The Complete uni-assist Guide — Apply Without the Confusion
A clear walkthrough of the uni-assist application process: what it is, which universities use it, what documents are needed, and how to avoid common mistakes.
uni-assist is a joint service center that processes international applications for over 150 German universities. If your educational credentials were issued outside Germany, you will most likely have to deal with uni-assist.
What Exactly Does uni-assist Do?
- Compares and evaluates your documents against the German school/university system
- Verifies whether you meet the entry requirements for the program
- Forwards verified applications to the university and the final admission decision always rests with the university itself
Application Steps
- Create an account on my.uni-assist.de
- Choose your programs: You can apply to multiple universities at the same time
- Upload your documents: Diploma and transcript (with official German or English translation), language certificate, passport, CV
- Pay the application fee
- Track your status—evaluation results typically arrive 4 to 6 weeks later
uni-assist Fees
The processing fees are calculated based on the number of programs you apply to within the same semester:
- First chosen course of study: €75
- Each additional course of study: €30
These handling fees are non-refundable. Note that some German universities cover the application fees for their applicants; if this is the case, you will see a note indicating a €0 fee during selection in your "My assist" portal.
What Is a VPD?
Some universities only require a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) instead of a full application. This means uni-assist only evaluates your documents and issues a VPD certificate, which you then submit directly to the university's own application portal. The university's admission page specifies which method is required.
Golden Tips
Note: Incomplete documents are the most common reason for application rejection at uni-assist.
- Translations must be official and certified
- Apply well ahead of the deadline as the evaluation takes time
- Read the exact requirements for each program on the respective university's page; uni-assist is only an intermediary
