a master's program application?
Not automatically.
A ZAB transcript evaluation and admission to a German master's program are two separate processes.
For a standard master's program application, the university—or, if applicable, uni-assist—will verify whether the foreign university degree meets the necessary requirements.
A separate ZAB transcript evaluation should therefore only be requested if it is actually needed or required for a specific purpose.
What documents do you need to apply for a master's program?
The specific list of documents is determined by the respective university.
For international master's program applications, the following may be required in particular:
- Bachelor's degree certificate or diploma,
- Transcript of Records,
- Complete overview of courses and grades,
- Diploma Supplement,
- the official musical notation system of the former university,
- school diploma, if applicable,
- if applicable, proof of having passed a college entrance exam,
- German or English language certificate,
- Resume,
- Letter of Motivation,
- Internship certificates,
- Employment references or
- Additional program-specific documentation.
It is especially important to thoroughly review the requirements of your chosen university before translating your documents.
What documents does uni-assist require for a master's program?
For master's degree applications, uni-assist generally requires complete documentation of the applicant's previous college or university studies.
These include, in particular:
- Diploma and
- A complete list of courses and grades, or a transcript of records.
Parts of the transcript, such as an existing Diploma Supplement or individual pages, must not be omitted.
Depending on the university, applicants to a master's program may also be required to submit their high school diploma or proof of having passed a university entrance exam.
Why does uni-assist need my university's grading scale?
In order for uni-assist to evaluate a foreign final grade or convert it to the German grading system, information about the official grading scale of the foreign institution is required.
The grading scale is often already included on the transcript of records or another university document.
If this is not the case, uni-assist accepts, for example:
- a link to the university's official website with information about the grading scale, or
- an official PDF document from the university, such as one from the examination regulations.
According to uni-assist guidelines, a reference to Wikipedia or Anabin does not replace the university's official grading system.
Will my foreign grades be converted by uni-assist?
As part of the application review process, uni-assist can convert a foreign final grade into the German grading system for further processing.
The translation of your transcripts, however, does not involve any independent academic grade conversion.
A professional translation accurately reproduces the note and the staff as they appear in the original.
Translation and academic evaluation are therefore different processes.
How important is the transcript of records for a master's program application?
The transcript of records is often one of the most important documents in a master's program application.
Among other things, it shows the university:
- which modules have been completed,
- what grades were earned,
- how many credits were earned and
- what the academic focus of the bachelor's program was.
This allows the university to assess whether students have sufficient relevant subject knowledge, particularly in the case of consecutive master's programs.
Why can the Diploma Supplement be important?
A Diploma Supplement provides additional information about a foreign higher education degree.
These include, for example:
- Level of qualification,
- Structure of the degree program,
- Duration of study,
- Course Content,
- Status of the degree and
- Information about the higher education system.
uni-assist requires that any relevant parts of academic transcripts, such as a Diploma Supplement, not be omitted.
Do I need to submit course descriptions for the master's program?
That depends on the degree program.
Some colleges and universities can determine from the transcript of records alone whether the bachelor's degree is a good fit in terms of academic subject matter.
Other master's programs require additional module descriptions, for example, to verify:
- what content was taught,
- what learning outcomes were achieved,
- What was the amount of work involved?,
- what types of exams were used and
- what academic level the modules correspond to.
Since module handbooks can be very extensive, they should not be translated in their entirety as a precautionary measure before the university has confirmed the required scope.
How many ECTS credits do I need for a master's degree?
There is no single ECTS credit value that applies to every master's program in Germany.
Each institution determines the scope and academic content required of the prior degree program.
For example, a master's program may require a certain number of credits in mathematics, computer science, economics, statistics, or other fields.
Therefore, it is not only the total number of credits that matters, but also how they are distributed across subjects.
What happens if my foreign bachelor's degree doesn't have ECTS credits?
Many foreign higher education systems use different credit systems.
That doesn't automatically mean that applying for a master's program is impossible.
The university or uni-assist can evaluate the submitted academic credentials based on the respective educational system.
It is therefore important to have complete documentation regarding:
- Duration of study,
- Modules,
- Scope of the study,
- Exam performance,
- Credits, or scope of work, and
- Conclusion.
A translation should accurately reflect existing foreign credits and should not invent its own ECTS conversion.
Do I need to know German to pursue a master's degree in Germany?
That depends on the language of instruction for the master's program.
For German-language master's programs, applicants are generally required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in German.
The university stipulates:
- what language proficiency level is required,
- which language certificates are accepted and
- by when the proof must be submitted.
In contrast, for English-language master's programs, proficiency in English may be a key requirement.
Do I need to know German for an English-language master's program?
For a master's program taught entirely in English, the university may require little or no knowledge of German for admission.
Instead, for example, proof of English proficiency may be required.
However, the specific requirements vary from one degree program to another.
For this reason, you should always check the language requirements directly with the master's program you are interested in.
Can I apply before I finish my bachelor's degree?
At some universities, it is already possible to apply for a master's program even if you have not yet fully completed your bachelor's degree.
However, that is not true everywhere.
If a preliminary application is accepted, a certificate from the applicant's previous institution may be required, for example, regarding:
- the upcoming completion,
- the coursework already completed and
- the current or preliminary grade, if applicable.
uni-assist expressly points out that not all universities accept applications with provisional transcripts.
What does „related bachelor’s degree“ mean?
Many master's programs are structured as consecutive programs.
This means that, in terms of subject matter, they build upon a specific bachelor's degree program or a comparable college degree.
A master's degree in computer science, for example, may require certain prior knowledge in computer science and mathematics.
A master's degree in economics, on the other hand, may require minimum coursework in areas such as:
- Business Administration,
- Economics,
- Statistics or
- quantitative methods
require.
The university determines whether a foreign bachelor's degree is academically sufficient based on the requirements of the respective master's program.
Can I switch to a different master's program if I have a bachelor's degree in a different field?
In a way, yes.
What matters is not just the name of the bachelor's degree, but the specific coursework that was actually completed.
A transfer may be possible, for example, if the student has earned enough relevant modules and credits.
Conversely, a master's degree may be rejected even if the degree title sounds similar, if important academic prerequisites are missing.
The transcript of records and, if applicable, course descriptions are therefore particularly important.
What is the minimum grade required for the master's program?
Some master's degree programs require a specific minimum grade.
The specific limit is determined by the respective institution of higher education.
In the case of foreign degrees, it may be necessary to determine how the foreign grade should be classified for the purposes of the German admissions process.
For this reason, you should not simply convert your own foreign grade into a German grade yourself.
Should I apply directly to the university or through uni-assist?
That depends on the university you're interested in and the specific master's program.
For example, the following options are available:
- Apply directly to the college,
- Application via uni-assist,
- VPD process through uni-assist, followed by an application to the university, or
- another procedure established by the university.
Important: Just because a university works with uni-assist does not automatically mean that all of its master's programs are processed through uni-assist.
What is a VPD in the context of a master's program application?
Some colleges and universities require a Preliminary Review Documentation – VPD From uni-assist.
In this process, uni-assist first reviews the academic credentials and issues the VPD.
Applicants must then submit their actual application to the university themselves by the deadline.
A VPD is not a notice of approval.
What translations does uni-assist require for a master's program?
According to the general uni-assist standards, academic transcripts must be uploaded in their original language and, in addition, with a German or English translation if no officially issued German or English version that meets the requirements is available.
This applies in particular to the subject and grade overview.
In addition, the relevant country-specific guidelines must be reviewed.
Who is authorized to translate transcripts for uni-assist?
uni-assist accepts translations, in particular of:
- Individuals or institutions authorized to provide certified or court-approved translations, or
- an authorized department at the issuing school or college.
Translations provided by ordinary translation agencies that do not have the appropriate authorization will not be accepted under the general uni-assist standards.
Does an English bachelor's degree need to be translated into German?
Not automatically.
If the issuing institution has officially issued the transcript in English, uni-assist generally does not require an additional translation, in accordance with its general standards.
However, country-specific guidelines may include special requirements.
Even a college or university that accepts applications directly may have its own rules regarding the language of the documents.
Is the German translation enough?
Not with uni-assist, as a general rule.
The educational document in its original language must be submitted along with the required translation.
The translation does not replace the original document.
Do the bachelor's degree certificate and transcript need to be translated in full?
If a complete translation is required, all relevant parts of the document should be included.
These may include:
- Name of the university,
- Name of the person,
- Degree program,
- Degree title,
- Modules,
- Grades,
- Credits,
- Staff,
- Stamp texts,
- Signature notes,
- Notes and
- relevant reverse sides.
uni-assist requires that transcripts be submitted in their entirety; therefore, existing parts of transcripts and individual pages should not be omitted.
Do I also need to submit my high school diploma?
That may be necessary.
uni-assist notes that some universities require a high school diploma and, if applicable, proof of having passed a university entrance exam, even for master's degree applications.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that only a bachelor's degree is required.
When are the application deadlines for a master's program?
There is no standard application deadline for master's programs at all German universities.
uni-assist expressly points out that deadlines for master’s programs often end earlier than application deadlines for bachelor’s programs.
The deadline set by the respective university is always the determining factor.
For applications submitted through uni-assist, the online application and all required documents must be fully submitted to My assist by this deadline.
How early should I start preparing my master's application?
If you're applying through uni-assist, it's a good idea to start early.
uni-assist currently recommends submitting the application as soon as possible at least eight weeks before the application deadline to submit.
This may leave time for:
- missing documents,
- Translations,
- Country Information,
- VPD process or
- Additional evidence.
Can I submit any missing documents later?
At uni-assist, missing documents can generally be submitted after the application deadline has passed.
However, documents submitted later will be reviewed again and may result in additional processing time.
By the application deadline, all documents required for the application must be submitted in full.
Common Mistakes When Applying for a Master's Program with a Foreign Bachelor's Degree
- Just check to see if the university is listed in Anabin, but don't read the requirements for the master's program.
- Assume that every foreign bachelor's degree automatically qualifies a student for any master's program.
- Do not check for minimum course credits.
- Submit an incomplete transcript of records.
- Omit the Diploma Supplement or relevant appendices.
- Do not provide the grading scale used by the foreign university.
- Upload only the translation, not the document in the original language.
- Use translations that have not been accepted.
- Do not follow country-specific guidelines.
- Do not confuse the VPD with a completed college application.
- Checking master's deadlines too late.
- Have comprehensive module manuals translated as a precaution, even though only individual modules are needed.
What types of academic documents can StartDE translate?
StartDE can arrange for professional translations—or, if required for the process, certified translations—of various educational documents.
These include, for example:
- Bachelor's degrees,
- Diplomas,
- Transcript of Records,
- Diploma Supplements,
- Subject and Grade Summaries,
- Module descriptions,
- Certificates of Enrollment,
- Internship certificates and
- other academic documents.
You can submit your translation request directly through our website Interpreting & Translation Services at StartDE place.
Express Translation for a Master's Program Application
As application deadlines approach, a last-minute translation may be necessary.
Depending on the specific order, StartDE may consider expedited processing.
Depending on the document, language pair, length, and availability, a The certified translation will be completed the same day.
To ensure a prompt review, please submit the following as soon as possible:
- Complete scans of all documents,
- Source language,
- Desired target language,
- Payment description: „Master’s Application,“,
- any requirements set by the university or by uni-assist, and
- Desired completion date.
Get the translation as a PDF
Once the translation is complete, a PDF version or a scan of the translation can be provided initially.
This can be particularly helpful for online college applications or when uploading files to My Assist.
Whether a physical copy is also required for the next stage of the process depends on the requirements of the university or the admissions office.
Received a physical copy via DHL
Upon request, a hard copy can also be sent via DHL be shipped.
In urgent cases, express delivery may also be an option, depending on the appropriate DHL service.
The actual delivery time depends on the shipping service and the destination address.
Step by Step: Earning a Master's Degree in Germany with a Foreign Bachelor's Degree
- Select the right master's program: Check the academic prerequisites for the degree program.
- Check the foreign university and degree: For example, through Anabin and the requirements of the university of your choice.
- Compare technical requirements: Check the minimum grade, credits, and required modules.
- Clarify language requirements: Check whether German or English is accepted, and which certificates are accepted.
- Determine the application process: Direct application, uni-assist, or VPD?
- Gather all documents: Degree certificate, transcript, Diploma Supplement, and any other supporting documents as needed.
- Provide a staff: If necessary, add the official grading scale from your previous college or university.
- Check translation requirements: Only then should you have the necessary documents translated.
- Submit your application early: Master's degree programs may end earlier.
- Wait for the test results or the university's decision: The university makes the decision regarding admission.
Checklist for Master's Program Applications
- Is my foreign university recognized?
- Is my first degree generally comparable to a German bachelor's degree?
- Does my bachelor's degree align with the master's program I'm interested in?
- Do I meet the required minimum grade?
- Do I have the required major credits?
- Does the university require module descriptions?
- What language skills do I need to demonstrate?
- Is the application submitted directly or through uni-assist?
- Do I need a VPD?
- Is the bachelor's degree certificate complete?
- Is my transcript of records complete?
- Do I have a Diploma Supplement?
- Is the official musical notation system documented?
- Are translations required?
- Have I prepared the original text and the translation?
- Have I reviewed the country-specific information?
- When is the application deadline?
Conclusion: Recognition alone is not enough to earn a master's degree
A foreign bachelor's degree can open the door to a master's program in Germany. However, the decisive factor is not merely whether the foreign university and the degree are generally recognized or comparable.
In addition, each master's program sets its own academic and formal admission requirements. These may include minimum grades, a certain number of credits, specific academic modules, language proficiency, and other supporting documentation.
For applications submitted through uni-assist, the degree certificate, transcript of records, Diploma Supplement, and the university’s grading scale must be fully prepared. Educational documents in foreign languages must be translated into German or English in accordance with the applicable guidelines and, if necessary, certified by a sworn translator.
Do you need a professional or certified translation of your bachelor's degree, transcript of records, or diploma supplement for a master's program application? Please submit your complete documents to StartDE via our website, along with the source language, target language, and intended use. Professional and Certified Translations at StartDE.
Official Information on Master's Program Applications
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's Programs in Germany for Students with a Bachelor's Degree from Abroad
Can I pursue a master's degree in Germany with a foreign bachelor's degree?
Generally speaking, yes, provided that your first college degree meets the requirements of the desired master's program. As a rule, it must be equivalent to a German bachelor's degree and be in a field relevant to the master's program. uni-assist
Does my bachelor's degree have to be in exactly the same field?
Not necessarily. uni-assist refers to a first degree in a related field. The university determines which course content and credits are actually required. uni-assist
How can I check whether my foreign university is accredited?
uni-assist refers users to the anabin information portal of the Central Office for Foreign Education for this purpose. There, users can search for higher education institutions and degrees. uni-assist
What documents does uni-assist need for a master's application?
In particular, a complete set of college transcripts, including a degree certificate and a summary of courses and grades. Any accompanying documents, such as Diploma Supplements and relevant pages, must be included. Some colleges also require a high school diploma or proof of having passed a college entrance exam. uni-assist
Does my bachelor's degree certificate need to be translated?
If a document was not officially issued in German or English, uni-assist generally requires a certified German or English translation in addition to the original language. Country-specific guidelines may contain special rules. uni-assist
Can I apply for a master's program before I finish my bachelor's degree?
At some universities, yes. Not all universities accept provisional transcripts. Depending on the university, you may need to provide a certificate confirming that you are about to graduate and listing the courses you have already completed. uni-assist
Do I need to have my bachelor's degree evaluated by the ZAB beforehand?
Not automatically. Admission to a degree program is subject to the requirements of the university or the application process. A separate ZAB transcript evaluation should only be requested if it is necessary for a specific purpose.
When should I start working on my master's application?
Deadlines for master's programs may end earlier than those for bachelor's programs. uni-assist currently recommends submitting applications at least eight weeks before the respective application deadline. uni-assist
