Anyone applying to study in Germany with foreign high school or college transcripts often encounters uni-assist. The Office for Academic Affairs and Services reviews international academic credentials and application materials for many German universities. Depending on the university, different procedures may apply—in particular, the standard procedure and the procedure involving Preliminary Review Documentation (VPD).
Quick Answer: When applying through uni-assist, you should first check whether uni-assist is responsible for your preferred university and degree program and which application process applies. After that, upload all required documents to My assist. Foreign-language transcripts must generally also be provided in German or English, unless an officially issued German or English version is available or specific country-specific guidelines apply. If you receive a VPD, you must also apply directly to the university yourself within the application deadline after receiving the VPD.
What is uni-assist?
uni-assist reviews international applications for admission on behalf of numerous German universities.
In this process, uni-assist can, among other things, verify:
- what educational credentials are available,
- whether the documents were submitted in full,
- how foreign educational credentials are evaluated for the purpose of admission to German higher education institutions,
- how foreign grades are converted into the German grading system and
- whether the formal requirements of the respective institution of higher education have been met.
Important: uni-assist does not decide on final admission to a degree program. This decision is made by the respective institution of higher education.
Does every international application have to go through uni-assist?
No.
Not every German university works with uni-assist for all applications.
Even within the same institution of higher education, different procedures may apply—for example, depending on:
- Bachelor's or Master's,
- Degree program,
- Country of origin,
- Type of educational degree or
- Semester of application.
That is why you should always check the website of your preferred college before preparing an application.
What application processes does uni-assist offer?
It is particularly important to distinguish between the standard uni-assist process and the VPD process.
Standard Procedure
In the standard process, you submit your application in My Assist.
uni-assist will then review your application and the academic transcripts you have submitted.
If the review is positive and the relevant requirements are met, the application will be forwarded electronically to the desired college or university.
The university then decides whether to admit the applicant.
VPD Process
When using the method with Preliminary Audit Documentation—VPD for short The process is different.
uni-assist reviews certain components of your academic records and then issues a VPD.
With this VPD, you must then directly through the college itself apply.
Therefore, in the VPD process, simply submitting an application to uni-assist does not constitute a complete application for admission to the university.
What is a VPD from uni-assist?
VPD stands for Preliminary Review Documentation.
The VPD contains, in particular, information regarding:
- which transcripts were submitted to uni-assist,
- how these reports were evaluated,
- which college admission options this makes possible, and
- how the foreign grade is converted in the German grading system.
The VPD is therefore a document that records the prior review of international educational credentials for certain institutions of higher education.
Does a VPD count as approval?
No.
A VPD is neither a letter of admission nor does it guarantee a spot in a program.
Once you have received the VPD, you must submit your actual application in accordance with the guidelines of the college of your choice.
The university then reviews additional admission requirements and decides whether to grant admission.
How do I apply for a VPD?
If the college of your choice requires a VPD, submit an application for that college in My assist.
If the VPD procedure is intended for this institution, the corresponding application will be processed as a VPD application.
Once the review is complete, uni-assist will make the VPD available in your My assist Account.
You will be notified as soon as the document is available in your account's inbox.
Does the VPD apply to every college or university?
uni-assist prepares the VPD specifically for each university.
Therefore, one should not assume that a VPD issued for University A can automatically be used for University B.
If multiple universities require a VPD, the respective application requirements must be reviewed separately.
How long is a VPD valid?
According to the latest information from uni-assist, a VPD that has been issued Valid for one year.
It is not tied to the semester selected when the application was submitted in My Assist.
Nevertheless, you should check whether it can be used for a specific future application based on the current requirements of the university in question.
How long does a VPD take at uni-assist?
uni-assist generally estimates a processing time of approximately four to six weeks, after the online application has been submitted.
When dealing with a VPD, it is especially important to allow for enough extra time.
This is because, once you receive the VPD, you generally still need to apply directly to the college within the application deadline.
An application for a VPD should therefore be filed as early as possible.
uni-assist Application: Step by Step
The basic application process can be broken down into several steps.
1. Check the university's admission requirements
First, check the website of the college or university of your choice:
- whether uni-assist is responsible for your application,
- which degree program is offered,
- What is the application deadline?,
- what language skills are required,
- what educational credentials are required and
- whether the standard procedure or the VPD procedure applies.
2. Review country-specific information
For certain countries of origin, there are additional requirements regarding educational documents.
Depending on the educational system, additional documentation may be required, for example:
- College entrance exam,
- Time spent studying at a college or university,
- special certificates,
- Grade summaries or
- Additional country-specific documents.
For this reason, the country-specific information provided by uni-assist should always be taken into account as well.
3. Gather all the necessary documents
The documents required depend on the degree program and educational background.
These often include:
- High school diploma,
- Subject and Grade Overview,
- a bachelor's degree, if applicable,
- Transcript of Records,
- Diploma Supplement, if applicable,
- Proof of previous periods of study,
- Language certificates and
- any other documents required by the university.
4. Review translations
Documents that were not officially issued in German or English generally require an additional German or English translation when submitted to uni-assist.
The documents in their original language must still be uploaded as well.
5. Create a My Assist account
The online application is submitted via My Assist managed.
There, you can select your study preferences, create applications, and upload documents.
Please use only one My Assist account for applications.
6. Submit an online application
To apply for the programs you are interested in, please complete the corresponding online applications.
Please check the following especially carefully:
- College,
- Degree program,
- Type of degree,
- Semester and
- Procedure.
7. Upload the required documents
Applications submitted through uni-assist are always submitted digitally.
The required documents are uploaded via My Assist.
The scans should be complete and clearly legible.
8. Meet the processing requirements
Next, follow the steps displayed in My Assist to process your application.
The processing time does not begin until uni-assist has received the corresponding online application.
9. Track status in My Assist
After submission, you can track the processing status in your account.
The test results are also made available through My Assist.
10. If you have a VPD, apply directly to the college as well
If you receive a VPD, the application process does not end with uni-assist.
You must submit the VPD, along with the documents required by the university, directly to the university by the university's deadline.
What documents does uni-assist need?
There is no single list of required documents that is the same for all applications.
The documents required depend, in particular, on:
- Country of origin,
- High school diploma,
- previous studies,
- Bachelor's or Master's application,
- Preferred college and
- desired degree program.
For many applications, however, high school diplomas and transcripts of completed coursework—including a complete list of courses and grades—are among the essential documents.
What documents do I need for a bachelor's degree application?
When applying for an international bachelor's degree program, the following may be required, for example:
- High school diploma,
- Complete overview of courses and grades,
- if applicable, proof of having passed a college entrance exam,
- if applicable, proof of university coursework already completed,
- Proof of German or English proficiency and
- Other documents specific to a particular state or degree program.
The educational path that leads to college admission depends on the student's country of origin.
What documents do I need to apply for a master's program?
For master's degree applications, the focus is primarily on the applicant's previous college studies.
Depending on the college or university, the following may be required, for example:
- Bachelor's degree certificate or diploma,
- Transcript of Records,
- Subject and Grade Overview,
- Diploma Supplement,
- Language certificates,
- Resume,
- Letter of Motivation,
- Proof of internships or work experience, or
- Additional proof of professional qualifications.
Additional documents depend on the specific master's program.
Do transcripts need to be translated for uni-assist?
In general, uni-assist requires the following documents:
- in the original language and
- with an additional translation into German or English.
This also applies to subject and grade reports.
If the educational documents are already officially issued in German or English by the issuing school or university, no additional translation is generally required under the general standards.
The relevant country-specific guidelines must still be followed.
Who is authorized to translate documents for uni-assist?
In accordance with its general standards, 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.
In accordance with its general standards, uni-assist does not accept translations from a simple translation agency that lacks the appropriate authorization.
In addition, specific country-specific guidelines may apply.
Is the German translation alone sufficient for uni-assist?
No.
The translation does not replace the document in the original language.
Therefore, for a report card written in a foreign language, both:
- the complete original document or a scan of it, as well as
- the complete, accepted translation
be uploaded.
Does an English report card still need to be translated into German?
Not automatically.
If the document was officially issued in English by the issuing institution, no additional German translation is required under the general uni-assist rules.
The same generally applies to documents officially issued in Germany.
Any differing country-specific guidelines or university requirements should also be reviewed.
Do I need to upload the back of a report card?
If there is relevant information on the back, that should also be uploaded in its entirety.
The following are often found there:
- Notation systems,
- Rating scales,
- Stamp,
- Certification notes,
- Signatures or
- Additional official information.
The same applies to a translation request: All relevant pages should be provided in their entirety.
How early should I apply to uni-assist?
uni-assist currently recommends applying as early as possible and at least eight weeks before the application deadline to apply.
This may leave you with enough time to submit any missing documents.
It is important to note that the exact application deadline is set by the respective college or university.
Therefore, there is no universal uni-assist deadline that applies to every degree program and every university.
How long does it take for uni-assist to process an application?
uni-assist generally states that the processing time is usually about four to six weeks as of the date the online application is received.
The actual processing time may vary depending on the volume of applications and the origin of the educational credentials.
That's why you shouldn't wait until just before the application deadline.
Can I submit missing documents to uni-assist at a later date?
Yes—as long as the application deadline hasn't passed yet.
Missing documents can be uploaded via My Assist.
Documents submitted later will be reviewed again.
It should be kept in mind that processing documents submitted later also takes time.
Can I still upload documents after the application deadline has passed?
As a general rule, all required documents must be submitted by the end of the respective application deadline.
If any required documents are missing after the deadline has passed, uni-assist will not be able to forward the application.
With the VPD process, there is also the risk that the VPD will no longer be available in time for direct application to the college.
What happens if my application is incomplete?
After the exam, uni-assist will post the exam results in My assist.
If the application is incomplete, the system will indicate which documents are missing.
As long as the application period is still open, any missing documents may be submitted at a later date.
Once the deadline has passed, it is generally no longer possible to make corrections to the application in question.
Common Mistakes in the uni-assist Application
Many problems arise not from the evaluation of the degree itself, but from avoidable mistakes made while preparing the application.
Mistake 1: Waiting too long to start the application process
Anyone who waits until just a few days before the deadline has hardly any time to obtain missing documents, translations, or a required VPD.
uni-assist therefore recommends submitting your application at least eight weeks before the deadline.
Mistake 2: Confusing the VPD with a completed college application
A VPD is not an admission decision and does not replace a direct application to the university.
After receiving the VPD, the actual college application must still be submitted by the deadline.
Mistake 3: Uploading only the translation
A German or English translation does not replace the original foreign-language document for uni-assist.
Both versions must be submitted in full, in accordance with the guidelines.
Mistake 4: Using a translation that was not accepted
A translation provided by a regular translation agency without the appropriate authorization may not be sufficient under the general uni-assist standards.
Therefore, before placing an order, you should check which type of translation is accepted.
Mistake 5: Forgetting to review your courses and grades
It's not just the diploma that matters.
Complete lists of courses and grades are also often required for evaluation purposes.
Mistake 6: Do not upload labeled backsides
Grading scales, stamps, and other relevant information may be printed on the back of a document.
These pages should also be submitted in their entirety.
Mistake 7: Not checking country-specific information
Depending on your country of origin, additional documents may be required.
Therefore, if you rely solely on a general list of documents, you may overlook important country-specific supporting documents.
Mistake 8: Using the Wrong Application Process
Not every university uses the same uni-assist application process.
In particular, please check whether:
- the standard procedure,
- a VPD,
- an additional application submitted directly to the college, or
- another procedure
that applies to your specific program of study.
Error 9: Creating Multiple My Assist Accounts
uni-assist strongly recommends using only one My assist account.
Multiple registrations may cause problems with your application.
Mistake 10: Thinking that uni-assist decides on admission
uni-assist reviews international application materials for universities.
However, the final decision on admission is made by the university.
Can I apply to multiple universities through uni-assist?
Yes, provided that the respective universities and degree programs are processed through uni-assist.
The document section in My Assist is shared across multiple applications.
Therefore, documents generally do not need to be uploaded again for each application.
However, each college or university—or each degree program—may have additional requirements.
Do I need new translations for each job application?
Not necessarily.
If the same complete educational documents and translations are relevant for multiple uni-assist applications, the documents already uploaded to My assist can generally be made available for those applications.
However, you should check whether a particular college requires additional documents or a different copy.
What does the status in My Assist mean?
Applicants can track the status of their application through My Assist.
After the exam, they will receive their test results there.
This determines, for example, whether:
- the application is complete,
- Documents are missing,
- the application can be forwarded to the university, or
- a VPD was provided.
However, the respective college or university is responsible for questions regarding the actual admission process.
I received a VPD—what should I do now?
Once you receive the VPD, you should not simply wait for a registration notice.
Please check your university's application guidelines immediately.
Generally, you must:
- Download the VPD from My Assist,
- open the university's application portal,
- select the desired degree program,
- upload the VPD and other required documents, and
- Submit your college application before the deadline.
Only then is the VPD process fully integrated with the actual college application.
Have school transcripts certified and translated for uni-assist
If you need an accepted translation of your educational documents, StartDE can arrange for professional translations or—depending on the requirements—certified translations.
Typical documents include:
- High school diplomas,
- High school diplomas or secondary school transcripts,
- Bachelor's degrees,
- Master's degrees,
- Diplomas,
- Transcript of Records,
- Diploma Supplements,
- Subject and Grade Summaries,
- Certificates of Enrollment and
- Additional educational credentials.
You can submit your translation request through our website Interpreting & Translation Services at StartDE place.
What should I send for the translation request?
- Complete and clearly legible scans of all documents
- all labeled front and back sides
- Source language
- Desired target language
- Note: Enter „uni-assist“ as the payment description
- if applicable, country-specific information or university guidelines
- Desired completion date
- For non-Latin scripts, the spelling of the name as it appears in the passport, if applicable
Express Translation for a uni-assist Application
As the application deadline approaches, you may need a translation done quickly.
Depending on the 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.
Specific availability should be confirmed for each order.
Important: A quick translation does not extend the application deadline set by uni-assist or the university. Therefore, you should prepare your documents as early as possible.
Translation as a PDF for My Assist
Once the translation is complete, a PDF version or a scan of the translation can be provided initially.
Since the uni-assist application is generally submitted digitally, having the appropriate digital documents ready to upload to My assist can be helpful.
Whether the university later requests an additional copy depends on its own guidelines.
Received a physical copy via DHL
Upon request, a hard copy of a translation can also be provided 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.
Checklist Before Submitting Your uni-assist Application
- Is uni-assist responsible for my degree program?
- Does the standard procedure apply, or does the VPD apply?
- Have I checked the university's application deadline?
- Have I read the country-specific information?
- Are my transcripts complete?
- Are there subject and grade overviews available?
- Have all relevant front and back pages been uploaded?
- Are the necessary translations available?
- Have I uploaded the original text and the translation?
- Are language certificates and other program-specific documents available?
- Has the online application been submitted in full?
- Have I allowed enough time in the VPD process to apply to college afterward?
Conclusion: With uni-assist, preparation is key
A successful uni-assist application doesn't begin with the upload of documents.
First, you should find out which application process the university of your choice uses, what documents are required, and whether there are any specific country-specific requirements.
Under the standard procedure, uni-assist can forward an application that has passed the preliminary review to the university. Under the VPD procedure, however, applicants must submit the actual application to the university themselves within the specified deadline after receiving the preliminary review documentation.
Problems can often be avoided by submitting complete transcripts, using accepted translations, uploading both the original language version and the translation together, and taking application deadlines into account well in advance.
Do you need a professional or certified translation of your transcripts for uni-assist? Please submit your complete documents to StartDE, along with the source language, target language, and desired completion date, via our website Professional Translations at StartDE.
Official Information About uni-assist
Frequently Asked Questions About the uni-assist Application
What does uni-assist do when you apply to college?
uni-assist reviews international application materials and academic transcripts on behalf of many German universities. Under the standard procedure, an application that has been approved is then forwarded electronically to the university. The university makes the final decision on admission. uni-assist.de
What is a VPD from uni-assist?
The preliminary review documentation includes, among other things, the submitted transcripts, their evaluation, and the conversion of the grades to the German grading system. Applicants then use the VPD to apply directly to the university. uni-assist.de
Does the VPD already count as admission to a degree program?
No. The VPD is not a letter of admission. Once you receive it, you must apply directly to the university in accordance with its guidelines and deadlines. uni-assist.de
How long does VPD last?
uni-assist generally estimates a processing time of four to six weeks for the VPD application. The VPD should therefore be submitted as early as possible. uni-assist.de
How long is the VPD valid?
According to the latest information from uni-assist, the VPD is valid for one year. uni-assist.de
Do I need a translation of my transcripts for uni-assist?
If your transcripts were not officially issued in German or English, uni-assist generally requires a German or English translation in addition to the original language. Country-specific guidelines may contain special rules. uni-assist.de
Can I submit any missing documents later?
Yes, before the application deadline. After the deadline, all required documents must already have been submitted. uni-assist.de
How early should I apply to uni-assist?
uni-assist currently recommends submitting an application at least eight weeks before the respective application deadline. uni-assist.de
