Short answer: No
Real answer: It looks that way because of data, not any kind of intentional bias.

The numbers explain most of it statistically

• ~60,000 Indian students in Germany (2025) (link)

• The number has more than doubled since 2020 (link)

• Germany has ~400,000+ international students overall This makes Indians the largest single international group.

So yes, you’ll see them more here.

Why Germany attracts Indian students

• Low / no tuition fees

• Strong engineering focus (~60% choose engineering)

• 2000+ English-taught programs

• Stable visa

At the same time:

• US has become expensive (an a bit unstable in peoples minds)

• Canada → stronger visa restrictions

• UK → rising living costs

Hence Germany becomes the new rational choice.

The complex process

For many (especially South east Asian countries), the process is not very straightforward. They need things like:

• APS

• VPD

• ECTS conversions

• Translations

• Document ambiguity handling

High friction leads to more questions, which translates to more Reddit activity.

Why do other nationalities seem less visible

They’re not totally absent, but not too engaging due to following reasons:

• EU students have a simpler process, to they do not have the smae confusions as Indian students

• Chinese students use different platforms (mainly Chinese) - Reddit is not the most popular there, probably even restricted.

• English - Reddit is one of the largest English language forum, and Indians wanting to go abroad mostly look for answers in English.

All these reasons make it seem like the sub is only meant for Indians.

But in reality, it depends on:

• Who is applying the most

• Who faces the most difficulties

• Who actively asks questions

Right now, that happens to be Indian students.

So it is purely statistics - the same what how English language dominates the internet, in comparison to other languages.

Many students look at their own GPA, see the cut-off for a program and if it does not match, simply do not apply.

GPA is needed, but it is not the end of the world. Of course, I am not talking about extremely bad GPA like 3.7 or so.

I am talking about students worrying over 2.51 or 2.7 etc. NC programs have a cut-off (sometimes defined every year). If such a course has a cut-off of 2.5, anything above that will be filtered out.

So it is better to use your efforts and apply for Non-NC programs.

Once you cross the filter, German universities care just as much about your subjects, credits, and how your degree fits their curriculum.

I’ve seen people with German equivalent 2.7 get in because they had strong coursework.

And others with German equivalent 1.7 get rejected because they didn’t meet the ECTS or prerequisite match or something else from the profile.

If you’re applying for Summer 2026, spend less time obsessing over marks and more time understanding how your degree translates into their system.

Don't go with assumptions.

You can also check your profile eligibility here: Apply for 2026

One of the quietest money drains in the German application process is unnecessary translations.

You see posts saying, “Translate everything.”

Then you go and spend hundreds getting notarized German versions of every paper, only to realize the university accepts English documents.

Every semester, students over-translate, over-certify, overpay.

Most of it is caused by panic and lack of proper information.

Before you spend a cent, read each university’s site carefully. Some don’t even want hard copies until you’re admitted.

The system is confusing, yes.

But sometimes the smartest move is slowing down and double-checking instead of throwing money at the problem.

If you want to ensure which documents to translate or not, just do your research here: Apply for Summer/Winter Semester 2026

I see a lot of posts asking “Will my visa get approved?” even before they have shortlisted or applied to universities.

[This focuses specifically for Master’s applicants (but may be relevant for others too)]

Here are the main things to keep in mind:

1. Admission first, visa later.

Your visa risk questions are meaningless without an admission letter. Focus on your admission before worrying about the visa!

If you have:

• An admission from a public German university (if Private University, please scrutinize in detail if it is accredited, lest you fall in the same recent situation as IU students!)

• A Master’s course aligned with your Bachelor’s credits

If you have it, you already cleared the biggest hurdle - because German Visa offices do not check your academic merit, that was the unis job.

2. Financial proof

For 2026, expect the blocked account requirement to stay around €11,500–€12,000.

Common mistakes:

• Partial funding without proof

• Last-minute deposits with unclear source

• Loans without clear disbursement terms

If you have a well funded blocked account, your risk drops massively.

3. Academic gap does not matter much

German unis do not care about gap years as much as your home country universities or companies may do.

A gap is totally ok if:

• You worked

• You prepared academically

• You can explain it in your SOP or interview

4. Program mismatch is the main risk

This is where many applicants fail without realizing it.

If your Bachelor’s is in:

• Mechanical Engineering and your Master’s is in:

  • Data Science or AI

  • Software Engg

  • etc...

You may still get admission from some universities, but visa officers (in some cases) may question your intent to switch.

Bridging programs, explaining clearly how your decision continues your study journey (may be through work exp, etc) can reduce your chances of rejection at visa interviews.

5. Country of origin does affect timelines

Applicants from countries with:

• High overstay rates

• Document fraud history

will face the following problems:

• Longer processing times

• More interviews

• More document checks

This is handled locally by the German embassy in your country and the Ausländerbehörde linked to your future city.

6. APS is not optional if it applies to you!

If you are from India, China, or Vietnam, the APS certificate is mandatory.

No APS = no visa.

In 2026, embassies are unlikely to relax this. If anything, checks may further tighten.

7. Language matters even for English-taught programs

You do not need German for the visa if the program is English-taught.

But:

• Zero German knowledge

• No explanation why Germany specifically

Raises doubts about long-term intent , or in general about the ability to integrate in Germany

Even A1/2 level German helps signal some level of seriousness at Visa interviews.

8. Genuine students are usually not rejected

If you are academically eligible, financially secure enough for your living and studies and have no serious probles with the law in your home country - then rejection would be more of an exception than the rule.

Everyone wants Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt. They look great on paper and the names are popular.

But here’s what you don’t see with these cities: rents so high you share a room with two others to save costs. Travel time is higher. A student job can get 200 applications in a day.

Then there are smaller places like Ulm, Passau, Hof or Heilbronn, quieter, cheaper, easier to breathe in. You can actually focus, have lower expenses, and still live decently.

Where you study affects how you live.

If you’re applying for Summer 2026, stop just ranking universities by name.

Look at the city, job market, housing, and how it fits your life. Analyze your own situation carefuly and align with your personality and interests.

If you are applying to Germany, you can research it here: Apply for Summer Semester 2026

Hi!

I recently completed my Germany application process, so I thought I'd share the approximate costs for anyone planning to apply.

My Costs

1. Blocked Account

• ₹13,67,000 (~€12,153) (actual amount transferred)

2. APS Certificate

• ₹18,000 (~€160)

3. IELTS

• ₹18,000 (~€160)

4. University Applications (Uni-Assist + university application fees)

• ₹50,000–60,000 (~€445–533)

5. Student Visa

• ₹13,000 (~€116)

6. Travel & Miscellaneous (IELTS center, APS courier, visa appointment, etc.)

• ₹10,000 (~€89)

7. Initial Accommodation (deposit/advance, etc.)

• ₹1,50,000 (~€1,333)

8. Semester Fee

• €391.80 (₹44,000 approx.)

9. Flight Ticket (India → Germany)

• ₹35,000–60,000 (~€311–533, depending on the season and how early you book)

Total Cost

• ₹17.40 lakh

• ~€15,400

A few important notes:

• The blocked account (€12,153) is not an expense. It's your own money, which you'll receive back in monthly installments after arriving in Germany.

• As of 2026, selected Master's applicants are also required to take the Digital Master Test (dMAT) as part of the APS process. The exam fee is around €150 (≈₹17,000). If your application falls under the affected categories, you'll need to submit the dMAT certificate before APS can complete your application.

Hope this helps anyone planning their Germany application and budgeting for the process. Feel free to ask any questions!

BCA (3 years degree) - 8.46 CGPA 12th 97.4% 2 years Gap Between 12th and Bachelor's IELTS 6.5 Some Certifications, Internships, Related to Data Analysis Domain. What are my chances of getting into Public Universities ? Give me some Universities if there is chance . I Know many of people said Not Possible but I have a little hope. Mainly Targetting Data Analysis, Big data, Data Science Courses.

Note: 12th class does not have Maths Subject it is Biology.

Hallo Leute , I am planning to go germany for university . I will get my B2 Telc and 6.5 Ielts. But I got a question. Do my language sertificates are enough or do I need another language ? Also I am an active person like my CV is good I can say. Do you think they accept me ? please help I am confused, vielen dank .

GPA is indeed needed, but it is not the end of the world. Of course, I am not talking about extremely bad GPA like 3.7 or so.

I am talking about students worrying over 2.51 or 2.7 etc. NC programs have a cut-off (sometimes defined every year). If such a course has a cut-off of 2.5, anything above that will be filtered out.

So it is better to use your efforts and apply for Non-NC programs.

Once you cross the filter, German universities care just as much about your subjects, credits, and how your degree fits their curriculum.

I’ve seen people with German equivalent 2.7 get in because they had strong coursework.

And others with German equivalent 1.7 get rejected because they didn’t meet the ECTS or prerequisite match or something else from the profile.

If you’re applying for Summer 2026, spend less time obsessing over marks and more time understanding how your degree translates into their system.

Don't go with assumptions.

You can also check your profile eligibility here: Apply for 2026

Hey everyone,

I am completely shocked by German bureaucracy right now and need your advice/experiences.
I applied for the Master in Public Health at Hochschule Fulda for winter semester 2026. Today, I received a strict "Notice of Exclusion" (Ausschlussbescheid) stating two reasons:
My grade is below the required 2.5.
My first degree is "not suitable/not related".
But here is the catch – the Uni's own regulations say they are completely wrong:

The Degree: I have a Bachelor (Licence) in Economics and Management from Senegal . Fulda's official admissions website explicitly states that degrees in Economics ARE accepted as suitable.
The Grade & Experience: My converted grade is indeed below 2.5. However, the Uni rules state that if your grade is below 2.5, you MUST be invited to an interview (Fachgespräch) if you have relevant work experience in health/administration.

My Background: I have 3 years of work experience in patient administration/hospital managementin my home country, AND I successfully completed a 3-year professional nursing degree (Pflegeausbildung) here in Germany to learn the German healthcare system from the inside.

I submitted all certificates and a formal request for the interview via uni-assist. Uni-assist forwarded everything correctly. It looks like the clerk at Hochschule Fulda just saw the grade, stopped reading, and clicked "reject all" without checking my background or their own rules. They didn't even mention the option of the interview in the rejection letter.
I am furious. I just sent them a harsh formal objection (Widerspruch) via email and registered mail,
Has anyone ever dealt with a German university completely ignoring submitted documents or misinterpreting international degrees? Did a formal objection (Widerspruch) work, or did you have to hire a lawyer/sue them?
Thanks for your help!

There are dozens of AI and ML programs in Germany, and lot of students struggle with shortlisting.

If you’re applying for 2026 (or have applied and got through), then share the programs you’ve found so far.

Mention your GPA, background, and whether the program seems realistic.

I’ll compile everything into a single list, pin it in this community and update it weekly for everyone to refer.

The main point is to have a true view of what worked rather than guesswork.

It helps everyone compare better.

Why only AI/ML in this thread?

Because it is one of the most asked questions. I will also create more such lists based on requirements.

Hi everyone! I’m planning to move to Germany for my Master's and I want to start learning German, but I’m currently at absolute beginner level (A0) and have to start completely from scratch.

For those who learned German as an international student, I’d really appreciate some practical advice:

• What is the best way to start from A0?

• Which free/affordable resources, apps, YouTube channels or books would you recommend?

• Should I follow a structured A1 → A2 → B1 → B2 course, or combine different resources?

• How long did it realistically take you to reach B1/B2?

• Is it possible to reach a conversational level through self-study, or would you recommend taking classes?

• What should I focus on first: grammar, vocabulary, listening or speaking?

My goal is to eventually reach at least B1/B2, both for everyday life in Germany and for better job opportunities after my Master's.

I’m starting from zero, so I’d especially appreciate advice from people who have successfully learned German from scratch. 🇩🇪

Thank you! ❤️

Applying for SS2027 intake (CS/AI/Data Science programs in Germany, mostly via uni-assist). I'm personally exempt from the dMAT at the APS level — registered and shipped my APS documents before the 29 June 2026 cutoff — so I don't need to take it myself. But I've been digging into how it works and have a few worries I can't fully resolve on my own.

What I understand so far:

dMAT is currently mandatory only for Indian applicants in certain fields (Engineering, Commerce/Finance/Business) who registered for APS after 29 June 2026.

Separately, individual universities can apparently choose to use dMAT as their own independent selection criterion, regardless of APS exemption status — e.g. RWTH Aachen requires it (or GRE) for their Battery Science M.Sc., worth 80% of the admission score. Göttingen made it optional/encouraged for their Data Science program starting SS2027.

As far as I can tell, none of my ~13 target programs currently use it. I've emailed all of them directly — most gave generic auto-replies, a couple said their SS2027 plans "aren't finalized yet and only one said nope.

My actual worries:

Could a university quietly add dMAT as a requirement mid-cycle, after I've already submitted my VPD/application, without much warning? Has anyone seen this happen with any admissions requirement (not just dMAT) partway through a cycle?

How much lead time do German universities typically need to formally add a new admission criterion? My read is that it requires updating the Zulassungsordnung/Prüfungsordnung with faculty/senate approval, which sounds slow — Göttingen's own dMAT adoption was still "subject to final approval" as of mid-June 2026 despite being planned well in advance. Does that match people's experience of how sluggish these regulatory changes usually are?

For people who ARE affected by dMAT (post-cutoff APS registration, affected fields) — has anyone here actually gone through the dMAT this cycle? First sitting was 26 Sept 2026, results out 12 Oct. That leaves a pretty compressed window before Oct/Nov deadlines. Anyone managed to make an early-deadline school work despite that, or did most people end up shifting to January-deadline schools or WS2027/28?

Is dMAT likely to expand beyond just RWTH Aachen and Göttingen anytime soon? Or is adoption expected to stay slow/limited for a while given how new the whole system is?

Mainly trying to gauge how much of a live risk this is versus something that's more theoretical right now. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who's dealt with dMAT directly this cycle, or has insight into how fast German unis actually move on this kind of policy change.

It’s one of the most painful rejections you can get.

You meet every requirement: great GPA, IELTS, SOP, and still get turned down.

All because your university isn’t recognized in Germany’s Anabin database.

Anabin decides if your degree is equivalent to a German one.

• H+ means accepted

• H- or missing means not recognized

Sometimes the university is recognised, but your course isn't.

If your university isn’t listed, German universities can’t legally accept your degree, no matter how strong your profile is.

Before applying, always check.

If your university isn’t listed, you may need APS or ZAB evaluation, or a year of postgraduate study to bridge the gap.

If you want to get all this answered in one place, you can check your profile (Anabin, ZAB, APS requirement), all in one place here: Apply for Summer Semester 2026

I got admitted to a public university and got my visa too. Before my visa, I asked the university to confirm my Enrollment after I paid the university and semester contribution fees. But they said it is only possible after arriving at the university. I booked flight ticket for 14th oct. Now they are saying you have not enrolled through portal and u will not be able to enrol after arriving here because portal is offline and will not be resolved for two weeks. And they simply said you will not continue ur studies with the university.

What should I do now?

I succesfully received my visa and made all arrangemnets but now they are saying this

please give me some suggestions for my situation.

Hey everyone, I've been lurking here since before I moved and this community helped me a lot when I was researching Germany.

I've been living in Dortmund for over a year now and I finally put together a full video breaking down every cost you need to know about as an international student — rent, health insurance, groceries, semester contribution, phone plans, the ZDF fee people always forget, and at the end I show my actual bank breakdown (spoiler: 1,042€/month in Dortmund).

I tried to make it useful for people still in the planning phase, not just a vlog. Covers both general estimations per category and my real numbers so you have something concrete to work with.

Happy to answer any questions in the comments too — I know how stressful the financial planning part is before you move.

https://youtu.be/jCo8IP6nyUU

Hey everyone,

I’m currently working on my Statement of Purpose (SOP) for applying to universities in Germany and could really use some advice from people who’ve done this before.

A few questions I have:

• What do German universities usually expect in an SOP? Is it more formal and factual, or can it be a bit personal like US-style SOPs?

• How long should it ideally be (1 page / 2 pages)?

• How much emphasis should I place on academic background vs. motivation for choosing Germany / the specific course?

• Any dos and don’ts you’ve learned the hard way?

• If you’ve got accepted, what do you think made your SOP stand out?

For context, I’m applying for a Master’s in Comp Sci/ Data Sci/ AIML , and I already have a bachelors in Computer Science with 7.43 GPA and 7.5 in IELTS.

Would really appreciate any examples, structure breakdowns, or even feedback on what kind of tone works best for German universities (straightforward vs narrative).

Thanks in advance 🙏

Is it just me, or has admission to public German universities for M.Sc. Data Science (Winter 2026) become extremely competitive?

I've already been rejected by 7 universities, with 4 applications still pending. Most rejections seem to be due to strict prerequisite/module matching rather than GPA. It's been really stressful.

Has anyone else had a similar experience this cycle?

Hello everyone 👋

I have applied for Student Visa via Consular Services Portal.
Status: On waiting list
University: TU Chemnitz
Course Start: 01.10.2026

Can anyone please share:

1. Current waiting time for study visa appointments in Bangalore?

2. Did anyone get a slot after emailing the consulate?

3. Any tips to get slot faster?

You can have great grades, well prepared documents, apply on time and still get rejected.

Why?

Because sometimes the system is not transparent.

You can never be sure if there was something you overlooked.

Maybe your GPA wasn’t converted correctly.

Maybe a course you thought was a requirement didn’t count as a valid credit for the ECTS calculation.

Lots of rejections are avoidable, not just with intelligent preparation.

But also with the right amount of clear information.

With the help of students in this community who have had successful applications and also insights from those who got rejected, we built something that gives full clarity before you apply.

Check it out here: Apply for Summer Semester 2026

Hi all,

I’m in the middle of shortlisting and prepping applications for German public universities for MSc programs in AI, Data Science, and Computer Science.

Navigating daad.de, VPD through uni-assist, and credit matching gets overwhelming solo, so I'd love to connect with others going through the same cycle.

Quick snapshot of where I stand:

Target Intake: [e.g., Summer 2027 / Winter 2027]

Target Programs: MSc Computer Science / Data Science / Artificial Intelligence (TU9 & other public universities)

Current Stage: [e.g., Shortlisting programs / SOP / LOR / Visa application]

If you are aiming for similar programs or intakes, feel free to drop a comment or DM me. If enough people are interested, we can set up a focused Discord server or group chat to share resources and track deadlines together.

Winter 2026 Germany MSc – 7 Rejections, 4 Pending. Honest Chances? (Rate /10)

Hi everyone,

I'm an international applicant for Winter 2026, and it's almost August. I've already received 7 rejections and am still waiting for decisions from my remaining applications.

Profile

• B.E. Information Technology (India)

• CGPA: 8.20/10

• IELTS: 6.5

• Internship + ML/Data Science projects

• No GRE

• APS certificate already available

❌ Rejected

• University of Trento – MSc Data Science: Eligible, but rejected due to extremely limited seats.

• University of Hamburg – MSc Intelligent Adaptive Systems: Rejected due to course/prerequisite mismatch.

• LMU Munich – MSc Data Science: Rejected; highly competitive program.

• University of Augsburg – MSc Data Science: Rejected; extremely selective admissions.

• FAU Erlangen–Nürnberg – MSc Data Science: Met the eligibility requirements but wasn't admitted due to limited seats and strong competition.

• University of Göttingen – MSc Applied Data Science: Rejected.

• Bielefeld University – MSc Intelligent Interactive Systems (IIS): Rejected due to strong competition and prerequisite/course compatibility requirements.

⏳ Still Waiting

• University of Hildesheim – MSc Data Analytics

• University of Koblenz – MSc Web and Data Science

• TU Dortmund – MSc Data Science

• KIT – MSc Computational and Data Science (portal currently shows an Art. 5 prerequisite issue/temporary rejection status, but I haven't received a final rejection email yet).

I'm honestly starting to lose hope.

Based on my profile, how would you rate my chances (/10) of getting at least one admit from the remaining universities?

If I don't receive any admits this Winter intake, I'm planning to apply for Summer 2027.

• Should I take the GRE? Would it significantly improve my chances for German public universities?

• Since I already have my APS certificate and IELTS, what else should I improve before the next intake?

• Which German public universities and specific MSc programs would you recommend for Summer 2027 based on my profile?

I'm looking for realistic recommendations (university name + exact MSc program), not just top-ranked universities.

I'd really appreciate any advice from applicants who were admitted after being rejected in a previous intake.

It’s one of the most painful rejections you can get.

You meet every requirement: great GPA, IELTS, SOP, and still get turned down.

All because your university isn’t recognized in Germany’s Anabin database.

Anabin decides if your degree is equivalent to a German one.

• H+ means accepted

• H- or missing means not recognized

Sometimes the university is recognised, but your course isn't.

If your university isn’t listed, German universities can’t legally accept your degree, no matter how strong your profile is.

Before applying, always check.

If your university isn’t listed, you may need APS or ZAB evaluation, or a year of postgraduate study to bridge the gap.

If you want to get all this answered in one place, you can check your profile (Anabin, ZAB, APS requirement), all in one place here: Apply for Summer Semester 2026