For a winter semester 2027 Master’s in Germany, the work starts now. DAAD India’s timeline puts programme research in October and November, the APS procedure from January, applications between March and June, and the visa in July. For engineering, commerce and business graduates, the new dMAT adds one more step before the APS certificate, so for them the order of steps now matters more.
This timeline is for Indian graduates applying to a Master’s that starts in October 2027. Deadlines differ by university and programme, so use it to plan, then confirm each date on the programme page.
October to December 2026: shortlist and check the dMAT
DAAD India suggests collecting information in October and November, including DAAD information sessions. Use this time to shortlist programmes and read each one’s admission requirements: degree fit, minimum grade, English or German test scores, and whether it takes applications through uni-assist or directly.
Then check whether the dMAT applies to you. APS India says the dMAT is for applications to the summer semester 2027 Master’s intake and subsequent intakes, so it covers winter 2027 as well. It affects applicants whose previous degree is in engineering, commerce, accounting, finance, economics, business or management. You are exempt if you completed APS online registration or shipped complete APS documents before 29 June 2026, already hold your APS certificate, or are in an officially confirmed exchange, double-degree or university partnership programme.
When we checked on 9 October 2026, APS India listed only the first dMAT test (26 September 2026). If you need the dMAT, watch the APS India dMAT page for the next date. Our dMAT news post explains the first round.
January to March 2027: start APS and note every deadline
DAAD India recommends starting the APS India procedure between January and March and checking the application deadline of each programme you chose.
If you need the dMAT, you do not have to wait for the result before sending documents. APS India says it can begin document verification in advance, but it can only issue the APS certificate after your dMAT certificate has been submitted and checked. A late dMAT therefore delays the APS certificate, and the APS certificate is part of the documentation generally required for the German student visa.
Write down each programme’s deadline and route in one list now. Two programmes with the same deadline can still need different submissions.
March to June 2027: apply, and count back from the deadline
DAAD India places applications between March and June. uni-assist says the deadline for a winter semester course is often 15 July, but many universities set other dates.
For uni-assist applications, two numbers decide when to submit:
| Step | What uni-assist says |
|---|---|
| Submit | At least 8 weeks before the deadline, so missing documents can be flagged in time |
| Processing | Usually 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of the online application; longer in individual cases |
For a 15 July deadline, eight weeks back is mid-May. Some universities ask uni-assist only for a VPD, a certificate on your documents that you then submit to the university yourself before its deadline. Getting the VPD is not the same as applying.
DAAD India notes that uni-assist member universities often do not accept direct applications, and that uni-assist has no representative office in India. Check your passport validity during this period too.
July 2027: apply for the visa as soon as you are admitted
DAAD India advises applying for the student visa as soon as you have the admission letter, because the procedure can take around two months. German Missions in India route study visas through the Consular Services Portal, where you complete the application first and receive the link to book an on-site appointment at the end. Look for accommodation in the same month.
Proof of funds and the other visa documents are covered in our student visa requirements guide. Use the amount in your mission’s current checklist rather than a figure from an older article.
September to October 2027: arrive and register
DAAD India suggests arriving at least a week before your course begins. You then apply for your residence permit at the local foreigners’ office (Ausländerbehörde) within your first three months. Our Anmeldung guide covers the first registration steps.
Where it depends
Deadlines, language requirements and the application route are set by each university and programme, and uni-assist notes that your citizenship and the country of your certificates can change your deadline. Whether the dMAT applies depends on your exact degree title, checked against APS India’s affected-fields list. Visa processing depends on your mission and the time of year, and the sources above do not give fixed waiting times.
What SGC does not decide
Universities decide admission, APS India and g.a.s.t. handle the APS certificate and the dMAT, and the German missions decide visas. SGC can help you shortlist programmes, put your documents in the right order and prepare application materials; see the Master’s Route page. The next step is to pick your shortlist and check whether the dMAT applies to your degree.