Planning to study in Germany? If the answer is yes, then it is very essential to understand everything about German Intakes, the universities which offer courses in each intake and the programs available. This article draws your attention towards all the necessary details regarding major intakes in Germany and which intake to choose while planning your study in Germany.
Germany is one of the most sought-after destinations for abroad education not only because of the quality of education but also because of its affordable academic structure. Most of the public universities in Germany offer free or low-cost tuition, even for international students which is the biggest advantage of studying in Germany.
How many intakes are there in Germany?
German Universities primarily have two Intakes for international students: Winter Intake and Summer Intake. Winter Intake is the most popular one with a broader range of courses, while summer intake accepts fewer applications as limited universities participate in this intake. However, each intake has its own pros and cons, application timelines and courses offered. Germany intake months are October (Winter Intake) and April (Summer intake)
|
Feature of Intakes in Germany |
Winter Intake |
Summer Intake |
|
Type of Intake |
Major |
Minor |
|
Classes Start |
September- October |
April- May |
|
Other Name |
Primary Intake/ October Intake/ Fall intake in Germany |
Secondary Intake/ March Intake in Germany/ Spring intake in Germany |
Best intakes in Germany
The best intake for Germany for international students is the Winter intake, as most of the courses are offered, and many universities accept applications during this period. However, there are various factors to be considered when choosing the best intake, such as course availability, application deadlines, and university preferences.
Winter intake in Germany:
Winter intake in Germany is the major and primary intake. It is favored by most of the students because of various reasons such as bulk intake and wider course choices. The application channels open during October – November of the previous year and the deadline is usually in the month of February of the same year.
Winter/October intake in Germany Application Timelines:
|
Month |
Task Deadline
|
|
September- November ( Previous year) |
Reasearch Universities, understand the courses available and the test requirements ( ELP tests or German language tests) |
|
December - January |
Take appropriate ELP tests such as IELTS/ TOEFL/ GRE) |
|
January- March |
Fill out your application, gather all necessary documents such as LORs and SOPs. |
|
April- June |
Submit your application via university portals or Uni Assist. Check out specific deadlines for each university. |
|
June - August |
Promptly check your email as most universities send the admission letters during this time. |
|
July- September |
Apply for Visa. |
|
September |
Make travel arrangements to fly to Germany |
|
October |
Winter Intake classes commence |
Benefits & Drawbacks of Winter/Fall intake in Germany:
Benefits:
-
Extensive Course availability: Winter Intake is highly recommended because of extensive course availability as all top universities offer admissions during this period.
-
Higher acceptance rate: Winter intake is beneficial because most of the universities participate in admission process and there is a higher chance of getting admission in this intake..
- Alignment with Indian calendar: Winter intake aligns well with Indian academic calendar, thus helping most of the undergraduate students to get admission in German universities Seamlessly.
Drawbacks:
-
Higher competition: Considering the popularity of this intake, many students internationally apply for admission during this. Hence There is a fierce competition during this intake.
- Longer Wait Times: Since universities receive many applications for this intake, there is a slightly longer wait. When compared to summer intake.
University list for Winter Intake in Germany:
Top German universities offer admissions during the Winter Intake. Here are some notable institutions:
-
Technical University of Munich (TUM): Renowned for engineering and technology programs.
-
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU): Offers a wide range of disciplines with a strong research focus.
-
University of Heidelberg: Germany's oldest university, known for humanities and medical programs.
-
RWTH Aachen University: Specializes in engineering and technology courses.
- University of Freiburg: Offers diverse programs with an emphasis on research and innovation.
Summer Intake in Germany:
Among the Germany intakes for international students summer intake is less popular with limited number of courses. The Summer intake classes begin roughly in the month of March, and hence it is also called spring intake in Germany. This intake is especially appropriate for those students who have missed the Winter intake of Germany.
|
Month |
Task Deadline
|
|
June- July ( Prev year) |
Reasearch Universities, understand the courses available and the test requirements ( ELP tests or German language tests) |
|
July- August |
Take appropriate ELP tests such as IELTS/ TOEFL/ GRE) |
|
August- October |
Fill out your application, gather all necessary documents such as LORs and SOPs. |
|
September- December |
Submit your application via university portals or Uni Assist. Check out specific deadlines for each university. |
|
January- February |
Promptly check your email as most universities send the admission letters during this time. |
|
February- March |
Apply for Visa. |
|
March-April |
Make travel arrangements to fly to Germany |
|
April |
classes commence |
Benefits & Drawbacks of Summer intake in Germany:
Benfits:
Among study intakes in Germany summer intake is secondary intake with fewer applications. Here are some advantages of this intake
- Summer Intake has Fewer applicants, which means, there is relatively lesser competition than winter intake. So students can easily get admission in summer intake when compared to Winter intake in Germany.
- Considering low student traffic, the visa processing is faster as embassy receives lesser number of applications.
- Some exclusive Master’s programs in fields like engineering, business, data science, and environmental studies are available for students. Hence considering appropriate Germany intakes for bachelors and masters should involve thorough research.
- If students have missed application deadline for Winter intake, this intake serves as a great opportunity to get admission. Also, if the students need more time for ELP tests or visa arrival, summer intake can be a boon.
Drawbacks:
Limited course availability is a major issue for Summer intake. Many popular courses especially in public universities are available in Winter intake.
Also, many scholarships and financial aids in Germany are aligned with the winter intake, thus reducing funding options for students.
University Intakes in Germany for Summer:
While not all universities offer Summer Intake programs, some top public universities that do include:
|
University |
Courses Available for Summer Intake |
|
Technical University of Munich (TUM) |
Engineering, Management |
|
RWTH Aachen University |
Science, Technology, Engineering |
|
University of Stuttgart |
Environmental Studies, Engineering |
|
University of Freiburg |
Natural Sciences, Humanities |
|
University of Mannheim |
Business, Economics |
|
University of Kassel |
Sustainability Studies, Social Sciences |
|
Leibniz University Hannover |
Engineering, Physics |
|
University of Hamburg |
Data Science, International Studies |
|
Humboldt University of Berlin |
Social Sciences, Natural Sciences |
Conclusion:
Choosing the right intake is crucial for a smooth academic journey in Germany. While the Winter intake offers a wider range of courses, higher acceptance rates, and better scholarship opportunities, the Summer intake provides a great alternative with lower competition and faster processing times. Each intake has its own advantages and limitations, so it's essential to assess your academic goals, preferred course, university deadlines, and visa timelines before making a decision. With proper planning and timely application, studying in Germany can open doors to world-class education, cultural diversity, and excellent career prospects for international students.
Intakes in Other Countries:
- Intakes in New Zealand
- Intakes in US
- Intakes in Australia
- Intakes in Canada
- Intakes in UK
- Intakes in Ireland
FAQs: Intakes in Germany 2025
Q. How many intakes in Germany are available for Interational students?
A. There are mainly two intakes in Germany - Winter (Primary) and Summer (Secondary).
Q. Which intake is best for Germany?
A. The Winter Intake is the best intake in Germany because of extensive course availability as all top universities offer admissions during this period.
Q. When is summer intake in Germany?
A. Germany university intake of Summer semester starts in April and runs until September.
Q. Is IELTS required for Germany?
A. Yes, IELTS is often required for studying in Germany.
Q. When is Winter Intake in Germany?
A. Winter Intake in Germany universities takes place from October and runs until March.
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