Korean students do NOT need an APS certificate. Most qualify for direct admission via 수능 (H+ in anabin). Full guide: when Studienkolleg applies, costs in KRW, timeline, visa.
Korean students do NOT need an APS certificate. Unlike applicants from China, India, or Vietnam, Korea is not an APS country. The Korean 고등학교 졸업장 (high school diploma) combined with the 수능 (Suneung / CSAT) is classified H+ in the German anabin database — the highest recognition level. This means most Korean students qualify for direct admission (Direktzulassung) to German universities without completing a Studienkolleg year. Studienkolleg is only required in specific edge cases: no Suneung, very weak scores, or certain music conservatory pathways with different requirements. The Sperrkonto (blocked account) is 11,904 EUR. Total first-year costs run approximately 15,500,000–17,500,000 KRW for the direct path. Timeline is 8–12 months for direct admission.
For most Korean high school graduates with Suneung scores: no. Germany recognises Korean secondary education at the highest level. This is a major advantage that sets Korea apart from most other non-EU countries. Chinese, Indian, and Vietnamese high school graduates generally cannot enter German universities directly — they need Studienkolleg first. Korean students, by contrast, apply directly to universities just like German Abitur holders.
Here is the decision table based on your qualification:
| Your Qualification | Situation | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| 고등학교 졸업장 + 수능 (Suneung) | Good to strong scores | Direct admission at most German universities |
| 고등학교 졸업장 + 수능 (Suneung) | Very weak scores, university threshold not met | Studienkolleg may be required by specific universities |
| 고등학교 졸업장, no Suneung taken | — | Studienkolleg required |
| 1–2 years at SNU, Yonsei, Korea Univ., KAIST, POSTECH | — | Direct admission, Studienkolleg not needed |
| Completed Korean bachelor’s degree | — | Direct admission to German master’s programmes |
The anabin database is how German universities check foreign qualifications. A rating of H+ means the qualification is considered equivalent to the German Abitur. German universities can admit you directly without requiring a preparatory year.
Korean students with H+ qualifications can apply through uni-assist or directly through the university’s application portal. The anabin database lets you verify your specific school’s status before applying.
Example: Jiyeon from Seoul graduated with solid Suneung scores and applied directly to Heidelberg University. Her friend Minho never took the Suneung — he went to Studienkolleg at TU Berlin instead. No APS process for either of them.
The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) is a document verification office that examines academic records from specific countries where credential fraud has historically been a concern. It is a joint institution run by the German Embassy and the DAAD.
The APS currently requires certificates from applicants from China, India, and Vietnam. These three countries have been on the APS list since the mid-2000s. Pakistan was added later. Some other countries have their own academic evaluation requirements at specific universities.
Korea is not on the APS list. There is no APS Korea office. The DAAD Korea office in Seoul handles scholarship and academic exchange matters, but it is not an APS office and has no document-verification function. Korean students do not submit documents to any APS, do not pay APS fees, and do not attend APS interviews.
This is confirmed by multiple German academic institutions: the APS requirement applies only to China, India, and Vietnam (and a small number of other countries with specific arrangements). Korea has never been on this list.
The practical consequence: Korean applicants skip the APS stage entirely. No APS application, no APS interview, no 6-month waiting period, no risk of failing an APS interview. You move directly from preparing your documents to applying to universities.
| Country | APS Required? | APS Fee |
|---|---|---|
| China | Yes | ~800 CNY |
| India | Yes | ~6,000 INR |
| Vietnam | Yes | ~3,600,000 VND |
| Pakistan | Yes | fee varies |
| South Korea | No | None |
| Japan | No | None |
| USA | No | None |
Not needing APS does not mean no paperwork. Korean applicants still need to prepare their documents carefully. Here is what German universities actually require from Korean applicants:
The Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) manages the anabin database. German universities use it to check whether your Korean school and qualification are recognised. Most Korean 고등학교 are listed. If yours is not in the database, contact the university admissions office directly — they can usually request a ZAB assessment.
Translations must be done by a certified translator (beeidigter Übersetzer). The Korean community in major German cities has Korean-German translators who are certified for this purpose. Translation costs vary: expect 30–80 EUR per page for certified translations of Korean documents.
The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (외교부) issues apostilles at its Seoul headquarters and at regional offices. Processing time is typically 1–3 working days. The fee is 1,000 KRW per document. Bring the original documents and copies. Some universities now accept electronic apostilles — check with your target university before paying for paper apostilles.
Example: Soomin from Busan applied to RWTH Aachen. She had her graduation certificate and transcript apostilled at the Busan regional foreign affairs office, then certified translated by a Korean-German translator in Cologne who she found through the Korean community association. Total document cost: about 150,000 KRW plus translation fees.
Direct admission to a German university means applying as a first-semester student (Erstsemester) with your Korean high school credentials. No Studienkolleg, no preparatory year. This is the standard path for Korean students with a Suneung.
Most large German universities process international applications through uni-assist. Uni-assist evaluates your documents and forwards them to the university. Some universities — especially technical ones — have their own international admissions portals.
Universities set their own minimum requirements for Korean applicants. These are not nationally fixed. Each university decides what Suneung score range they consider sufficient for their programme.
German universities do not publish official Suneung cut-off scores the same way Korean universities do with their own 정시 tables. The following ranges are general orientations only — they vary by subject, semester, and annual admission decisions. Always check with the specific university’s international admissions office.
| University | Subject Area | Approximate Suneung Orientation (overall grade) |
|---|---|---|
| LMU Munich | Humanities, Social Sciences | Generally top 30–40% nationally |
| TU Munich | Engineering, Natural Sciences | Generally top 20–30% nationally |
| Heidelberg University | Medicine, Natural Sciences, Humanities | Generally top 20–30% nationally |
| HU Berlin | Humanities, Social Sciences | Generally top 40–50% nationally |
| FU Berlin | Social Sciences, Law, Humanities | Generally top 40–50% nationally |
| RWTH Aachen | Engineering, Computer Science | Generally top 25–35% nationally |
| Goethe-University Frankfurt | Economics, Law, Sciences | Generally top 40–50% nationally |
| TU Berlin | Engineering, Architecture | Generally top 30–40% nationally |
These figures are for orientation. Your language skills, motivation letter, and individual programme requirements all play a role. A strong B2/C1 German certificate can positively influence admissions decisions.
Most Korean students take the direct path. But Studienkolleg is the right choice in specific situations:
If you completed Korean high school but did not take the Suneung (수능), your academic record is classified differently in anabin. Without the Suneung score, German universities cannot assess your academic level using the H+ pathway. In this case, Studienkolleg is the standard route.
Some universities require a minimum performance level. If your Suneung results are in the bottom quartile nationally, individual universities may require you to complete Studienkolleg before admission. This is not a universal rule — some universities may still admit you directly, especially for less competitive programmes. Ask the admissions office.
Some highly competitive subjects — especially medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy — have additional entry requirements even for H+ applicants. Medical schools (Hochschulen) may require a specific science background that Studienkolleg can provide more efficiently than self-preparation.
If you studied one subject in Korea but want to study something completely different in Germany, a Studienkolleg year provides the subject-specific foundation (Grundkurs) you may be missing. This is especially useful for students moving from humanities to engineering (T-Kurs) or from engineering to economics (W-Kurs).
Example: Hyunwoo completed Korean high school in the arts track and never took the Suneung in math-heavy subjects. He wanted to study mechanical engineering in Germany. He enrolled in a T-Kurs Studienkolleg and used the year to build his math and physics foundation before applying to TU Munich.
Korean students applying to German Musikhochschulen (music conservatories) follow a completely different path. For music, art, and performance programmes, academic qualifications take a back seat to artistic talent.
All German music conservatories require an Eignungsprüfung — an artistic aptitude test. This usually involves:
The Eignungsprüfung is the primary selection criterion. If you pass it, the Suneung requirement is typically waived or significantly reduced. Academic qualifications still need to be in order, but the music school wants to know: can you play?
Germany has some of the most prestigious music conservatories in the world — the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, Hochschule für Musik und Theater München, and many others. Korean classical musicians have a very strong reputation in Germany. Korean students make up a significant share of international students at many German conservatories.
The application process for music schools:
No Studienkolleg is required if you pass the Eignungsprüfung, regardless of your Suneung score.
Korean students typically have strong English skills but little to no prior German. Plan for 12–18 months of German study to reach B2. Most Studienkollegs require B1 for admission; direct-admission universities generally want B2.
The Goethe-Institut is the official German cultural institute and runs language courses at two locations in Korea:
2026 course fees at Goethe-Institut Seoul (approximate):
| Course Level | Duration | Fee (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| A1 intensive (per module) | 8 weeks | 440,000 KRW |
| A2 intensive (per module) | 8 weeks | 440,000 KRW |
| B1 intensive (per module) | 8 weeks | 480,000 KRW |
| B2 intensive (per module) | 8 weeks | 480,000 KRW |
From zero to B1: 6 modules (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1, A2.2, B1.1, B1.2) = approximately 2,760,000 KRW. From zero to B2: 8 modules = approximately 3,680,000 KRW. These are rough estimates — check the current schedule directly.
Several Korean universities offer German language departments with solid programmes: Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS — 한국외국어대학교), and Ewha Womans University all have German departments. HUFS is particularly well-connected to German academic institutions.
Private language academies (학원) offering German exist throughout Seoul and in other major cities. Quality varies — look for institutes that prepare for the official Goethe or TestDaF exams.
TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) is one of the accepted German language certifications for university admission. It is recognised by all German universities. TestDaF centres in Korea:
The DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) is another option, but it is only administered at German universities — you take it after arriving in Germany, usually before your first semester begins.
For detailed guidance on which certificate to choose, read our German language requirements guide.
Korean citizens need a national visa (Type D, Visum zu Studienzwecken) to study in Germany. You apply at the German Embassy in Seoul.
Address: 4-10, Hannam-daero 32-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (용산구 한남대로32길 4-10)
The Embassy handles both student visas and all other long-stay visa types. For visa appointments, use the online booking system via the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de).
Apply for your visa the moment you have your university admission letter. Do not wait.
The student visa fee is 75 EUR (approximately 112,000 KRW at April 2026 exchange rates). Pay at the Embassy appointment. No refund if the visa is denied.
For the complete visa process including what happens after arrival, see our German student visa guide.
Here is the full budget for a Korean student studying in Germany. KRW amounts use an approximate exchange rate of 1 EUR = 1,500 KRW (April 2026 orientation rate).
| Item | EUR | KRW (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| APS certificate | Not required | 0 |
| Visa fee | 75 | 112,000 |
| Sperrkonto deposit | 11,904 | 17,856,000 |
| Flight Seoul–Frankfurt (one-way) | 500–900 | 750,000–1,350,000 |
| First month rent deposit | 300–800 | 450,000–1,200,000 |
| German courses (zero to B2, Goethe-Institut Seoul) | ~2,450 | ~3,680,000 |
| Document apostilles + certified translations | 100–200 | 150,000–300,000 |
| Total one-time costs (direct path) | ~15,300–16,300 | ~22,998,000–24,498,000 |
The absence of APS fees is a meaningful saving compared to applicants from APS countries. Chinese and Indian students pay the equivalent of 100–150 EUR just for the certificate — but more importantly, they invest months of time in the process. Korean students skip this entirely.
If Studienkolleg is required, add:
| Item | EUR | KRW (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Studienkolleg semester contribution (2 semesters) | 200–1,000 | 300,000–1,500,000 |
| Extra 10–12 months living costs in Germany | 7,500–12,000 | 11,250,000–18,000,000 |
| Entrance exam preparation materials | 50–100 | 75,000–150,000 |
| Item | EUR/month | KRW/month (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (student dorm or shared flat) | 300–600 | 450,000–900,000 |
| Health insurance (public, under 30) | 120–150 | 180,000–225,000 |
| Food and groceries | 200–300 | 300,000–450,000 |
| Semester contribution (monthly equivalent) | 15–75 | 22,500–112,500 |
| Transport (Deutschlandticket) | 29 | 43,500 |
| Phone and internet | 15–30 | 22,500–45,000 |
| Books and supplies | 20–40 | 30,000–60,000 |
| Personal expenses | 50–100 | 75,000–150,000 |
| Total monthly | ~750–1,325 | ~1,125,000–1,987,500 |
| Scenario | EUR | KRW (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (eastern Germany, dorm, careful spending) | ~13,500–14,500 | ~20,250,000–21,750,000 |
| Mid-range (mid-sized city, shared flat) | ~15,000–17,000 | ~22,500,000–25,500,000 |
| Comfortable (Munich, Hamburg, direct-path) | ~18,000–22,000 | ~27,000,000–33,000,000 |
For a full breakdown of Studienkolleg fees across all 46 institutions, see our complete cost guide.
About 40,000 Koreans live in Germany, with significant concentrations in Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Munich. Korean student associations (한인학생회) exist at most major German universities. These networks are invaluable: housing tips, exam advice, social connections, and people who speak Korean.
Korean restaurants and grocery stores are concentrated in these same cities — especially Düsseldorf (which has one of the largest Korean communities in Europe), Frankfurt, and Berlin. German cities also have Korean cultural centres (한국문화원) in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.
Frankfurt am Main is the entry point for most Korean students: the Korean consulate is there, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have direct Seoul–Frankfurt routes, and the Korean community is well-established. Many Korean students use Frankfurt as their first city before settling elsewhere in Germany.
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| Month 1–2 | Start German language course (Goethe-Institut Seoul or similar) |
| Month 2–3 | Research German universities and programmes, check anabin for your school |
| Month 3–4 | Get Korean documents apostilled; arrange certified translations |
| Month 6–10 | Reach B2 German; register for and take TestDaF or Goethe B2 exam |
| Month 8–10 | Submit applications via uni-assist (deadline: January 15 for summer, July 15 for winter) |
| Month 10–11 | Receive admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) |
| Month 10–11 | Open Sperrkonto (11,904 EUR) |
| Month 10–11 | Book visa appointment at German Embassy Seoul |
| Month 11–12 | Receive visa |
| Month 12 | Travel to Germany, register at Einwohnermeldeamt, enrol at university |
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| Month 1–2 | Start German course |
| Month 4–6 | Reach B1 German (required for Studienkolleg admission) |
| Month 6–8 | Apply to Studienkollegs (deadline: January 15 / July 15) |
| Month 7–9 | Take Studienkolleg entrance exam (Aufnahmeprüfung) |
| Month 8–10 | Receive Studienkolleg admission, open Sperrkonto, apply for visa |
| Month 10–12 | Travel to Germany, start Studienkolleg |
| Month 12–22 | Complete Studienkolleg (two semesters) |
| Month 22–24 | Pass Feststellungsprüfung (FSP); apply to German university |
For detailed Studienkolleg entrance exam preparation strategies, read our entrance exam guide.
No. Korea is not an APS country. The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) only applies to applicants from China, India, Vietnam, and a small number of other countries. Korean students do not submit documents to any APS office, do not pay APS fees, and do not attend APS interviews. This is one of the significant advantages Korean applicants have over students from APS-required countries.
There is no single national threshold. Each German university sets its own requirements. As an orientation: applicants in the top 30–50% nationally are generally well-positioned for most German universities. Highly competitive universities and programmes (TU Munich engineering, Heidelberg medicine) may expect scores in the top 20–30%. Always contact the specific university’s international admissions office to confirm current requirements.
Without a Suneung score, your Korean high school diploma does not carry the H+ recognition level for direct university admission. In this case, Studienkolleg is the standard route. You would apply to a Studienkolleg in the subject area relevant to your intended degree, spend two semesters studying in German, and then pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) to gain university access. Some universities may offer individual assessment — contact admissions offices directly.
If you completed Korean high school and have your 고등학교 졸업증명서 and 수능 성적통지표, you apply to German universities based on those credentials — Korean language is not relevant for the German side of the application. What matters is your German language level (B2) and your academic record.
For German music conservatories, artistic talent matters more than academic credentials. You audition (Eignungsprüfung) — typically a live performance of 30–45 minutes. If you pass the audition, the academic entry requirements are significantly relaxed or waived. Suneung scores are usually not the deciding factor. Korean classical musicians are highly regarded at German conservatories. The application cycle runs primarily in winter (January–March) for the following academic year.
네, 가능합니다. 다만 직접 입학(Direktzulassung) 경로는 대부분 막힙니다. 수능 없이는 슈투디엔콜렉 경로를 택해야 합니다. B1 독어 자격증을 취득하고 원하는 전공 과정의 슈투디엔콜렉에 지원합니다. 슈투디엔콜렉 2학기(약 1년)를 마치고 최종 시험(Feststellungsprüfung)을 통과하면 독일 대학에 지원할 수 있습니다. 전체 과정은 18–24개월이 소요됩니다.
German universities process applications from Korean students based on the anabin database. Without a Suneung, the Korean high school diploma alone is generally not rated H+ — it falls into a different category that requires additional qualification. Some universities may accept individual cases, especially if you have completed one or two years of higher education at a recognised Korean university. Direct enquiry to the international admissions office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of your target university is the right step. Studienkolleg remains the most reliable path in this situation.
Many German universities offer English-taught master’s programmes, but most bachelor’s programmes are in German. For Studienkolleg, German is the language of instruction — B1 is the minimum entry requirement, and you study in German throughout. For direct-admission bachelor’s study, B2 is the standard requirement. If you want to study an English-taught master’s, you apply after your Korean bachelor’s degree and the German language barrier is much lower.
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