Kiel University Admission Requirements 2027 for International Students

Requirements

Bachelor's

Applicants need a higher education entrance qualification recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in German and require German proficiency.

Master's

Applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree and a recognised higher education entrance qualification, with no more than 30 ECTS credits or one semester remaining if the degree is not yet complete. English-taught programmes generally ask for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79, though a bachelor's degree taught in English, or at least four years of school English graded satisfactory or better, can substitute for a test certificate.

Documents

Certified copies of school and university certificates and transcripts, submitted through uni-assist for most international applicants; a certified translation if the originals are not in German or English; proof of German or English language proficiency depending on the programme; and confirmation of health insurance before enrolment. A one-time enrolment fee of EUR 55 applies at first enrolment.

How to apply

1. Choose a bachelor's or master's programme and check its specific requirements, since most courses at Kiel are taught in German and only a limited number of master's programmes are fully taught in English.
2. Apply through uni-assist if you hold a qualification from outside Germany.
3. Submit your application inside the stated window; for master's programmes this generally runs from the start of May to 15 July for the winter semester and from the start of November to 15 January for the summer semester.
4. Upload certified copies of your certificates, transcripts and language certificate.
5. If admitted, pay the semester fee and the one-time enrolment fee, arrange health insurance, and apply for a student visa if coming from outside the EU or EEA.
6. Enrol and register your address in Kiel.

English test waiver

IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 is the standard requirement stated for master's programmes taught in English. A bachelor's degree taught entirely in English, or at least four years of school English graded satisfactory or better, can substitute for a formal test certificate. Most programmes at Kiel are taught in German; only a limited number of master's programmes are fully English taught.