Introduction
The APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) is a necessary document issued by the Academic Evaluation Center for the Indian students applying to German universities. It serves as proof of the authenticity and equivalence of student’s academic documents, thereby ensuring an unbiased assessment of their qualifications by German universities and authorities.
APS and its implementation in India
The APS certificate requirement for Indian students was implemented in recent years (since October 2022) as part of the evolving policies and regulations governing international admissions. The APS process was initiated to address the differences in educational systems between India and Germany, to ensure that applicants’ qualifications are accurately assessed and compared. This requirement is in line with the standards set by German universities to maintain the integrity and fairness of the admissions process.
Countries Requiring APS Certificate
Apart from India, many other countries also require APS certificate for students applying to German universities. These countries include China, Mongolia, Vietnam and some Eastern European countries. The APS process is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment and verification system for applicants from these countries, to consider differences in educational systems and to ensure that qualifications meet the required standards.
Purpose and importance of APS
The APS certificate holds great importance in the admission process for Indian students seeking higher education in Germany. It plays an important role in verifying the academic credentials of applicants and helps German universities assess their eligibility for admission. By undergoing the APS assessment, students demonstrate that their qualifications are in line with the standards and requirements set by German educational institutions.
Benefits and Implications of APS Certificate
Having an APS certificate offers several benefits to Indian students applying to German universities. First and foremost, it increases their chances of securing admission. German universities consider the APS certificate as a reliable verification of the applicant’s qualifications, giving them confidence in the authenticity of the documents. In addition, it is important to note that many universities now require the APS certificate as a mandatory document during the application process itself. This means that students must obtain the APS certificate before they can even apply for their desired program at German universities.
Furthermore, the APS certificate is an important requirement during the visa application process. It serves as proof of the applicant’s educational qualifications and is required as a part of documents for Visa.
APS Application Process
To obtain the APS certificate, Indian students have to follow a specific application process outlined by the APS office. This process generally involves the submission of their academic transcripts, degrees, certificates and other relevant documents to the APS office. These documents are evaluated by experts from the APS office based on the guidelines set by the Central Foreign Education Office (ZAB) in Germany. The objective of the evaluation is to determine the equivalence and authenticity of the applicant’s academic qualifications.
APS Timeline
Application Submission: Students should submit their APS application along with the required documents to the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) by post to the following address.
Gate No. 3, DLTA Complex, R.K. Khanna Stadium, 1 Africa Avenue, 110029 New Delhi, India
Payment Verification: Students are required to make the necessary payment of Rs. 18,000/- for the APS evaluation. The APS office verifies the payment and confirms its receipt before proceeding with the evaluation.
Document Verification: The APS authorities verify the submitted documents, including academic transcripts, certificates, and other relevant records.
Verification with Indian Institutions: The APS office contacts the respective Indian educational institutions to validate the submitted documents and gather additional information if needed. This step is crucial to ensure the credibility of the academic records.
Evaluation Result: After a comprehensive assessment, the APS office issues the APS certificate to the student. The evaluation result reflects the equivalence of the student’s Indian qualifications to the German education system.
APS Processing Time
The entire process of obtaining the APS certificate typically takes around 3 to 4 months, considering the document verification, review, evaluation, and communication with Indian institutions. The APS processing time may vary for individual students. Factors such as the complexity of the case, document verification, communication with Indian institutions, and other circumstances can influence the duration of the process.
Therefore, it is important for students to be aware that the timeline for obtaining the APS certificate may be shorter or longer depending on their specific situation. It is advisable for students to plan their application timeline accordingly to avoid any delays.
I have obtained by APS certificate in 2 months and if you want to know how you can obtain the APS certificate faster, read this.
APS Help and Resource
During the APS application process, Indian students can receive guidance and support from the APS Office. The official APS website serves as a valuable resource, providing comprehensive information, guidelines, online portals and contact details to ensure applicants have access to accurate information. Though the APS does not reply to the query mails, they generally convey the important updates through news section in their website.
Conclusion
Obtaining the APS certificate is an essential step for Indian students who wish to study in Germany. This not only validates the authenticity of their educational qualification but also increases their chances of getting admission in German universities. By diligently following the APS application process and taking advantage of available resources and support, students can meet the requirements smoothly and present their qualifications with confidence.
That’s a wrap! I hope this information was valuable.
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