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Master's & Research · PG Roadmap 2026

Everything you need to study a Master's in Germany
— on a single page.

A step-by-step PG guide for Indian students — from academic eligibility to APS, Anabin, IELTS and the Blocked Account. Curated by OMA Global Academy.

Explore the 6 steps Full Pathway Tools
€0
Public uni tuition
1.0–4.0
German grading
IELTS 6.5
Minimum target
€11,904
Blocked Account / yr
The PG Roadmap

6 steps to your German Master's

Each stage is explained clearly to help you check your eligibility and prepare the right documents.

Step 01

Academic Eligibility

Your degree foundation
  • Recognised degree: Your Bachelor's must be recognised in Germany. Verify your university's status on the Anabin database (look for H+).
  • 4-year degrees (B.Tech / BE): Direct entry to Master's programs. Full access to STEM and professional pathways.
  • 3-year degrees (B.Sc / B.Com / BA): Consecutive Master's in the same subject is possible. Some TU9 universities may ask for additional credit points.
Step 02

Marks & CGPA — The German Grading

How your scores convert
  • Reverse scale: In Germany 1.0 is the highest grade and 4.0 is the pass mark — the opposite of the Indian system.
  • Top universities (TU9): Typically expect 7.5+ CGPA / 70%+ (roughly German grade ~2.5).
  • Modified Bavarian Formula: We use this KMK-approved formula to convert your % into a German grade. Applicants with 50–60% still have options.
Step 03

Language Proficiency

English or German
  • English-taught programs: IELTS 6.5+ (no band below 5.5–6.0) or TOEFL iBT 79–100. German is not mandatory.
  • German-taught programs: C1 level required — TestDaF (TDN 4 in all sections) or DSH-2.
  • Daily life tip: Basic A1/A2 German is very helpful for part-time jobs, banking and your residence permit.
Step 04

Age, Work Experience & Profile

Who can apply
  • No upper age limit: German law sets no maximum age for Master's applicants.
  • Consecutive Master's: No work experience required if you continue in your Bachelor's field.
  • Professional Master's / MBA: Usually 1–2 years of relevant post-graduation experience is required.
Step 05

APS Certificate — Mandatory for India

Document verification
  • What is APS? The Academic Evaluation Centre at the German Embassy, New Delhi verifies the authenticity of your academic documents.
  • Compulsory: For Indian students, the APS certificate is mandatory for both university applications and the student visa.
  • Timeline: It can take 4–8 weeks, so apply 6+ months before your intake. The OMA team handles the entire paperwork for you.
Step 06

Financial Proof — Blocked Account

Funding your studies
  • Tuition fees: €0 at public universities (only a semester contribution of €150–€400) — Germany's biggest advantage.
  • Sperrkonto / Blocked Account: For the visa you must deposit €11,904 / year in a German blocked account. Up to €992 can be withdrawn each month.
  • Provider options: Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle — OMA students get priority onboarding and the lowest fees.
Quick Reference

Applicant Checklist 2026

Degree Type
Recognised Bachelor's (3 or 4 yrs) matching the Master's discipline
Marks / CGPA
Competitive: 7.5+ CGPA (~German 2.5) · Minimum: 50%+ (~German 4.0)
English Pathway
IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 79–100
German Pathway
TestDaF TDN 4 · DSH-2 · C1 level
Age Limit
None
Financial Proof
€11,904 / year in a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)
Mandatory for India
APS Certificate (Embassy, New Delhi)
Important Terminology

Know these 3 terms

Anabin

Anerkennung und Bewertung ausländischer Bildungsnachweise

The German government's official database. Check whether your Indian university holds H+ status — H+ means full recognition.

KMK

Kultusministerkonferenz

The council of education ministers from Germany's 16 states. It decides foreign-degree equivalence through ZAB.

Modified Bavarian Formula

G = 1 + 3 × (Nmax − N) / (Nmax − Nmin)

The standard formula Uni-Assist uses to convert your Indian % / CGPA into the German 1.0–4.0 scale.

Does your profile match a German Master's?

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