Winter Intake at German Universities – The What, When and Why

The winter intake

The primary intake in Germany is the winter intake which starts in September/October and runs till February/March. Most students who study a Masters in Germany apply for the winter intake.

Applications for the winter intake open in May in the year of study. Applications usually close around 15 July, but this might differ depending on your university. You must check your university’s website so you don’t miss anything.

The winter intake application timeline

Even though applications to German universities are straightforward, it is important that you have certain milestones to hit throughout the year to help you stay on top of your application. We have a rough outline of how you should go about preparing and applying for the winter intake at German universities. This can vary depending on your university and your own circumstances (like if you need a visa or are applying for external funding).

Step #1 – December of the year before you want to start – Begin your research

Although applications won’t be open for another six to eight months, it is a good idea to start your search early. That way you’re not rushing and have time to visit the university (or book onto an online open day), chat with students and get to know the academic staff. No matter what you want to study, there is a top-ranked German university to meet your needs.

Step #2 – January/February – Get supporting documents ready

Once you’ve shortlisted courses and institutions, you can start getting together the documents you need for your application. You’ll usually find this information in the course listing, and they vary depending on the university. You can expect to have a language test result for either English or German depending on what language your course is taught in (as you don’t need to learn German to study in Germany!)

This is also a good time to get your personal statements and references ready. You will need those for your university applications and maybe also when applying for funding. It’s good to give your referees plenty of time to get this to you so you’re not stressing before the deadline.

Step #3 – March/April – Search for funding options

With almost no tuition fee, Germany is popular as an affordable study abroad option. However, you must take living costs into consideration when you’re planning your budget. Even though some cities are cheaper than the others, national estimates suggest that a student needs €867 a month in living costs. You might want to apply for funding to help cover these.

Depending on what funding option you choose, you might be able to apply for it at this stage, or you might have to wait for a confirmation from your university.

Step #4 – May/June/July – Apply to your chosen university!

The application window will be open by this time and if you’ve already been through all the above steps, you have everything you need to start applying. You can apply directly to your university or in some cases through a centralised portal like Uni-Assist.

You’ll usually start hearing back from the universities you have applied to in August or September.

Step #5 – August/September – Apply for your student visa and find accommodation

Depending on the stage your university applications are at, you can apply for two different kinds of visas. If you have not received confirmation from your university yet, you can apply for a prospective student visa. If you have received an acceptance letter you can go ahead and apply for a full student visa which will then need to be converted to a residence permit.

Once you’ve received confirmation from your university, you must also start looking for accommodation and you should aim at having it finalised before you fly.

Step #6 – September – Get ready to fly

Winter intake lectures usually begin around September/October so it is a good idea to fly with a few days to spare so you can get acquainted with the new place and its culture.

Applications for the winter intake 2025/26 will open in summer 2025 so it is still not too late if you decide to study in Germany this year. You can read our comprehensive guides on German Masters applications, courses and visas for more information.

Why should you study in Germany in the winter intake?

The winter intake is more popular among students and most of the top-ranking universities offer more courses in this period. Here are some other reasons a winter intake might be a good choice for you.

• Class sizes and acceptance rates are higher due to the overall high demand during this time of the year.
• There are more opportunities to get a campus or part-time job in September as it is the start of the academic year.
• If you’re interested in extra-curriculars, the winter intake will also have more opportunities for you to join clubs and organisations within and outside your university

Decided in favour of applying for the winter intake?

Take a look at the 400+ Masters courses in Germany on our website.