What is APS Certificate?
The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate is mandatory for Indian students applying to German universities. It verifies the authenticity of your academic qualifications and determines equivalency with the German education system.
Under the 2026 India-EU Mobility Pact, the APS process has been streamlined with additional interview centers and faster processing times for Indian applicants.
Who Needs APS?
- All Indian nationals applying to German universities for Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD programs
- Students from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Vietnam and other listed countries
- Not required for: Exchange programs under 2 semesters, DAAD scholarship holders (separate verification), Studienkolleg applicants in some states
APS Interview Tips
- Know your subjects — Prepare for questions about your major subjects from all semesters
- Bring originals — Carry all original documents to the interview
- Practice in English/German — Interview can be in either language
- Be honest — If you don't know an answer, say so rather than guessing
- Typical duration — 15-20 minutes with a subject expert
FAQ
You get a maximum of 3 attempts. If you fail the first interview, you can re-apply after 3 months. The re-attempt fee is ₹9,000. After 3 failures, you cannot apply again.
Yes! Once issued, the APS certificate is accepted by all German universities — public and private. It is valid for life and does not expire. You can apply to multiple universities with the same certificate.
Yes, you can apply in your final year. Submit marksheets up to the latest available semester. Once you receive your final degree, you'll need to submit it to APS for updated verification.
Typically 3-5 months from registration to certificate. Document verification takes 4-6 weeks, interview is scheduled 2-4 weeks after, and the certificate arrives 2-4 weeks post-interview.