Intakes in Germany for International Students: A Complete Guide

Introduction to Intakes in Germany

Intakes in Germany for International Students: A Complete Guide

A lot of applicants have this doubt about how many intakes there are in Germany. So, there are two main intakes, which are winter and summer intakes. The Winter Intake typically runs from October to March, while the Summer Intake runs from April to September. Here, the winter intake is considered the primary intake, with a large number of applicants compared to the summer intake. Here, the competition in winter intake is high, but there are more courses and universities to choose from.

Moreover, it is important to get introduced to the academic calendar in Germany, which is discussed in the next section.

Overview of the German Academic Calendar

The German academic calendar is structured around two semesters: the Winter Semester (October to March) and the Summer Semester (April to September). Moreover, the winter semester runs from October 1st to March 31st, with classes often starting in early or mid-October.

The winter semester runs from April 1st to September 30th, with classes often starting in early or mid-April.

This time frame includes both the lecture period and the free period.

Importance of Understanding Intakes for International Students

Understanding the study abroad intakes is a very crucial part for international students. So, it is important because:

• It gives you time for planning and preparation. You can gather the required documents on time and also prepare for the language proficiency test.

• The range of courses offered can vary based on the intakes. So, knowing which intake has more options is beneficial for the aspirants. You can also use the course finder tool, which uses AI to find the best course for the students.

• Each intake has its own application deadlines. Missing a deadline can prevent you from applying to a desired program in that particular intake.

• Understanding intake dates helps students allocate sufficient time for visa processing, travel arrangements, and settling into accommodation.

• More scholarships might be available during certain intakes, like the winter intake, as funding is often allocated at the beginning of the academic year.

All these pointers add up to the importance of understanding the study abroad intakes. Apart from that, the next section tells about the major intakes in Germany. Thus, read about them.

Major Intakes in Germany

As discussed above, there are two major intakes in Germany, where the winter intake is the primary one and the summer intake is secondary. So, read below to know about each intake in detail.

Summer Intake (April)

• Secondary Intake: Fewer programs and courses are typically available compared to the Winter Intake.

• Application Deadlines: These generally occur in mid-January.

• Start Date: Generally begins in April.

• Benefits: Faster processing times and potentially less competition.

• Considerations: May not be available for all programs or universities.

Winter Intake (October)

• Primary Intake: Most German universities offer a wider range of programs and courses during the Winter Intake.

• Application Deadlines: These usually winter in mid-July for the Winter Intake.

• Start Date: Typically begins in October.

• Benefits: More programs, scholarships, and opportunities for research-oriented studies.

• Considerations: More competitive due to higher applicant volume.

These are the important details about both intakes in Germany. Apart from that, the next section will give you a better understanding of the difference between the two. So, read it and make a smarter choice for yourself.

Differences Between Summer and Winter Intakes

People usually wonder what the differences are between the summer and winter intakes in Germany. So, the major difference is in the availability of courses and competition level in both intakes. Go through the table below for more detailed differences.

These are the major differences between winter and summer intakes in Germany. So, choose your intake accordingly and start preparing for the same before the deadline approaches. Apart from that, the next paragraph will help you in understanding how you can choose the right intake. 

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Choosing the Right Intake

There are several factors that are important to consider while choosing the right intakes in Germany. Some of them are:

• Course Availability: More programs are typically offered during the winter intake, particularly in disciplines like business, engineering, and medicine. Despite having fewer options, the summer intake might be appropriate for specialized fields. Therefore, find out which intake offers your course and begin making plans accordingly.

• Acceptance Rate: Although it's not always related to the intake, the Winter intake frequently has bigger class sizes, which could result in higher acceptance rates because there are more spots available. As a result, check to see if there is a high demand for your course and base your decision on the university's acceptance rate and the level of competition.

• Application Deadlines: It's important to find out the deadlines for your chosen program and university because each intake has different application requirements.

• Personal Preferences: Consider if you prefer a larger, more established student community, or if you get in the winter intake, or a potentially less crowded environment of the summer intake.

These are some of the steps that you must consider to make the right choice for the intakes in Germany. Moreover, after choosing the most suitable intake, it is important that you get familiar with the admission process in German intakes. Thus, read the next section for the following information.

Admission Process by Intake

The admission process for intakes in Germany for master's and doctoral programs is almost similar. However, the key difference is based on the start date and deadlines. The Winter intake (starting in September/October) generally has application deadlines between May and July, while the Summer intake (starting in March/April) has deadlines earlier in the year.

Some of the key factors in the admission process are:

• Doing proper research on the program you want to choose. Look for the intake that offers it and also the institute where that particular intake is available.

• Check the eligibility and course requirements to fulfill it before the deadline. It includes academic qualifications, language test proficiency, etc.

• Prepare all the necessary documents such as academic transcript, statement of purpose, and letter of recommendation.

• Submit your application on the university’s official admission portal with all the correct information and documents.

• Wait for the revert from the university in the form of a letter. It is important to know that the letter can be both conditional and unconditional.

• After receiving the letter, appear in the university interview and wait for the CAS letter, which is the confirmation of your admission.

• After receiving the CAS, you can apply for the study visa. Remember to prepare for the visa interview and also take your original documents to the visa office with a photocopy of each.

• After receiving the visa, start preparing for your departure and start looking at the university essentials.

These are the key factors to study in Germany and apply for the same with no chances of rejection. So, if you are planning to apply in the coming intakes in Germany, then go through the next section to know about the application deadline for the same.

Application Deadlines and Timeline

Before you start applying for intakes in Germany for masters or graduation, it is important that you track all the deadlines. To help you with the same, we have mentioned the timeline for both intakes separately. Go through them and follow that timeline to avoid delays.

Timeline for Winter Intake in Germany:

• October to November 2025: Start research for universities and programs. Prepare the necessary documents like transcripts, SOPs, LORs, and resumes.

• November 2025 – February 2026: Apply before the deadline of each program. English or German proficiency tests, if necessary.

• March-May 2026: Await admission decisions and finalize your choice of university. Start applying for scholarships and financial aid.

• May-July 2026: Apply for a student visa and prepare financial proofs. Accommodation and travel plans.

• August to Early September 2026: Travel to Germany and undergo orientation programs before classes begin.

Timeline for Summer Intake in Germany:

• October-November 2025: Find research programs and universities with summer intake. Begin preparing documents.

• November 2025 – January 2026: Apply and take proficiency tests.

• February 2026: Admission decision received and funding or scholarships arranged.

• February-March 2026: apply for a student visa, find accommodation, and make travel arrangements.

• March-April 2026: Reach Germany, undergo orientation programs, and prepare for class.

These are the important deadlines that you can follow to remain on track and also complete all the processes on time. Thus, after knowing how many intakes in Germany, go through the list of popular universities and programs for each intake in the section below.

Popular Universities and Programs in Germany

In Germany, there are several popular universities that offer some of the best courses that can get you a high-paying job on a global level. So, go through the table below to know about such universities and courses.

These are the popular universities and their courses in Germany. You can also use our college finder tool, that uses AI to evaluate your profile to show the most relevant result. Also, read about the pros and cons of each intake in the next section.

Pros and Cons of Each Intake

Now that you know how many intakes in Germany, it is important to know that every intake has its own pros and cons, which usually depend on the individual applicant. So, these pros and cons are:

Winter Intake: October

Pros:

• Wider range of programs

• Higher acceptance rates

• More scholarship opportunities

• Better job market alignment

• Easier integration

• Better alignment with the academic year

 Cons:

• More competitive

• Potential for longer wait times

• More challenging visa process

 Summer Intake: April

Pros:

• Less competition

• Faster application processing

• Easier to secure housing

• More flexibility for graduating seniors

Cons:

• Fewer program options

• Fewer scholarship opportunities

• Potentially slower job market alignment

• Less integration

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Conclusion

Hopefully, now it is clear that what are the intakes in Germany for international students. In this blog, you get an overview of the German academic calendar to understand how intakes are planned there. After that, the blog discusses major intakes in Germany, which are summer and winter intakes. You can also go through their differences to plan your admission accordingly. Also, go through the admission process and application deadlines to delay the process. You can also take the help of our study abroad consultants to apply in the coming intakes with ease. So, call us today and make your dream of studying abroad a reality.

Helpful Links:

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• Australia Intake 2025: Types, Eligibility, Admission Process

• UK Intake: Secure Your Seat in Upcoming 2025

FAQs

Ques.1 How Many Intakes Does Germany Have?

Ans. Germany primarily has two main intakes for universities: the Winter Semester (usually starting in September/October) and the Summer Semester (usually starting in March/April). Some private universities sometimes offer intake in May/ June, which is not considered a major one.  

Ques.2 Is There a February Intake in Germany?

Ans. Yes, there is a February intake for some universities in Germany, although it's not as common as the main winter (September/October) and summer (April) intakes.

Ques.3 Which Intake Is Better for Germany?

Ans. Figuring out which intake is better depends totally on an individual. It includes your preferences, academic goals, and circumstances. You can check for the availability of the program, scholarships, and the time left to prepare while considering a better intake for Germany.

Ques.4 What percentage Is Required for Study in Germany after 12th?

Ans. To study in Germany after the 12th, the required percentage generally ranges from 50% to 70% or higher, depending on the specific university and program. Still, it is recommended that students check the official website of the particular university to check the important requirements.