Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The current list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) will be updated and expanded upon request.

Transcripts / Records of Study
Academic transcripts are records of your academic qualifications. If your university does not issue official transcripts, prepare a list of all lectures, seminars, courses etc. you attended (listed for each semester). Add confirmation of your participation in the courses, signed either by the supervisor of the respective course, or by an official of your university (for example the dean's or registrar's office).

Certified versus regular copies

  • Certified copies are hardcopies of your original documents bearing a signature and stamp or seal which indicates that the copy is identical to the original document. Certified copies can be issued, for example by the dean's or registrar's office of your university, the German Embassy, or a public notary. Please note that submission of certified copies is NOT required for application but only upon enrollment to our program at the University of Göttingen.
  • Regular copies are hardcopies or softcopies of your original documents without additional certification that the copy is identical with the original document. Regular copies are acceptable for the first round of evaluation of your application. Applicants will be asked for certification of relevant documents upon admission to the program.

English proficiency
No proof of English proficiency by an English test is required for applicants

  • who are native English speakers,
  • who have lived for a reasonable period in an English speaking country,
  • who have been taught in English for the majority of their courses (college or university). This should be stated in the transcript or confirmed by, for example, the dean's or registrar's office).

For all other applicants it is recommended (but not mandatory) that they submit proof of their English proficiency. This can be done by submitting the results of a standardized test such as TOEFL, IELTS, APIEL or CPE. For the selection and admission process, regular copies of the test score are usually sufficient. If possible, submit the test results together with your application before the deadline. If you receive the results of the language test after the application deadline during the ongoing admission process, you are welcome to send your test report to our office.

Diploma issued after the deadline
If you have not been awarded a degree for your course of study yet, please indicate the date when you expect it to be conferred. In case you receive your degree after the application deadline, you should submit the certification of your latest degree (if available) and a copy of your current transcript.
Candidates who have been accepted to the program need to submit their diploma (or a transcript indicating that the Bachelor's degree has been conferred) before courses start in October. Otherwise, enrollment at the University of Göttingen will not be possible.