📚 APS Certification for Studying in Germany: Steps & Key Tips | 德国留学APS审核申请步骤与注意事项
Embarking on a degree programme at a German university is a life-changing decision, but for students from China, Vietnam and Mongolia the path begins with a crucial administrative hurdle: the APS certification. This official document, issued by the Akademische Prüfstelle (APS), confirms the authenticity of your academic records and is a mandatory prerequisite for university admission. This guide walks you through every application step while highlighting common pitfalls and practical advice.
赴德攻读学位是改变人生的决定，但对于来自中国、越南和蒙古的学生而言，旅程的起点必须跨越一道关键的程序门槛：APS审核证书。这份由德国留德人员审核部（APS）签发的官方文件，用以证实学术材料的真实性，是申请德国大学的强制前置条件。本指南将带你梳理每一个申请步骤，同时指出常见误区与实用建议。
1. What is APS? | 什么是APS审核？
The Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) is an institution affiliated with the Cultural Section of the German Embassy in Beijing. Its primary mission is to verify the educational documents of applicants from countries with particular verification requirements. For Chinese students, passing the APS evaluation is non-negotiable before submitting applications to most German universities.
留德人员审核部（APS）是德国驻华使馆文化处下属的专门机构，核心任务是对来自特定审核要求国家的申请人的学历材料进行真实性核查。对于中国学生而言，在向绝大多数德国大学递交申请之前，必须通过APS审核，这是不可避免的硬性要求。
2. Who Needs to Pass the APS Review? | 哪些人需要通过APS审核？
All Chinese nationals who intend to begin a full bachelor's, master's or state examination programme at a German higher education institution require an APS certificate. Exceptions include applicants for purely artistic degrees (with a separate process), those already holding a degree awarded by a German or EU university, and participants in certain recognised exchange programmes. Doctoral candidates may be exempt depending on the faculty's regulations.
所有计划在德国高校攻读完整学士、硕士或国家考试等学位的中国籍学生，均须取得APS证书。例外情况包括：申请纯艺术类专业（另设程序）、已获得德国或欧盟大学学位的学生，以及部分受认可的交换项目参与者。博士生是否豁免则取决于院系的具体规定。
3. Types of APS Certificate: Individual vs. Group Review | APS证书类型：个审与团审
The APS system offers two main pathways. The Individual Review (Einzelprüfung) is the standard route for self-organised applicants; it normally involves a personal interview or, for certain younger students, the TestAS academic aptitude test. The Group Review (Gruppenverfahren) is reserved for students who enrol via partnership agreements between Chinese and German universities, where the German partner coordinates the review. Most independent applicants follow the individual review procedure.
APS体系提供两种主要路径。个审（Individual Review）是自主申请人的标准通道，通常包括一场审核面谈，部分低年级在读生则可参加TestAS学习能力测试。团审（Group Review）则专门面向通过中德高校合作项目招录的学生，由德方合作院校统一组织审核。绝大多数独立申请者均走个审流程。
4. Overview of the APS Application Steps | 申请步骤总览
The application journey can be broken into five core stages: online registration and document compilation, submission with fee payment, scheduling and preparation for the interview or test, attending the evaluation, and finally receiving the certificate. Each stage requires meticulous attention to detail, as even minor errors can delay the process by weeks.
申请全程可分解为五个核心阶段：在线注册与材料准备、材料递交及审核费汇款、面谈或考试安排与准备、参加审核评估，以及最后获取证书。每一步都需要细致把关，微小的失误也可能导致流程拖延数周。
5. Step 1 – Online Registration and Documentary Preparation | 第一步 – 在线注册与材料准备
Begin by accessing the official APS portal (www.aps.org.cn) and filling in the online registration form in English or German. Print the completed form and sign it. Next, gather the required documents: notarised copies of your senior high school diploma, Gaokao results (or university admission register), university transcripts and enrollment certificate, as well as clear photocopies of your passport and identity card. Depending on your academic status, you may also need proof of language study and a curriculum vitae.
首先登录APS官网（www.aps.org.cn），用英语或德语填写在线注册表格，打印并手写签名。随后按清单收集材料：高中毕业证书公证件、高考成绩单（或大学录取花名册）公证件、大学成绩单及在读证明公证件，以及护照和身份证的清晰复印件。根据当前学业状态，可能还需提供语言学习证明和个人简历。
All notarised translations must be prepared by a recognised notary office and include both the Chinese original and a complete English or German translation. University documents such as the admission register and transcript should show detailed course titles and grades. Do not send original certificates; only notarised copies are accepted and will not be returned.
所有公证件必须由正规公证处出具，同时包含中文原件与完整的英文或德文翻译。“大学录取花名册”和成绩单等高校材料需清晰显示课程名称和分数。切勿寄送证书原件，审核部只收不退回公证件。
6. Step 2 – Submission and Payment | 第二步 – 材料递交与缴费
Once your document package is complete, mail everything by registered post or courier to the designated APS office (Beijing or Shanghai) based on your province of residence. Alternatively, you may submit the dossier in person during office hours. The current review fee for the individual procedure in China is approximately 2500 RMB (always verify on the official website). Fees must be transferred to the bank account specified on the APS portal, and the original bank remittance receipt must be included in your envelope.
材料备齐后，应根据户籍所在地将文件通过挂号信或快递邮寄至北京或上海审核部；也可在办公时间内亲自递交。目前个审费用约为2500元人民币（请务必以官网最新信息为准），必须汇款至APS官网指定的银行账户，并将银行汇款单原件随文件一同寄出。
Double-check that the applicant's name and registration number are clearly written on the remittance slip, as missing these details makes it impossible to assign the payment. Keep a photocopy of all submitted forms and receipts for your records.
务必确认汇款单上清晰注明申请人姓名和注册号，缺少这些信息将导致无法匹配款项。所有已寄出的表格与单据请自行留存复印件。
7. Step 3 – Interview Scheduling and How to Prepare | 第三步 – 面谈安排与如何准备
After the APS office verifies the completeness and accuracy of your documents, you will receive a notification by email or post informing you of the tentative interview date. The waiting period can range from a few weeks to several months, so it is wise to start revision early. The interview focuses on your university-level knowledge relevant to the degree you intend to pursue, not on general personal questions.
审核部确认材料齐全无误后，会通过电子邮件或信件通知预计的面谈日期。等待期从几周到数月不等，因此宜尽早开始复习准备。面谈的核心是考察你大学阶段与目标专业相关的知识，而非泛泛的个人问题。
Prepare by reviewing the core modules listed in your university transcripts. You need to be able to explain key concepts, methodologies and examples in either English or German (the interview language is chosen during registration). Practise describing what you learned in each course using simple, structured sentences rather than memorising scripts. A typical interview lasts about 20 minutes of oral questioning, sometimes preceded by a short 20-minute written exercise.
准备时，以大学成绩单上的核心课程为重点，力求能用英语或德语（注册时选定面谈语言）解释关键概念、方法与实例。练习用简洁有条理的语言概述每门课所学，切忌死记硬背模板。典型的面谈包含约20分钟的口头提问，有时会在此前安排一段20分钟左右的书面小练习。
8. Step 4 – The APS Interview or TestAS Exam | 第四步 – APS面谈或TestAS考试
On the appointed day, arrive at the APS office ahead of time with your passport or identity card. The evaluation is designed to test your genuine study experience, not your exam-taking skills. For the interview variant, examiners will pick courses from your transcript and invite you to explain subject matter, illustrate with examples, and sometimes draw diagrams on a whiteboard. Stay calm and treat the conversation like an academic discussion with a tutor.
面谈当天，携带护照或身份证提前到达审核部。评估的目的是检验你真实的学习经历，而非应试能力。在面谈形式下，考官会从你的成绩单中选取课程，引导你阐述知识点、举例说明，有时还需在白板上绘图。保持镇定，将它视为一场与导师的学术讨论。
If you are eligible for the TestAS (typically students who have completed one semester at Project 211 universities or three semesters at non-211 schools), the assessment replaces the interview entirely. TestAS is a standardised aptitude test covering core skills and subject-specific modules. Whether you sit the interview or TestAS, honesty and composure are your greatest assets.
若符合TestAS考试资格（通常为211大学读满一学期或非211大学读满三学期的学生），则无需参加面谈。TestAS是一项标准化学习能力测试，涵盖核心能力与专业模块。无论参加面谈还是TestAS，诚实与沉稳都是你最大的优势。
9. Step 5 – Receiving Your APS Certificate | 第五步 – 获取APS审核证书
Results are usually announced within a few working days to a few weeks after the evaluation. Successful candidates receive ten original copies of the APS certificate, which carry no expiration date and can be used for multiple university applications. Should you fail the first attempt, you are entitled to one re-evaluation after a mandatory waiting period of three months. If you also fail that, further attempts are only possible with a new registration.
审核结果一般会在评估后数天至数周内公布。通过审核的申请人将收到十份APS证书原件，该证书永久有效，可用于多次大学申请。若首次未通过，在规定的三个月等待期后可申请一次补审。若第二次仍未通过，则只能重新注册排队审核。
10. Common Mistakes and Essential Tips | 常见错误与关键建议
One frequent mistake is submitting notarised documents that lack the required translation or seal, causing the office to return the whole package. Another is providing an incomplete transcript that omits certain semesters. Always use the checklist published on the APS website and tick off every item before posting.
常见错误之一是所提交的公证件缺少必要的翻译或印章，导致全套材料被退回。另一类问题是递交的成绩单不完整，遗漏了某些学期。请务必对照APS官网公布的材料清单逐项打勾确认，再行寄送。
Many candidates underestimate the interview preparation. Relying on scripted answers or trying to impress with memorised technical jargon often backfires, as examiners quickly spot superficial knowledge. Instead, create one-page mind maps for each course and practise explaining them out loud. Choose clear illustrative examples from your lab work, projects or class discussions.
许多申请者低估了面谈准备的重要性。依赖标准话术或企图用背诵的专业术语蒙混过关往往会适得其反，考官能迅速识破浮于表面的认知。更好的方法是，为每门课制作一页思维导图并大声练习讲解，再从实验、项目或课堂讨论中选取清晰的实例。
Payment errors also cause delays. Confirm the exact amount and bank details with the official announcement, and double-check that the remittance slip bears your registration number. Do not forget to sign the printed online registration form; unsigned forms are invalid.
汇款错误同样会招致延误。务必按官网公告核实准确金额与账户信息，并反复确认汇款单上的注册号无误。此外，切勿忘记在打印的在线注册表上签名，未签名的表格无效。
11. Frequently Asked Questions | 常见问题解答
Does the APS certificate expire? No, the certificate is permanently valid. However, a very small number of universities may ask for a copy no older than two years; check with your target institution.
APS证书会过期吗？不会，证书永久有效。但极少数大学可能要求提交签发不超过两年的副本，请向目标院校确认。
Can I change my degree programme after obtaining APS? Yes, the certificate is not tied to a specific field, though the interview content should match your actual academic background. If you switch from an engineering bachelor to a business master, you may need a supplementary evaluation.
获得APS后可以更换专业方向吗？可以，证书不限定专业，但面谈内容应与你的实际学习背景相符。如果从工科本科转向商科硕士，可能需要补充审核。
How is the TestAS different from the interview? The TestAS is a written aptitude test that does not require an oral discussion of your courses. It assesses general and subject-specific academic skills. In contrast, the interview probes your acquired knowledge directly.
TestAS与面谈有何不同？TestAS是一次书面能力测试，不需口头讨论课程内容，考察通用和专业学术技能；面谈则直接检验你已掌握的知识。
What if I lose my APS certificates? The APS office can issue reprints upon request, usually for a small administrative fee. Keeping digital scans is strongly recommended.
APS证书遗失了怎么办？可向审核部申请补发，通常只需缴纳少量手续费。强烈建议留存电子扫描件。
12. Final Thoughts | 结语
The APS evaluation is not meant to be an insurmountable barrier; it is a quality-assurance step that confirms you genuinely earned your previous qualifications. By starting your preparation early, staying organised, and demonstrating authentic subject understanding, you can complete the process smoothly and move one step closer to studying in Germany. With your APS certificate in hand, the true adventure of a German academic journey begins.
APS审核绝非一道不可逾越的屏障，它是一道质量保障环节，旨在确认你真实具备所申报的学业资格。提前规划、有条不紊，并展现出真实的知识理解，就能顺利走完全程，向德国留学再迈进一步。手握APS证书，真正的德国学术之旅才刚开始。
Published by TutorHao | German APS Certification Guide | aleveler.com
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