No APS required for Kenyan students
Kenyan qualifications are accepted directly
Kenyan students do not need an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate. Your Kenyan Academic qualifications — KCSE certificate, university degree from a recognized Kenyan institution — are submitted directly to German universities. There is no separate academic verification step. Kenyan 4-year bachelor's degrees (standard under the 8-4-4 system and the newer CBC-transitioning system) are generally well-accepted for master's entry across Germany. Confirm eligibility directly with each university for your specific combination of qualification and field.
Documents typically required for a German university application
- KCSE certificate and result slip
- University degree certificate and full transcripts (all years and semesters)
- Certified English translations of any documents not already in English (Kenyan credentials are predominantly in English)
- Proof of English proficiency (often waived for Kenyan nationals — confirm with each university)
- German language certificate if applying to a German-taught program (TestDaF 4, DSH-2, or Goethe C1)
- Letter of motivation (1–2 pages)
- CV in European format (Europass)
- Two academic reference letters
- Passport copy
Kenyan qualification recognition in Germany
| 4-year bachelor's (8-4-4 system) | Generally accepted for master's entry across Germany — well established |
|---|---|
| 3-year bachelor's | May face equivalency review at some universities — confirm individually |
| KCSE + diploma | Diploma from a Kenya-accredited college may qualify for bachelor's entry at some German universities; depends on institution |
| Kenyan master's (mestrado) | Accepted for PhD programs; verify with German supervisor |
| Recognized Kenyan universities | Check the German anabin database (anabin.kmk.org) for the recognition status of your institution |
Application timeline for a winter semester start
- October–December: research programs, identify universities, request reference letters
- January–March: prepare documents, obtain translations if needed
- April–July: submit applications (most international deadlines: 15 July)
- August–September: receive offers, accept, begin visa application process
- October: arrive in Germany, enrol, register
Explore the full guide for Kenya students in Germany
Back to the Complete Guide
