FAQs

IU’s admission requirements depend on the study programme you are interested in. You can find the exact requirements for each programme listed on the page of each respective study programme, but if you’re looking for a general outline of our admission requirements, you can find it under the question “What documents do I need to prepare for my admission?” In this FAQ.  

Once you’ve chosen the study programme you want to take, and checked that you meet the application requirements, the next step is submitting your online application. 

It’s quick and easy to do: here’s a video that takes you through the process. At the end of your online application, a study contract will be made available for you to download. At this point, just sign and upload your study contract via your uploads page. You’ll get a link to it along with your contract. 

Once your signed contract is uploaded, you’ll need to upload your admission documents. Our admissions team will then check them to determine whether you are indeed eligible to start your desired study programme.  

If some documents are still required, admissions will let you know by email. If all documents are complete and you are eligible for the desired study programme, you will be registered and will receive an email with the next steps.  

Once your starting date arrives, you will receive credentials to log in to your virtual campus and can begin your studies. Good luck! 

Relevant documents that are needed for admission to a Bachelor's or Master’s programme can be found on our website in the respective page of your desired study programme.

In general, you will need to provide the following:

Via Upload:

• Copy of either your degree certificate or high school diploma (or an equivalent university entrance qualification), depending on the programme you're applying for.
• Copy of the Transcript of Records (with all of the modules taken in your previous institution [university, college, etc.] and grades).
• Sworn (certified) translation of your university entrance qualification and Transcript of Records if your documents are not in English or German.*
• Copy of your official photo ID (For data protection reasons, please black out all data fields with the exception of first name, surname, date of birth, expiration date and nationality.)
• CV with details of education, studies and work experience.
• Copy(s) of proof of professional work experience (e.g. job references/interim references, pay slips) - this is only required for some programmes.
• Proof of English (not older than five years), e.g. TOEFL (min. 80 points), IELTS (min. Level 6), Duolingo test (min. 95 points), OR medium of instruction from your secondary school or university studies.

Sent via Post:

• Certified copy of either your degree certificate or high school diploma (or an equivalent university entrance qualification), depending on the programme you're applying for. Alternatively, your documents can also be sent directly from the issuing institution via email to admission-online@iu.org.
• Sworn (certified) translations of your degree certificate or high school diploma (or an equivalent university entrance qualification).*

*The admissions documents must be provided in English or German, if they were not issued in one of these two languages, a translation is required. If you need to translate your documents, we can help refer you to our trusted translation partners M21 Global. You can find more details here.

If you translate your documents via M21 Global, there’s no need to provide a certified copy of the translation, as this is done by them. You’ll only need to certify the original language version of your documents

Depending on your personal circumstances, you might be required to provide proof of your English language proficiency. Your skills would need to match the B2 level of the Common European Framework (CEF). 

We accept the following English language skills certificates*: 

• TOEFL (minimum 80 points)* or 
• IELTS (minimum Level 6)* or
• ELLT or 
• Duolingo English Test (minimum 95 points)* or 
• Cambridge Certificate (minimum Grade B)* 

Is English your native language, or have you graduated from an English-speaking school or university? Then you do not need to prove your English language proficiency. 

Get in touch with our study advisors for more details. 

Your application is complete as you submit your confirmation of the study contract’s terms and conditions. You can then start your studies on your chosen start date. 

However, to be fully enrolled, and be able to finish your studies, you’ll need to submit your application documents.   

IU allows you to submit your documents whenever you’re ready, but we strongly encourage you to finish this step as early as possible.

Some of our Master and MBA programmes require work experience in a relevant field under certain circumstances. This must have been achieved after completion of your bachelor. Admission requirements for each course are available on course pages.  

Online: 
We guarantee IU online students maximum flexibility, so you can choose your own starting date in your application. On that day, we will send you the access data you need to begin.   

On Campus:  
We offer 2 to 4 intake dates per year, depending on the programme, but you can apply at any time. However, our on-campus programmes have fixed starting times. See the course pages for more.  

IU International University of Applied Sciences is a German accredited university, which means we as an institution are bound by state regulations. To find out more about our accreditations, rankings, and degree recognitions, please visit our Accreditations & Rankings page. 

In case you don’t meet admission requirements, our study advisory team will provide you with the relevant requirements you will ultimately need to meet in order to be admitted. This may include, for example, completing free admission courses before starting your study programme – or choosing a different programme. 

In total, we can recognize up to 50% of non-academic achievements – these include work experience, completed training periods, higher education etc. However, for academic achievements, we may recognize more than 50% if applicable.

Some of our Master’s level study programmes require specific academic experience in a certain field, in order for you to start the programme.  

However, if you do not have that experience, but you meet all the other admission requirements, we offer you the possibility to take admission courses that cover that required knowledge. You’ll have one year to complete them successfully, and they are free of charge. 

Once you’ve successfully completed the courses, you’ll need to inform us, and we will then register you for your desired Master’s programme. 

Your approval of the contract lets us know that you formally acknowledge and accept our terms of service. For us to successfully register you to study at IU, the first step is for us to be sure that you know and understand what you’re signing up for

Simply click here and fill out the online application form. 

For a detailed breakdown of the application process, see the question How does the application process work? on this page. 

Once you’ve accepted your contract terms, your application process will automatically be done, and your studies can begin. 

As for your enrolment process, which requires that you submit your documents -  our admissions team will check your documents and get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that during periods of high volume of applications, this might take up to 1-2 weeks.

If you have any questions about the enrolment process, you can contact our study advisors.

No, you don’t have to go to your local German embassy. Any official with a notarized seal can certify your documents – it can be a notary or a local government office- 

Depending on the admission requirements, you might have to take an entrance exam or an admission course to start your programme. 

If you start your studies through the Online Degree Saver Programme, the entrance exam is included in the first half of your studies. Once you finish the first half successfully, you’ll also pass the entrance exam. 

Our admissions team will let you know if you need to take an entrance exam; you can send your documents for a pre-check (it’s free of charge) or simply start the application process, upload your documents and wait for a reply. 

Depending on the country you come from, you might need to meet an additional entry requirement, like completing an admission course. These requirements are determined by the German ministry of education, and as a state accredited university, we are committed to its demands. 

We’re happy to perform a pre-check for your application documents, and let you know if you need to provide anything beyond what’s stated in the admission requirements of your desired study programme. 

For more details, get in touch with our study advisors. 

No, you will not need to have an interview. If you meet the admission requirements, you’ll be admitted to your desired programme. 

But, if you have any questions and would like to speak to someone, you’re more than welcome to talk to one of our study advisors. 

In order to prove that your grades meet the required level for starting a Master’s degree. A transcript of records is a detailed list of all of the modules or classes you have taken at a university at an undergraduate level (BA degree). 

IU’s admission requirements depend on the study programme you are interested in. You can find the exact requirements for each programme listed on the page of each respective study programme, but if you’re looking for a general outline of our admission requirements, you can find it under the question “What documents do I need to prepare for my admission?” In this FAQ. 

Once you’ve chosen the study programme you want to take, and checked that you meet the application requirements, the next step is submitting your online application.

At the end of your online application, a study contract will be made available for you to download. At this point, just sign and upload your study contract via your uploads page. You’ll get a link to it along with your contract.

Once your signed contract is uploaded, you’ll need to upload your admission documents. Our admissions team will then check them to determine whether you are indeed eligible to start your desired study programme. You also need to pay the fees for the first month at this stage.

If some documents are still required, admissions will let you know by email. If payment has been completed, you will be registered and will receive an email with the next steps. 

Once your starting date arrives, you will receive credentials to log in to Mycampus and can begin your studies. Good luck!

For more detailed information about the application process please click here.

Relevant documents that are needed for admission to a Bachelor's or Master’s programme can be found on our website in the respective page of your desired study programme. 

In general, you will need to provide the following before you start your studies: 

• Study contract signed (this will be made available for download at the end of your Online Application Form) 
• University entrance qualification (this can be an upper secondary school certificate or a Bachelor’s degree, depending on the programme)* 
• Upper secondary school transcript of records (with courses and grades) 
• Proof of English proficiency (for detailed information, see next question of this section) 
• For certain Master or MBA programs: proof of work experience 

And the following needs to be provided within the first three months of your studies: 

• CV (in tabluar form) 
• National ID (with your photo) 
• Certified copies of your application documents – the originals and the translations*  

*The admissions documents must be provided in English or German, if they were not issued in one of these two languages, a translation is required. If you need to translate your documents, we can help refer you to our trusted translation partners M21 Global. You can find more details here. 

If you translate your documents via M21 Global, there’s no need to provide a certified copy of the translation, as this is done by them. You’ll only need to certify the original language version of your documents.

Depending on your personal circumstances, you might be required to provide proof of your English language proficiency. Your skills would need to match the B2 level of the Common European Framework (CEF). 

We accept the following English language skills certificates*: 

• TOEFL (minimum 80 points)* or 
• IELTS (minimum Level 6)* or 
• Duolingo English Test (minimum 95 points)* or 
• Cambridge Certificate (minimum Grade B)* 

Is English your native language, or have you graduated from an English-speaking school or university? Then you do not need to prove your English language proficiency. 

Get in touch with our study advisors for more details. 

Your application is complete as soon as your study contract and admission documents are uploaded and approved. The sooner our admissions team receives your application documents, the quicker your admission is reviewed.  

IU offers you the flexibility to submit your documents whenever you’re ready, but we strongly encourage you to finish this step as early as possible. 

Some of our Master and MBA programmes require work experience in a relevant field under certain circumstances. This must have been achieved after completion of your bachelor. Admission requirements for each course are available on course pages. 

Online: 
We guarantee IU online students maximum flexibility, so you can choose your own starting date in your application. On that day, we will send you the access data you need to begin.  

On Campus:
We offer 2 to 4 intake dates per year, depending on the programme, but you can apply at any time. However, our on-campus programmes have fixed starting times. See the course pages for more. 

IU International University of Applied Sciences is a German accredited university, which means we as an institution are bound by state regulations. To find out more about our accreditations, rankings, and degree recognitions, please visit our Accreditations & Rankings page. 

In case you don’t meet admission requirements, our study advisory team will provide you with the relevant requirements you will ultimately need to meet in order to be admitted. This may include, for example, completing free admission courses before starting your study programme – or choosing a different programme. 

In total, we can recognize up to 50% of non-academic achievements – these include work experience, completed training periods, higher education etc. However, for academic achievements, we may recognize more than 50% if applicable.

Some of our Master’s level study programmes require specific academic experience in a certain field, in order for you to start the programme.  

However, if you do not have that experience, but you meet all the other admission requirements, we offer you the possibility to take admission courses that cover that required knowledge. You’ll have one year to complete them successfully, and they are free of charge – you'll only need to pay for the first month of your studies, as a deposit. 

Once you’ve successfully completed the courses, you’ll need to inform us, and we will then register you for your desired Master’s programme. 

By signing the contract, you formally acknowledge and accept our terms of service. For us to successfully enrol you to study at IU, the first step is for us to be sure that you know and understand what you’re signing up for. 

Simply click here and fill out the online application form. 

For a detailed breakdown of the application process, see the question How does the application process work? on this page. 

As for your enrolment process, which requires that you submit your documents -  our admissions team will check your documents and get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that during periods of high volume of applications, this might take up to 1-2 weeks.

If you have any questions about the enrolment process, you can contact our study advisors.  

No, you don’t have to go to your local German embassy. Any official with a notarized seal can certify your documents – it can be a notary or a local government office- 

Depending on the admission requirements, you might have to take an entrance exam or an admission course to start your programme. 

If you start your studies through the Scholarship Programme, the entrance exam is included in the first half of your studies. Once you finish the first half successfully, you’ll also pass the entrance exam. 

Our admissions team will let you know if you need to take an entrance exam; you can send your documents for a pre-check (it’s free of charge) or simply start the application process, upload your documents and wait for a reply. 

Depending on the country you come from, you might need to meet an additional entry requirement, like completing an admission course. These requirements are determined by the German ministry of education, and as a state accredited university, we are committed to its demands. 

We’re happy to perform a pre-check for your application documents, and let you know if you need to provide anything beyond what’s stated in the admission requirements of your desired study programme. 

For more details, get in touch with our study advisors. 

No, you will not need to have an interview. If you meet the admission requirements, you’ll be admitted to your desired programme. 

But, if you have any questions and would like to speak to someone, you’re more than welcome to talk to one of our study advisors. 

The APS certificate verifies the equivalence of your educational qualifications and is issued by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in collaboration with the German embassy. It is required for students from India, China and Vietnam for both online and on-campus programmes at IU.

You can apply for an APS certificate on the APS India website. If you need more details, please contact our Study Advisory Team.

To apply for the APS certificate, you’ll need to transfer the APS verification fee of 225€ to the APS bank account. You will then receive the APS fee transfer receipt. If you choose to study on campus at IU, we will reimburse you for the APS certificate cost, making it easier for you to focus on your studies without worrying about this initial expense.  

The APS Certificate is required for students regardless of if you are studying 100% online or on-campus in Germany. Those who choose to study on-campus are eligible for the APS certificate fee refund from IU. Considering the higher expenses of studying on-campus, we will reimburse you for the APS certificate cost, making it easier for you to focus on your studies without worrying about this initial expense. 

Yes, you will still require the APS certificate if you are a student from India, Vietnam or China. The certificate validates the authenticity of your academic documents, and is required even if you will be attending your IU programme 100% online from your country of residence. 

Here is an APS document checklist to help you get to grips with the process and ensure you have all of the documents required. This is specific to applicants from India. If you are applying from China or Vietnam, our Study Advisory Team will be happy to provide further details over e-mail or a phone call. 

• A completed application form with a passport-size photo 
• A copy of the verification fee receipt 
• A copy of the Aadhaar Card with the linked mobile number 
• A photocopy of the first and last page of your passport 
• Your school leaving certificate (including an overview of subjects and grades) 
• The grading system used by your higher secondary school 
• An overview of subjects and grades issued by your university (if you have completed your studies) 
• Your university diploma (if applicable) 
• A grading system specifying the minimum and maximum grades required for graduation from your university 
• A copy of a language certificate 
• An APS certificate (to be obtained through the APS application process) 
  

Online courses consist of video lectures, interactive learning material, access to online materials via the library, as well as online examination. You can access the materials 24/7 on mobile or PC via our online learning platform MyCampus. That way you can fit learning around your own schedule. You will also be able to interact with other students and your lecturers in case you have any questions.  

No. Your online studies are 100% flexible and are done whenever works for you. That includes the exams, too. 

You only need a reasonably up-to-date PC (desktop or laptop) with a stable internet connection. Other internet-capable devices such as a tablet or smartphone can also assist you in your studies. 

For detailed equipment recommendations, please visit our How to apply page

Yes, once you're registered as a student, you will also receive access to our online library, where you can search for an unlimited amount of journal articles and literature that can be downloaded in an e-book format.

Interactivity is a top priority for us. This means that you will have numerous online learning materials at your disposal. The content of each course can vary to include video tutorials, podcasts, interactive PDFs, presentations, or e-books from our online library.  

We also stress the practical relevance of our teaching material by using case studies and reports from everyday work life. We also attach great importance to intensive exam preparation (e.g. through non-graded self-tests).  

Yes, you can exchange ideas with other students via our virtual campus.  

Each course you take has a recurring Intensive Live Session – a live session with your instructor, where they’ll cover some of the course material in more details, and answer any questions you might have. These take place usually once a month. 

These sessions are all recorded, and can be accessed whenever you want, via the digital campus. 

Yes, the recordings of the Intensive Live Sessions are uploaded to myCampus, your digital campus. 

No, there will be no indication. Your diploma will look just like any other university diploma. 

You can see a sample here. 

If you study online, once you meet the exam requirements of a given course (e.g. passing non-graded self-tests), you can register for an exam at any time. Exam slots are available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Our online exams are carried out and supervised by an external provider, with whom you’ll need to book a time slot in advance (at any time of day you would like). To take your exam, you will need to connect to the provider’s platform at the scheduled time, with either your laptop and an external webcam, or two digital devices (iPad and smartphone, for example) - one with which you’ll take the exam, and one which is set up so your keyboard, hands and face are visible from the side.  

This is required in order to ensure that you take the exam without using any external help, such as contact with other people or using notes. 

The duration is determined by the ECTS credits earned through the course: 
- A 5 ECTS credits course means the exam is 90 minutes long. 
- A 10 ECTS credits course means the exam is 180 minutes long. 

The structure of the final exam depends on the course type and reflects the content of the course. In standard courses, the exam usually consists of approx. 50% open/ semi-open questions and 50% closed questions (e.g. multiple-choice, yes-no, matching questions). Other courses may require a different exam type such as case study, project-specific presentation, written assignment etc. 

The results will be published three to six weeks (max.) after the examination date.

You have three attempts; in other words, each exam you fail can be repeated twice.

You can take your exams whenever you feel ready. The quizzes are only a tool for you to test your knowledge, so you can find out how ready you are to take the final exam in your course. 

If you start your studies through the Online Degree Saver Programme, you’ll be registered as a participant for the first half of your studies. You will be fully enrolled as a student and receive your proof of matriculation only after you’ve completed the first half of your courses and fully submitted your documents.

If you study online, once you meet the exam requirements of a given course (e.g. passing non-graded self-tests), you can register for an exam at any time. Exam slots are available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Our online exams are carried out and supervised by an external provider, with whom you’ll need to book a time slot in advance (at any time of day you would like). To take your exam, you will need to connect to the provider’s platform at the scheduled time, with either your laptop and an external webcam, or two digital devices (iPad and smartphone, for example) - one with which you’ll take the exam, and one which is set up so your keyboard, hands and face are visible from the side.  

This is required in order to ensure that you take the exam without using any external help, such as contact with other people or using notes. 

The duration is determined by the ECTS credits earned through the course: 
- A 5 ECTS credits course means the exam is 90 minutes long. 
- A 10 ECTS credits course means the exam is 180 minutes long. 

The structure of the final exam depends on the course type and reflects the content of the course. In standard courses, the exam usually consists of approx. 50% open/ semi-open questions and 50% closed questions (e.g. multiple-choice, yes-no, matching questions). Other courses may require a different exam type such as case study, project-specific presentation, written assignment etc. 

The results will be published three to six weeks (max.) after the examination date.

You have three attempts; in other words, each exam you fail can be repeated twice.

You can take your exams whenever you feel ready. The quizzes are only a tool for you to test your knowledge, so you can find out how ready you are to take the final exam in your course. 

If you start your studies through the Scholarship Programme, you’ll be registered as a participant for the first half of your studies. Only after you’ve completed the first half, will you be enrolled as a student and receive your proof of matriculation. 

You will receive a free iPad (on condition of transfer of use*) if you’re newly enrolled at IU as a Bachelor’s or Master’s student in one of the following study models:

• Online studies
• myStudies
• Upskilling

Additionally, you need a home address in the EU. 

Participants of IU FlexLearning, company trainings, special programmes or cooperations do not receive a free iPad for their studies or further education programme.

*For info about the transfer of use agreement, see the question: Do I have to give back my IU iPad after completing my degree?)

To access our digital study tools as soon as possible, you will receive your iPad at the start of your studies. Simply enrol in an online, myStudies or Upskilling Bachelor’s or Master’s programme to receive your iPad.

The dispatch of the iPad through our external provider is subject to availability. Supply shortages from Apple may delay the delivery.

You will be informed of the dispatch of the iPad by e-mail and will receive the consignment number. This allows you to check the shipping status directly.

If you complete your degree according to the contract, you get to keep your iPad afterwards. When enrolling, you enter into a transfer of use agreement, which states that the iPad becomes your property after graduation.

The iPad remains the property of IU International University of Applied Sciences for the duration of your contract. 

If your contract ends prematurely (for any reason), you are obliged to return the iPad in a functional state within one week.

For shipments within Germany and the EU (DHL country zone 1), with the shipping service provider UPS, the costs of the return will be borne by IU if you register the return via the portal of our service provider Service - Gesellschaft für digitale Bildung mbH A Converge Company and generate the shipping label.

To facilitate your start at IU and with your iPad, we have pre-installed the most important tools, such as the IU Learn App. You will also find the Google Chrome browser, which facilitates the use of the web version of the app, as well as myCampus, on the device.

You will also find MS Outlook and MS Teams pre-installed so that you can get started with your new IU e-mail address and communicate directly with your fellow students. All you have to do is log in with your login data, which you will receive the night of the start of your studies.

How does this work? To facilitate your experience and secure your user data, we use the device management software JAMF. You can find more information here.

In principle, we provide you with an iPad so that you can use it for your studies. Many of our students report that they use the iPad for research, to read (online) scripts in the IU Learn App or to create flashcards. By the way, you can do all this without an Apple ID, as these apps are already pre-installed.

If you want to watch your favourite series or shop online with your iPad, you can do this with your Apple ID and download it from the App Store. Please note that it may be necessary to access or delete installed apps and any data you saved or to reset the device and/or apps to factory settings in order to maintain IT security and to process the return, repair, or transfer of ownership, or if you lose your device.

If you install personal apps on the device and save private data, private data may also be accessed or deleted in the process.

We therefore recommend that you make sure that personal data is saved separately and securely (e.g., in a cloud, on an external hard drive, etc.).

Many of our international students don’t have a home address in the EU. They can receive an iPad by providing an address within the EU – like that of a friend or a relative - who can then forward them the iPad.

If the battery breaks during the warranty period or if the battery, i.e., accumulator, is empty, the company Smart Support will replace it for you for free. Outside the warranty period and in the event of self-inflicted damage, you can have the device repaired by Smart Support at your own expense.

Don’t want to pay the costs? No problem! In this case, the defective device will remain with Smart Support as a "returned" item. Unfortunately, it is not possible to send you a new iPad.

Please register the repair of the IU iPad directly through the service portal.

Have you lost your IU iPad or can no longer find it? In that case, please report the loss immediately to our Students Office. We will forward the information to IT Support, who can lock the device so that it is no longer functional.

This way, we can prevent any kind of data misuse, including the illegal sale of the device, should it fall into the wrong hands.

If the device reappears at a later stage or if someone attempts to sell the device, IU International University of Applied Sciences will be identified as the owner of the device through the device number. If the device can be returned to IU, we will contact you to reimburse any compensation you have paid.

Your IU iPad was stolen? Please report the theft immediately to our Students Office. We will forward the information to IT Support and can immediately lock the device so that it is no longer functional. This way, we can counteract any misuse of your data and prevent an illegal sale.

Afterwards, report the case directly to your insurance company so that they can take over the compensation for you.

If the device reappears at a later stage or if someone attempts to sell the device, IU International University of Applied Sciences will be identified as the owner of the device through the device number. If the device can be returned to IU, we will contact you to reimburse any compensation you have paid.

The iPad remains the property of IU International University of Applied Sciences for the duration of your studies. As soon as you have successfully completed your studies, we will give you the iPad as a present, meaning that it becomes your property. You can find more information here.

Unfortunately, this is not possible, as the iPad represents an additional service from IU International University of Applied Sciences.

You can find more information on the iPad here.

Every new student enrolled for the first time at our University of Applied Sciences in a Bachelor's or Master's online study programme or myStudies programme, or as a participant in an Upskilling programme at IU, who has a home address in the European Union, receives an iPad for free use for the entire duration of their studies, or Upskilling programme (WiFi-enabled, Bluetooth).

Participants in the IU FlexLearning, company trainings, special programmes and special cooperations are excluded.

Participants without a home address in the European Union can receive the iPad provided they submit an address within the European Union.

Depending on the actual availability on the part of Apple, the iPad will be delivered by our external service provider shortly after the start of the study programme. In the event of delivery delays by Apple, the delivery will be postponed accordingly.

The iPad remains the property of IU throughout the duration of the study contract. If the student fulfils their studies or Upskilling contract in accordance with the provisions of the contract and successfully completes their studies, the ownership of the iPad shall pass to the student at the scheduled end of their study contract. Any device management software which is still installed on the device by the end of the contract will be removed. 

In the event of a premature termination of the studies contract (e.g., through cancellation by one party or for other reasons), the student must return the iPad in working order within one week of the contract’s termination.

The return is to be made by means of a shipping label that can be generated via the service portal of the service provider. The return costs in Germany via DHL and UPS, within the EU country zone 1 via DHL, are borne by IU, provided that the process described according to the transfer of use has been followed.

In the event of a technical defect, the replacement of batteries or accumulators, or in the event of other technical issues, the processing shall be carried out via the external service provider.