Summer Intake in Germany

Germany invites applications from international students every year during two of its main intake seasons - Summer and Winter intakes. 

The summer intake in Germany refers to the cycle of student admissions that generally starts in March or April every year. Since the winter intake in Germany is the primary intake period, the summer intake offers relatively fewer course options to students. 

Nonetheless, it is a golden second chance to enroll for those international students who may have missed the winter intake deadlines. Let us discuss the summer intake in more detail in this blog.

Top 5 German Universities Accepting Applications for Summer Intake

Looking for the best universities in Germany offering summer intakes? To make things simpler for you, we present below the list of the top 5 German universities that are accepting applications from international students for the summer intake 2025:

University	QS World University Rankings 2025
TU Munich	28
RWTH Aachen University	99
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)	102
TU Berlin	147
Technical University of Dresden	234

Application Deadlines for Summer Intake in Germany 2025

Adhering to the timelines defined by various German universities for their summer intake is crucial to avoid the chances of rejection or denial. The table below highlights the key deadlines for summer intake in 2025 for international students:

Highlights of Summer Intake in Germany	Key Details
Intake duration	March/April - September
Application window	Nov - Jan
Semester start date	March - May 2025
Semester end date	July - August 2025
Acceptance letter timeline	Feb/March

Eligibility Criteria for Applying to the Summer Intake in Germany

Students applying to the summer intake in Germany must meet certain requirements to be considered eligible for admission to top German universities. Listed below are the key eligibility criteria that most study institutions consider before taking students in the summer intake. 

Note that these criteria are likely to vary from one university to another. 

• Academic scores for standardized tests: MCAT - 490-495 / GMAT - 550-600
• English language proficiency tests: IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall / TOEFL - 79 / PTE - 50
• Documents required: Valid passport and student visa, official academic transcripts, SOP, LOR, recent passport-sized photographs, updated CV/resume

Step-by-Step Application Process for Summer Intake in Germany

Before applying to a university in Germany during the summer intake, make sure to do a thorough research on the universities that offer summer intake programs (as not all may offer). Next, prepare all the documents for submission, and make sure to apply before the specified deadline to avoid a chance of rejection. 

Here’s the complete step-by-step procedure you need to follow to apply for summer intake in German universities:

1. Research well: Explore as many German universities as you can - both public and private - for higher studies in Germany. Do remember that not all German universities offer summer intakes; hence, it’s important to shortlist the ones that do to make an informed decision later.
2. Gather all the required documents: You will find the details on the official portal of the university. Check the complete list of all the supporting documents that you need for your application and make sure that you collect and keep them handy for submission. 
3. Research the top scholarships: Arranging your finances for studying in Germany is an important step, too. Identify the top scholarships available at German universities or those offered by the government to international students for higher education. 
4. Apply: Start applying to all your preferred universities from the shortlisted ones. 
5. File for student visa: Once you receive the letter of acceptance from one of the applied universities and you have accepted the letter too, the next step is to put in an application for the student visa in Germany. 
6. Discover accommodation options: Planning well in advance for your living arrangements in the new country helps. Find out the most cost-effective accommodation choices in Germany near your university and prepare for your departure. 

Pros and Cons of Applying for Summer Intake in Germany

It is a good idea to detail the benefits and drawbacks of applying to summer intakes in Germany to help you make an informed choice for 2025:

Pros of Applying for Summer Intake	Cons of Applying for Summer Intake
Fewer applications result in a higher student acceptance rate	Lesser scope for on-campus and part-time jobs than those available during the winter intake
A golden opportunity for students who may have missed applying in the winter intake	Limited courses and universities for students applying through the summer intake
Lesser student competition as fewer students choose the summer intake	Fewer extracurricular activities and clubs are available
Smaller student batch size allows a healthy and comfortable teacher-student ratio	Fewer scholarship options for international students

Scholarships and Financial Aid Available for Summer Intake Students

To help international students achieve their study-abroad goals of pursuing higher education in Germany, many top universities in the country offer a host of scholarship options to students.

Additionally, the government provides scholarship facilities to deserving Indian and other international students. Listed below are some top scholarship options that you can consider to help ease the financial burden of studying in Germany:

Government-funded Scholarships

DAAD Scholarship Programs

• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (completed within the last 6 years) and a minimum of 2 years of work experience
• Benefit: Monthly stipend of approx EUR 934 (INR 82,000) for graduate international students in addition to travel allowance, health insurance, and subsidy for study/research

Erasmus+ Scholarship Programs

• Eligibility: Students enrolled in higher education institutions, who are participants in the Erasmus+ program, and should be at least in the second year of their course 
• Benefit: Varied amounts to cover tuition fees, cost of living, and travel allowance for students enrolled in institutions that are Erasmus partners

Bayer Foundation Fellowships

• Eligibility: Bachelor’s or Master’s students enrolled in medical programs or a scientific discipline 
• Benefit: Up to EUR 10,000 (approx INR 9,58,700) in funding for a fellowship duration of up to 1 year

University-sponsored Scholarships

Heidelberg University HAUS Scholarships

• Eligibility: Students must be currently enrolled in or have graduated from a UG or PG course at a US university
• Benefit: USD 1,000 (approx INR 85,560) 

University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships

• Eligibility: Enrollment in a degree course at the university for a minimum of 2 semesters (one semester for Master’s and doctoral students)
• Benefit: up to EUR 930 per month (approx INR 89,000) for 2 semesters; option to reapply for a total of 3 years 

Humboldt Research Fellowship

• Eligibility: Overseas students with a doctorate or an equivalent completed within the last 4 years
• Benefit: Monthly stipend of approx EUR 2,670 (INR 2,55,800 approx) for postdocs; EUR 3,170 (INR 3,03,720 approx) for experienced researchers   

MBA Scholarships for International Students in Germany 2025

ESMT MBA Scholarships

• Eligibility: A strong UG degree from a recognized university  
• Benefit: Two scholarships of EUR 45,000 each (approx INR 43,11,494) are available, covering 90% of the tuition fee  

Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Scholarships

• Eligibility: A Bachelor’s or equivalent degree with at least 180 ECTS credits and IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 90 
• Benefit: Four scholarships of EUR 3,000 each (approx INR 2,87,430) for international undergraduate students

Mannheim Business School Scholarships

• Eligibility: Globally recognized Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent
• Benefit: EUR 2,000 (approx INR 1,91,600)

Federal German State-Specific Scholarships

The Lower Saxony Scholarship

• Eligibility: Enrollment in a UG or PG course at a university in Lower Saxony
• Benefit: One-time payment of EUR 500 (approx INR 47,900) per semester

Bavaria - Max Weber Program

• Eligibility: International students pursuing a degree at a Bavarian higher education institution
• Benefit: Monthly stipend of EUR 1,290 (INR 1,23,600 approx) 

Berlin - Elsa Neumann Scholarship

• Eligibility: Doctoral researchers enrolled at a Berlin university
• Benefit: Monthly stipend of EUR 1,350 (INR 1,29,300 approx) in addition to EUR 100 allowance (approx INR 9,600) for research expenses 

How upGrad Can Help You Apply for Summer Intake in Germany in 2025

Getting ready to apply during the summer intake in Germany in 2025? Let the experts at upGrad help you.  We provide professional guidance and support to students through the university application processes, drafting SOPs and LORs on their behalf, and assisting them through the English proficiency exams like IELTS.

We also network with German universities, helping connect students with these institutions for world-class higher learning. Get in touch with one of our consultants today for end-to-end support in applying for the summer intake in Germany.