uni-assist is the shared service many German universities use to check international applicants' documents. Depending on the university, it either forwards your full application to them, or it issues a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation, a preliminary review document) that you then submit to the university yourself. Knowing which path your programme uses is the whole game.
- Your certificates in their original language (mark sheets, degree)
- A certified English or German translation if they're in neither
- Your APS certificate (treat it as mandatory for Indian applicants)
- A card or PayPal for the fee
- The exact deadline and application route from each university's course page
The step-by-step
Check what your programme actually needs
Open the exact programme on the university's site and on My assist. It will say whether you apply through uni-assist directly or need a VPD to send to the university. Do not guess from blogs; the procedure differs per university and even per course.
Register on My assist
Create your account on the My assist portal and enter your details exactly as on your passport. Search for your programme inside the portal and confirm whether it's a standard application or a VPD request.
Upload clean, complete documents
Upload every required document. Staff must read every grade and stamp, so use a real scanner, not a dim phone photo. Blurry, cropped or dark scans are the top cause of delays.
Pay the handling fee
| What | Fee |
|---|---|
| First chosen course in a semester | €75 |
| Each additional course that same semester | €30 |
Pay by card or PayPal if you're near a deadline; bank transfers take 3 to 5 days and nothing is processed until payment lands.
Wait for processing
Processing usually takes 4 to 6 weeks after you submit. This is why the golden rule exists: submit at least 6 weeks before the university's deadline. Earlier in the cycle is faster; peak season is slower.
Download your VPD and submit it to the university
When ready, uni-assist notifies you and the VPD appears under "My Inbox" in My assist. Download it and submit it to the university (with the rest of their application) before their deadline. The VPD itself is just one piece; the university makes the admission decision.
Mistakes that cost people an intake
- Assuming the route. Some universities want a VPD, some want a direct application. Check each one.
- Submitting too late. The 4 to 6 week processing is on top of your prep time. Aim for 6+ weeks before the deadline.
- Uploading messy scans or missing a semester's mark sheet.
- Skipping the certified translation when documents aren't in English or German.
FAQ
Do all universities use uni-assist?
No. Many do, but some run their own portal. Always read the course page.
Is the VPD the same as admission?
No. The VPD just verifies and converts your grades. The university decides admission.
How long is a VPD valid?
Generally for the semester/cycle you applied for. Check the note on your VPD.
Official source: uni-assist: how to apply ↗
