How to Shortlist German Universities for a Master's (2026-2027, Free Tool)

How to shortlist universities for MS in Germany

To shortlist German universities for an MS, Indian students must evaluate their Bachelor's degree and coursework against departmental admission rules rather than general university rankings. Admissions decisions pass through two mandatory gates: institutional recognition on anabin and strict subject-credit matching (Fachrichtungsrelevanz).

Follow this 6-step shortlisting process:

1. Convert your CGPA to the German grading scale: Apply the Modified Bavarian Formula using your university's official minimum pass mark to calculate your German grade (1.0 to 4.0).
2. Verify institution and degree recognition on anabin: Confirm that your undergraduate university is rated H+ and your degree is listed as equivalent (entspricht or gleichwertig).
3. Audit academic credit requirements: Check your transcript against the programme's admission regulations (Zulassungssatzung or Zugangssatzung) to verify required ECTS credits in core subjects.
4. Identify admission types: Categorize programmes into open admission (zulassungsfrei), restricted admission (Numerus Clausus / NC), or aptitude assessment (Eignungsverfahren).
5. Check language prerequisites: Check the exact IELTS or TOEFL score on each programme page, and verify whether basic German proficiency (A1 to B1) is required.
6. Balance your application portfolio: Pick a focused list (we usually advise 4 to 6 programmes) across Safe, Target and Ambitious tiers, and budget for each application fee.

A high CGPA clears neither gate on its own. A 9.0 with the wrong subjects can be rejected, and a 7.5 with a perfect subject match can be admitted to an open programme.

Step 1: Convert your CGPA to the German scale

German universities use the Modified Bavarian Formula: 1 + 3 × (Max - Your grade) ÷ (Max - Min pass). With a 10-point scale and a minimum pass of 4.0:

Use your university's own minimum pass. Convert yours with the CGPA to German GPA Converter.

If your university reports a percentage instead of a CGPA, see the CGPA to percentage conversion formula first.

To see which real programmes your converted grade meets, read what CGPA is required for a Master's in Germany.

Step 2: Check your degree on anabin

What does consecutive Master's mean?

A consecutive Master's degree (konsekutiver Masterstudiengang) in Germany builds directly on a specific Bachelor's degree in the same or closely related subject area. German universities require applicants to prove substantial prior coursework in the discipline; for example, a Master's in Computer Science usually requires a related undergraduate degree, such as computer science or a closely related engineering subject with the required credits.

What is numerus clausus (NC) in Germany?

Numerus Clausus (NC), Latin for "closed number", means a degree programme has a fixed limit on available study places. When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of seats, universities rank candidates primarily by their converted German GPA, offering admission from the highest rank downward until all seats are filled. In contrast, open admission programmes (zulassungsfrei) admit every applicant who meets the published academic criteria.

In our database, about half of the English-taught Master's have open admission. That is where a mid-range CGPA has the most chances.

How many German universities should I apply to?

Pratik Jain, who leads Reknown Edu Services, usually advises 4 to 6 well-chosen programmes, more or fewer depending on your goals, budget and profile. There is no official number. A focused list where you clearly meet each programme's subject and credit rules beats a long list of guesses, and every application has a fee. Some students apply far more widely: in a real admissions season we published, an applicant with an 8.51 CGPA applied to 26 programmes and received 7 admits. See the admission timeline case study.

Step 4: Build Safe, Target and Ambitious tiers

Step 5: Run the free German University Shortlister

The German University Shortlister compares your profile with 9,800+ German Master's programmes (2,500+ taught in English), built from DAAD International Programmes, Hochschulkompass and university websites.

You get a report with programmes sorted into Safe, Target and Ambitious. It is free, and you can skip the contact form.

Step 6: Check every programme yourself before paying

1. Read the admission regulations (Zulassungsordnung or Prüfungsordnung) for exact subject and credit rules.
2. Compare your transcript with the required subjects.
3. Check the language rules. Some English-taught programmes also ask for basic German.
4. Check the deadline and the portal: uni-assist or the university's own.
5. Count the cost: tuition at TUM and Baden-Württemberg universities, the €11,904 blocked account, and rent.

Applying on your own? Our DIY kit for an MSc in Germany walks through each step of the application roadmap.

When should I do this?

Start APS at the same time as your shortlist. From the Summer 2027 intake, selected Master's fields also need the dMAT.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many German universities should I apply to?

Pratik Jain, who leads Reknown Edu Services, usually advises 4 to 6 well-chosen programmes, more or fewer depending on your goals, budget and profile. There is no official number. A focused list where you clearly meet each programme's subject and credit rules beats a long list of guesses, and every application has a fee. Some students apply far more widely: in a real admissions season we published, an applicant with an 8.51 CGPA applied to 26 programmes and received 7 admits. See the admission timeline case study.

What does consecutive Master's mean?

A consecutive Master's degree (konsekutiver Masterstudiengang) in Germany builds directly on a specific Bachelor's degree in the same or closely related subject area. German universities require applicants to prove substantial prior coursework in the discipline; for example, a Master's in Computer Science usually requires a related undergraduate degree, such as computer science or a closely related engineering subject with the required credits.

What is numerus clausus (NC) in Germany?

Numerus Clausus (NC), Latin for "closed number", means a degree programme has a fixed limit on available study places. When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of seats, universities rank candidates primarily by their converted German GPA, offering admission from the highest rank downward until all seats are filled. In contrast, open admission programmes (zulassungsfrei) admit every applicant who meets the published academic criteria.

Is the German University Shortlister free?

Yes. You can skip the contact form and see your report straight away.

My CGPA is below 7. Can I still apply?

Yes. Focus on open admission programmes where you meet the subject requirements, and strengthen your SOP, projects and work experience.

Do German universities convert Indian credits to ECTS?

Not by a fixed formula. They assess your degree as a whole, and check subjects and credits against their own rules.

Should I shortlist by ranking?

No. Rankings measure research, not your chance of admission. Start from subject fit and admission type.

Can a tool predict my admission?

No tool can. The shortlister applies the published rules to give you a strong first list. Each programme's admissions committee makes the final decision.

Sources

• anabin.kmk.org
• DAAD International Programmes
• Hochschulkompass: Master's degrees in Germany
• Hochschulkompass: Admission restrictions (NC)
• uni-assist

Related tools

• German University Shortlister
• CGPA to German GPA Converter
• VTU Module Checker