Upcoming Intakes in Germany 2023

Before applying to German universities, it is necessary to know about the various intakes in Germany when you can apply for various courses. Intakes are a major deciding factor when selecting a course and university. Not all intakes are offered at all universities and neither all the courses are available in all the intakes. Therefore, it is crucial to know all about the various intakes in Germany.

Each academic year is divided into two semesters. Notably, there are two intakes in Germany and they are summer intake and winter intake. The summer intake in Germany begins in March-April and the winter intake begins in September-October in Germany. There are some private universities that offer an additional intake during May-June. In this article, we will go through a detailed discussion on the intakes in Germany and the nitty-gritty about it. 

Overview of Intakes in Germany

As mentioned, there are two major intakes in Germany and deciding which intake is best totally depends on the students’ wish to graduate and the availability of the programme. So before beginning the application process check out the important highlights and get a comparative analysis between the two intakes.

Simplify your study abroad journey from drafting SOP, LOR and CV to applying for universities. 

Intakes in Germany for International Students

International students generally prefer STEM courses in Germany and MBA in Germany. These courses are offered in both winter and summer intakes. Academically speaking both intakes have equal importance in terms of weightage. The winter intake is the primary intake while the summer intake is the secondary one. Various undergraduate and postgraduate courses are offered during this period. Here are two important intakes in Germany for Indian students:

Winter Intake

The main intake for all universities is winter intake in Germany. All the top German universities offer students all the courses during this intake. The application deadline for winter intake in Germany is mid-July for most universities. As it is the primary intake, the universities receive lakhs of applications during this time.

Both the German-taught and English-taught bachelor's and master's courses have similar deadlines. International students must take the initiative to start their research at least a year before the intended intake.

Summer Intake

The second intake is the summer intake in Germany and is primarily for those who have missed the winter intake. During this time, there are very limited options available for the students and is not much preferred. The course curriculum and assessment structure is the same as it is during the winter intake in Germany. 

The campus is less lively during this time. Students must note that the last application deadline for the summer intake is around January 15. The individual universities and courses may have different deadlines. 

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Application Timeline for Intakes in Germany

Aspiring students may go through the following timeline to ensure that all the processes, beginning from application to receiving the offer letter and finally getting the German student visa are completed within time. Also, they must take the standardised tests and language proficiency tests in time to complete the application process. Here is a detailed application timeline for intakes in Germany:

Step-By-Step Guide to Study in Germany 2023

To study for summer and winter intakes 2023 in Germany, students must undergo several steps starting from researching the intake, course and university. Then they must follow several other steps to study the two major intakes. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to studying in Germany:

Step 1: Start Research

Begin looking for German courses and programmes, then a university that offers a winter intake there. Students should list the universities that best suit their needs in light of their career objectives and opportunities. They must find out about the costs and the specific universities. Before deciding to apply, conducting extensive research on all the factors is necessary.

When they decide on a list of universities in Germany to apply to, they must go to their website and look for the application deadlines. It is very important to mind the deadlines for intakes in Germany.

Step 2: Take Standardised Tests 

There will be some common prerequisites for admission at German universities in addition to the deadlines. It could be an admission exam like the GMAT exam or GRE exam, or a language test like the Duolingo, PTE, TOEFL, or IELTS.

The exam results typically take some time to come in, and they might need to retake the tests if their scores fall short of the requirements for admission. So account must be taken for the time required for studying, taking the exam once, and taking it again, as well as the outcomes.

Step 3: Start the Application Process to Universities

Once they have chosen the university for the intakes in Germany, the application procedure begins. Also, it is necessary to begin the documentation process and get the extra requirements, including the LOR and SOP, ready. Students must write them so that they are promoted favourably and established as a strong applicant for admission.

The application deadline should be one month out from the start of this process. So they must start working on their SOP, and ask teachers, professors managers and instructors for letters of recommendation.

Step 4: Recieve Acceptance Letters and Attend Interviews

Students will hear from the university regarding the status of their applications. As soon as they make their decision, reply with their confirmation. The German universities will occasionally conduct personal or video interviews if necessary. Students should not wait until the due dates to respond. One must confirm as soon as they can that they can attend the course. 

After they get back to the university, they can be requested to pay confirmation fees. Also, it is necessary to pay the fees before the due date because the payment of the fees also has a deadline.

Step 5: German Student Visa Application 

An acceptance letter from the relevant university will be sent to students once they have been accepted. One must start the German visa application process as soon as one obtains the acceptance letter. Students must be aware that this could take some time so begin at least three months before the trip.

Additionally, setting up financial affairs is important. If necessary, submit a student loan application on schedule. They should look for the deadlines of any study abroad scholarships they are interested in. For the visa application, they will need to demonstrate all of this as cash funds.

Step 6: Tickets and Departure

In Germany, the autumn intakes begin in September or October. Arriving in Germany one month before that is advised. Also, consider the accommodation alternatives as well. Before the flight, students must make sure they have all the required paperwork together. Also, it is crucial to make a pre-departure list and arrange for an overseas debit or credit card to ensure that everything is taken care of.

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Factors to Consider While Choosing the Intakes in Germany

Several factors influence the decisions of students to choose the right intake in Germany to study. While choosing between winter intake in Germany and summer intake in Germany, students must consider the following elements and factors while doing so:

• Check the intake season that is provided for the programme and course you are targeting.

• Check the acceptance rate for the programmes during the intakes.

• Before you submit the application forms, you must check the application deadlines.

• Prepare all application documents such as SOP, LOR, academic transcripts, etc. 

• Check accommodation options, ticket availability and the visa waiting period before applying for the intakes.

Thus, as students now know about all the intakes in Germany, they must consider planning their bachelor's or master's programmes in the country as soon as possible. Also, there is no hard and fast rule for choosing the intake. Students can choose the best that works for them. Both are equally good. Winter intake is the best as all courses are available while in summer intake there is less competition. So choose the intake and courses as per your preference.

Our study abroad experts help students in choosing the best courses to study in Germany in winter and summer intake!