A Comprehensive Guide to the APS Process for Studying in Germany

Are you planning to study in Germany? The first crucial step is getting through the APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) process. As someone who has successfully gone through it with a “Sehr gut möglich” result, I’m here to walk you through the entire process—from start to finish. I’ll also be sharing useful materials like sample CVs and interview questions to help you prepare.

What is APS?

APS, or Akademische Prüfstelle, is a unit under the Cultural Department of the German Embassy in Hanoi. Its role is to verify whether students meet the basic requirements for studying at a German university and to validate academic certificates. There are different categories of APS assessments. You can check out the APS website Bộ phận kiểm tra học vấn (APS) tại Hà Nội to find out which category applies to you.

Since I went through APS for a master’s program, this guide will focus on that particular group.

Key Steps in the APS Process

There are two important steps when applying for APS: submitting your documents and the interview.

Important Notes:

• APS assessments are held twice a year, in May and November, in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
• For the May interview, you must submit your documents by the end of February, and for the November interview, by the end of August.

Documents You Need for APS

Here’s a list of what you’ll need to submit for your APS application:

1. Completed application form with a passport-sized photo
   You can fill out the form in either English or German. If you plan to interview in English, I recommend completing the form in English. Likewise, choose German if your interview will be in German.
2. Bank receipt for the application fee
   The standard APS fee for postgraduate students is $250 USD. You can pay at Vietcombank in VND and submit the receipt with your application. Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, and “APS” when making the payment.
3. Certified copies of your academic qualifications
   • High school diploma: 2 certified copies and 1 certified translation (in English or German depending on your situation).
   • University transcripts: 2 certified copies and 1 certified translation (not required if the original transcript is bilingual in Vietnamese and English).
   • University degree: 2 certified copies and 1 certified translation (again, a bilingual degree means no translation is needed).
   For translations, I recommend using a trusted service. When I was in Ho Chi Minh City, I used Dịch Thuật Số 1 for both translation and certification.
4. Certified copies of your language certificates
   If you plan to study in English, submit a certified copy of your IELTS certificate (or equivalent). For German-taught programs, a German language certificate is required.
5. Your CV (Lebenslauf)
   You can find a sample CV below that I used for my own application to save time.
6. Self-reported transcript (if needed)
   This is only necessary if your university transcript doesn’t follow a chronological order. I studied at Bach Khoa University, where transcripts were already formatted in English, so I didn’t need to submit this.
7. Certified copy of your ID or passport
   You can get this certified at your local government office.
8. A4 envelope
   Submit an A4-sized envelope with your name, address, and mobile number on the bottom right corner.

If you’re in Hanoi, you can submit your documents directly at the German Embassy. For those like me in Ho Chi Minh City, mail your documents to:

German Embassy in Vietnam, APS
27 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

Preparing for the APS Interview

Once your documents are submitted, you’ll receive an interview date via email. Be sure to arrive on time with your passport or ID. The interview will be conducted in the language you chose on your application (German or English).

Important: The interview questions will be based on the subjects you studied in Vietnam, not what you plan to study in Germany. The focus is on the courses listed in your transcript. You don’t need to remember every single detail but be prepared to explain basic concepts from your field of study.

For the interview questions, I’ve created a separate video on my APS interview experience, which you can check out for more insights. Or you can also check out this blog post Preparing for the APS Exam: Insights from My Experience Studying in Germany.

Receiving Your APS Certificate

When I completed the APS process in 2018, I received 10 printed certificates. However, as of November 1, 2023, successful applicants will receive a digital certificate via email. So, make sure your email is correct when submitting your application!

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helps clarify the APS process for you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Best of luck with your APS application, and I hope you achieve great results!

See you in the next video or blog post!